Saturday morning, the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department celebrated the housing of their new fire engine, known as Engine 703, and dedicated it in memory of their Past Fire Chief, Scott Eric Emmons.
Past Fire Chief Scott Eric Emmons, who died in 2021, volunteered with the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department for more than 30 years, in every operational rank from Firefighter to Fire Chief. Chief Emmons also was a DC Metropolitan Police Detective, where he served on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. Chief Emmons’ daughter is now a Rockville Volunteer Firefighter as well.
The new Engine 703 cost over $850,000 with equipment adding another $100,000 according to newly-elected Rockville Volunteer Fire Chief Craig Lazar. Unlike many other Montgomery County fire engines, the new Engine 703 is owned by the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department. Engine 703, capable of pumping 2,000 Gallons (of water) Per Minute, was built by Seagrave Fire Apparatus in Wisconsin.
At the conclusion of the Dedication, Rockville Volunteer Fire Department First Deputy Chief Christopher Hinde officially placed the new Engine 703 ‘in quarters’, making it available to respond to emergencies. Just moments later, it was dispatched on its first call.
The Rockville Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1921, and has provided vital firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical services to Rockville and Montgomery County for over 100 years. According to the RVFD, “Donations to RVFD are used for volunteer support and operations, purchase of apparatus, such as the [Engine discussed in this article], community fire safety events and activities and towards construction of a new fire station.” Donations can be made online or mailed to the RVFD. Additionally, the RVFD recently announced plans for the launch of an online store, providing another way for supporters to contribute and demonstrate their support.
In 2022, units from Rockville Volunteer Fire Department Station 3, where this new Engine is housed, responded to 13,555 calls, according to MCFRS. This made Rockville’s Station 3 the third busiest station in all of Montgomery County.
Photo Courtesy of Twitter user @Mike_Swoop
Shortly before 12PM Tuesday, a large volume of smoke was visible across Montgomery County, and was determined to be originating from the roof of the The Monterey Apartments on Montrose just west of Rockville Pike. The fire was determined to be originating from a rooftop HVAC unit. The actual volume of fire was small, confined to HVAC units.
Career and Volunteer Firefighters rapidly got the fire under control and the thick black smoke quickly changed into lighter gray smoke indicating successful fire suppression.
Some occupants were evacuated and others sheltered in place. A large portion of the lobby was flooded due to a water line failure inside the building during the fire.
Video available on our Instagram.
Elderly Driver Hospitalized After Rockville Rollover
Photo Courtesy of the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department
Around 11AM Tuesday morning, Rockville City Police as well as Montgomery County Firefighters and volunteers from the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department responded to the 1000 block of Baltimore Road for an overturned SUV with its driver trapped.
Responders arrived and found a SUV laying on its side after running into a tree while traveling eastbound on Baltimore Road.
The 70 year-old-female driver was extricated from the vehicle after it was stabilized using rescue struts. She was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. Baltimore Road was briefly closed during the response and extrication.
Electrical Fault Sparks Wheaton St. Patrick’s Day Attic Fire
Photo Courtesy Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer
Shortly after 9PM on Wednesday, Montgomery County Career Firefighters along with Volunteer Firefighters from the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department, Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, and Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad responded to a reported house fire in the 2800 block of Parker Avenue in Wheaton.
Responders arrived and found fire showing from the attic and roof of a one story house. Their response was delayed, however, because the fire burned undetected until a passerby spotted it and called 911.
According to Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the fire was sparked by faulty electrical wiring in the attic above the front door. The fire was estimated to have caused $200,000 in damage.
Rockville Firefighters Rescue Woman Uninjured but Trapped in Burning Apartment Building
Featured Photo Courtesy of the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department
Shortly before 5PM Sunday evening, Montgomery County Career and Volunteer Firefighters, along with firefighters from the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) Fire Department, responded to an apartment fire at 104 Duvall Lane in Gaithersburg.
Firefighters arrived and found multiple apartments on fire and quickly initiated fire attack and searches for any trapped occupants. Career and Rockville Volunteer Firefighters assigned to Rockville’s Rescue Squad 703 located a woman trapped in an adjacent apartment. They quickly and safely extricated her with the assistance of a Tower Ladder truck from Fire Station 708 (Russell Avenue). She was not hurt.
No injuries were reported, however several dozen people were displaced. The American Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region responded to assist the displaced occupants.
The fire is believed to have been electrical in nature, and is believed to have originated in the void space between the second floor ceiling and the floor of the third floor apartments.
As of late Sunday evening, damage was estimated to be around $1.75 Million, according to Montgomery County Fire/Rescue Chief Spokesman Pete Piringer.
Feature Photo courtesy of the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department.
2020 has certainly been a difficult year for everyone, however it has been especially trying for essential workers including emergency responders. While fire departments faced numerous new challenges associated with the COVID pandemic, many departments also maintained their holiday traditions.
Every Holiday Season, many Fire Departments participate in events such as Santa Runs and Menorah Parades, bringing responders and holiday festivities throughout the communities where the same responders are usually responding to emergencies. While events like these are certainly fun for kids as well as some older residents, they also can be an enjoyable and uplifting time for the participating Fire Departments. Such was definitely the case in 2020.
Glen Echo Fire Department Chief William “Bill” Dunn posted a message on the GEFD’s Facebook page expressing his gratitude, writing, “People waving from inside their homes and flickering their porch lights; many folks cheering and clapping from their driveways; people shouting ‘Happy Holidays!’ and ‘Thank You!’ from their lawns; the pure happiness that everyone showed us last night brought tears to my eyes several times. All of you…lifted our spirits in ways that you can’t imagine…brought smiles and joy to many of us that needed a little cheer and comfort.”
In a Christmas Day letter, Rockville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jim Vagonis echoed Chief Dunn’s sentiments, while talking about the Rockville VFD’s Santa Runs and annual Menorah Parade. Chief Vagonis wrote to the Rockville community, saying, “What you may not realize is how much you helped the mental status of our first responders, including myself. By seeing each of you smiling and enjoying the parade through the streets…has renewed our faith in humanity during these very trying and challenging months. You have made us stronger and more whole, so we can continue the [COVID] fight for as long as it takes.”
While emotional and mental support are certainly crucial for emergency responders and other essential workers, financial support is also vital for Volunteer Fire Departments, Rescue Squads, and other nonprofit organizations. Holiday Season traditions such as Fire Department Christmas Tree sales serve as fundraisers for the Departments’ apparatus and other expenses. In Montgomery County this year, the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department purchased and debuted a brand new fire engine paid for by community donations. Additionally, the Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department purchased and received their brand new Heavy Rescue Squad also paid for by their donors. This year alone, the Bethesda–Chevy Chase and Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squads also received new ambulances funded by donations. These four new emergency vehicles are just a small portion of Fire Department expenses, which have only increased this year with COVID-associated costs.
Fire Departments are not only on the receiving end of Holiday Season donations, however. Every year, all Montgomery County Fire Stations collect toys for the United States Marine Corps’ “Toys for Tots” program. The Cabin John Park VFD also annually collects toys for the National Center For Children and Families as well as the Scotland Drive Community Association. This year, for their two local collections alone, the Cabin John Park VFD collected then donated 660 gifts.
