DCFD ENGINE 20, TRUCK 12, BFC 5

ENGINE COMPANY 20 WAS ORGANIZED ON JANUARY 23, 1907 AT IT'S PRESENT LOCATION 4300 WISCONSIN AVE. NW. WASHINGTON D.C. IT WAS HOUSED AS A SINGLE ENGINE COMPANY AT THAT TIME. ON JULY 7, 1913 TRUCK COMPANY 12 WAS PLACED IN SERVICE AND HOUSED AT IT'S QUARTERS. PRESENTLY THE BIG HOUSE IS COMPRISED OF ENGINE 20 A 2003 PIERCE DASH ENGINE, TRUCK 12 2003 AMERICAN LA FRANCE 100 FOOT TILLER TRUCK, AMBULANCE 20 A 2006 HORTON BLS UNIT, AND FINALLY BATTALION CHIEF CAR 5 WHICH IS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE HOUSE WAS APART OF A 7 MILLION DOLLAR REFURBISHMENT PROCESS WHICH TOOK SEVERAL YEARS TO COMPLETE. THE NEW HOUSE IS EQUIPPED WITH ALL THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY, AND MODERN FEATURES SUCH AS NEW KITCHEN, WEIGHT ROOM, OFFICERS AND CHIEF QUARTERS, A LARGE BUNKROOM, MANY STORAGE ROOMS, GEAR CLEANING AND DRYING ROOM, A LARGE EATING AND SITTING ROOM WITH BIG SCREEN TV'S BASICALLY ANYTHING ANYONE COULD DREAM OF. WHILE THE PROCESS OF BUILING WAS BEING DONE ENGINE 20 WAS HOUSED ON THE HOMELAND SECURITY BASE ON NEBRASKA AVE. NW. OPERATING OUT OF A MODULAR HOME HENCE THE NAME TRAILER TRASH WHICH STILL STANDS TODAY. TRUCK 12 WAS HOUSED AT ENGINE CO. 31 ON CONNECTICUT AVE. NW. SOON TO BE FOLLOWED BY ENGINE 20 ALSO BEING HELD THERE ALSO. AMBULANCE 20 AND BATTALION CHEIF 5 WERE HOUSED AT ENGINE 21 ON LANIER PLACE NW. AMBULANCE 20 AT THAT TIME WAS THE SECOND BUSIEST AMBULANCE IN THE CITY. THE NEW HOUSE IS COMPLETELY OPERATIONAL AND HAS BEEN OCCUPIED BY THE MEMBERS SINCE OCTOBER OF 2006.

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November 21, 2009 by Chris Oliphant

Around 2 pm today units from the Fifth Battalion were dispatched to the 2800 block of Chain Bridge Road NW for a reported house fire. First arriving units reported smoke showing from a two-story dwelling with all of the residents out of the house. Due to previous low water pressure issues in the area several additional engine companies were called to the scene to assist with providing additional water supply. Firefighters enter the dwelling and reported fire in the walls and ceiling area of the two-story house. No one was injured fighting the fire and it took firefighters about 30 minutes to bring the fire under control. About 100 firefighters were called to the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

It is with deep regret that the department informs you of the passing of Firefighter Dion M. Prout Jr. T-14-4. Firefighter Prout was involved in an auto accident on Saturday October 3 2009 in Prince George's County. At this time there is no further information, as information becomes available it will be forwarded to the department. Let us keep Lt. Dion Prout Sr. and his entire family in our prayers.

DC firefighters rescued an elderly man from a northwest apartment building fire this morning,. Around 10 a.m. firefighters from the Fifth and Forth Battalions were summed to the 2300 block of 40^th Street NW, Townley Court Apartments for a reported Apartment building on fire. Units arrived on the scene with smoke showing from a three-story apartment building with a working fire in a basement unit. As firefighters were making an aggressive attack on the fire, firefighters from Rescue Squad 2 and Engine 20, Truck 12 was conducting a search of the apartment and located an unconscious male and quickly removed the victim to safety..According to Fire Officials, the victim was resuscitated by rescuers and taken to Georgetown University Hospital in critical condition, apparently suffering from smoke inhalation and possibly respiratory burns. It took firefighters about 15 minutes to bring the fire under control with no other injuries reported. It was reported that a passerby called for help after seeing smoke pouring from the basement from the apartment building. It is unclear whether the apartment was equipped with working smoke alarms. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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1650HRS 2950 VAN NESS ST NW 9STY APT BLDG HAD FIRE ON THE 6TH FLOOR

Despite fire showing on arrival, 5th Battalion firefighters made quick work of a blaze in the far reaches of Northwest DC Sunday evening, August 30th. The blaze involved a second floor bedroom in a two story detached dwelling at 3529 Quesada Street NW. The initial box alarm was dispatched around 9:45 PM and a working fire dispatch was also sounded. Fire was confined to the room of origin, and no injuries were reported.

2158hrs 3529 QUESADA ST NW HAD FIRE ON THE TOP FLOOR OF A 2STY DWELLING

BOX E-31, 20, 22, 24, 11, 21, TK 11 & 14 RS 2 BC 5 & 4 WFD E-28 TK 12

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DC firefighters safely evacuated scores of elderly and infirm residents from their burning apartment building in the Petworth neighborhood Friday evening, July 17th. The two alarm blaze erupted around 8:45 pm in a three story apartment building at 5336 Colorado Avenue NW. First alarm companies found heavy smoke rolling from the roof and eaves, and discovered fire raging throughout the cockloft. An aggressive interior attack was mounted, utilizing multiple hand lines to hit the flames from holes opened in the top floor ceiling by the truck companies. Roof work was made difficulty by the inaccessibility of the structure to aerial ladders. These tactics were successful, and the fire was brought under control within an hour.     

                                                   2035HRS 2ND ALARM 5336 COLORADO AVE NW 3STY APT BLDG ROOF FIRE

BOX E-24, 14, 11, 4, 22 TK 6 & 14 RS 2 BC 4 & 5 WFD E-28 TK 11

2ND ALARM E-21, 20, 9, 31. TK 3 & 9 RS1 BC 2 WTF E-52, 54, 55 BC 3

JULY 12, 2009

BOX ALARM WAS BY ENGINE 28 FOR SMOKE ON THE 3RD FLOOR FOYER BY ELEVATORS FOUND LIGHT BALAST WITH EXTENSION HEAVY SMOKE AND WATER DAMAGE DUE TO SPRINKLERS ON 3RD FLOOR.

BOX ALARM ENGINES 28, 31, 20, 21, 11 TRUCKS 14, 12 BFC 5 AND 4, RESCUE 2, AMB.20

Click Here for Elliot J. Goodman's Slideshow

July 4 , 2009

MIRACULOUSLY NO ONE WAS HURT OR EVEN HOME , WHEN THIS VERY LARGE HOUSE EXPLODED IN THE 6200 BLOCK OF OREGON AV. N.W. THE EXPLOSION WAS HEARD FOR MILES AND RESULTED IN OVER ONE MILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGE. THE CAUSE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION, HOWEVER A STRONG SMELL OF NATURAL GAS WAS EVIDENT AT THE SCENE. A BOX ALARM WAS DISPATCHED WITH A SPECIAL ALARM FOR THE COLLAPSE TASK FORCE.

Click Here for Elliot J. Goodman's Slideshow

DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE RUSH HOUR 2 METRO TRAINS CRASHED CREATING ONE OF THE TOUGHEST RESCUE CHALLENGES THE DCFEMS HAS FACED IN MANY YEARS. IT IS REPORTED THAT 9 LIVES WERE LOST AND AT LEAST 75 INJURED. A 3RD ALARM ASSIGNMENT RESPONDED WITH MANY SPECIALS, INCLUDING ALL 3 HEAVY RESCUES AS WELL AS MUTUAL AID FROM MONTGOMERY, PRINCE GEORGES, ALEXANDRIA AND OTHER COUNTIES. THE EXTRICATION OF THE VICTIMS WENT ON THROUGH THE NIGHT AND A HEAVY RAILROAD CRANE WAS BROUGHT IN TO REMOVE PARTS OF THE MANGLED TRAIN CARS TO HELP FREE THE VICTIMS.  DCFD UNITS REMAINED ON THE SCENE FOR ABOUT 18 HOURS.

Click Here for Vito Maggiolo's Slideshow

0954 3RD ALARM 2215 DOUGLAS ST NE 2 1STY DWELLING WELL OFF

BOX E-10, 17, 26, 12, 6 TK 15 & 13 RS 1 BC 4 & 2 WFD E-14 TK 3

2ND ALARM E-21, 4, 2, 11, TK 6 & 7 RS 2 BC 1

WTF E- 51, 52, 54, 55 BC 3

3RD ALARM E-8, 9, 27, 24, TK 9 & 11 BC 5  

May 30, 2009 A rescue alarm was sounded with the fifth battalion for the mva reported trapped victims at Nebraska Ave. and Nevada Ave. Engine 31 went on the scene to find a single car mva on its side with female driver trapped. Truck 12 cribbed car using ropes and cribbing and forced access to the patient. Patient was deemed stabilized by PEC 31 truck 12 members assisted BCC with extrication which took about 5 minutes by removing the roof....

0930 hours Rescue Alarm Engine 31, Truck 12 as squad, ambulance 20, medic 31, BFC 5, EMS 5 BCC Rescue1.....

We regret to inform the department of the passing of active member "FF Timothy Russell" assigned to T-12-2.  FF Russell was appointed to E-27 on April 26, 1982. Funeral will be held on friday May 15, 2009....

2041HRS 2200 WISCONSIN AVE BASEMENT FIRE IN A COMM BLDG

Engine 5 went on the scene with fire showing side a division 3. Units came to find an electrical fire with minor extension truck 12 held to provide ventilation.  No other services needed all units went available....

May 9, 2009 by Vito Maggiolo

A DC firefighter was injured and four people have been displaced after a house fire in the Petworth section of the city.

Just after 12 noon firefighters from the Fourth and Fifth Battalions were arlerted for a reported house fire in the 1300 block of Emerson Street NW

Units arrived on the scene with smoke showing from a two-story dwelling with a report of a working fire in the attic section of the house.

Firefighters monuted a very an aggrestive attack on the fire and was able to bring the fire under control within 10 minutes with no extension.

According to Alan Etter, Public Information Officer for DC Fire, . One firefighter suffered what was described as a minor ankle injury, he was transported to a local hospital.

No other injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is undetermined

MONDAY APRIL 27TH 2009

2112HRS 6104 13TH ST NW 2STY DWELLING ATTIC FIRE

BOX E-14 11, 24, 31, 28, TK 11 & 14 RS 2 BC 5 & 1 WFD E-22 TK 9

Dc firefighters battled an attic blaze in a Brightwood neighborhood home on Monday night, April 27th. Fire was already showing from the 2.5 story detached dwelling at 6104 13th Street NW when box alarm units arrived shortly after 9 PM. A working fire dispatch was sounded and an aggressive attack commenced utilizing interior hand lines and extensive roof operations. The incident was brought under control without injury to either civilians or firefighters.

0821HRS 1414 8TH ST NW HAD FIRE IN THE DUCT SYSTEM OF A 1STY FOOD STORE

BOX E-16, 1, 13, 65, 21 TK 5, 12 & 2  BC 5

1722HRS 3620 38TH ST NW 3STY OMD FIRE # 2 FLOOR

BOX E- 28, 31, 5, 21, 20 TK 12 & 14 RS 2 BC 5 & 4 WFD E-11 TK 6

2044HRS 6921 GEORIA AVE NW 3STY APT BLG FIRE 1ST FLOOR

BOX E- 22, 24, 14, 31, 4 TK 11 & 6 RS 2 BC 4 & 5 WFS E-20 TK 14

3003 VAN NESS ST. NW. 5 STORY APT KITCHEN FIRE

BOX ALARM E- 28, 31, 20, 21, 11 TK 14, 12 RS 2 BC 5 & 4 AMBULANCE 20

WISC. AVE. AND JENNIEFER STS. NW - TJ MAX ELEVATOR  MOTOR FIRE

LOCAL ALARM E- 31, 20, 28 TK 12 BC 5 AMBULANCE 20

2801 QUEBEC ST. NW APT FIRE HELD TO 1 N 1

BOX ALARM E- 28, 31, 20, 11, 9 TK 14, 12,  RS 2 BC 5 & 4

Late One nite after an incident in E31's first due the crew of Truck 12 were on their way back home, when the spotted big foot running across the street at Northampton and Chevy Chase Parkway. Eyewitnesses Lt. Robert Dewitt and Technician Thomas Fulcher both with the DCFD for over 20 years made the discovery. Now granted it was 2 or 3 am in the morning hours and age had also been a factor but they claim and I quote " the thing began running on all fours and into a 2 legged running position across the roadway into the woods". The sighting was roughly about a block away from the truck but both F/F's were frightened and stunned. Investigations are still pending wether alcohol, drugs, age, sleep deprivation or bad eyesight  was involved. Both Members were committed to the PFC and poor Lt. Dewitt was so shakin up he had to transfer back to southeast again with E25....

                            The Creation of a Fire Fighter

When the Lord was creating Firefighters, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, "Your doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."

And the Lord said "Have you read the specification on this person? Firefighters have to be able to go for hours fighting fires or tending to a person that the usual every day person would never touch, while putting in the back of their mind the circumstances. They have to be able to move at a second's notice and not think twice of what they are about to do, no matter what danger. They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on half-eaten meals, and they must have six pairs of hands."

The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands...no way."

"It's not the hands that are causing me problems, " said the Lord, "it's the three pairs of eyes a Firefighter has to have."

That's on the standard model? " asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. " One pair that sees through the fire and where they and their fellow Firefighters should fight the fire next. Another pair here in the side of the head to see their fellow Firefighters and keep them safe. And another pair of eyes in the front so that they can look for the victims caught in the fire that need their help."

"Lord" said the angel, touching his sleeve, " Rest and work on this tomorrow."

"I can't, said the Lord, "I already have a model that can carry a 250 pound man down a flight of stairs and to safety from a burning building, and can feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck."

The angel circled the model of the Firefighter very slowly, "Can it think?"

"You bet," said the Lord. It can tell you the elements of a hundred fires; and can recite procedures in their sleep that are needed to care for a person until they reach the hospital. And all the while they have to keep their wits about themselves. This Firefighter also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with a scene full of pain and hurt, coaxing a child's mother into letting go of the child so that they can care for the child in need. And still they rarely get the recognition for a job well done from anybody, other than from fellow Firefighters."

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Firefighter. "There's a leak", she pronounced. "Lord, it's a tear."

"What's the tear for?" asked the angel.

"It's a tear from bottled-up emotions for fallen comrades. A tear for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American Flag. It's a tear for all the pain and suffering they have encountered. And it's a tear for their commitment to caring for and saving lives of their fellow man!"

"What a wonderful feature Lord, you're a genius" said the angel.

The Lord looked somber and said "I didn't put it there."

 Satan "20 Engine's dog"

THE BIG HOUSE RESPONDS TO OVER 5000 RUNS PER YEAR IN THE UPPER NORTHWEST SECTION OF D.C. 

Designed by Matt Swartz E20 #4