http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/rss News articles published on abingdonfc.com using RSS 2.0 Sun, 19 May 2013 06:49:52 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=70 Thirty-one Bag Bingo, a water rescue, and situational awareness reminder all in this week's edition of the Abingdon Fire Company newsletter. Please enjoy the most recent edition of the Abingdon Fire Company Newsletter. If you are interested in more information or wish to contribute, contact info@abingdonfc4.org. Check back Monday, May 20th for our next installment. Department News Tue, 07 May 2013 13:52:24 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=70 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=69 Abingdon Fire Company will be hosting the American Red Cross as they hold a Blood Drive. On Wednesday, May 29th from 2:00PM to 8:00PM come to our Abingdon Rd. Station (3306 Abingdon Rd.) and give the gift of life. Call 1-800-733-2767 to schedule your lifesaving appointment today. "The need is constant. The gratification is instant." Department News Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:02:16 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=69 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=68 Help your four-legged family members. Abingdon Fire Company will host the Harford County Health Department's Rabies Clinic this Sunday, April 28th from 2:00PM to 4:00PM at our Abingdon Rd. Station (3306 Abingdon Rd.). Bring your pet or pets by for rabies vaccinations for just $5. Visit http://www.harfordcountyhealth.com/?p=6095 for more information. Department News Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:02:03 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=68 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=67 Lots of upcoming events, a special message from the Chief, and member achievements all in the latest edition of the Abingdon Fire Company Chronicle. Please enjoy the most recent edition of the Abingdon Fire Company Newsletter. If you are interested in more information or wish to contribute, contact info@abingdonfc4.org. Check back Monday, May 6th for our next installment. Incident News Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:25:46 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=67 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=65 The Abingdon Fire Company Auxiliary will be sponsoring and hosting a 31 Bag Bingo event on Friday, May 3rd. See attached poster for more details and information. Department News Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:44:05 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=65 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=64 Thanks to FF/EMT Steven Muccioli for providing the nice story and accompanying pictures of an excellent, hands-on training session that Abingdon members recently participated in. "On March 30th Firefighters from Bel Air, Abingdon, and Fallston Fire Companies trained on an unwanted house donated to Bel Air. Firefighters trained on bailout techniques, Denver extractions (where a ladder is placed through a window and the down person or firefighter placed on the ladder and brought out through the window on the ladder), firefighter trapped scenarios, self extrication exercises and roof operations. The smoke in the pictures came from a Smoke Generator to give it a more realistic feel to it." All of the evolutions "Mooch" described directly relate to firefighter safety and survival. Thanks again to Steven for sharing this as well as to our brothers and sisters in Bel Air for inviting us to be part of this excellent training opportunity. Photos by Steven Muccioli Department News Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:36:29 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=64 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=63 An engine and the truck were assigned to what ended up being a 2-Alarm apartment fire on Seevue Ct. in Bel Air in the early morning hours of Friday. The assignment was dispatched at approximately 2:45AM and first arriving units advised heavy fire from the complex. With the regular Thursday night sleep-in crew in the station, Engine 412, Truck 431 and Chief 4-1 were en route very quickly. According to various reports, members operating inside the building were at one point evacuated due to the heavy fire conditions. An exterior attack was made and crews then re-entered the building to contain any remaining hotspots. Extensive overhaul occurred for some time after. Units remained operating in excess of four hours. Members from Abingdon, Bel Air, Fallson, Joppa-Magnolia and Susquehanna Hose all worked commendably to contain the blaze. Incident News Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:33:52 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=63 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=62 College Acceptance, Providers of the Month, and a Touch-A-Truck event all in this weeks edition of the Abingdon Fire Company Chronicle. Please enjoy the most recent edition of the Abingdon Fire Company Newsletter. If you are interested in more information or wish to contribute, contact info@abingdonfc4.org. Check back Monday, April 22nd for our next installment. Department News Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:27:44 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=62 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=61 Please enjoy the most recent edition of the Abingdon Fire Company Newsletter. If you are interested in more information or wish to contribute, contact info@abingdonfc4.org. Check back Monday, April 8th for our next installment. Department News Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:08:44 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=61 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=60 An accident in which a vehicle reportedly rolled over multiple times, sent one patient to a local hospital via medevac. Just after 4:30 Saturday Abingdon was alerted for a 10-50 PI on I-95 Northbound near mile marker 78.1. Units arived to find a single vehicle off the roadway and positioned on its wheels at the base of a small berm. Aviation was requested to fly the patient to Maryland University Shock Trauma Center. Fire units shut down Northbound I-95 to allow the Medevac Helicopter to land and collect the patient. In an unrelated incident, during the early-morning hours of Monday, Abingdon was dispatched to a reported vehicle fire on Willoughby Beach Rd. At approximately 2:30 AM the fire was reported in the area of Albantowne Way with the caller also stating possible gunshots fired. Engine 414, Engine 814 and Chief 4-1 all responded. It was determined that there were no gunshots but merely the vehicle's tires bursting after being heated. The Maryland State Fire Marshall's Office is investigating the cause of the fire. Photo credits to Assistant Chief 4-1 Bill Frank. Incident News Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:53:08 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=60 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=59 A morning rush-hour collision caused a substantial traffic back-up Wednesday morning. Abingdon Fire Company units were alerted for a 10-50 PI (personal injury accident) in the area of RT 24 and Wheel Rd. Paramedic 494 first reported the incident as they were returning from Upper Chesapeake. The dispatch center advised that they had began receiving numerous calls about the accident and that it was now being reported that one occupant was trapped. Chief 4-1 and Rescue 451 arrived shortly after the paramedic unit and worked to disentangle the trapped occupant. The operator was quickly extricated from the vehicle and transported to Upper Chesapeake for evaluation. A driver and passenger from the second vehicle were also transported to Upper Chesapeake by units from the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company. An engine from Joppa was also on scene to assist in traffic control around the busy intersection. Photo credits to Assistant Chief 4-1 Bill Frank More information about the accident can be found at http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/harford/belair/ph-ag-route-24-crash-0315-20130313,0,2091040.story Incident News Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:19:14 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=59 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=58 On Sunday, Abingdon worked its second working dwelling fire in as many days, this time on Trellis Ln. About 6:00 PM Sunday evening, Fire Box 410 was alerted reporting a dwelling fire in the 3100 Block of Trellis Ln. Engine 412, already at a community event at Ice World quickly called en route with a full crew. Assistant Chief 4-1 also called en route and reported a column of smoke in the area. Units arrived to find heavy smoke from the rear and second floor of the single-family dwelling. Upon establishing Command, the incident was upgraded to a Working Fire. Engine 412's crew stretched a handline into the dwelling to begin their attack inside the structure. Engine 411 arrived a short time later and stretched a second line to assist in fire attack. With the incident's location being directly adjacent to RT 24 many motorists passing by either slowed or stopped on the highway to observe the scene creating a substantial traffic condition on 24. Units on scene included Engines 411, 412, 414, 415, 214, 311, 312, 315, Tower 331, Truck 1231, Paramedic 14, Paramedic 494, Paramedic 492, Utility 497, 472, Air 861, Chief 4-1, Deputy Chief 3 and Rehab 588. Engine 814 relocated to Abingdon's station to cover any additional calls. Pictures and more information as they become available. Continue to check back for updates. Incident News Mon, 11 Mar 2013 21:08:20 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=58 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=57 At 8:00 PM Saturday night, Abingdon units were alerted to assist the Joppa-Magnolia Fire Company with a dwelling fire with reported persons trapped in the 1700 block of Harbinger Trail in Edgewood. First arriving units found heavy fire from the second floor and rear of the structure. Initial crews made an aggressive interior attach in an attempt to extinguish the blaze while also making searches for any possibly trapped occupants. When it was determined that all occupants had been accounted for, Command (Chief 4-1) requested evacuation of the entire building and shifted to a defensive attack mode to help more effectively battle the heavy fire conditions. Once the fire had darkened down, the interior attack was resumed and firefighters continued to douse hot spots. In addition to Joppa and Abingdon were units from Bel Air, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Kingsville and White Marsh on scene. Fallston and Level relocated to various parts of the Eastern end of the County providing coverage. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries from burns and exhaustion. Both were transported to local hospitals but released that evening. Crews worked on scene for a total of about four and a half hours. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Maryland State Fire Marshall's Office. Photos courtesy of Assistant Chief 4-1, Bill Frank. Incident News Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:08:05 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=57 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=56 In light of a recent rescue of a family dog made by Level Volunteer Fire Company, many Harford County agencies are receiving donations of pet-sized oxygen masks in order to help prepare for Harford's many four-legged community members. Many of these masks are being provided courtesy of the Northern Chesapeake Sheltie Rescue. The non-profit organization is donating three masks to each of the Harford County Fire Companies. Abingdon residents Linda and Terry Isbell made their own personnel donation to Abingdon Fire Company by providing a set of the pet masks. The Isbell's chose to make the donation on their own as to not be deducted from the budget of the Sheltie Rescue. The Officers and Members of Abingdon are EXTREMELY grateful to the Isbell Family for their kind and generous donation so that we may be able to better assist all of the members of our community. For more information about the Northern Chesapeake Sheltie Rescue, check out their website at http://ncsr-md.org. Department News Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:39:00 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=56 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=55 Along with other Harford Fire Companies, Abingdon will participate with the Harford County Health Department and their Rabies Vaccination Clinic on Sunday, April 28th. See the attached flyer or the Health Department's website at http://harfordcountyhealth.com. Department News Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:17:59 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=55 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=54 Please enjoy the most recent edition of the Abingdon Fire Company Newsletter. If you are interested in more information or wish to contribute, contact info@abingdonfc4.org. Check back Monday, March 18th for our next installment. Department News Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:21:48 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=54 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=53 Over a couple of recent Monday nights, firefighters at Abingdon have been practicing rescues of some very important potential fire victims. They have have practiced various scenarios rehearsing the importance of rescuing themselves as well as other trapped or injured firefighters. A RIT, or Rapid Intervention Team is a designated crew at a fire scene or other emergency whose primary responsibility is to be prepared with a variety of potential strategies and tactics to enter the dangerous environment to perform rescue of a firefighter who may have become trapped, injured, disoriented, lost or otherwise in danger. Members from this crew will perform their own assessments of the hazards and conditions of an incident and may be assigned additional exterior duties but must remain prepared to instantly enter the hot zone to assist a fellow firefighter. Over the course of these two training sessions, firefighter practiced scenarios where they had to disentangle themselves, share their breathing cylinder with another firefighter, and search for and perform rescue of a downed firefighter. The training these members are receiving could literally some day save their own life. Thanks to Captain Breslin, Rescue Lt. Reinhardt, Lt. Cole, Lt. VonBank and Sgt. Hays for organizing the sessions and providing excellent instruction. Captain Chris Breslin provided his own summary of the most recent session held March 4th. "Members of Abingdon Fire Co. participated in "Save Your Own" Mayday and Rapid Intervention training with down firefighter evolutions. Approximately 15 members participated in this valuable and fun training held at Company 4, House 1. Members and Officers working in teams quickly found, identified and rescued simulated down firefighters while working as a team with the latest RIT equipment. While the exercises were strenuous and hard work a fun time was had by all simulating these scenarios." Other members attending at least one of the training sessions included: Jesse Spruell, Sam Hobbs, Collin Hobbs, Joseph Spruell, Steven Muccioli, Paul Boniface, Brandon Clary, Devonte Macklin, Matt Chrest, Dan McKinney, Alex Crickenberger, Mike Hawks, Morgan Nichols, Nick Thorn, Dallas Baldridge, Rick Hampton, Chad Messick, Chavez Wilson, Toloria Spruell, Kevin Courtney, Greg Kane, Joe Emuna, Christel Mercado and Joe Tolliver. Thanks to all who participated. Department News Tue, 05 Mar 2013 19:34:43 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=53 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=52 Members from the Abingdon Fire Company recently delivered on a promise made to D.C. Firefighter AJ Pumilia. On Tuesday, Lt. Pete VonBank, EMS Lt. Dan McKinney, Firefighter Andy Goodwin and President Charlie Williams delivered and installed a custom-designed fire engine shaped mailbox to AJ's home in Bel Air. The crew repainted and reinforced the Pumilia family's current mailbox post and then installed the new mailbox which was constructed by a member with the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company. While these members were out of Abingdon's response area, a crew was standing by in our station. Thanks to Lt. Erik Reinhardt, Firefighter Rick Nichols, Firefighter Steven Muccioli, and Firefighter Brandon Clary for their support in making sure our area was protected. If you are unfamiliar with AJ and his story, we first reported about this tremendous hero in June of last year. AJ is a firefighter in Washington DC Engine 27 battling an extremely difficult medical condition. For more information about how you can help AJ and his family please visit their website at http://fightstrongfighthard.com. Department News Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:17:51 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=52 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=51 On February 23rd members from Abingdon Fire Company, Darlington Fire Company, Susquhanna Hose Company. and the Harford County Technincal Rescue Team (TRT) stood by as Dunkers dunked at the 2nd Annual Decoy Dunk. The event hosted by the Bel Air Kiwanis raised money for the Harford County Boys and Girls Club. Dunkers went into the frigid water while members of the fire companies stood by in the water and out of the water trying to stay dry from the overcast rainy day. Roughly 125 dunkers were at the event. Thanks to all of our mutual aid agencies for helping out in the event. If you are interested in helping out the Harford County Boys and Girls club, visit their website at http://www.bgcharfordco.org/ Photo credits to Steven Muccioli. Department News Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:33:33 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=51 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=50 Last Friday, at the regular Company Meeting, Abingdon and its membership formally welcomed home one of our members, Charlie Kranz from Afghanistan. Charlie, who has already volunteered many years with Abingdon, did so again this time with his job as a civilian with the Department of the Army. Charlie describes his time in Afghanistan: "I am a Department of the Army Civilian (DAC) and work for Army Research Laboratory (ARL), a division of the Army's Research Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM). I volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan as part of RDECOM's Field Applied Science and Technology Center (RFAST-C). Our team worked directly with the soldiers in theater to design new or modify existing parts/ components for on armored vehicles or weapons systems in order to make things safer and more efficient for them while on mission. I was doing the same type of work I do in APG, only there I was working directly with the soldiers and the things I built, mostly prototypes, went right into the field. It was rewarding to be able to support the war fighter in theater as part of the team and to see how what we did helped their efforts. Since we were allowed a couple hours free time on Sunday mornings I volunteered at the base hospital in the OR, prepping patients, removing bandages and sutures, setting up equipment, etc. I got to see first hand what war does to people, an experience I will never forget. I want to thank my Abingdon family for their prayers and support for me and my family while I was gone." Abingdon Fire Company conveys its most heartfelt appreciation to Charlie and his work with our Service Members and for embodying the truest sense of what it means to be a volunteer. Abingdon is honored to call Charlie one of our own. Welcome home Charlie and thanks for all you do! Department News Sat, 23 Feb 2013 20:56:44 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=50 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=49 Please enjoy the most recent edition of the Abingdon Fire Company Newsletter. If you are interested in more information or wish to contribute, contact info@abingdonfc4.org. Check back Monday, March 4th for our next installment. Department News Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:50:04 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=49 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=48 Abingdon Fire Company President Charlie Williams attended a press conference held at the Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company on January 23rd to announce that Abingdon Fire Company has been awarded a $7,500 grant from Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. to be used towards the purchase of 25 EMS Jackets. In all, forty organizations in the local BGE service area were awarded grants totaling $317,883 in the first of its kind grant for emergency responders. Organizations were allowed to apply for a single grant of up to $10,000 for a project related to either preparedness or response and recovery. Abingdon Fire Company, the Harford County Sheriff's Foundation Inc., and the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Foundation Inc. were the only awardees from Harford County. The EMS jackets requested will meet ANSI Class 2/ISEA 107-2004 standards, contain a lining with bloodborne pathogen resistance, and contain a highly reflective trim for responder safety. EMS Chief Valerie Glassman is leading the effort to purchase of the jackets for the Company. Personnel safety is a top priority for the Board of Directors. A priority that has been reflected by the scope and breadth of projects pitched while applying for grants over past several years. In addition to both fire and EMS turnout gear, AFC has won grants to upgrade SCBA harnesses with life safety rescue belts, to provide every responder with a NFPA 1582 compliant baseline physical exam, and multiple recruitment and retention grants to increase staffing levels. Abingdon Fire Company would like to publicly thank BGE for its generous grant and for their support of emergency responders throughout Maryland. Department News Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:00:33 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=48 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=47 At 2:30 Thursday afternoon volunteers from Abingdon, Bel Air and Joppa-Magnolia were alerted for a Dwelling Fire on Laurel Valley Garth in the Holly Wreath neighborhood of Abingdon. Engine 412, already on a smoke-detector detail, called en-route immediately along with Chief 8-1 (Joppa). Additional information from the Emergency Operations Center stated that a fire had started in the chimney but was now spreading to the exterior of the dwelling where the resident was attempting to extinguish the flames with a garden hose. Chief 3-1 (Bel Air) arrived on scene first and established command advising a small amount of fire on the exterior of the structure. Engine 412, Engine 315, Engine 814, and Truck 431 all arrived nearly simultaneously. Engines 412 and 814 used thermal imaging cameras and opened up part of the interior walls around the chimney to locate any remaining fire. Engine 315 opened the exterior wall of the house to search for any hidden pockets burning. Truck 431 helped with the the cleanup and overhaul from inside the dwelling. Units cleared the scene by 3:00PM with no injuries reported. Photo credits to Assistant Chief 4-1 Bill Frank. Incident News Thu, 07 Feb 2013 22:21:53 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=47 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=46 At 8:00AM this morning Abingdon was alerted for a 10-50PI (personal injury accident) on I-95 Northbound in the area of mile marker 79.4. Crews arrived on scene to find two tractor-trailers that had collided and striking two other vehicles causing extensive damage to one as well as injuring its operator. The injured driver was transported to John Hopkins Bayview Campus for evaluation. I-95 was shut down for a considerable amount of time during the morning commute as a result. Photo credits to Susie Tingler. Additional photos at http://facebook.com/abingdonfire Incident News Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:00:02 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=46 http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=44 Please enjoy the most recent edition of the Abingdon Fire Company Newsletter. If you are interested in more information or wish to contribute, contact info@abingdonfc4.org. Check back Monday, February 4th for our next installment. Department News Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:50:09 GMT http://www.abingdonfc.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=44