DCFD Truck Co 11, established 1908 serving the citizens and visitors of the District of Columbia Brightwood
(74)
Operating as usual
Balloon frame construction is common in DC, with many older SFDs in the response area bringing unique challenges to firefighting operations.
Simulated fire travel showing the difference between balloon and platform frame.Free to use - if you need the file version please contact me.Flash Fire Indus...
#3 platoon with the first due fire 7300blk Georgia Avenue. Units found fire in the ceiling first floor with extension to the second floor.
MPD Officer Brian Gibson,
EOW 03:00 2.5.1997
murdered in his patrol car at a stop light by a coward who was mad at the police for being thrown out of a club. Left behind a wife and two children, his mother hosted in his honor cooking meals for all MPD officers on duty for the Christmas holiday for 20 years following considering all officers part of her family. His murderer was swiftly apprehended and is in jail without possibility of parole. MPDs 4th District police station located on Georgia Ave NW is named in his honor.
Early morning/late in to #4 platoon, units were awoken to the first due box alarm in the 7100blk of 9th St NW, units arrived to fire on the rear deck, E24 2nd due (responsible for side C) made quick work of the deck/porch while E22/T11 checked for extension inside & opened up the decking area.
Fire simulations for crew discussions & new officer initial size up practice. Most stations have “smart tv” so you can make an easy drill by putting a scenario on loop and discuss considerations, positions & tactics.
Training videos from DCFD Truck Co. 11, Washington D.C.
Two Oklahoma firefighters die in house fire - Statter911
Two residents killed in Waynoka fire
Brotherhood of Fire
14 years ago
Black Sunday - January 23, 2005
3 firefighters of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) were killed in two fires: two at a tenement fire in the Bronx, with four others being seriously injured, and another fireman was killed at a house fire in Brooklyn.
It was the deadliest day for the FDNY since the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001 and particularly shocking since two different deadly fires occurred on the same day.
The fire in Bronx, alarm call was made at 7:59 on a cold, windy morning the day after a blizzard, and snow hampered the engines in reaching the address; the closest hydrant was frozen, and some hoses were either frozen or cracked.
The apartments had been illegally subdivided using drywall partitions. Six firefighters on the fourth floor were trapped when the fire flashed through the door of the apartment, unable to find their way to the fire escape, they decided to jump from windows.
Two were killed in the fall: John G. Bellew and Lieutenant Curtis W. Meyran, who was in command of Ladder 27. The other four, Brendan Cawley, Jeff Cool, Joey DiBernardo, and Gene Stolowski, were severely injured. Joe and Jeff were permanently disabled and had to retire.
Hear the chilling audio here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXo25xL01MM
The Brooklyn fire, later the same day, was in the basement of a two-family house. People attending a birthday party reported smelling smoke.
Firefighters from Ladder Company 103 arrived on scene and were investigating but withdrew from the basement when the heat became too intense.
All but one, Richard T. Sclafani, did not come out. He was found unconscious on the stairs after apparently catching his equipment on a coat rack. He was pronounced dead at the hospital
The total number of firefighter deaths that day went to three, the highest number in one day since the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center and, unusually, in two separate fires.
Sadly and tragically after years of rehabiltation and therapy Joey DiBernardo died accidentally six years later on November 22, 2011. He had been promoted to lieutenant in May 2005. Bellew received a posthumous promotion.
The death toll from FDNY's Black Sunday stands at 4.
In 2012, Lieutenant Joseph P. DiBernardo was awarded the New York City Medal of Supreme Sacrifice and the FDNY Medal of Valor for giving his life in the line of duty for the citizens of New York City. Joey’s name was also added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland in 2017.
In the wake and aftermath of this tragedy in 2013, friends and family started the Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Foundation. Also known as the Joey D Foundation, the foundation was started to raise money to help train and equip firefighters in need.
Visit and donate here...
https://www.joeydfoundation.org/
Rest in Peace Brothers
Godspeed to Jeff, Eugene and Brendan
We will Never Forget
Until we all meet again on the Top Floor
May God Bless the FDNY
#TheBravest
#BrotherhoodStrong
Brotherhood of Fire
Conditions units faced on #2 platoon side Charlie, T11 was 2nd due Truck which is responsible for entry/laddering the rear and working from the basement up.
These were the severe fire conditions encountered by DC’s Bravest when they arrived on the scene of the Working Fire at 4210 8th Street NW in which two residents perished.
(Photo from Popville)
4th Bttn working this time early morning of #2 platoon
Two people lost their lives in a fire that swept through a Petworth neighborhood home during the early morning hours of Thursday, January 21st.
A Box Alarm was dispatched at 2:48 AM to 4210 8th Street NW. First arriving units confirmed heavy fire involving both floors in the rear of a two story, attached row dwelling. A Working Fire Dispatch was requested.
Firefighters immediately began to aggressively attack the fire and search for victims reported to be trapped. That search located two victims, an elderly male on the first floor and a elderly female on the floor above. Both were rushed outside and transported to the hospital, where they subsequently succumbed to their injuries.
The fire was beginning to extend to the adjacent homes on both sides, but firefighters were able to cut off the flames before they spread further. During the efforts to control the blaze, there was a collapse of the rear porch.
It took approximately a dozen units and 50 personnel about 20 minutes to bring the fire under control. One firefighter suffered a minor injury, and was taken to the hospital.
Two residents of an adjacent home were displaced.
The joint arson task force, which consists of DC Fire and EMS investigators, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Metropolitan Police Department, are actively searching for the cause of the fire. They are also working to determine if smoke detectors were present and operational.
DC Fire and EMS once again urges all residents to have working smoke detectors in their homes, and to test them regularly. Smoke Alarms more then 10 years old need to be replaced with newer models that have a built in battery with a 10 year life span.
Shortly after returning to quarters E22/T11 & units from the 4th bttn were alerted to the 200 blk of Van Buren St NW, finding fire on the 2nd story of a commercial building. Units mounted an aggressive interior attack knocking much of the fire down but were pulled out after the fire in the cockloft area had weakened and collapsed part of the roof. Units then operated defensively utilizing ladder pipes and master streams, as well as Tower Ladder 3, before returning interior to extinguish hot spots. No victims found or injuries to firefighters, a second alarm was sounded
“Update Working Fire 200 block Van Buren St NW. #DCsBravest have knocked down a significant volume of fire on 2nd floor via an aggressive interior attack, but now have fire in concealed space between ceiling and roof, known as a cockloft. https://t.co/VsEd4aNkvA”
#4 platoon E22/T11 first due, 1300blk of Fernway Rd NW, fire showing from the attic of a 1 story SFD. Units from the 4th battalion operating with an aggressive interior attack, fire extinguished & checking for hot spots no injuries to residents or firefighters.
Members and officers of Engine 22 & Truck 11 offer out our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to the United States Capitol Police and the friends and family of Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who succumb from injuries sustained in the Line of Duty during the unrest at the US Capitol January 6th. May his sacrifice never be forgotten.
E22/T11 alerted first due for the fire reported at the intersection, units arrived to find fire showing from side A/B/C dormers and windows of a live able attic space in the 7700blk of 16th St. units from the 4th battalion mounted an aggressive interior attack extinguishing the same. T11 responsible for side A and fire floor placed numerous ground ladders, removed boarded up windows and worked with Truck 6 to open up the slate roof for vertical ventilation. No injuries reported civilian or firefighters.
Thoughts with the brothers in WV
Other firefighters injured in collapse at Kearneysville fire
#2 platoon Tillerman Augustus Hill receiving a bronze bar of valor for his actions.
Bronze Bar for Valor
Paramedic Joseph Blatzheim
Firefighter/Technician Augustus Hill
February 4, 2019
4200 Block of Foote Street NE
On the evening of February 4th, 2019, Medic 30, staffed by Paramedic Joseph Blatzheim and Firefighter/Technician Augustus Hill, was dispatched on what appeared to be a routine medical emergency at 4240 Foote Street Northeast. Their patient assessment indicated an AMR transport was required and having requested one, they waited with their patient in the back of the unit.
A short time later, a white van pulled behind Medic 30, The van’s driver exited his vehicle, pounded on the rear door of the medic unit, and then opened the door and yelled at the crew to move their vehicle. Firefighter Hill explained they were tending to a patient and would be leaving when the other transport unit arrived. Hill then closed and locked the door to the unit.
AMR Unit 235 then arrived, parked behind the white van, and the patient transfer took place. Once again, the van driver exited his vehicle and began cursing and demanding the emergency vehicles be moved. The civilian then proceeded to the side door of the AMR unit and began yelling in the face of the crews. Firefighter Hill and Paramedic Blatzheim told the irate man the ambulances would be leaving shortly and to return to his vehicle.
Suddenly the situation took a dangerous turn. The van driver put his vehicle in reverse and attempted to ram the AMR unit. The AMR driver attempted to seek shelter in the patient compartment but was grabbed by the civilian. He screamed racially motivated profanity at her and then began to punch her in the face.
Hill and Blatzheim, hearing the commotion, rushed to the aid of the AMR staffer. Paramedic Blatzheim radioed in an urgent 10-33 request for police assistance as Firefighter Hill attempted to stop the assault. It is important to note the assailant was 6 feet, five inches, and nearly 300 pounds.
Firefighter Hill grabbed the civilian’s arm, who in turn attempted to punch the firefighter. Attempting to protect both himself and those around him, he struck the civilian and attempted to wrestle him away from the AMR unit. As they battled, the civilian kept making attempts to reach into his waistband, and as they grappled on the street, a handgun fell from the assailant’s pants.
As Firefighter Hill fought to keep the civilian pinned to the ground, the man kept trying to reach the weapon. As Hill struggled with the much larger man, one of the AMR crew grabbed the gun and threw it into a nearby grassy area. Multiple MPD units then arrived on the scene and the assailant was taken into custody.
Firefighter EMT Hill and Paramedic Blatzheim were uninjured, but the AMR employee required medical treatment and was transported. The assailant in this case was charged with three counts of felony assault, aggravated assault, possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of unlicensed hollow point ammunition, and driving an unregistered motor vehicle without a license and while under the influence.
If it was not for the heroic actions of Firefighter/Technician Augustus Hill and Paramedic Joseph Blatzheim, this incident could have resulted in a tragic outcome.
We honor these members with the Bronze Bar for Valor.
San Francisco Firefighters Local 798
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of one of our own. This morning, the San Francisco Fire Department lost one of our own in a Line of Duty Death. Jason Cortez was a beloved 13-year veteran with the SFFD who tragically lost his life at the age of 42. He began his career as a member of Station 49 serving the City on an ambulance before transferring over to become a Firefighter/Paramedic assigned to Fire Station 3.
Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones, especially his two young children. San Francisco Firefighters mourn the loss of our brother and we are committed to doing everything in our power to support the Cortez family in the days, months, and years to come. 💔
#sffd #sanfrancisco #family #restinpeace
27 years ago this afternoon, 33-year-old Gary Gordon and 35-year-old Randy Shughart, both members of the Army's 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta, were providing air cover for Rangers in Operation Gothic Serpent in Mogadishu when a fellow Blackhawk helicopter was shot down. Gordon requested to be landed at the crash site to provide cover for the crew, but was denied permission. Seeing the hostile Somali crowds converging on the downed Blackhawk, he pressed his request until finally granted permission. Gordon and Shughart, armed each with only his own rifle and pistol, were dropped off at the crash site, and found pilot Michael Durant alive. There they formed a perimeter around him hoping for rescue that never came. Both men exhausted their ammunition and were killed saving Durant, who was taken alive as prisoner. Both men were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the first awarded since Vietnam at that time. Today we honor their memory & all lost in the battle of Mogadishu
Temperatures dropping means heating systems turning on, remind loved ones to have a CO detector installed and the risks of not having one.
Six people escaped a potentially deadly situation after being alerted by an activated Carbon Monoxide detector in their home on Monday, September 21st.
The homeowners called 911 to report the detector activation, and a truck company was dispatched to investigate. Upon arrival, their meters signaled an elevated level of CO, and additional resources were requested.
The occupants were evacuated from the home and assessed by EMS. Firefighters entering the structure wearing self contained breathing apparatus encountered dangerous and potentially fatal levels of Carbon Monoxide.
The source was traced to a faulty furnace. The appliance was shut off and the home ventilated to clear the CO.
The occupants, 3 adults and 3 children, did not need to be transported to the hospital, due to the early warning provided by the working CO detector.
Carbon Monoxide is often referred to as “the silent killer,” as it is colorless and odorless. It is often caused by faulty appliances such as furnaces, boilers, and water heaters, or when such devices are not properly vented to the outside.
Other CO sources are stoves, chimneys with cracked flues, or gas powered equipment such as generators or power tools being utilized in poorly ventilated locations. Portables generators in particular must never be run inside homes or garages.
With the heating system approaching, it is critical to have gas operated home heating appliances checked by a certified technician.
Symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and eventual loss of consciousness. Such symptoms may suddenly occur in several occupants simultaneously.
If you suspect CO in your home, or your CO alarm activates, immediately evacuate to the outside and call 911.
The only true measure of safety is a working Carbon Monoxide detector. They can be purchased at any hardware store. If you already have one, take the time to test it monthly.
#2 platoon working
Empty parking lot with strategically placed trash cans = drivers training for new Tillermen.
FDNY 11 Truck
LODD operating box alarm 8087. 9/11/2001
Lt. Michael Quilty, 42
Michael F Cammarata, 22
Edward James Day, 45
John F Heffernan, 37
Richard John Kelly Jr., 50
Robert King Jr., 36
Mathew Rogan, 37
DC Truck companies have been issued a new tool for the forcible entry arsenal. After a tragic double fatal fire last year in E24(petworth) first due area which a father and son were trapped inside the row house behind a metal gate (the building had been illegally converted and there were metal bars installed inside hallways to separate the “apartments”) and crews struggled to open up with saws not working due to heavy smoke conditions on the interior, companies throughout the city worked on ideas to overcome this obstacle.
Our brothers at DCFD Engine 32 Truck 16 specifically did field testing and took the lead to have these battery powered saws be a standard issue to DC truck companies with their response area being heavily saturated with security bars both interior and exterior of buildings.
The Dewalt Flexvolt DCS690 cut off saw; weighing approx 10 pounds it is significantly lighter and more nimble than its partner saw counterparts, 9” abrasive blade and a 60v battery gives 50-80 cuts a charge. extensive field testing & use on fires has made this a front-line option rather than a “just in case” tool. The blade width is smaller so it makes a finer cut and has been effective cutting rebar and various gauge metals, seen here in the video cutting some outdated gym equipment down to size for removal as an impromptu drill
6825 Georgia Ave NW
Washington D.C., DC
20008
Truck Company 11, housed with Engine Company 22 is located at 5760 Georgia Ave NW DC. established in 1908 along with Engine Company 22 (whom was located at the firehouse since 1897 as a Chemical Engine Company). T11 has been one of the cities longest standing Truck Companies and is one of the oldest functioning firehouses in the nation. T11 operates with a 5 man compliment, Driver(s), Officer, Bar/Entry man, and Hook and Axe man. T11 is also tasked with being the Northside Mass Casualty Ambulance Bus providers, bringing the ability for the safe monitored transport of dozens of injured people to a hospital in a mass casualty incident. T11 had 1,842 calls for service last year in the District. Responding to the 1st, 4th and 5th battalions in both NE and NW D.C. Located in the 4th Battalion, along with Truck #6 and Truck #9
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Truck Lt vs Junior man on the shift. I’d say it’s an even tie. Ladder races breed competition, and competence as well as make things fun. Nobody is above drilling & sharpening skills, ladders are a perishable skill & need continual practice. The 24’ ladder in the DCFD is universally a single person throw expectation, T11 carries 2–24’ ladders. There are many ways to accomplish deploying them, both chose the “high shoulder throw” method this round, as seen, it shouldn’t take very long to deploy two ladders and have members at the window if rescues were to be made. Moving with a purpose & aggressiveness is the default operational mode for the DCFD. Ladders up from the ground at a distance to firefighter at the tip in under 45 seconds, something where seconds matter.
Members practicing aerial ladder placement and control in a smooth manner with the “cone game”. Though there are dedicated apparatus drivers (Technicians), all members are qualified to drive and operate the apparatus and fill in when the regular driver is off, staying sharp on their skills is important for everyone not just the regular drivers, even the OIC took a turn. You can make a competition out of it and a game, training should be fun, not a chore. #goodenoughneveris
Conditions upon arrival early this morning for units from the 1st & 4th battalions. With victims jumping and reports of further trapped.
Backing in to quarters. There’s a lot more room with the bay doors at the new firehouse, but backing in still requires coordination between the truck driver and tillerman and utilizing the mechanics of the tractor and trailer. Seen below is #4 private Juan Nunez-Rodriguez backing in after taking a run, members rotate as fill in drivers when the permanent driver (Technician) is not present. “Jump up front and take this one” on random local alarm runs is a good way to keep skills sharp, area knowledge and positioning fresh in the minds of junior members and you can discuss positioning and evaluate their driving and give feedback before they are “put in the hot seat”
Everyone wants the highlight reel to be seen by all. Today it’s the “blooper reel”. A bunch of us failed, a few times. Eventually getting it right. The “hot bottle swap” is an “old school” skill for exchanging a bottle inside an IDLH environment, but it’s a challenge on dexterity with fire gloves, your SCBA, operating fine motor skills in a hypoxic state. It’s a quick drill that breeds discussion and competition and betters everyone. Crews figured out a efficient way to do so if the situation arises, but the “hot bottle swap” solo challenge is a great way to humble yourself and sharpen your skills. If you train on the things you are good at and always succeed, you are failing to challenge yourself & improve. Train to where failure *is* the objective, so you learn from mistakes. Be a little better than you were at the start of the shift should always be the plan of the day CAPTAINS NOTE: when training like this, if you get to the point where you feel you need to take mask off in this drill, remove regulator and lay face flat to floor, unlike the shift did today with just popping the face-piece off. Though it isn’t a “serious” drill, small habits like dropping down after forcing any entry prop build muscle memory, don’t practice bad habits even during just playing around drilling.
Training is not just for the rookie. Too often in FD culture after a few years on, firefighters rest on their laurels, then training time they avoid stepping up to hide the fact they got rusty or may have never learned something to begin with and pull the “let the rookie do it he needs it” line.. Failure is not a dirty word, in fact when training it *should* be the goal, mess up so you learn from mistakes, mess up until you get it right. if you never fail, you aren’t challenging yourself & just doing things within your comfort zone, that’s not where we operate on fires. Fumble the ladder, get beat by the door, be open to others seeing you not perfect (and almost falling on your backside) & be open to learning a new method. #4 platoon drivers “racing” yesterday on the drill yard entry prop, for no reason other than “bet you I can get in faster than you”. Competition breeds fun, it also breeds a culture of showing no one is above training from the newest member to the senior man or driver or the officer. It also gets guys to forget its hot out, it’s the weekend and you ‘could’ be kicking back in the sitting room. “Suck a little less at the end of the shift than you did at the start of the shift” as a DCFD training instructor once said is a great mindset to have every shift. #keepfireinyourlife #maketrainingfunagain
High shoulder deployment & throw demonstrated by one of our truck drivers, “million ways to skin a cat”, find what works best for you and is most efficient, drill time is where to experiment with that and find what fits you best for different situations #MakeTrainingFunAgain
Hands on drilling with newer members going over mechanics and methods, then “ladder races” with the two technicians (drivers/fado/chauffeur, whatever your department calls them, in DC, “technician” is the title of our apparatus drivers) competition makes it fun, having fun while you train is important for buy in from junior members seeing “senior” guys participating and laughing and joking and welcome to learning and sharpening skills. It takes a lot of fumbling and even dropping ladders before you get comfortable, once you get comfortable, that skill begins to perish unless you practice & aren’t afraid to mess up, failure is welcomed in training, failure means you learned what you did wrong, so when it matters, it doesn’t happen.
T-11 and units from the 4th Battalion operating this afternoon on a working rowhouse fire, 4th and Kennedy St NW (Video courtesy of brother Chuck Ryan)
Simulating taking a 24 foot ladder from the side of the trailer, laddering to the second floor window utilizing the high shoulder carry. Probationer from E22 and two detail probationers from E4 & 24 today in the firehouse taking advantage of the warm weather in between studying questions for their respective exams. The "hook" position on D.C. Truck companies is responsible for ground ladders before entering the building in most situations
Stress induced SCBA confidence training. This evolution was taking a breath from one cylinder, disconnecting your regulator, making your way to the next cylinder and connecting again, with no visibility. Several hours in the bay's with the members of E22/T11, sharpening rusty skills and honing new ones. Big thanks to brother Demaree of T-9 and First Alarm Solutions & Training for an excellent program and course
T11 responding on the Working Fire Dispatch 1420 Newton St NW
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Ave NWEthiopian Community Center, Inc. (ECC)
7603 Georgia Ave NW, Ste 200Diaspora Ivoirienne & Africaine
7731 Alaska Ave NWInstitute for Conservation Leadership
7000 Carroll Ave Ste 200-14, Takoma Park
Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Human
1101 4th St SW, Ste W220
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
475 L'Enfant Plz SW
Coast Guard Officers Association
2703 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE
U.S. International Development Finance Corpor
1100 New York Ave NW
Embassy of Brazil in Washington, DC
3006 Massachusetts Ave NW
National Postal Museum's Department of Educat
2 Massachusetts Ave NE
Embassy of Mali, Washington, D.C.
2130 R St NW