Beginning around lunch time members arrived to CLEAN and DETAIL ENGINE's 52 and 54 in preparation of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Departments Annual Memorial Day Firemens Parade and Carnival. Despite the weather members cleaned the apparatus prior to going and again upon returning from the parade so that the apparatus stays in a beautiful state. In the end after many inches of rain and strong storms in the area; the weather broke and skies cleared for the parade and the FDVFD returned with a trophy for ENGINE Co. 54. Thanks to all the members who participated in this event.

With a mixed crew of Career and Volunteer Members around the station a impromptu drill was conducted allowing members to practice in the use and deployment of the hydraulic water pump and drafting operations today utilizing the spare folding tank.

Around 1500 hrs. COMPANY 5 was alerted for an ENGINE TRANSFER to Anne Arundel Company 21's Quarters due to a Second Alarm fire they were working.  ENGINE Co. 51 was on the road while ENGINE Co. 52 remained in quarters responding to alarms in COMPANY 5's first due.

The Engine was clear of Anne Arundel County and back in the first due going on in runs in less than two hours.  Again COMPANY 5 maintained multiple crews.

Shortly after 0700 hours ENGINE Co 51 set out for the 2009 Maryland State Fire mans Association Rural Water Supply Drill hosted by the Marlboro Volunteer Fire Department.  The Engine was deployed at a fill site that required the use of the Hydraulic Water Pump.  The site that Engine 51 was sent to was a boat ramp that had a unique challenge to overcome, the narrow boat ramp had to remain accessible for the citizens to use.  With the Hydraulic Water Pump In Service the apparatus was able to be positioned out of the way allowing access to the boat ramp while supplying an access of 800 gallons per minute.  In order to capitalize on the water pumps performance Engine 51 relayed via 5" hose to Clinton VFD Engine 251 who filled a folding tank and multiple tankers.  The folding tank allowed a buffer so that Engine 251 could fill tankers at rate greater than 800 gpm.  After sustaining a water supply for over two hours the drill was raped up and topped off with an excellent lunch provided by the Marlboro VFD. 

ENGINE Co. 52 responds on a BOX ALARM.

Minutes after 1800 hrs. a RESCUE ALARM was transmitted for a PERSON PINNED UNDER A TRACTOR in the 6300 blk .of Guilford Road bringing ENGINE Co. 51 (With 4), RESCUE SQUAD 5 (With 5) PARAMEDIC 55 (With 3), and CHIEFs 5A and 5B. 

Units arrived on location to find a single patient pinned under a tractor face down in the mud.  The tractor was quickly removed from the patient and units went to work treating the patient for traumatic injuries as well exposure to the cold, a Helicopter was requested and the Patient was transported to Shock Trauma via MSP aviation. 

While ENGINE Co. 51 was operating on the Fire Ground in Company 4's area a RESCUE ALARM was dispatched on Route 108 in the area of Homewood Road for a two-vehicle accident with a report of PEOPLE TRAPPED.  

RESCUE SQUAD 5 and PARAMEDIC 55 responded on the alarm and units arrived to find the same with two people trapped in two separate vehicles.  Companies went to work to extricate the victims and turned them over to PARAMEDIC 55 and other EMS units on the scene, the extrication was performed quickly and crews combined to increase effectiveness.  RESCUE SQUAD 5 was back in service within 30 minutes. 

Shortly before lunch ENGINE Co. 51 was dispatched on BOX ALARM 4-5 for a reported HOUSE ON FIRE.  ENGINE Co. 51 arrived seconds behind Lisbon Engine Co. 41 and found a 2-story, wood frame, single family detached home with FIRE SHOWING from the 1st and 2nd floor as well as the roof.

ENGINE Co. 51's crew proceeded to assist Engine 4's crew with deploying hose lines and advanced the 100' standpipe rack off of 51 to extend Engine 41's 2.5" attack line.  ENGINE Co. 51's Wagon Driver went to work establishing a water supply (Dump Site) and completing Engine 41's supply line.  The hydraulic water pump was deployed allowing the folding tanks to be positioned out of the way and allowed easy apparatus movement around the dump site. 

ENGINE Co. 51 operated on the fire ground over 4 hours before returning to service.  COMPANY 5 maintained an additional ENGINE crew and responded to multiple other incidents.  On a side note TANKER 5 would have been due on this alarm, however, it was Out Of Service for mechanical repairs.

Around 0800 hrs. ENGINE Co. 51, ENGINE Co. 52, RESCUE SQUAD 5, PARAMEDIC 55, AMBULANCE 56, and UTILITY 5 set out for the 5-5 BOX AREA to conduct another day of Training with COMPANY 3. 

Members participated in practical evolutions before burning the house.  COMPANY 5 responded to multiple alarms during the training and all members enjoyed the opportunity to fine tune their skills and utilize the new systems on ENGINE Co. 51 such as the hydraulic water pump and the CAFS.

Just before 0400 hrs. a RESCUE ALARM was transmitted for a reported Motor Vehicle Accident in the 4400 blk .of Route 32 with unknown injuries bringing ENGINE Co. 52 and PARAMEDIC 55.  As units were enroute Communications upgraded the call to a MVC with a report of PEOPLE TRAPPED and that brought RESCUE SQUAD 5 and CHIEF 5A. 

Units arrived on location to discover a two vehicle accident with a total of 5 patients.  When it was all said and done there was One Priority 4 patient that had been ejected from the vehicle, One Priority 1 patient (that later succumbed to their injuries at the hospital), two Priority 2 patients and one patient refused all treatment.  Multiple helicopters were utilized to transport the patients, and units were back in service just over an hour. 

Even though the day was cold and snow was falling the members of COMPANY 5 loaded up multiple crews while maintaining Station Coverage and set out for training in the 5-5 Box Area.  The members of COMPANY 5 and COMPANY 3 (West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department) had an acquired structure in which they could run through multiple scenarios and reinforce basic practical skills such as: advancing a hose line, search and rescue, removing a victim from a structure, and ventilation techniques.  The dynamics were increased when the Smoke Machine was activated and visibility dropped, creating a more realistic setting and posing a different element.  A lot of good things were learned as well as skills refined and all personnel enjoyed a fun filled day.  COMPANY 5 responded to multiple calls during this training including a first due Local Box.  The members of COMPANY 5 would like to thank COMPANY 3 for their participation and look forward to more training in the coming days.

Around 2330 hrs. a request from Montgomery County brought ENGINE Co. 51 and TANKER 5 to the 18000 blk. of Branchwood Lane in the Sandy Spring area for reported HOUSE FIRE.

Engine Co. 704 arrived on scene of a two story, wood frame, detached single family dwelling with FIRE SHOWING from Side C and SMOKE SHOWING from Side A.  Tanker 5 was quickly placed in service as there were properly working hydrants in the area.  ENGINE Co. 51 was the fourth due engine and picked up Engine 704's line before being placed into the RIT group.  Units operated on scene for approximately one hour before returning to service.  This is the SECOND FIRE in TWO DAYS for the FDVFD. 

Minutes after 0830 hrs. BOX ALARM 5 - 4 was transmitted for a reported HOUSE ON FIRE in the 7100 blk. of Mink Hollow Rd.  Units arrived on scene to find a One Story, Wood Frame, Detached, Single Family Residence that was fully involved in fire.  A defensive operation was established and units operated for several hours before returning to service.   

COMPANY 5 responded promptly with the following units: ENGINE Co. 51. ENGINE Co. 52, TANKER 5, RESCUE SQUAD 5, PARAMEDIC 55, UTILITY 5 and CHIEF 5A.

Early Sunday Morning the members of the Fifth District VFD loaded up the New Engine Co. 52 and Tanker 5 enroute to Pleasant Valley to participate in a MSFA Sponsored Rural Water Supply Drill.  The task of the day was to establish a minimum of 500 GPM's and maintain that fire flow for a two (2) hour duration.  Tanker 5 assisted with shuttling water while Engine Co. 52 was assigned to establish a fill site at a nearby stream.  With the capabilities of the new engine a fill site was established that allowed more than 2300 GPM's to be utilized for filling tankers via six (6) separate fill lines.  It was a great experience for all members and allowed some hands on experience with the New Pierce Engine, Thanks to the Pleasant Valley VFD for hosting this event.

Even on a rainy day the members found some time to review Drafting and Pump Operations with Recruit Plato of ENGINE Co. 5 - A Shift. Both Career and Volunteer Members enjoyed the opportunity to review their drafting and pumping principals and skills. The spare folding tank was deployed in the Engine Bay and filled via a line stretched from the hydrant and members drafted from the tank, operated a siphon, reviewed relay operations and finally reviewed the deployment of the hydraulic water pump.