Greater Washington DC Area- June 26th: Sunday June 26th storms tore through the greater Washington DC Metro area with great force. Cabin John Park VFD company’s 10 & 30 took the brute of this storm that was capable of creating tornadoes. Within moments of the storm hitting, multiple Cabin John Park VFD members reported to the firehouse so see what help they could provide to the community struck by a violent storm. Many of the volunteers coming in on their own accord responded to wires down calls and to ensure homeowners were safe after trees had fallen to the wind striking homes. Because of the smaller satellite units like Brush Truck 710 and Utility 710 taking on the service calls, the larger pieces of apparatus were able to respond to much higher priority calls. The Swift-Water Rescue Team responded to three rescues during the day. Not only were crews on the river, but the CJPVFD was dispatched to two house fires (luckily they were both false alarms). Montgomery County Fire & Rescue responded to over 650 emergency calls in under seven hours. A grueling feat for any organization. Luckily few injuries occurred during the storm.
Cabin John at the MSFA Convention, Ocean City MD
This past week saw firemen from the entire state converge on Ocean City, MD for the state’s annual Firemen’s Association Convention and Conference. Cabin John was no exception, represented by a delegation of nearly 20 while the other members stayed back to stand post at the firehouse.
Highlights of the week included Chief Jim Seavey Sr. being named to a second consecutive term on the organization’s executive board, FF Jason Goldberg presenting to a packed house on the benefits of strategic recruitment efforts in the fire service, and of course the Parade of Fire Apparatus on Wednesday. Cabin John always makes a respectable showing, and this year was no different. CJPVFD brings home honors including 2nd Best Appearing Antique in the state for our 1930 Brockway Pumper, one of the first engines we ever owned, but that wasn’t it. Chief Colton Wilkins, our Jr. Fire Chief and Great-Grandson of Mary Morgal, our 50-years-running Ladies Auxiliary President, took home the top prize is his category and a trophy that was nearly twice his size!
All in all, it was a great convention for Cabin John, and we come back rested and ready to serve more effectively!
L-R: EMT D. Strauss, EMT O. Hall, FF E. Tamulevich, FF J. Greenstein, Chief J. Seavey, Jr Chief C. Wilkins, Pres. Mary Morgal, FF V. Roa, K. Donahoe, Lt. T. C. Jones
The Potomac River: A Beautiful But Dangerous Place
Even though the rippling waters of the Potomac River may look inviting, anyone that ventures outdoors should know that it can be a very dangerous place. In 2009 there were six drownings on the river in the Washington area alone. Sadly, the river took two more lives just a few weeks ago. A mother and her daughter were on the Virginia side of the Potomac near Difficult Run, during the Memorial Day weekend at a gathering when, the accident occurred. By the end of the week both women were found about a mile and a half downriver from where they were last seen. Read more »
Cabin John Park Trains with US Park Police
Anacostia DC- May 19th, 2010: Cabin John Park Volunteers and Montgomery County Firefighters went to visit the US Park Police Aviation’s Division in Anacostia DC. This training session is for both the Park Police as well as the River RATS so that they can work in perfect unison when there is a rescue that needs to be made.
It’s summer time and a beautiful time to visit the river, but remember not to go into the water. That CURRENT KILLS. Have fun on the river without going in the water.
CJP Volunteers Visit Brother Firefighter, Wounded in Afghanistan
Bethesda MD- May 13th 2010: Cabin John Park VFD members visited with HM-3 Jake Emmott, a U.S. Navy Corpsman wounded during combat operations in Afghanistan while saving the lives of two Marines. HM-3 Emmott is a fellow firefighter with the Union Fire District of South Kingstown, in Rhode Island. The members of the Cabin John Park VFD would like to wish HM-3 Emmott and all wounded service men and women a speedy recovery.
Remember our troops and their families who sacrifice so much to keep us free!
Montgomery County Police Tactical Medic Program Is Honored After 30 Years of Service
On Wednesday, April 28, 2010, the Montgomery County Police Tactical Medic Program celebrated the completion of 30 years of service. The event took place at Flanagan’s Harp & Fiddle on Cordell Avenue in Bethesda, and was attended by both current and former members of the Emergency Response Team, allied agency Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) providers, and their guests. The first TEMS in Montgomery County was formally established in August of 1979 by two now-retired Officers Karl Plitt and Paul Sterling.
Retired Officer Karl Plitt, one of the architects of the program, proposed the need after a bank robbery occurred at Blair Plaza in Silver Spring in 1979. At that time, there was not a police emergency response team with negotiators and technical support. The Assistant Chief and Director of the Field Services Bureau Thomas McDonald, supported the concept of emergency response beyond SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics). Officer Plitt proposed incorporating a medical component, knowing that the military didn’t respond to emergency missions without medic support. McDonald agreed and Plitt sought out Officer Paul Sterling who was, at the time, not only a police officer, but an active member of the Wheaton Rescue Squad. Sterling was one of the first certified EMT’s in the state of Maryland. They worked with Fire Rescue personnel and the fire department protocol to develop what would work best for incorporating Emergency Medical Support (EMS) into Tactical Emergency Medical Support. The Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 35, also supported the program and provided funds to purchase equipment for the fledgling unit.
Cabin John in the Community!
CJPVFD is again proud to have been a part of the 2010 Face of America Bike Ride from Washington DC to Gettysburg PA. This event focused on the reintegration of Wounded Service members into society. It is a tremendous event which is a testament to courage and the perseverance of the human spirit! We were proud to again have Station #30 as a stop along this year’s route.
Cabin John exists to protect and support the community that we serve. Sure, that means responding to fires and car accidents and medical emergencies, but sometimes it also means saying “thank you” to the folks who protect us…American Servicemen and Women.
Baskin Robbin’s 31 Cent Scoop Night For a Good Cause
Bethesda, MD- The Cabin John Park Volunteers would like to invite YOU to Baskin Robbin’s 31 Cent Scoop Night at their location in Cabin John Shopping Center (Seven Locks Rd & Tuckerman Ln). On Wednesday, April 28th, from 5:00pm until 10:00pm Baskin Robbin’s will be having their annual 31 Cent Scoop Night. The 31 Cent Scoop night is a fundraiser benefit for the Cabin John Park Volunteers as well as the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). The NFFF is an organization that was formed to help out with the families of Firefighters that passed away in the line of duty. They do a tremendous amount of work for everyone in the fire service and Baskin Robbin’s has graciously reached out to help. Baskin Robbin’s has already pledged $100,000 for the NFFF and the Cabin John location is going even further! The proceeds from the night will be donated to the Cabin John Park Volunteers so that we can better equip our personnel with newer and safer gear so that they will be able to better serve you all, the public.
Please come out on the 28th to help us as well as the families of fallen firefighters. If that is still not enough incentive its 31 Cent ice cream scoops… you cant get much better than that! We hope to see you all there. You might even see our Fire Chief scooping your Ice Cream!
Au Pairs Visit the CJPVFD
Cabin John, MD- Tuesday April 20th a group of Au Pairs came to the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department’s Station 10 to learn about Fire Safety. The Au Pairs came from all across the globe to experience what it is like to live in the United States of America. Where ever you are fire safety is your responsibility so the members of the Cabin John Park VFD did their part in educating the Au Pairs on everything fire safety… From calling 9-1-1 to learning about fire extinguisher methods (the PASS method, Pull-Aim-Squeeze-Sweep) to seeing what firefighters look all geared up so they can teach their kids not to be afraid. After the knowledgeable lecture led by Firefighter Goldberg, the group was led on a station tour seeing all of the amenities as well as all of the trucks.
Remember fire safety is everyones responsibility so be sure to check you smoke alarms often, know your escape routes, and plan out an emergency meeting point.
Another House Fire In Glen Echo’s Area
Glen Echo MD- Thursday April 15th, around 1400hrs (or 2pm) Cabin John Park VFD along with Montgomery County Fire & Rescue was alerted of a house fire in Glen Echo Station 11’s First Due area. The report was that of fire coming from the attached garage of the house and from the roof. Ambulance 711 was first onscene and confirmed that there was a working structure fire and that it was unknown if all of the occupants were out of the house. Luckily everyone was. Due to fire engines from other stations being out of their normal area Cabin John Park’s Engine 710 was the first due engine and the first crew to put water on the fire. All crews work well together and got the fire under control rapidly. It was a great job done at all. On a side note, this was the first fire that the NEW Cabin John Crimson Fire Engine was on and it did a heck of a job. That engine was purchased by the department with funds that you all graciously donated and we are truly grateful for that.
