Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service Hosts On-Site Hiring Info Sessions in January

Join Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service for an on-site hiring info session from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8 and 22 and from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Jan. 11 and 25 at the Public Safety Training Academy (PSTA). The PSTA is located at 8751 Snouffer School Road in Gaithersburg.

The application process for Recruit Class 58 will be opening soon, and this is an opportunity to learn more about becoming a firefighter/rescuer I, get an overview of the hiring process, watch a physical ability test demonstration, meet with recruiters and ask questions.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Register here. For more information, email MCFRS.Recruiter@montgomerycountymd.gov.

‘Make Smoke Alarms Work for You’ Is the Theme for Fire Prevention Month Throughout October

"Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work for You" is the theme as the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service joins in the national recognition of October as “Fire Prevention Month.” Fire Chief Corey Smedley is reminding residents that having working smoke alarms installed throughout a house is the first line of defense for fire prevention.

“Our entire MCFRS team will be working hard to raise awareness about fire safety throughout the month and to help ensure your family and home are safe and protected,” said Chief Smedley. “We are asking residents to ‘Look Up’ and ensure smoke alarms are in working order. They should be tested monthly and backup batteries should be replaced as needed. Everyone should remember that all smoke alarms expire after 10 years.”

As part of a home’s fire safety strategy, the Fire and Rescue Service advises:

• Create an escape plan tailored to your family’s abilities and ensure everyone knows the safest route out in the event of an emergency.
• Have a designated meeting place where everyone will meet.
• Call 911 after you have safely escaped.
• Practice your plan with a family home fire drill.

Residents can schedule a free home safety visit and smoke alarm check-up by calling 311 or going to the 311 website. The call center will connect residents with the Fire and Rescue Service.

Fire and Rescue Service to Hold On-Site Application Event on Saturday, June 29, in Gaithersburg

The Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service (MCFRS) application process is now open for those interested in a career as a Firefighter/Rescuer I. The online application process will close on July 10. However, applicants can attend a special On-Site Application Event from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 29, in Gaithersburg.

The event will be held at the County’s Public Safety Training Academy, which is located at 8751 Snouffer School Road in Gaithersburg.

The on-site event will have information available about becoming a Firefighter/Rescuer I and will provide an overview of the hiring process. It also will have a demonstration of the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). MCFRS representatives will be present to answer questions and help with filling out applications.

Those interested in attending are encouraged to pre-register at https://mcfrs.jotform.com/241686550671967. Walk-ins also will be welcome.

For more information, visit https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcfrs-recruiting/ or e-mail mcfrs.recruiter@montgomerycountymd.gov

Fire and Rescue Service to Hold On-Site Application Event on Saturday, June 29, in Gaithersburg

The Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service (MCFRS) application process is now open for those interested in career as a Firefighter/Rescuer I. The online application process will close on July 10. However; applicants can attend a special On-Site Application Event from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, June 29, in Gaithersburg.

The event will be held at the County’s Public Safety Training Academy, which is located at 8751 Snouffer School Road in Gaithersburg.

The on-site event will have information available about becoming a Firefighter/Rescuer I and will provide an overview of the hiring process. It also will have a demonstration of the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). MCFRS representatives will be present to answer questions and help with filling out applications.

Those interested in attending are encouraged to pre-register at https://mcfrs.jotform.com/241686550671967. Walkins also will be welcome.

For more information, visit https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcfrs-recruiting/ or e-mail mcfrs.recruiter@montgomerycountymd.gov

Rare All-Female Crew Handles All of the Calls One Recent Night for Kensington Volunteer Fire Department

The nearly 2,700 certified and trained career and volunteer responders of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) answer more than 120,000 calls each year. Although MCFRS has worked hard to diversify its numbers, it still has many more males than females. Which is what made one night in November so different.

On the evening shift that day at the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department, all six crew members at Station 5 were female. Volunteers staff Station 5 in the evening and only females staffed Paramedic Engine 705 and Ambulance 705 that night. The MCFRS does not keep formal records of staffing by gender, but even long-time professional and volunteers could not cite another instance when an entire MCFRS crew was only staffed by females.

The Kensington Volunteer Fire Department has four stations. Station 5 is located at 10620 Connecticut Ave., on the corner with Plyers Mill Road, in Old Town Kensington.

The Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (MCVFRA) consists of 19 separate, independent, fire and rescue corporations around the County and its members serve as an integral component of the greater Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service. 

More information about joining the MCFRS as either a professional or volunteer is available at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcfrs/.

Tips Offered for Cooking Safely—Indoors or Out—on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is mostly thought of as a day of celebration—and eating—with family members and friends. However, the holiday also brings some potential danger that comes with dividing attention between cooking and being social. Cooking-related fires happen more often on Thanksgiving Day in Montgomery County than on any other day of the year, according the County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS).

Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer said it is important to cook with caution, especially at this time of the year when there are often a lot of people and activity in the home.

Here are some safety tips from MCFRS on how to have a safe holiday:

• Stay in the kitchen when cooking so you can keep an eye on the food. (Most kitchen fires involve the stovetop.)
• When leaving the kitchen, turn off the stove.
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stovetop.
• Keep children away from the hot stove—create a three-foot clearance zone.
• Keep the floor clear so people do not trip over items.
• Keep matches, lighters and knives out of the reach of children.
• Never leave a child unattended in a room with a candle.
• Make sure smoke alarms are working properly.
• If a fire starts, get everyone out of the house and call 9-1-1.

Frying a turkey is an increasingly popular method to prepare the main fare of holiday dinners. However, cooking a tasty turkey in oil can also pose some dangers.

County Fire Marshal Rick Merck has safety tips for those who will be frying:

• Make sure the turkey fryer is at least 10 feet away from the house and not under the edges of the roof.
• Use the turkey fryer on a sturdy, level surface and do not move it once it is in use.
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed before frying it.
• Determine the correct amount of oil needed by first placing the turkey in the pot with water.
• Check the temperature often with a cooking thermometer so the oil will not overheat.
• An adult should watch the fryer as the turkey is cooking.
• Always use protective oven mitts.
• Do not let children or pets come near the fryer.

For more fire safety resources and tips, visit the usfa.fema.gov website.

Everyone Urged to Raise Awareness of Potential Fire Hazards During 100th Anniversary of Fire Prevention Week Oct. 9-15

Montgomery County is urging residents and businesses to raise their awareness of potential fire hazards as the County joins in recognition of the 100th anniversary of National Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 9-15. The annual campaign reminds residents that education and planning are two important actions to keep safe from fire.

This year’s campaign theme of the National Fire Protection Association is “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.” The association website states: “Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes (or even less time) to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds.”

The Fire Prevention and Code Compliance division of the County’s Department of Permitting Services (DPS) is a team of inspectors, engineers, program managers and administrative support staff who are responsible for performing periodic inspections of establishments after the permitting process is complete.

According to Fire Code Compliance Manager Patsy Warnick, the team represents the fire department on all technical matters outside of emergency operations.

“We assist businesses with maintaining their fire systems and life safety features to ensure their businesses are safe for all County residents and visitors,” said Manager Warnick. “We provide nonemergency support for the fire department so first responders can promptly return to service following an incident.”

Staff performs inspections, follows up on complaints of hazardous conditions and guides business owners toward compliance with the Fire Code.

Manager Warnick said it is important to ensure egress paths are clear and unobstructed so occupants can evacuate in the event of an emergency. Egress paths include doors, corridors and stairways. All doors in the path of egress should open and close freely, she said.

In addition, exit signs should be visible and emergency lighting should be provided. It also is important to have fire protection systems, such as fire alarms and sprinkler systems, inspected, tested and maintained by a licensed contractor to make sure they are functioning when needed.

“Everyone has a role in fire prevention,” Manager Warnick said. “Please be sure to apply for a permit through DPS anytime there is construction, a hazard or a major process change in the establishment.”

Visit the DPS website for more information about fire code compliance. More information also is available by calling MC 311 or 240-777-0311.

County Working to Help Families Affected by Lyttonsville Road Explosion and Fire

Montgomery County is working quickly to assist those impacted by the explosion and fire that occurred on the morning of Thursday, March 3, at the Friendly Garden Apartments on Lyttonsville Road in Silver Spring. A system has been established to help the victims. Many residents evacuated carrying very little or nothing.

Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein has reported that three full buildings in the six-building complex are no longer safe to occupy. His report was based on evaluations by the County Department of Permitting Services and the County Fire and Rescue Service.

Funds are needed for transportation, clothing and supplies for children and families. To donate money to provide relief to the families, go to the County’s Making Home Possible (MHP) website at https://mhpartners.org/help-families-affected-by-lyttonsville-rd-fire.

‘George W. Meads: Rockville’s One-Man Fire Department’ to be Featured in Montgomery History Virtual Seminar on Tues., Jan. 11

From 1895 through 1920, the volunteer fire department in Rockville consisted of a dedicated group of civic-minded Black men led by the first fire chief in the town’s history: George Meads. In a virtual seminar sponsored by Montgomery History at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 11, archivist Sarah Hedlund will relate the story of Meads’s extraordinary life as a fireman, deputy sheriff, school trustee, entrepreneur and family man.

Meads’s personal story is intertwined with the early history of firefighting and other aspects of segregated community life in turn-of-the-century Rockville.

Register for the seminar, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JjL7IXldSGmQB6ib1Ny0eg.

New Free ‘Fire Fit Fire Smart Bootcamp’ Starting Monday, Jan. 10, in Wheaton Aims to Empower Middle and High School Girls

A new free empowerment program for middle and high school girls called “Fire Fit Fire Smart Bootcamp” will begin Monday, Jan. 10, at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center. The six-week program is for girls ages 13-18.

The Wheaton Community Recreation Center is located at 11701 Georgia Ave. The programs will take place from 4-6 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday evenings.

The program will break down barriers in a fun, safe, interactive and physically demanding environment. The program introduces challenges to encourage girls to push themselves while being supported by a team. Participants will develop healthy fitness and nutrition plans and take part in activities that develop strength, build confidence and improve leadership skills, while increasing knowledge of fire safety and careers in fire service. Fire Fit Fire Smart will outline the path for a career in fire service.

Montgomery County Recreation has organized the program in collaboration with the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program with the University of Maryland Extension.

“This program is ideal for any young woman who wants to get healthier and learn more about a career in fire service,” said Recreation Department Director Robin Riley. “The program helps girls set and reach fitness challenges and learn more about how to become healthy through increased physical activity and good nutritional choices.”

To register for the program, go to ActiveMontgomery.

County Breaks Ground on Long-Awaited Fire Station in Clarksburg

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich joined County Council President Gabe Albornoz, Councilmember Sidney Katz, Department of General Services Director David Dise, Fire and Rescue Service Chief Scott Goldstein and other officials recently to celebrate the start of construction for a new Clarksburg Fire Station.

The new facility will be located at 23420 Frederick Road in Clarksburg. The fire station will provide a permanent home for first responders to meet the needs for the growing Clarksburg community. The new station will be a Class I Fire Station and be approximately 24,600 square feet. The new fire station is estimated to be completed within 18 months.

“This fire station has been a long-awaited addition to the Clarksburg community,” said County Executive Elrich. “Clarksburg is an area that has grown tremendously over the past decade. This station’s service area now generates more than twice the amount of emergency responses since 2005. The Clarksburg fire station provides our firefighters and paramedics a permanent home in this community and will help strengthen critical emergency services to our residents in this area. I appreciate the work, partnership and coordination of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, along with our Department of General Services, to design this station with a ‘sustainability lens’ that minimizes impacts to natural resources.”

The facility will provide:

• Four drive-through apparatus bays;
• Administrative, training and living quarters for up to 22 firefighters;
• Gear, equipment and personnel decontamination facilities to support best practices in cancer risk reduction among firefighters;
• Space for the UpCounty Regional Services Center;
• A police satellite office; and
• Onsite parking.

“Today’s groundbreaking of a new fire station in Clarksburg is a testament to the incredible sacrifice made by our first responders and the critical importance of their service to our County residents,” said Council Vice President Albornoz. “This state-of-the-art facility will include a training and decontamination center to best support our first responders as well as providing space for our Upcounty Regional Services Center that provides essential services to those in need. This fire station will truly meet growing needs and build trust within the Clarksburg community."

The predominantly brick exterior was designed to provide a timeless civic presence. The site design was developed to provide safe operations while minimizing impact to natural resources.

“As the chair of the Council’s Public Safety Committee, I am especially pleased that we were able to break ground on the long-awaited new station No. 35 in Clarksburg,” said Councilmember Katz. “This station will provide enhanced services to the growing population in Clarksburg. Thank you to my Council colleagues, as well as our executive branch partners in DGS, and especially, to our first responders.”

The project has been designed to achieve “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” (LEED) Silver through the incorporation of systems that will reduce energy and water consumption, sustainability responsible materials and improved indoor air quality. The project construction cost is $12,287,220.

"Delivering outstanding, world-class fire and rescue services is our highest priority,” said MCFRS Chief Goldstein. “The new Clarksburg community fire/rescue station will allow the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service to continue this vital role in the Clarksburg greater area for generations to come."

As part of the project, the County previously extended public sewer service to the historic area of Clarksburg and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) is designing a new pump station. The project will remove area residents and businesses from dependency on individual septic systems. The nearly half-mile of underground sewer mains will drain into the pump station to be constructed by WSSC. The station is located on the Miles/Coppola property, within the Ten Mile Creek Watershed.

For more information about the future fire station, visit the project website.

To Help Prevent Trash Fires, the Department of Environmental Protection Asks Residents to Take Extra Care Before Throwing Materials into Trash

 

 

As residents take on spring cleaning, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is reminding everyone to be mindful of what they throw into the trash as certain items can cause trash fires.

Improperly disposed materials can cause fires in trash cans, on trash trucks and at the County Transfer Station and Recycling Center.

“Spring cleaning is a great time for us to remind all residents how important it is to take extra care before throwing materials into the trash or recycling bins,” said DEP Director Adam Ortiz. “We have seen fires caused by improperly disposed materials, such as batteries and propane canisters. We want everyone to be safe as they take on spring cleaning and throughout the year.”

Do not place the following materials in the trash:

• Flammable or combustible liquids (such as gasoline, oil-based paints, or kerosene)
• Hazardous materials (including items such as ammonia, bleach, pool chemicals, pesticides, paint thinners, etc.)
• Canisters containing propellants (including butane or propane)
• Cylinders containing compressed gas (such as propane, helium, oxygen, acetylene or fire extinguishers)
• Batteries (alkaline and rechargeable batteries that contain heavy metals, including lithium, nickel cadmium or lead-acid)
• Ashes (from fireplaces, fire pits or barbecue grills) – more information on proper disposal of ashes from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service
• Charcoal and used charcoal bags (containing flammable agents)
• Unknown substances (will be managed as Household Hazardous Waste)

When these materials come in contact with other materials in the trash, the combination can be volatile and catch fire.

Properly dispose of these items through the County’s Household Hazardous Waste Program or other special collection processes available at the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station.

Additional information on the proper handling of other items is available on the County’s “I want to recycle or dispose of …” page.

Cool Your Ashes to Reduce Fire Risks

A warm fireplace may feel good on a cold winter day but as cozy as fire may look, things can turn dangerous if you don’t take necessary precautions with ashes. Each year, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responds to fires that are caused by improper disposal of hot coals or ashes from fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, grills and outside fire rings.

Coals and ashes from fires can remain hot for days after a fire is out and should always be treated as HOT ashes, even when you think they have had enough time to cool. Your garage, house or deck are unsafe locations for ashes to cool and have been the site of devastating fires both locally and nationally.

Montgomery County Deploys Support for US Virgin’s Islands

Montgomery County is providing support through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) for the ongoing disaster recovery effort in the US Virgin Islands (USVI). The islands continue to recover from devastation caused by two Category 5 hurricanes, Irma and Maria, which hit the islands last fall.

Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service (8), Police Department (1) and Department of Health & Human Services (1) deployed 10 personnel as part of Maryland’s team tasked with providing Critical Incident Stress Management training, including psychological self-care, to USVI emergency responders. These critical efforts help ensure that the USVI responders do not experience long-term psychological issues such as PTSD. This deployment is anticipated to last 22 days.

The County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security provides continual tracking support for the County’s deployed personnel and assists with the completion of post-deployment documentation. The EMAC guarantees full cost recovery eligibility for any deployment-related expense incurred by the County.

Leggett’s Mobile Integrated Health Care Program Connects Frequent Callers of 9-1-1 to Needed Health Services to Save Dollars, Deliver Better Health Care

County Executive Ike Leggett has sent the County Council a supplemental appropriation of more than $400,000 to begin the implementation of the Montgomery County Mobile Integrated Health care project. The program is a bold, new program that more efficiently and effectively serves frequent callers for County ambulance services.

The Montgomery County Mobile Integrated Healthcare program is a collaborative effort by the County Fire & Rescue Service and the County Department of Health & Human Services designed to reduce the growth rate of system demands on the County’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and provide better health care for County residents who are frequent ambulance users.

The Montgomery County Mobile Integrated Health care project follows a pilot project that involved frequent EMS callers who needed healthcare but not ambulance services. By providing those individuals with the medical and social services they needed, the calls to EMS were cut more than half and residents received healthcare to meet their needs.

More information is available in the press release.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Provide Support to Areas Devastated by Recent Hurricanes

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) workers have returned safely after deployments to assist Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Florida following the devastation from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. 

Maryland Task Force 1 (MD-TF1) was made up of 27 personnel who served with eight other Federal Emergency Management Agency teams. They worked around the clock to support the relief efforts. In addition to the search & rescue work, they are providing welfare inspections, assessing infra-structure damage and providing logistical and incident management.

A team of six stress counselors supported the mental health services in Collier and Monroe Counties in Florida.

This rescue effort comes just a few weeks after the team had been deployed to support Texas after Hurricane Harvey ravaged the gulf coast.

The groups are highly specialized and trained to respond to catastrophes such as natural disasters, large-scale accidents and terrorist attacks. Personnel keep their skills honed by training year-round at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Academy in Gaithersburg.

There are about 200 persons who are members of the MD-TF1, most are associated with MCFRS. The team participates in realistic training scenarios, mostly hands-on at sites around the County, National Capital Region and Federal training locations in other regions. MCFRS is in the process of building and constructing a specific and enhanced training area 'rescue mall' at the new Public Safety Training Academy. This objective is will be accomplished through a private/public partnership and donations are welcome.

The MD-TF1, Urban Search & Rescue Team headquarters is based out of a warehouse in Rockville. The space provides ample meeting areas, equipment storage, including the large vehicles and a cache of specialized search and rescue equipment.

Keep You and Your Family Safe on July 4 by Leaving Fireworks to the Professionals

An important reminder from Montgomery County’s Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) is to Leave Fireworks to the Professionals! What seems like great fun unfortunately has the potential for great injury. Each year, locally and across the country, people of all ages are injured by fireworks.

Here are some safety tips to keep you and your family safe.

• MCFRS Fireworks facts
• MCFRS Fireworks webpage

Montgomery County Remembers Child Safety Seat Advocate Emilie Crown

Emilie Crown
Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS)
Program Manager

Last month, Montgomery County lost a dedicated public servant with the sudden passing of Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) Program Manager Emilie Crown. During Ms. Crown’s 26-year career with MCFRS, she tirelessly advocated and championed for children’s safety.

Credited as the architect of Montgomery County’s nationally-recognized and acclaimed child car seat program, she served as one of the first certified “tech” safety seat installers. At the legislative level, Crown helped obtain passage of Maryland’s Booster Seat Law. She was considered one of the Country’s foremost authorities on child passenger safety.

Prior to joining MCFRS, Emilie began her career as an Emergency Department nurse with Montgomery General Hospital and Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. She served as the State’s only certified instructor for Safe Travel for All Children, a course that includes the travel needs of children with special healthcare needs.

Ms. Crown’s vocation will live on and countless more young lives will be made safer and possibly saved during a collision. As we remember her family, friends and MCFRS colleagues who will miss her dearly, we can all celebrate her enduring legacy, maintaining the highest standards of child passenger safety.

Under Maryland law, every child under eight years old must be secured in a federally approved and correctly-used child restraint system (child safety seat or booster seat) when riding in a motor vehicle, unless the child is 4’9” or taller. For more information on the MCFRS Infant and Child Car Seat Safety Program, or to have a car seat installed, checked or inspected, visit website.

Firefighters Battle Resource Recovery Facility Fire

Firefighters were called to a fire at the Resource Recovery Facility on December 8. The facility is located at 21204 Martinsburg Road in Dickerson. The fire began on the tipping floor, which is the area where trucks drive in to dump waste. Firefighters remained on site monitoring the fire through December 19.

The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) remained on the scene throughout the incident. DEP installed air portable monitors in four locations to measure both particulates and toxics and conducted water sampling from the discharge pond.

The Office of Emergency Management used the Alert Montgomery and land-line notification systems to update residents about the fire. The fire did not impact single-family residential curbside trash pick-up, however, commercial customers were temporarily diverted to other facilities.

Improperly Disposed Ashes Destroyed Residents Home; Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Remind Residents to Follow Safety Guidelines When Disposing of Ashes

There is nothing quite like a warm fire in the fireplace to help keep warm when chilly outside temperatures have you shivering to the bone. As pretty as a cozy fire may look, things can turn ugly mighty quickly if you don’t take proper precautions with ashes.

On Tuesday, December 20 MCFRS responded to a fire started in a County resident's home. The fire started in the attached garage from ashes placed in an open pan with ash from a fire. This is the fourth fire that MCFRS has responded to this year that has started from ashes which residents believe had cooled. Fortunately, no one was physically hurt in the fire, however, the accident reportedly caused $700,000 in damages.

Each year, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responds to fires that are caused by improper disposal of hot coals or ashes from fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, grills or outside fire rings designed for use on decks or patios. The truth is that coals and ashes from fires can remain hot for days after a fire is out. Treat all ashes and coals as HOT ashes, even when you think they have had enough time to cool. Your garage, house or deck are unsafe locations for ashes to cool and have been the site of many recent and devastating fires both locally and nationally.

MCFRS reminds resident to be safe and treat all ashes and coals as hot ashes, even when you think they have had enough time to cool. Your garage, house or deck are unsafe locations for ashes to cool. When messing with ashes, making a bad judgment call can become a deadly error.

Take time to review these important safety messages from MCFRS to keep you and your family safe.

• Press Release.
• Fireplace and wood stove safty guide (pdf)
• Fireplace and Wood Stove Ashes (pdf)