As you may have noticed, there are some big changes afoot!
In an effort to bring a larger array of tools to both you, the subscriber, and me, the author, I have switched from the Blogger platform to a WordPress powered website. In addition to a myriad of other options, this powerful, flexible platform can be scaled and adjusted on the fly, as the demand presents itself. The new site can be found at http://howardfire.net.
I look forward to continuing to provide you with breaking news and information regarding the Howard County, Maryland, fire service.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or suggestions.
Doug
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Howard County Stands Ready to Assist in Haiti
ELLICOTT CITY, MD - A message previously posted on the popular social networking site Facebook from Howard County Executive Ken Ulman regarding Howard County and its readiness to assist in Haiti.
Watching the coverage of the earthquake in Haiti and the devastation it wrought, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti as they struggle to recover from this terrible tragedy. Howard County, like the rest of America, stands with Haiti in the hour of its greatest need.
Many have asked me what they can do to provide assistance to the relief effort. There are several organizations that have already mobilized resources and are on the ground in Haiti right now. Below is a list of some of these organizations and links to ways you can support their critical work.
In addition, we are in immediate contact with state and federal authorities, and the County stands ready to help in whatever way we can.
Thank you for your time and attention to this very important matter.
Ken
Organizations involved in the earthquake relief effort:
• American Red Cross: Donate online @ www.redcross.org or by texting "HAITI" to "90999".
• Doctors Without Borders
• Partners in Health
• InterAction
Watching the coverage of the earthquake in Haiti and the devastation it wrought, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti as they struggle to recover from this terrible tragedy. Howard County, like the rest of America, stands with Haiti in the hour of its greatest need.
Many have asked me what they can do to provide assistance to the relief effort. There are several organizations that have already mobilized resources and are on the ground in Haiti right now. Below is a list of some of these organizations and links to ways you can support their critical work.
In addition, we are in immediate contact with state and federal authorities, and the County stands ready to help in whatever way we can.
Thank you for your time and attention to this very important matter.
Ken
Organizations involved in the earthquake relief effort:
• American Red Cross: Donate online @ www.redcross.org or by texting "HAITI" to "90999".
• Doctors Without Borders
• Partners in Health
• InterAction
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Barn Fire in Dayton
DAYTON, MD - A barn, reportedly housing livestock, has caught fire and burned down.
At approximately 8:45 PM, firefighters were summoned to the 14000 block of Howard Road for a reported barn fire. Firefighters arrived to find a small barn well involved in fire and nearly on the ground.
As this area does not have fire hydrants, firefighters used tankers to bring water to the scene. Personnel used a cistern at Dayton Oaks Elementary School to fill the tankers.
No injuries were reported, and no damage estimate is available. The blaze was brought under control in approximately twenty minutes. Howard County fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.
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At approximately 8:45 PM, firefighters were summoned to the 14000 block of Howard Road for a reported barn fire. Firefighters arrived to find a small barn well involved in fire and nearly on the ground.
As this area does not have fire hydrants, firefighters used tankers to bring water to the scene. Personnel used a cistern at Dayton Oaks Elementary School to fill the tankers.
No injuries were reported, and no damage estimate is available. The blaze was brought under control in approximately twenty minutes. Howard County fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.
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Sunday, January 10, 2010
Townhouse Fire in High Ridge Displaces 2 Occupants
LAUREL, MD - Firefighters battled not only the bitter cold, but a townhouse blaze which displaced 2 occupants and dealt significant damage to the townhouse.
Shortly before 10 PM on Saturday, January 10, 2010, units from Howard, Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties were dispatched to a reported chimney fire in the 9100 block of Tymat Court in the High Ridge section of North Laurel in Howard County.
Units arrived to find smoke showing from a 2 story townhouse, and declared a working fire. Firefighters deployed handlines and began attacking the fire, which was located on both the first and second floors.
Additional resources were summoned, and staged nearby. Some of them were used to supplement firefighters as they were rotated through the rehab sector, which allowed them to warm up and rest after the firefight.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control in approximately 30 minutes.
Howard County fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire. No injuries were reported, and no damage estimate is available at this time.
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Shortly before 10 PM on Saturday, January 10, 2010, units from Howard, Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties were dispatched to a reported chimney fire in the 9100 block of Tymat Court in the High Ridge section of North Laurel in Howard County.
Units arrived to find smoke showing from a 2 story townhouse, and declared a working fire. Firefighters deployed handlines and began attacking the fire, which was located on both the first and second floors.
Additional resources were summoned, and staged nearby. Some of them were used to supplement firefighters as they were rotated through the rehab sector, which allowed them to warm up and rest after the firefight.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control in approximately 30 minutes.
Howard County fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire. No injuries were reported, and no damage estimate is available at this time.
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Photographs by, and courtesy of, Jim Codespote | |||
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Thursday, January 7, 2010
Fire at Hammond High School
COLUMBIA, MD - A fire in the auditorium has left the school damaged.
At approximately 12:30 PM, firefighters were dispatched to Hammond High School, located in the 8800 block of Guilford Road, for a report of smoke in the cafeteria and auditorium. The first arriving unit arrived to find smoke showing from the side of the school. An investigation revealed a large amount of smoke in the auditorium, and a fire was quickly located and extinguished. Fire sprinklers inside the school prevented the fire from spreading. This incident, among countless others, serves to underscore the need for fire sprinklers in all facilities.
Howard County fire investigators are working to determine the cause. No injuries were reported, and no damage estimate is available.
UPDATE: Other sources are reporting that Howard County fire investigators have determined that the fire was intentionally set. Investigators are actively working with Howard County Police to bring the responsible party to justice. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Howard County Police.
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At approximately 12:30 PM, firefighters were dispatched to Hammond High School, located in the 8800 block of Guilford Road, for a report of smoke in the cafeteria and auditorium. The first arriving unit arrived to find smoke showing from the side of the school. An investigation revealed a large amount of smoke in the auditorium, and a fire was quickly located and extinguished. Fire sprinklers inside the school prevented the fire from spreading. This incident, among countless others, serves to underscore the need for fire sprinklers in all facilities.
Howard County fire investigators are working to determine the cause. No injuries were reported, and no damage estimate is available.
UPDATE: Other sources are reporting that Howard County fire investigators have determined that the fire was intentionally set. Investigators are actively working with Howard County Police to bring the responsible party to justice. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Howard County Police.
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Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Apartment Building Fire in Columbia
COLUMBIA, MD - A two alarm fire at the Kendall Ridge Apartments has displaced several people.
At approximately 10:15 PM, firefighters were summoned to a reported building fire in the 8900 block of Tamar Drive in Columbia. Units arrived to find a fire on the second floor in the rear of the building, with the fire leaping to the third floor. Additional units were summoned on the second alarm.
One civilian was evaluated for a possible asthma attack; however, the civilian was not transported. As many as thirty (30) civilians may be displaced from this fire; American Red Cross is working with those displaced to find them alternative housing accommodations at this time.
No other injuries were reported, and fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the blaze. No damage estimate is available.
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At approximately 10:15 PM, firefighters were summoned to a reported building fire in the 8900 block of Tamar Drive in Columbia. Units arrived to find a fire on the second floor in the rear of the building, with the fire leaping to the third floor. Additional units were summoned on the second alarm.
One civilian was evaluated for a possible asthma attack; however, the civilian was not transported. As many as thirty (30) civilians may be displaced from this fire; American Red Cross is working with those displaced to find them alternative housing accommodations at this time.
No other injuries were reported, and fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the blaze. No damage estimate is available.
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Sunday, January 3, 2010
House Fire Injures One Firefighter
CLARKSVILLE, MD - A fall has seriously injured a firefighter who was pumping a fire engine on a large fire in Clarksville.
Shortly after 4:15 in the morning, firefighters were summoned to the 6400 block of Richardson's Farm Lane (formerly known as Prestwick Drive) in Clarksville for a reported house fire. Firefighters quickly arrived to find a single family house with fire showing, and additional alarms were requested.
In the initial stages of the incident, the driver of one of the fire engines sustained a fall and a resulting injury. Due to the severity of the injury, a Maryland State Police medevac helicopter was requested to transport the firefighter to a trauma center. The helicopter landed at a nearby church.
Firefighters employed water tanker shuttles due to a lack of fire hydrants in the area. Aerial ladders, master streams and large volume hoses were also used to fight the fire.
Personnel from Howard, Prince George's, Montgomery and Anne Arundel counties worked together to fight the blaze. Additional firefighters and apparatus were brought in to fill the empty firehouses.
Several support agencies were summoned, to include Howard County Highways for salt trucks, BGE for gas an electric utilities control, and Howard County Police for traffic control. Firefighters cleared the house after close to 12 hours on the scene.
Our thoughts are with the injured firefighter and his family.
Photos provided courtesy of the Laytonsville District Volunteer Fire Department.
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Shortly after 4:15 in the morning, firefighters were summoned to the 6400 block of Richardson's Farm Lane (formerly known as Prestwick Drive) in Clarksville for a reported house fire. Firefighters quickly arrived to find a single family house with fire showing, and additional alarms were requested.
In the initial stages of the incident, the driver of one of the fire engines sustained a fall and a resulting injury. Due to the severity of the injury, a Maryland State Police medevac helicopter was requested to transport the firefighter to a trauma center. The helicopter landed at a nearby church.
Firefighters employed water tanker shuttles due to a lack of fire hydrants in the area. Aerial ladders, master streams and large volume hoses were also used to fight the fire.
Personnel from Howard, Prince George's, Montgomery and Anne Arundel counties worked together to fight the blaze. Additional firefighters and apparatus were brought in to fill the empty firehouses.
Several support agencies were summoned, to include Howard County Highways for salt trucks, BGE for gas an electric utilities control, and Howard County Police for traffic control. Firefighters cleared the house after close to 12 hours on the scene.
Our thoughts are with the injured firefighter and his family.
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Saturday, January 2, 2010
Kitchen Fire and Water Main Break in Columbia
COLUMBIA, MD - Firefighters responded to a kitchen fire in the 5900 block of Rosinante Run in Columbia. The fire was quickly brought under control, and the incident was scaled back.
Shortly before units were released, Battalion Chief 2 advised of a water main break in the immediate break; however, this is not believed to have impacted firefighting efforts. Howard County Utilities were requested to deal with the water main break, and a salt truck was requested from Highways due to sub-freezing weather conditions.
As the fire situation stabilized, the water main break worsened. Shortly after being discovered, the water escaping from the main began to flood a house adjacent to the fire. Firefighters who were not committed to the fire worked to divert the water away from the house, lessening the potential for water damage.
The fire has been determined to be accidental in nature due to cooking.
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Shortly before units were released, Battalion Chief 2 advised of a water main break in the immediate break; however, this is not believed to have impacted firefighting efforts. Howard County Utilities were requested to deal with the water main break, and a salt truck was requested from Highways due to sub-freezing weather conditions.
As the fire situation stabilized, the water main break worsened. Shortly after being discovered, the water escaping from the main began to flood a house adjacent to the fire. Firefighters who were not committed to the fire worked to divert the water away from the house, lessening the potential for water damage.
The fire has been determined to be accidental in nature due to cooking.
View Larger Map
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