Heavy Fire Showing on Arrival at Moran Drive

December 27, 2003 1557hrs:

Shortly after returning from the flyout on Crain Highway, units from Waldorf were alerted for a reported house fire on Moran Drive. As Engine 33 and Truck 3 pulled out of quarters, a heavy smoke column could be seen in the area of dispatched address. While enroute, communications advised the caller reported a turkey fryer had overturned and he had 2 stories on fire. Minutes later, Engine 33 and Truck 3 arrived with heavy fire showing from a 2-story residence. The crews advanced a 1-¾" preconnect line to the front door as fire began venting through the roof. Firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions as soon as they made entry and were unable to advance any further than the split foyer stairs before Command ordered the evacuation of the structure. Numerous handlines were placed into service by other units as they arrived on scene. La Plata Truck 1 set their ladder pipe and attempted to knock the bulk of the fire down so crews could make entry again. Handlines were advanced into the structure on both floors with moderate fire conditions still engulfing most of the room. One firefighter from La Plata fell partially through a hole on the 2nd floor and was rescued by Waldorf Firefighter Andrew Rimm. The injured firefighter was transported by Ambulance 39 to Civista Medical Center in La Plata with injuries to the chest and a possible broken rib. Crews worked for over an hour before the fire was deemed under control. Overhaul operations were extensive due to the large quantity of stored items inside the structure. Units remained on scene for over 4 hours before finally clearing the scene.

Waldorf Units Responding: Engine 33, Truck 3, Rescue Squad 3, Utility 3, Engine 121, Engine 122, Engine 124, Ambulance 39, Ambulance 128, Ambulance 129, and Chief 3.

Mutual Aid Units Responding: La Plata Truck 1, Brandywine Squad 40, Accokeek Engine 242, Bryans Road Engine 112 and Ambulance 119, and Charles County Rescue Squad Ambulance 519.

Update January 7, 1730hrs: On Sunday, January 4, the Washington Post ran an article in the Southern Maryland Section about the fire that occurred on Moran Drive. The homeowner was quoted as stating they estimated the fire trucks arrived 20 to 30 minutes after they called 911. Tony Rose, the Chief of Communications at the Charles County 911 dispatch center, stated "Authorities responded to the 3:53pm call within 9 minutes and 41 seconds." To clarify the information provided in the Washington Post, the Waldorf Fire Department was dispatched at 3:57pm to the reported house fire on Moran Drive. Units from Fire 3 and Fire 12 were responding immediately after the dispatch was completed. Truck 3, with Safety 3 on board, arrived on scene at 4:00pm to find the house "well involved" in fire and established the command until the arrival of Chief 3. The members of both Fire 3 and Fire 12, an all-volunteer department, take great pride in their ability to provide rapid response to emergencies. Many members have expressed outrage at the statements that have provided a negative public image of the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department. These times are the official response times as documented by the Charles County Communications Center. The total response time for the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department was 3 minutes.

Time Charles County 911 Received the First Call: 3:53pm
Time Charles County 911 Dispatched the Call: 3:57pm
Time Waldorf Units were Enroute: 3:57pm
Time 1st Waldorf Unit Arrived on Scene: 4:00pm