Reported Odor of Smoke in the Building
at Waldorf EMS Station 3

July 9, 2004 2211 hrs:

Waldorf Units responded for a reported commercial building fire at one of our own stations. Members from EMS 3 were inside their station when they began to notice an odor of smoke. After performing a quick search and unable to locate the source, they connected communications and the building fire assignment was alerted. EMS personnel quickly evacuated all the Ambulances and vehicles in the building to a parking lot across the street. Engine 33, Truck 3, and Chief 3A arrived on scene shortly after with nothing showing. While Engine 33's crew advanced a handline into the building, Truck 3's crew setup the aerial ladder to the roof to investigate the air handlers. With no visible smoke or fire in the building, Firefighters searched with a thermal imager but were unable to locate the source of the odor. The strongest areas of concentration were identified in the rear area of the apparatus bay and the bunkroom. The odor dissipated and units in staging were released to return to quarters. Waldorf units remained on the scene for nearly an hour attempting to locate the elusive source but were unable to locate anything burning. Units cleared the scene at 2300 hrs and returned to quarters. The odor has not been smelled since.

Waldorf Responding Units: Engine 33, Truck 3, Engine 122, All appartatus from EMS 3, Safety 12, Chief 3A, & Chief 3.

Mutual Aid Units: La Plata Truck 1, Accokeek Tower 24, Hughesville Engine 23, Brandywine Engine 401, & Bel Alton Squad 10.

Pictures Courtesy of Marty Thompson & Grant Rogerson.