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Rescues in the dark, in the water: From what I understand, a pretty massive response very early Sunday morning after a boat (above) leaving Seacrets nightclub in Ocean City, MD hit the Route 90 bridge. According to various sources, Ocean City VFD, volunteer firefighters in their own boats and the US Coast Guard were among those who responded after the 1:00 AM collision. Ten people ended up in the water.
OC EMS crews were transported from the bridge pilings out to the most seriously injured already on another vessel. The victims were taken to the Ocean Pines marina for triage. Two were priority 2, seven were priority 3 and one person refused transport. Helicopters were unavailable due to heavy fog.
Volunteers & others fight ambulance fee: Once again a proposal to charge for ambulance service in Montgomery County, MD is opposed by volunteer departments and a key council member. The volunteers, concerned about fundraising, think the county shouldn’t charge for what they are providing for free. Others worry it will inhibit some from calling 911. County Executive Isiah Leggett believes the fee is needed to keep pace with demands for service. Montgomery is one of the only jurisdictions in the area that currently does not charge for EMS calls. Click here for the story in today’s Washington Post.
Hazing allegations become big Deale: The Capitol newspaper had the story Sunday of an alleged hazing incident at the Deale VFD in Anne Arunedel County. The incident happened in the spring, but the victim now has a lawyer. The county police did not find any criminal wrongdoing over a 19-year-old member who was tied up in a hose tower, but internal probes continue. Read more.
Hero to zero: The title of a program in Pennsylvania to help chiefs deal with the firefighter arson problem. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette features the training in an article looking at the recent case in Pitcairn and other cases where firefighters have become arsonists.
Veteran defensive end is now a rookie: Jamal Fountaine spent six years in the NFL. Now the 37-year-old is three-months into his 18-months as a probie with the Alameda County Fire Department. Read the story.
