On Saturday, September 27, 2008, just minutes before 12 midnight, SYSCOM, The Maryland Statewide Communications System that provides communications among ambulances, medevac helicopters, dispatch centers, hospital emergency departments, trauma centers, specialty referral centers, and law enforcement, requested the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department to dispatch two Basic Life Support Ambulances to rendezvous with Trooper 2 at their hangar on Andrews Air Force Base.  Trooper 2 had radioed in that they needed to land due to weather conditions and had 2 patients on-board that required transportation to the hospital.  The two patients on-board Trooper 2 were crash victims from an incident in Charles County, MD.  As is normal procedure, an EMS provider from that jurisdiction was on-board Trooper 2 assisting with patient care.  

Trooper 2 never arrived at the rendezvous.  At about 12:30 AM, Sunday, September 28, 2008, SYSCOM lost radio contact with the aircraft and an area wide search was initiated.  During the search, using technology that tracks cell phone signals, an area near Walker Mill Road and Berry Lane in the Capitol Heights/Ritchie communities was identified and searched.  At about 2:00 AM, a police officer located the crash site on a park trail near that intersection.  As of 3:30 AM, Fire/EMS units on the scene advised of four fatalities.  These include the crew of Trooper 2, an EMS provider from Charles County and one of the original crash victims.  The second original crash victim, a teenaged female, survived the helicopter crash and was taken by paramedics to a nearby Trauma Center.

Trooper Mickey Lippy was a volunteer Firefighter Paramedic with the Owings Mills Volunteer Fire Company.

As the result of the tragic crash of MSP Trooper 2 this morning, MSP has suspended operations for 12 - 24 hours. If you need a medevac, dispatch will contact Syscom and an allied public safety or commercial helicopter will be dispatched.

     At 1209 hoursThursday 9/11/08, Susquehanna Hose Company was alerted along with Level Fire Company and the Aberdeen Fire Department for a dwelling fire in the 300blk of Robin Hood Rd. All units marked up shortly after alert and were advised that they were recieving reports of a laundry room on fire. Chief 5-2 advised smoke showing from Chapel Rd. and Chief 5 was first to arrive with fire showing. Engine-215 and Engine-515 arrived and layed 5" down the lane which Tanker-121 supplied. Command advised fire knocked at 1224 hours and units began overhaul. Good work by all crews. Pictures provided by FF Lamana of Company 5.

     Today marks the 7th anniversary of one of the most tragic days in America's history. Please take a moment to remember all those who perished that day and keep their families and loved ones in your prayers.

    On the evening of 8/14/08, Level Volunteers had just gotten back to the station after running a call for a house struck by lightning that resulted in a dryer fire in the basement when they were struck out for another 102 Box. E-113 went en route immediately and was advised by dispatch that the house at 213 Olde Beau Ct. had been struck by lightning and the roof was now on fire. E-113 advised dispatch that they could see heavy smoke from Glenville Rd. and requested a truck and an additional tanker. TW-231 was requested out of Aberdeen and K-1221 was requested out of APG. E-113 was first to arrive with E-112 right behind and advised they had fire through the roof. Crews from both engines quickly placed 2 handlines in service and were able to contain the fire to the roof/attic. All crews did a great job putting a quick knock on the fire. One FF was transported to Harford Memorial for minor injuries. Units were on scene untill approximately 21:30. Chief 1 had command.
Units on Scene by order of arrival:
E-113
E-112
E-111
A-191
E-912
K-121
S-151 at draft site
E-911
TW-231
K-1221
X-161
B-141
E-515 relocated to Co.1

In the late night hours of August 3, the Level VFC was alerted for a 10-50 PI W/ Rescue in the 3400 block of Churchville Rd. (112 box area). Engine 111 went in route a few minutes later and was advised of one overturned w/ one still trapped. An officer from Aberdeen VFC was on scene confirming rescue. Engine 111 arrived and crews went to work stabilizing the car and creating a plan to extricate the patient. Co. 2 (Aberdeen) was alerted to respond Rescue 251 due to Levels Squad being out of service. Crews from Company 1 and 2 found that the driver’s hand was pinned under the roof out of the sunroof. Crews decided the best removal method would be to raise the car with the HURST tool. Once the patient’s hand was free the patient was fully immobilized and transported to Harford by IV 191.     Units on Scene: 111 W/7 112 W/4 113 W/6 191 W/4 192 W/2 251 W/6   Command: Captain 1(Mabe) Operations: Captain 1-1(Polk) Safety: Chief 2(Reith)

At approximately 11 o’clock on July 31ST the Level volunteer fire company was alerted for a report of smoke in the area of Asbury Rd and Rt. 22 (122 box area). Captain 2-2 was in the area reporting a column of black smoke in that area. Engine 113 was in route a few moments later when the box was re-alerted as an alarm of fire with explosions bringing one engine from Co. 3 (Bel Air). Chief 1 was first to arrive, and advised of a piece of logging equipment on fire approximately ½ mile back into the woods. Chief 1 advised he would be assuming command and to alert co. 3 to respond Brush 342. Brush 141 arrived moments later and made access through a path. Crews from 151,113,315, and 342 assisted with fire extinguishments and overhaul. Crews were on scene for approximately 1 hour.   Units on Scene: Chief 1 141 W/ 2 151 W/2 113 W/5 342 W/2 315 W/ 4   Command: Chief 1(J. Gallion) Operations: Chief 1-1(N. Gallion Jr)  

Shortly after 5am on Wednesday morning, Level was alerted for a 10-50PI with rescue in the 112 Box Area. Chief-1 went on the air shortly after alert and was advised by dispatch that they were recieving reports of a fuel tractor trailer off the roadway in the area of Rt.22 and Carsins Run Rd. with the driver still trapped inside the cab. Engine-111 and Medic-192 located the accident west of the intersection off the road approximately 200ft. and confirmed rescue. Patient was extricated by removing the windshield of the tractor then transported by Medic-192 to Bayview Trauma. Haz-Mat and MDE were requested due to the approximately 3500 gallons of fuel needing to be pumped off. Last unit cleared around 10am. Chief-1 Gallion had command. Units on scene: E111, M192, S151, E113, A161, Haz-Mat, MDE, MSP, HCSO.

On Wednesday June 11,2008 the Level VFC was alerted for a 10-50 PI W/ Rescue in the 3300 Block of Level Rd. Engine 111 and Ambulance 191 called enroute shortly after alert and were advised of a head on collision involving a car and a box truck with one patient trapped. Monitor 3340 was first to arrive and advised the same with one priority 1 and requested aviation. Engine 111 arrived to find the same. Engine 111`s crew performed rapid extrication due to trauma arrest. Engine 112 arrived and secured the landing zone. The patient in the box truck was flown to Shock Trauma due to his injuries. After all patient care was taken car of, the Harford County HAZ-MAT team was requested for a pump off of the saddle tank. All units cleared around 1 hour later. Units on Scene: E111 E112 S151 A191 M592 U1496 Chief 1-2 HCSO HC Haz-Mat MSP Incident Commander: Chief 1-1 (Nolan Gallion, Jr.)

The 2008 "Play it Safe" Safety Camp is no longer accepting applications. We had an overwhelming response this year and the annual camp filled up in record time. Please check back in late July for photos and stories relating to this years camp. Level VFC will offer yet another fun filled Safety Camp next July. Look for applications to be on line May 1, 2009.

On Sunday morning, 18 May 2008, the Level Volunteer Fire Company and the Susquehanna Hose Company were alerted for a Dwelling fire in Webster Village. Engine 113 called enroute shortly after the alert. While enroute units were advised of a fire in the doorway. Chief 5-2 arrived to find a fully involved one story single family dwelling. Engine 113 and 515 arrived almost simultaneously and went to work extinguishing the fire. Shortly after arrival, Chief 1 ordered defensive operations due to the heavy fire conditions and rapid deterioration of the structure. Water supply units included Tankers: 121 & 1221 and Engines: 111, 112, 213, 512, & 513. After approximately thirty minutes, the fire was placed under control. Clean-up and overhaul took an additional hour and a half. Crews were placed in service and released shortly thereafter. The fire is being investigated by the State Fire Marshall`s Office. Command: Chief 1 (J.Gallion) Operations: Chief 5-2 (Allers) Safety: Chief 5 (Hurst) Water Supply: Chief 1-2 (Standiford) Units on scene: 111, 112, 113, 121 161, 171, 192, 213 512, 513, 515, 1221 Level VFC Ladies Auxiliary Maryland State Fire Marshals Office

On the morning of 4/17/08 around 0730, Level was struck out for a 10-50PI with rescue on Interstate 95 northbound at the 88 mile marker. Medic 191 and Engine 111 marked up shortly after the alert. Engine 111 arrived first confirmed rescue and requested hazmat due to a fuel truck being involved. After approximately a 15 minute extrication, Trooper 1 transported one patient to Shock Trauma and Ambulance 192 transported a second patient to a local hospital. Units on Scene: E111 M191 S151 A192 Hazmat 2&4 MDE MSP Trooper 1

On April 10, 2008, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Level Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. celebrated their 55th Anniversary. Twenty-eight members gathered at The Bayou Restuarant in Havre de Grace. Charter members, Dorothy Worthington, Margaret Worthington, Helen Hoshall, and Bessie Bowman were honored for volunteering for 55 years. Congratulations to the auxiliary for serving 55 years to the community of Level.

Shortly before 5am on Tuesday 4-1-08, Level was alerted for a 10-50PI with rescue and wires down in front of 310 Priestford Rd. in the 136 box. Medic-191 went enroute immediately after alert and upon arrival confirmed rescue with heavy entrapment and live wires down on the vehicle. Due to the heavy entrapment and the vehicle being upside down, Rescue-251 was requested out of Aberdeen FD along with MSP Trooper-1. Crews from Engine-111, Engine-113, and Rescue-251 worked for approximately 2 hours to free the single patient. Due to the extended extrication the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center "Go Team" was requested and they stood-by along with the Baltimore County Fire Department EMS Medical Director throughout the extrication before assisting with the transport of the patient to Shock Trauma via Medic-192. Weather conditions deteriorated throughout the extrication which caused Trooper-1 to be grounded in the Churchville area for several hours. Units on Scene: M191 E111 S151 E113 M192 R251 E112 (At the Landing Zone) Trooper-1 Go-Team HCSO MSP BGE

On Monday morning around 0730 Level was struck out for a 10-50PI with rescue at the intersection of Level Rd. and Paradise Rd. Capt.1-1 was on scene within a few minutes and advised she had one trapped and requested aviation. One patient was transported to shock trauma via Trooper-1 and one patient was transported to Harford Memorial by ground. A short time later Level was struck out for another 10-50PI in the 122 box at the intersection of Rt.22 and Bramble Ln. Two patients were transported to by ground to Harford Memorial.

Around 1600hrs on Sunday 3/30/08, Cecil County fire companies were being alerted to assist Oxford, PA with a large brush/tires/trailers fire in the area of the Herr's Potato Chip factory just across the PA line. Tanker-121 and Squad-151 were returning from a water supply class in Cecil County and heard the alerts and made their response on the Chester County box. Since each piece only had a driver on board, Engine-113 went enroute as well with additional personnel to assist the tanker and squad. Units were on scene for little over an hour before clearing.