[Scan-DC] Large brush fire Montgomery

[Cathy Drzyzgula]

Thanks.  Stories like this are why I got a scanner in the first place.  

Cathy

-----Original Message-----
From: scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Brooks, Kurt
Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2013 6:25 PM
To: Doug Kitchener
Cc: Scan- DC
Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] Large brush fire Montgomery

Way back in the day, at least 12 years ago, WJZ's Chopper 13 was covering a
large, difficult brush fire in Anne Arundel County in the mid evening after
dark, about 9pm I recall. AA Co FD got wind that the helicopter was nearby
and made a call to the tv station. 

Within a few minutes of the most remarkable conversation I have heard on a
fire talkgroup and a TV station 2 way, I heard an engine set up a landing
spot for "Trooper 13" and Roy Taylor put the chopper down near the command
post. 

Then the battalion chief climbed on board and off they went to survey the
fire. I am pretty sure the opportunity was taken to record the incident and
interview the chief with the on board cameras and tape deck. 

Notably, this was also assisted by the fact that at the time Roy & I used
the Maryland Fire Network's radio system as well as scanners in the
helicopter. There were times when we could hear things said on the scanner,
then relay info back to a MFN user on the scene, who would flag down a fire
officer and relay our message. 

One incredible use of this side system was that the MD Dept of Environment
Spill Trucks had programmed MFN in their radios. Reporting live one day on a
fuel spill from a cargo ship at the Domino Sugar pier in Baltimore, Roy had
an on air 2 way conversation with the MDE guys describing the situation from
the air.  

It only happened rarely but I have never seen a better example as to why
scanning was good, and direct communication even better between civilians
and 1st responders. 

One final story before I go - I was up with Roy for the afternoon flight
when we overheard a mutual aid call from Howard Cty to Eastbound 70 in
Baltimore Cty - a typical call due to access issues. We were real close so
we popped over to take a look well before and ground units were there. Sure
enough, it was real bad: several cars, an obvious entrapment. Just then
Trooper 3 was flying by on the way home from Shock Trauma. Roy alerted them
to the accident so they spun around for a closer look. 

Because the accident had closed the road, the next thing we see is Trooper 3
come in for a landing an taxi up fairly close to the scene. The medic jumps
out to start triage several minutes before the first ground units arrive. 

I swear, the incredulous first unit size up of the accident 'with a Trooper
already on the ground' was one of the funnier things I have ever heard. 

On Mar 10, 2013, at 17:03, "Doug Kitchener" <oldsdoug at yahoo.com> wrote:

> MSP helicopter requested to evaluate the extent of the fire... I don't
think I've ever heard that before.
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Doug Kitchener <oldsdoug at yahoo.com>
>> To: Scan- DC <scan-dc at mailman.qth.net>
>> Cc: 
>> Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2013 4:58 PM
>> Subject: [Scan-DC] Large brush fire Montgomery
>> 
>> Large brush fire in Montgomery County, Germantown area, off Indian 
>> Grass Court... same area where there was a really big fire a couple of
years ago.
>> Probably 10 acres off... at least 3 tankers and half a dozen brush 
>> vehicles there now.  Operations on 7-Golf.  I could see the smoke 
>> from Montgomery Pillage when they dispatched it.
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