The Water Witch Fire Company expresses our condolences to the Cecil County Department of Emergency Services and the North East Volunteer Fire Company on the passing of Stephanie Reynolds.

The following is from Cecil County DES Chief Richard K. Brooks, III.

The Cecil County Department of Emergency Services and the North East Fire Company announces the passing of DES Assistant Chief and NEFC Life Member Stephanie Reynolds. Stephanie passed away this morning September 1, 2010 at 0730hrs. She was surrounded by her family and friends. For two and a half years Stephanie has valiantly fought her battle with brain cancer. Her tenacity to fight made her the longest survivor of this disease on record at the University of Maryland. Stephanie has chosen to continue this battle by donating her body to science at the University of Maryland.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Stephanie’s life will be held at a future date. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers, as well as, her friends at the University of Maryland Medical Center and the MIEMSS who provided her with such tremendous care and assistance.

Stephanie will be dearly missed by all.

1250 - The stations were alerted for an Ambulance to transfer to Station 13 while their units and surrounding companies were operating on a 2nd alarm building fire, 128 West Main St., Elkton. As A793 marked up, Dispatch alerted the Stations to transfer an Engine to Station 5 Charlestown. Engine 72 marked up with 4 shortly after. On the way north on I95 Dispatch advised A793 to respond to the scene and for Engine 72 to transfer to Station 13. A793 was on the scene for approximately 45 minutes conducting rehab. Engine 72 cleared Station 13 at 1445.

2100 - The stations were alerted for two boats to respond on Harford County Rescue Box 570S, Susquehanna River area of the Hatem Bridge. Fire Boat 7 marked up moments later as did U731 towing Rescue Boat 71 and Brush 73 towing Rescue Boat 73. Fire Boat 7 arrived at the corrected location just as Marine 552, 1252 and Cecil Boat 11 were getting the 8 subjects on board their vessels. Fire Boat 7 and Rescue Boat 71 stood by with the overturned, unsecured vessel waiting on the USCG. Once the USCG arrived Water Witch Boats cleared.

1556 - Engine 7 and Tanker 72 responded to a reported house on fire in the unit block of Pioneer Ridge Dr. in box area 834. Units were advised of a stove fire, believed to be out. Chief 8 arrived and after investigating, held the assignment to Engine 812 and Engine 7. Engine 7 arrived first and per command the crew placed the positive pressure ventilation fan at the front door. Engine 812's crew assisted Engine 7 with ventilation, units cleared with in 30 minutes.

1900 - A791, A792, Engine 7, Engine 72 and Chief 7 responded to an MVA in box area 704, Perrylawn Dr area of Craigtown Rd. CCDES P1 was in the area and arrived first advising one vehicle with one patient trapped. Water Witch EMS assisted P1 with patient care while Engine 7 stabilized and Engine 72 deployed their HURST tools. After the vehicle was stabilized, the patient became combative and exited the vehicle with the assistance of police. A792 transported the patient to a local hospital.

2245 - As A791 was responding to a EMS run in box area 704, A793, U732, EMS Deputy 7, Engine 28 and CCDES P1 & P4 responded to Leona Dr in box area 705 for a reported cardiac arrest. Dispatch gave additional information of possible priority 4. EMS Deputy 7 arrived and advised no arrest, cancelling the County EMS and Engine 28. The patient was not alert and apparently had fallen some time ago. P793 transported to a local hospital.

0110 hours the Stations were alerted for an Engine and Tanker for a reported house on fire in the unit block of Peppermint Drive, Box Area 833. Engine and Tanker 72 made the response. Engine 72 arrived moments after first arriving E812. Engine 72's crew conducted the primary search, which proved negative. After completing the primary, the crew opened up for E812's line. Tanker 72 established a secondary water supply with Engine 72. Both units cleared with in an hour.

Today members of the Three Mile Bay Fire Department located in upstate New York came to pick up their new wagon. Engine 711 has served us very well over the past 16 years and we are sure she will do the same for them.

Engine 711 was placed in service in March of 1994.
First working fire - 4/7/94
First extrication - 4/8/94
Last working fire - 4/8/08
Last extrication - 3/11/08

Engine 711 first ran out of Station 7 when it was placed in service. Her stay at Station 7 was very short and was moved to Station 72 upon its opening in the fall of 1994. Rescue Engine 72 was placed in service in mid 2008 and Engine 711 was placed in reserve status and housed at Station 73.

Shortly after 1300, the Stations were alerted for an Engine and Tower as part of the second alarm house fire on John St. Engine 73 and Tower 72 assisted with overhaul and returned to service with in 45 min.

This morning Lieutenant Chris Howell and Deputy Chief Mike Lipka, Jr. constructed a roof simulator for the Company. Members will be able to place a 14' roof ladder on the "roof" and drill on cutting ventilation holes. Thanks to these two members for constructing this for our members, special thanks to Lt. Howell for the design and for picking up the materials.

Members started the day early cleaning the equipment that was headed to the Hacks Point Parade in the afternoon. Below is the list of equipment that represented Water Witch:
Chief 7
Little Fire Chief - Matthew Saylor
Little Miss Fire Prevention - Autumn Pafel
Jr. Miss Fire Prevention - Morgan Lipka
Miss Fire Prevention - Rachael Snyder
U731
A792
E7
RE72
Tower 72
Brush 73 / Rescue Boat 71
Traffic 7

The Company received the following awards:

2nd Best Appearing Little Miss Fire Prevention - Autumn Pafel
2nd Best Appearing Jr. Miss Fire Prevention - Morgan Lipka
Best Appearing Miss Fire Prevention - Rachael Snyder
Best Appearing 1500 GPM - Engine 7
Best Appearing Tower - Tower 72

THANK YOU to all the members that participated!

Around 0330 hours the stations and CCDES P1 were alerted to the area of Theodore Road and Morgan Drive for an MVA. Paramedic 1 arrived moments later to find a one vehicle MVA with one patient out of the vehicle and one trapped. Paramedic 1 requested aviation and advised the trapped patient was Priority 4. Paramedic 791, Engine 7 and Engine 72 arrived next. P791's crew packaged their patient for transport to the LZ at Station 72. The Engine Companies secured the vehicle and set up lights for MSP to conduct their investigation. P791 started towards the LZ, however MSP Trooper 1 had to cancel due to weather. P791 then transported to a local trauma center by ground. The priority 4 patient was extricated at 0720 hours and crews returned to service shortly after.

Just as the Company Picnic was wrapping up the stations were alerted for a fuel spill at the Port Deposit Town Marina. Engine 72 arrived to find that an Ultralight had crashed in the river and was being towed to shore. The person on board was not injured, with no Fire Department services needed Engine 72 cleared.

On todays date, members gathered at Station 72 for our annual Company Picnic. Members and their families enjoyed platters from Fast Eddies Pit Beef, 4 bushels of crabs from First Due Seafood and the usual "cookout" food. The kids (and some members) enjoyed the dalmatian moon bounce and the water slide. Everyone in attendance had a great time, we would like to thank the Picnic Committee for a great event.

At 2211 the stations were alerted for an Engine and Tanker as part of the box 844 house fire assignment. First arriving units found a 2 1/2 story vacant dwelling with fire through the roof. Engine 7 arrived and picked up Engine 28's supply line, Engine 73 assisted with water supply and Tanker 72 was in the water shuttle. Brush 73 was also requested to the scene to handle a brush fire that started as a result of the house fire.

As units were operating at the house fire, P793 (73), Lancaster County Engine 513 (73), E614 (8) and Chester County Engine 21 (8) were sent to the unit block of Conowingo Road for an MVA reported with one trapped. P793 and LC E513 arrived moments later to find an SUV that had hit a Tractor Trailer head on with the SUV driver trapped. While P793 started patient care, LC E513 stabilized the vehicle and started the extrication process. E614 arrived and assisted LC E513 with the extrication. CC E21 was sent to the new ball fields on Susquehanna River Road to set up the LZ for aviation. Once the patient was removed from the vehicle, he was transported to the LZ and flown to a local trauma center. Units cleared a short time later and returned to their transfer assignments.