Just prior to 2300 hours the 700 box assignment was sent to the above location for a report of a house on fire. As the crew was boarding Engine 7 a mechanical problem was detected placing the unit out of service. The crew loaded up in Brush 7 and a utility and made the response. Those units arrived to find a 1 1/2 story single family dwelling with fire showing from the chimney. Upon further investigation it was determined that the fire was confined to the chimney with no extension. With that report, Chief 7 (G. Miller) held the assignment to the units arrived as well as Engine 813 and Tower 72. Crews made quick work of extinguishing the fire and cleared shortly after.

Photos by Will Hennemuth

EMS training schedule for the first quarter is below. Probationary members are required to attend Wednesday training (noted with a '*') All members are encouraged to attend all training. Contact EMS LT 73 with questions.

Cold Emergencies - Monday January 23, 1900, Station 72

* Ambulance Orientation - Wednesday February 8, 1800, Station 73

Respiratory Emergencies - Monday February 27, 1900, Station 72

* Ambulance Operations - Wednesday March 7, 1800, Station 73

Getting a Good Patient History - Monday March 26, 1900, Station 72

* Lifting and Moving - Wednesday April 4, 1800

Cardiac Arrest Management - Monday April 23, 1900

* ALS for the BLS Provider and Aide (how to take care of your paramedic) - Wednesday May 14, 1800

I want to say how PROUD I am to present these final stats to you for the busiest year in the history of Water Witch EMS! You responded to 1261 calls for service. The ambulances were put on the street 1341 times. Our average response time getting an ambulance on the street was 3.6 minutes. We dropped only 5 first due calls all year!
 
This is truly a PHENOMENAL TEAM EFFORT!
 
          What is also noteworthy in defining the team aspect is how each of you were able to flex into action to cover those who experienced significant work schedule changes and illness that fell upon many of our members. If there ever was a model/definition for how to operate a Volunteer EMS Program, Water Witch EMS would be the icon!
 
          We may not have the ability to build a multi-million dollar facility or pay cash for apparatus but what I do know is that your dedication and passion for VOLUNTEER EMS is PRICELESS!
                            
THANKS AGAIN FOR A GREAT YEAR!!
 
 
Wayne L. Tome, Sr.
EMS Chief

Just after noon, the Company along with CCDES P1 were alerted for an MVA with people trapped at the intersection of Jacob Tome Memorial Highway and Firetower Road. P791, P792, P793, E7, E72, Deputy 7 and P1 made the response. CCDES P1 arrived, advised two vehicles with one in the road, one over the embankment and CPR in progress. The patient that CPR was being performed had been removed by bystanders before the arrival of any responding units. That patient was pronounced Priority 4 by EMS and the patient in the other vehicle was transported Priority 2 to a local trauma cneter. The scene was turned over to MSP for their investigation and units cleared. Deputy 7 (Lipka, Jr.) had the command.

1844 hours on the evening of Christmas the box alarm was sounded for a House Trailer on fire in Box Area 701 at the above location. As units marked up, Dispatch advised the call was received from the neighbor advising smoke from the roof, believes the fire is out and requested the Fire Department to continue. Engine 7 laid out from Tome Highway and AOS with a 14 X 70 house trailer with nothing evident from the A/D corner. As the lineman and backup man were getting the line stretched, the force entry man forced the door and was met by smoke coming out. Once inside, the crew encountered low visibility with moderate heat conditions. After searching the dwelling for the seat of the fire with negative results, it was determined the fire had burned itself out. Other units assisted with searches, ventilation and lighting. After 20 minutes, the box was held to E7, E72, Truck & Rescue 6. The cause was investigated by the MSFMO and determined to be caused by an overloaded extension cord under the Christmas tree. Deputy 7 (Lipka, Jr.) had the Command.

This evening the Company met at Station 72 for our monthly meeting. As with every December it is election night. The following were elected into office and will take effect on January 1, 2012.

Fire Chief - Gregory Miller
EMS Chief - Wayne Tome, Sr.
President - Richard Hull
Vice President - Tammy Hoag
Financial Secretary - Brad Snyder
Treasurer - Fred Mott
EMS Administrator - Karen Mott
Secretary - Cindy Clark
BOD at large:
Richard Brooks
Donnie Poist, Jr.
Allen Dooling
Tony DiMauro

Fire and EMS line Officers are appointed by their respective Chiefs.

In the early evening hours, the Company was alerted to assist Harford County for a water rescue on their side of the Susquhanna River. Rescue Boats 71 & 73 made the response. Rescue Boat 71 arrived in the area of the reported emergency and were unable to locate anything. Rescue Boat 73 proceeded up the Cecil County side of the river in our first due until they were unable to proceed any further due to low water conditions. MSP Trooper 1 was also assisting overhead and they to were unable to locate the vessel in question. After Dispatch made contact with the caller again via his cell phone, they were able to get his GPS location which put him five or so miles south of the original location, in the Chesapeake Bay. Rescue Boat 73 made first contact with the vessel and determined that the lone occupant was uninjured. Harford County Marine 552 along with Cecil County Marine 11 also assisted RB 73.

A791 remained at our launch site awaiting our Rescue Boats so the members were able to get warm before returning to their stations. This past summer proved to be one of the least busiest years for water related emergencies for the company, this one however came on a night with temperatures in the 30's..

It has been a little over a month since our last update, even though no stories have been posted there is still very much going on around the company. Calls for both Fire and EMS were below average for the month of November, however we are still on pace to have the busiest year in company history. The new Pierce ladder truck is still on track to be delivered by early summer, it will have a feature that Pierce has never done before, stay tuned....

Six minutes before 0100, the Station, Rescue 8 and CCDES P1 were alerted for a MVA in front of the Royal Farms Store on Conowingo Road. As units marked up, dispatch advised of a single vehicle MVA that was overturned with two patients. Lt. 28 arrived at Rock Springs Road & Old Conowingo Road and advised that the MVA was located there. Units confirmed the reports from dispatch adding that one patient had been ejected and requested aviation. Crews packaged the patients and loaded one into P793 for transport to the Landing Zone and the other into A791 for transport to a local hospital. Engine 7 set up the LZ on Rock Springs Road for MSP Trooper 1. All units were in station by 0200.

Just before midnight the Stations along with Harford County Company 9 and CCDES P1 were alerted for a motor vehicle accident with a vehicle reported overturned at the above location. A791 arrived to find a tanker truck hauling 7500 gallons of diesel fuel overturned with the tractor part fully involved. Engines 73 & 7 arrived and started putting a knock on the fire. A full box assignment was sounded along with the Cecil and Harford County Haz Mat Teams. EMS requested aviation for the driver of the truck. Engine 812 set up the landing zone for MSP Trooper 6 just north of the scene. Once the fire was knocked it was determined that all of the fuel had leaked out of the trailer from the top of the trailer being ripped off. Last Water Witch Unit cleared 6 hours later.

Our 2011 Annual Fund Drive is out in the mail. Be sure to take the time to read it and please donate if possible. THANK YOU!!

~1989 Grumman Aerialcat
~Spartan 9 Person Crew Cab
~102 Foot Platform Aerial
~1500 GPM Pump
~200 Gallon Booster Tank
~12.5 KW Generator

For more information including pricing, email engine714@hotmail.com.

Just after noon, the company along with CCDES P1 were alerted for a MVA at the above location. EMS Lt. Snyder arrived advising of a dump truck that had overturned and requested aviation for the single patient. Engine 7 and IV791 arrived and started patient care, packaging the patient and securing the minor fuel leak on the truck. With aviation being down due to weather, P791 transported the patient to a local trauma center and Engine 7 cleared.