At 1823 hours, the second alarm was struck for 9309 19th Ave bringing Truck 1 to the scene. After staging for 5 minutes the Truck with 4 personnel was requested to side Alpha.

After maneuvering over curbs and between cars the Truck got perfect positioning on side Alpha. The Interior crew opened up the whole first floor as fire was throughout the walls and ceiling on all three floors.

The outside crew teamed up with Truck 14 on the roof and ended up cutting multiple holes. Crews on the roof were faced with zero visibility and about 10 inches of roofing material to cut through before actually making the vent hole. Truck 1 remained on scene till 2027 hours doing overhaul on all floors.

On Friday November 21, 2008, members of the Grasonville, MD Volunteer Fire Department came to Hyattsville to take possession of Rescue Squad 1. After 14 years and approximately 130,000 miles, the 1993 Pierce Lance Rescue Squad was officially retired from the Hyattsville fleet.

Originally placed in service as Metro Support Unit 1 on February 14, 1994; this version of RS1 marked the return to rescue squad service to Hyattsville for the first time since 1960. Of interest, another HVFD Rescue Squad body also saw service in Grasonville, West Lanham Hills VFD utilized Squad 1's body and sold it to Grasonville years later.

The HVFD is planning delivery of the new Rescue Squad in February, 2009. The new unit is a Pierce Arrow XT with a 28’ stainless steel walk-in body, Amkus Ultimate System, Hydraulic Generator and Cat Diesel engine. This unit is being purchased utilizing an Assistance to Firefighters Grant funding. Modifications to the fire station have already been completed to house the new vehicle in our rather tight quarters.

At 0030 hours Engine 12 and Truck 1 were dispatched to 3708 37th St in 55’s first due for the house fire. While in responding with 13 personnel, units from the 4th battalion were advised by Communications of numerous calls and unsure of the correct address. Truck 9 arrived with a 2 story house with heavy fire throughout. Engine 12 as the second due Engine arrived first and laid dual lines while placing the first line in the exposure B building which had moderate fire showing from the ridgeline.

Truck 1 arrived and was held up on the porch by Command in the rear because of heavy fire conditions. After the main body on side Alpha was knocked, Command went to a defensive operation. Truck 1’s crew then assisted the Engine in the exposure before opening up side Charlie of the fire building. Multiple lines were pulled for Engine 12 in attempt to knock the fire. After about 30 minutes of defensive operations the crews from 9 and 1 went inside to open up walls and to knock the remaining pockets of fire. Crews remained on scene till 0320 hours for overhaul before being released. Searches were negative, and the extension to the Bravo building was limited

At 1522 hours Engine 12 and Truck 1 were alerted to 3105 Madison St in our first due for the house fire. Truck 1 arrived with a 2 story house with smoke showing. The homeowner reported a fire in the basement with rear access. Truck 1's crew located the fire while the Engine stretched the line. The fire was knocked quickly without extension and all searches were negative. Crews remained on scene for overhaul and investigators until 1628 hours.

At 1435 hours Truck 1 was dispatched to 4003 Volta St in Co 55's first due for the house fire. Engine 551 arrived with fire showing from the second floor of a 2 story residential house. Truck 1 arrived and assumed the first due responsibilities and started the search, threw 6 ground ladders and cut the roof. Truck 1 encountered heavy fire on the second floor as Engine 551 was making the knock on the fire. Both primary and secondary searches were negative and extension was limited to the walls on the second floor. Truck 1 remained on scene for overhaul and investigators until 1621 hours.

At 2101 hours, Truck 1 was dispatched to 506 Chillum Rd for the apartment fire. Engine 441 arrived with fire showing and numerous reports of people trapped. Truck 1 arrived shortly after as the first due Truck. The crew split up searching the fire floor and the floor above where the occupants were reported trapped. Searches came up negative, as well as the extension. Truck 1 remained on scene for overhaul and cleared at 2250 hours.

Shortly after clearing the apartment fire, Truck 1 was dispatched to the area of 25th Ave and Judson Street for the building fire. Engine 343 arrived in the rear of a strip mall a shed attached to the mall on fire. Truck 1 arrived and went to working opening up and forcing entry to the shopping mall. Extension was negative and crews remained on scene for lighting and the investigators. Truck 1 cleared at 0717 hours.

Squad 1 was dispatched to 2925 Kenilworth Ave for the building fire. Units from Company 9 arrived with smoke showing from a large warehouse. Squad 1 arrived and established the RIT. The fire was knocked quickly, and companies were released in little of an hour. Squad 1 cleared at 0602 hours.

On the 23rd, at 1320 hours Squad 1 was dispatched to 1905 Erie St in 34’s first due for the apartment fire. Engine 343 arrived to find nothing showing, but further investigation found a room off on the second floor. Squad 1 was the fourth arriving unit and was sent to search the fire apartment and the floor above. Searches were negative and Squad 1 cleared at 1343 hours.

The Hyattsville Vol. Fire Dept. is selling discounted tickets to the Comedy Factory to raise money for our new Rescue Squad. Tickets usually go for $17, we're selling them for $12, so you get a $5 discount.

Tickets are VALID FOR 6 MONTHS and good for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night shows!

There are tons of great comics, including:

• Paul Mecurio, star of "Comedy Central Presents."
• Pat Dixon from Comedy Central's "Premium Blend" and TBS' "Very Funny Live."
• Mark Simmons, star of the movies "Barber Shop" and "Barber Shop 2" and seen on the Chapelle show.
• Hypnotist Rich Guzzi, just to name a few.

To Purchase Tickets

To purchase tickets, please call the firehouse (301.927.5770) or the ticket coordinator at(202.560.8590). Make checks payable to 'The Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department' and send to the following address, denoting how many tickets you wish as well.

Hyattsville Vol. Fire Dept.
c/o Rebecca Smith
P.O. Box 5275
Hyattsville, MD 20782

For a more complete schedule for the upcoming months, please check out www.baltimorecomedy.com.

Member Bill Moran plans to run in the Marine Corp Marathon on October 26th to raise money for the HVFD. Donations are a critical part of funding operations of the department. Every donation helps no matter how big or small. And, your donation is tax deductible. Donations can be made following this link.

At 1423 hours, Squad 1 along with the Ambulance were dispatched to the intersection of 410 and Queens Chapel Rd for an accident with entrapment. Upon arrival crews encountered a 2 vehicle accident with confirmed entrapment from the vehicle that rolled over. The Squad crew stabilized, took the glass, and began opening up the driver side. In order to remove the patient the driver side door was removed. The Squad cleared at 1449 hours while the Ambulance transported the patient to the local trauma unit.