The La Plata Volunteer Fire Department is once again bringing Santa Claus to area neighborhoods this holiday season. Santa will be visiting children while aboard a shiny red fire engine with its red lights flashing. 



Firefighters ask that parents watch their children closely until the fire engine completely stops. Parents, please supervise your children as they approach the fire engine to ensure a safe Santa Run. Children that would like to see Santa but he is not visiting your particular street are welcome to visit with him at any other stop along one of his routes. Santa will start visiting with area children each night at 6:30 pm and will try to be finished no later than 9:00 pm. Please click on the schedule for further information on dates and times of the visits. The schedule may be adjusted or canceled in the event of emergency calls and inclement weather. For additional information or questions, please call 301-934-9201. The La Plata Volunteer Fire Department wishes you a very safe and happy holiday season!

At 0641 hours we were dispatched for the working house fire on Potomac River Drive in Cobb Island.  Truck 1 responded with 7 volunteers.  First arriving E62 found fire showing.  Truck 1 arrived and took the first due special service responsibilities.  Once a water supply was established, the crews entered the structure and extinguished the fire.  The truck remained on the scene until 1130 hours.

At 0243 hours we were alerted to repsond for a house on fire on Cooksey Road in Dentsville.  The Truck and Chief 1A responded with 8 volunteers.  First arriving C10B found fire showing.  The Truck arrived soon there after and assisted the Engines with extinguishment, completed a primary search and ventilated.  The truck crew remained on the scene for another hour to complete salvage and overhaul.  The truck cleared and ran another box in Waldorf, which turned out to be Food.  They returned to quarters at 0430.

The Officers and Members would like to wish everyone a Safe and Happy Halloween! Please take a minute to review the attached Halloween Safety information.

**HALLOWEEN CANDY RECALLED**

There is a new warning by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency....Sherwood brand Pirate's Gold Milk Chocolate coins are being recalled due to the fact that they contain Melamine, the ingredient in milk products that has caused many infant deaths in China. These candies are sold at Costco, as well as many bulk and Dollar Stores.

Please check your children's Halloween candy and let other parents know about the recall.

The officers and members of the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services Division, the Maryland State Police, and the families of EMT-B Tonya Mallard, Pilot Stephen Bunker, Trooper First Class Paramedic Mickey Lippi, and Patient Ashley Younger. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone touched by this tragedy.    We thank those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to serve others, they will forever be remembered as the heroes that they are.  

Several area companies were dispatched for mutual aid to St. Mary's County at the Veteran's Home for a building fire.  E11 responded with 4.  Moments later we were alerted again for the house on fire on Piscataway Court, with a completely altered assigment due to the previous run.  E12 responded with 3 and arrived on the scene with smoke showing from a 2 story middle of the row, townhouse.  The crew of E12 made entry and found smoke only on the first floor.  The crew made the steps to the second floor and found fire in a bedroom in the C Quadrant.  Chief 1A arrived and assumed the command.  The fire was knocked down and a quick primary search was conducted, which proved negative.  The next arriving Engine companies were assigned to operate as Truck Companies, and checked for extension while ventilating.  No injuries were reported and E12, E11 and Truck 11 were held to assist MSFM office with the investigation, which revealed a child playing with a lighter in the bedroom.  Units returned to service at 0040 hours. (Once E11 cleared St. Mary's they responded back for the fire) Thanks to CCRS for the pictures.

During the early morning hours of August 30th, the engine was dispatched for a working house fire with possible subjects trapped in the 2300 block of Kanegis Court (Waldorf Company 12’s first due). Engine 11 responded with Chief’s 1A and 1B with a total of 4 personnel.

While en route, E-33 arrived on the scene to find a well involved garage with extension to the second floor and attic of the house. Heavy fire was found on the second floor and in the attic area. Chief 3B had the initial command. Chief 3 assumed command upon his arrival and Chief 3B then took over interior operations. Duty 12 was assigned accountability and Chief 1A had the Division 2 lead. Engine 11 advanced an 1 ¾” line to the 2nd floor and aided in the extinguishment of the fire. Engine 11 then split crews and performed a secondary search and secured the water to the house.

During fire suppression operations, two firefighters from Company 12 suffered minor injuries when struck by falling debris from the roof. They were transported to Civista Medical Center, where they were treated and released. With the fire knocked, crews pulled out in order for the Fire Marshal to conduct his investigation. Crews operated on the scene for about three and a half hours. The Fire Marshal investigation is continuing, but the incident is believed to be accidental at this time.

 This was the second call for La Plata, Engine 12 was filling Hughesville Co. 2 at the time of dispatch.

TOURNAMENT DATES:  

Saturday, November 29, 2008 

All of our tournaments require a $125.00 buy in with free food and drinks while playing in the tournament. Must be 21 to play, doors open at 5:30 pm. and cards are dealt at 7:00 pm. We accept reservations by calling (301) 609-7500.

Engine 11 and Tanker 1 were dispatched for the working shed fire in the 9300 block of Marshall Corner Road.  Engine 124 arrived on the scene, confirming a fully involved 30'X40' shed having six automobiles inside. 

Chief 12A established the Marshall Corner Command, and Engine 112 was assigned water supply operations.  Tankers 1, 12, 11, and Engine 11 were used to relay water to Rescue Engine 123.   Crews from Stations 1, 3, and 11 assisted with fire suppression.  Forestry 25 and Dozer 8 were requested by Command due to the nature of the incident.  Dozer 8 was used to remove vehicles from the shed and then hot spots were extinguished. 

At approximately 0200 hrs, the station was dispatched to a Priority 1 response for a rollover accident with one ejected on Port Tobacco Road in the area of Valley Road.  Rescue Engine 13 responded along with Chief 1.

Upon arrival, units found a single vehicle with two occupants, that had rolled multiple times before coming to rest in a field.  The driver of the vehicle had been ejected and was found about 10-15 feet from the car.  Due to reports of a possible ejection, a helicopter was requested at the time of dispatch.  The driver sustained a head injury and was flown to a local trauma center.  The passenger of the vehicle refused medical treatment. 

Engine 11 handled the landing site for Trooper 2 on Port Tobacco Road near the accident scene.