On Sunday June 8th 2014, while Truck 1 was operating at 5200 River’s Edge Pl in Potomac Heights, the La Plata Volunteers along with the fill-in crews from Mechanicsville and Hollywood were alerted to respond for a Automatic Fire Alarm at the Facchina building at 102 Centennial St. Within seconds of dispatch Engine 12, Mechanicsville Engine 24, and Hollywood Engine 73 were on the street with 10 personnel. Engine 12 arrived on scene side A of a four story, Type 2 commercial building, with the alarm sounding and their own hydrant. Engine 24 arrived and nosed into Engine 12′s position, while Engine 73 secured a secondary hydrant across from 105 Centennial St. All three crews went in to investigate and search for any signs of fire. Upon reaching the lower parking level, crews encountered an odor of something burning. Engine 12 notified Communications of the same and requested the assignment for an Odor of Smoke in a Commercial Building. Communications dispatched the assignment and advised units on the scene to switch to Tac-5 for operations. Engine 12 did so and established the “Centennial St Command” at the front of Engine 12, and advised all incoming units with the exception of the first arriving special service to stage in line of approach of Centennial St. Meanwhile, Engine 24 repositioned to the entrance of the lower parking level and pulled a 350′ 1-3/4″ attack line, while Engine 12 hooked up to the standpipe system. Communications then advised that they were recieving calls for an AFA at 105 Centennial St, Command sent Engine 102 to investigate the second alarm, which turned out to be caused by Engine 12 opening up the hydrant to supply the standpipe system at 102 Centennial St. Truck Co. 3 arrived on scene and reported to side A to assisted crews inside with locating the source of the odor. Chief 3B as the North Side Battalion Chief arrived on scene and assumed Command. Shortly thereafter, units inside located the source and determined it to be caused by an burned up elevator motor, and recommended that the assignment be held with 3 Engines and 1 Truck. Command held Engines 12, 24, 73 and Truck Co. 3 at 102 Centennial St and Engine 102 to investigate 105 Centennial St further. Command was terminated and units returned to service at 18:39hours. Many thanks to the crews from Mechanicsville, Hollywood, and Leonardtown Fire Departments for filling in while the Truck was in Potomac Heights. All photos courtesy of Mechanicsville VFD
Units: Engines 12 & 14
Mutual Aid Units St. Marys Engines 24 & 73, Engines 102, 143, & 31, Truck Co. 3, Squad 10, Ambulance 519, Chief 3B
