Auto Accident in Huntingtown with two firefighters flown

On Sunday September 25, 2005 at 1715 hours, Company 6 (Huntingtown), Squad 2 (Prince Frederick), Ambulance 48 (Prince Frederick RS), and Medic 102 were alerted to Bowie Shop Road and Hunting Creek Road for the overturned vehicle. Chief 6A (Riffe) arrived and reported two-vehicles involved, with one overturned and no entrapment.

Shortly after, Chief 6 (Osbourn), Chief 6B (Hayes), Captain 6 (Patin), EMS Captain 6 (Mckenny), Squad 6 (Safety Officer Cox), Engine 62 (Lt Montgomery), Ambulance 69 (Mclelland), and Ambulance 68 (Amick) arrived on the scene. Due to the accident being minor, mutual aid units were placed in service. While the EMS crews were evaluating the two patients, the Squad crew began to stabilize and secure the overturned vehicle. Less than a minute after Squad 6 began to secure the vehicle, a small amount of gasoline (less than a gallon) burst into flames along with the contents of the vehicle. One firefighter from Squad 6 was beside the vehicle when it exploded. His father (the driver of Squad 6) immediately pulled his son out of the burning vehicle. This resulted in both of them receiving burns to their face and neck.

Command immediately requested Squad 2 for EMS assistance, Engine 22 for the Landing Zone, an additional ambulance (Ambulance 48), Tanker 6 (Willis), a second Medic Unit (Medic 105), and two helicopters (Trooper 2 and Trooper 7). While the EMS crews began assessing the downed firefighters, the crew from Engine 62 extinguished the fire. Both firefighters were air-lifted to DC Med Star's Burn Center. The two patients from the original accident were transported to Calvert Memorial. One other firefighter received minor injuries when running from the explosion. Fortunately, all personnel were wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment when the explosion occured. At 1830 hours, Command was terminated.

From the Huntingtown officers and members, many thanks to all of the departments that have called and rendered aid to Huntingtown. Thanks to Company 2 and Company 5 (Dunkirk) for the fill-in crews. Thanks to Public Safety (Richardson), Chief 10 (Eskins), and Company 4 for providing Critical Incident Stress Debriefing members. Thanks to the Huntingtown VFD Auxiliary and thanks to all of the members that participated in the post-incident debriefing.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to our two firefighters.