Shortly after 12 noon on Sunday, August 17, 2008, units on Baltimore County’s westside were dispatched to Fire Box 33-9 for a reported kitchen fire in a dwelling at 5305 Pembroke Avenue in the Gwynn Oak area. 

First arriving BCoFD Engine 13 (Westview career station) arrived with heavy smoke and fire showing from a 1.5 story house, followed by BCoFD Engine 2 (Pikesville career), BCoFD Engine 18 (Randallstown career) and Pikesville Volunteers Engine 321. Engine crews laid hoselines and made entry to attack the fire, while BCoFD Truck 13 raised their aerial to the roof and firefighters began ventilation. Command requested a Working Fire Dispatch bringing additional units including Pikesville Tower 323 to the scene. 

Firefighters were able to quickly knock down the fire, which was possibly caused by an electrical issue as the homeowner reported hearing a crackling sound while in the kitchen. BCoFD Fire Investigation Division was requested to the scene.

Around 5:30 a.m. Friday August 8, 2008, units on Baltimore County’s westside were alerted for a reported auto accident with entrapment on Slade Avenue between Park Heights Avenue and Seven Mile Lane (Box 2-16).    Upon arrival BCoFD Engine 2 (Pikesville career station) advised dispatch of 1 patient trapped, and requested a second medic unit for an additional patient. Arriving units found the driver of a minivan had apparently lost control rounding a curve, jumped a curb, struck a tree, crashed through a wooden fence and came to rest against another tree in the backyard of a house. The driver was able to remove themselves from the vehicle, but the passenger was pinned in the vehicle between the two front seats, suffering from significant injuries. Crews from Engine 2, Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company Squad 322, and BCoFD Truck 18 (Randallstown career station) worked together with multiple rescue tools to extricate the patient.    The victim was medevaced via Maryland State Police Trooper 1 to Baltimore’s Shock Trauma Center, with a PVFC member aboard to assist with patient care, but tragically he later succumbed to his injuries.    Also on scene were BCoFD Medic 2 & Medic 14, PVFC IV325, BCoFD EMS 5 and Battalion Chief 22, and BCoFD Engine 14, who handled the landing zone for the helicopter. The crash is being investigated by the Baltimore County Police Department Accident Investigation Unit.

A Pikesville woman who balances being a wife, mother of two teenage daughters, and a career as a hospital-based pediatric social worker has been elected 3rd EMS (Emergency Medical Service) Lieutenant at Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company, marking the first time a female Orthodox Jewish volunteer in Baltimore County has held such a rank.

“I wanted to be an EMS provider since age seven and thought about it seriously when I was 18 but was concerned how I would balance that with my Orthodox lifestyle,” said Lt. Andrea Ziv Lavine, who in addition to being elected as a lieutenant was also named PVFC’s EMS Provider of the Year for 2007. “When I married I remained interested but ignorant of my options.” As Lavine embarked on her career she met a volunteer, educated herself about the options, and decided to apply – after her husband completed his PhD.

Lavine said the 1970s television show Emergency! played a significant role in her decision to become a volunteer EMS provider. “Ever since watching that show I wanted to be the one to be there in the moment of crisis to help people through,” she said.

Lavine, who is in her 30s, officially joined PVFC in June 2005 and has been riding Medic 325 ever since. “I’m grateful for the opportunities I have had over the past three years and for the learning experiences that have enriched my life.”

Being an Orthodox female in a firehouse – somewhat of an unusual place to find a mother who wears a skirt over her pants and covers her hair – hasn’t been an issue for Lavine. “I think my acceptance of others has helped with their acceptance of me,” she said. “I had to prove myself as a provider and a productive member of the company to be accepted.”

In 2007, Lavine answered more than 130 calls as a volunteer, and responded on 20 more as one of the company’s part-time paid medical staff. Her 15-year-old daughter is also involved with the fire service, having earlier this year joined the Fire Brigade Pipes and Drums of Greater Baltimore, a bagpipe and drum band comprised of firefighters and family members of firefighters from the Baltimore metropolitan area (including two husband-and-wife pairs from PVFC). Next year when she turns 16, she plans to join PVFC as a Junior member.


In addition to Lavine, PVFC’s roster includes a number of other Orthodox Jewish members, and a significant number of recent recruits to the company have been Orthodox. Lavine and her family attend Suburban Orthodox Toras Chaim Congregation.

PVFC’s ambulance, staffed with volunteer personnel, averages about 1,800 calls per year. In addition to funds raised through community donations, the unit receives significant financial support from Save-A-Heart and Covenant Guild.

Click here to see the coverage that aired on WJZ/Channel 13:http://wjz.com/local/andrea.levine.fire.2.791128.html

Shortly after 5:30 p.m. Monday July 21, PVFC Tower 323 was alerted with other units for Fire Box 2-23, for a reported house fire on Deerfield Road. BCoFD Engine 2 (Pikesville career station) arrived on location reporting a two-story single family dwelling with fire showing from side delta. An attack line was advanced up to the second floor bedrooms where fire was located in the attic space. The crew from Tower 323 threw ladders and opened up for the engine crew, and worked with the crew from BCoFD Truck 18 (Randallstown career station) to ventilate the roof.  Firefighters from BCoFD Engine 3 (Woodlawn career station) and Engine 18 assisted with throwing additional ladders and checking for fire extension. The fire was knocked down within 15 minutes and crews remained on location for about an hour to finish overhaul. No injuries were reported.   BC 2 Engines 2, 19, 3, 18 Tower 323 Truck 18 M325 U329 EMS 5

On the afternoon of Sunday, July 20th, Pikesville VFC Squad 322 was dispatched with other Baltimore County westside units to a motor vehicle crash with reported entrapment on Winands Road at Kiwi Court in Randallstown.  BCoFD Engine 18 arrived reporting a two-vehicle MVA with no one trapped but requested two additional medic units and a Maryland State Police medevac helicopter.  Crews from Engine & Truck 18 assisted EMS crews (Medic 118, Medic 19, EMS 8) with patient triage and treatment, and PVFC Medic 325 responded as the third EMS unit, transporting one of the patients to an area hospital.  Medic 118 transported a Priority 1 patient to the medevac LZ @ Randallstown High School, where a waiting Trooper 1 flew the patient to Baltimore's Shock Trauma Center.

On Thursday afternoon July 17th as temperatures climbed into the mid 90s, firefighters on Baltimore County’s Westside were dispatched to a reported house fire at 7106 North Alter Street in Pikesville. Responding units could see smoke from the Milford Mill bridge, and BCoFD Engine 2 (Pikesville career station) and PVFC Engine 321 and Tower 323 arrived minutes after being dispatched to find a middle of the group townhome with heavy smoke showing from Side Alpha and fire showing in the rear.

The fire had started in the rear of the home and prior to arrival of firefighters had extended into the soffit and spread to two additional homes. As Engine 2’s crew was knocking the fire in the first home the Tower crew split up to search the dwellings, “open up” for the engine crews, and vent the roof. BCoFD Engines 3, 18, and 19 also assisted in extinguishing the fire as Engine 321’s crew assisted BCoFD Truck 18 with laddering the dwellings and assisting the Tower crew, along with Owings Mills volunteers Engine 311.   

Command requested a Working Fire Dispatch and requested two additional engines because of the extreme heat conditions.  PVFC Medic 325 and Utility 329 responded on the WFD.  Due to an aggressive fire attack, the fire was contained with minimal damage to the homes adjacent to the house of origin.

(Photos courtesy Station 2) 

About 8:30 Wednesday night July 16, Pikesville VFC Squad 322 responded with BCoFD Engine 2, and BCoFD Engine & Medic 14 and EMS 5 for a reported pedestrian struck on Interstate 695 between exits 20 & 21 (Box 32-61).  Squad 322, traveling on the inner loop to access the scene, located the incident on the opposite side of the highway, advised Engine 2, and continued to Greenspring Avenue to turn around.  Engine 2 and EMS 5 stopped on the inner loop and crossed the divider to initiate patient triage and care, while Engine 14 blocked lanes behind the incident to protect emergency crews.  Upon the Squad’s arrival they also blocked lanes and the crew assisted with patient care.  The patient, who had apparently tried to cross the travel lanes from the right shoulder seeking assistance after her vehicle became disabled, was transported via Medic 14 w/traumatic injuries to Baltimore’s Shock Trauma Center.

Shortly before 6 p.m. on Monday evening July 14, PVFC Tower 323 responded with other westside units to a reported dwelling fire in the 800 block of Silver Creek Road in the Milford Mill area. 

BCoFD Engine 3 (Woodlawn career station) was returning from a non-emergency medical alarm sounding when they were alerted for  Fire Box 2-19. Arriving first due, Engine 3 found a 1 1/2 story single family dwelling with a small fire on the exterior of the residence. The homeowner was apparently removing siding from the exterior of the home when he tried to remove some caulking with a heat gun and accidentally ignited the insulation and some rotting wood on fire.  Fire had extended into the upper walls of the home but aggressive actions by crews contained the fire to the bravo side of the home. 

Tower 323's crew assisted with opening up the first and second floors and remained on the scene with three engines for approximately 2 hours for extensive overhaul. No injuries were reported.

Fire Box 2-19:

BC-22, E-2, E-321, E-3, E-18, E-19, TOW-323, T-18

 

Shortly before midnight July 14th, units in central Baltimore County’s for a dwelling fire next to 1511 Malvern Avenue (Fire Box 14-18).  BCoFD Engine 14 (Brooklandville station) arrived with a well-involved attached garage with extension into the house.  Crews were notified that a resident could still be inside, and the fire-rescue assignment was added, bringing PVFC’s Squad 322 with 6 volunteers.  Upon arrival, command initially assigned the Squad crew to RIT.  After setting up the RIT equipment, the crew completed a walk-around of the building and threw additional ladders where needed.  Part of the crew was reassigned to work with Truck 1 opening up the roof, and another part of the crew was sent to work on Division 2 with Engines 11 and 307.  Once the fire was placed under control, the entire crew assisted with extensive overhaul prior to clearing around 0115 hours.  All searches were negative.

Units Responding:

BC11 E14 E307 E101 E11 T1 S303 S322 M14 EMS1 AU426 FID

 

 

Around 8:15 p.m. Monday July 14th, PVFC members had just finished their company meeting when the station was alerted with other westside units for a fire reported in the area of Liberty Rd. and Kelox Road (Fire Box 33-8).  Company 32 responded with 17 volunteers on the engine, tower, and squad on the initial assignment.  While enroute, dispatch advised they were receiving multiple calls. 

Utility 333 (Woodlawn volunteers) arrived first with smoke showing from Side Bravo of a house on Kelox Road and requested a working fire assignment.  BCoFD Engine 3 (Woodlawn career station) dropped a line at Liberty Road and Kelox Road, where Woodlawn VFC Engine 331 secured the water supply.  Squad 322 arrived next and assumed first due truck responsibilities.

As crews were preparing to make an interior attack, they were advised that the occupants were not accounted for, and command requested the rescue assignment.  Crews from companies 3 and 33 stretched hoselines through the front door and began attacking the fire in the front room and hallway, while the Squad crew threw ladders, conducted a primary search, and began opening up for the engine companies.  Tower 323 arrived behind Truck 13 and and both crews threw additional ground ladders while Truck 13 put their stick to the roof.  The Tower crew also was also assigned to perform a secondary search and assisted opening up the house. Engine 321 arrived and set up as the Rapid Intervention Team.  

While conducting their search, the Squad crew came across another fire in the rear bedroom.  With other engine crews preoccupied with the other fires, Engine 2 assisted the Squad crew stretching a line through the back door to reach the fire room.  All crews operating were able to contain the fire fairly quickly.  

All searches proved negative, and command requested Fire Investigation Division for a suspicious fire.

Units Responding:

BC22 E331 U333 E3 E13 (from 3) E2 E321 T13 (from 3) TOW323 S322 M335

Working Fire

M3 EMS8 AU426 RH156 FID

While other Pikesville units were on the scene of a dwelling fire in the Milford Mill area, PVFC Utility 329 responded to a rescue assignment (Box 2-13) at Old Court Rd. and Sudbrook Lane shortly before 7 p.m. 

BCoFD Medic 2 (Pikesville career station) and Car 601 (Dr. Pollack) arrived to find a Toyota 4Runner that had been struck by a large tree that had fallen across Old Court Road. Crews on scene found that the lone occupant was not trapped, although the SUV sustained significant damage, and the remainder of the assignment was placed in service. 

Utility 329’s crew assisted with patient care and packaging and Medic 2 transported the driver to a local trauma center. 
Units Responding: BC22 U329 E19 T18 S303 M2 EMS5 Car 601

At 4 a.m. Sunday, July 13th, PVFC was alerted for a dwelling fire at 3615 Croydon Road (Box 3-2), reporting an upstairs bedroom on fire. 

BCoFD Engine 3 (Woodlawn career station) arrived with fire showing from the second floor and initiated an aggressive interior attack. Engines 331 (Woodlawn volunteers), 18 (Randallstown career), 2 (Pikesville career) and Tower 323 all arrived shortly after. The Tower crew began laddering the building, conducting a primary search, and opening up for Engine 3’s crew. Squad 322 arrived and assisted with scene lighting, while Engine 321 was canceled enroute. 

The fire was quickly contained to a front bedroom with some extension to the upstairs hallway, and the assignment was scaled back, holding Engine 3 and Tower 323. The remaining crews went in service shortly after 0500 hours.    Units Responding: E3 E331 E2 E321 E18 TOW323 S322 BC2

Friday night July 12th found PVFC Company 32 firefighters working with other crews from across Baltimore County and the region battling a 4-alarm warehouse fire in Woodlawn.  

Squad 322 was dispatched with other units on the call at 9:22 p.m. for a reported building fire at 6730 Whitestone Road.  Utility 333 (Woodlawn volunteers) arrived first and reported heavy smoke and fire showing from a large 1-story warehouse.  Baltimore County Fire Dept. Engine 3 arrived, with Captain Goodwin assuming command and reporting heavy fire through the roof of the building, which housed Concrete Business and Restoration.

The Squad crew attempted to open up the bay doors with a partner saw and provide scene lighting while engine crews laid lines and Truck 13's crew raised the aerial, but deterioriating conditions forced firefighters to retreat as command requested a second alarm, bringing PVFC Tower 323 to the scene.

Multiple propane tank explosions, incuding one that sent debris flying over exposures and into the windshield of Engine 311 (Owings Mills VFC) and heavy fire conditions forced command to order exterior operations and   crews to reposition apparatus away from the building. After heavy fire conditions forced command to abandon 2 of 3 ladder pipes, Tower 323, was utilized above the fire building for fire supression with the monitor pipe and aerial reconissance, with the crew operating for several hours. 

As fire continued to burn in the building and exposures, command requested a 4th Alarm, bringing PVFC Engine 321 (assigned to staging) and other units to the scene. 

Multiple mutual aid was utilized on the scene, including BWI Tower 43, and Baltimore City Engine 55 and Truck 16, as well as for transfers (Carroll and Howard county apparatus) across Baltimore County.  The fire was placed under control at 2:32 a.m. 

PVFC wishes a speedy recovery to the two firefighters who sustained minor injuries during the fire.

On Thursday night June 26, PVFC and Baltimore County Fire Dept. Engine 2 were alerted for a reported auto accident with entrapment at Park Heights Avenue and Slade Avenue. Engine 2 arrived at the incident in the 7100 block of Park Heights Avenue in Baltimore City, with BCFD units on the scene of a two-vehicle MVA with 1 overturned car. BCFD Engine 45, Truck 27 and Medic 17 were on the scene, and PVFC Medic 325 transported a second patient.

Just before 8:30 a.m. Thursday June 26, PVFC Squad 322 was alerted for a 10-50 PI rescue on Garrison Forest Road near Greenspring Valley Road (19-4 box). BCoFD Engine 19 had been alerted earlier for a reported accident with a vehicle smoking, and Medic 19 was soon added when another caller to 911 reported a person was injured. The call was then upgraded to a rescue box, and Engine 19 arrived to find a BMW convertible had struck a tree head-on, with the driver trapped. Crews from Squad 322 and BCoFD Truck 18 used Holmatro cutters to remove the car's roof and extricate the patient. Command requested a Maryland State Police helicopter for medevac and MSP Trooper 1 landed at the Green Spring Valley Country Club golf course, with BCoFD Engine 2 handling the landing zone. The male patient was flown as a Priority 1 patient to Baltimore's Shock Trauma Center. For video of this incident, click on the link below.