Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad
Helps with the Pentagon Disaster
The fifteen members of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad (BCCRS)
on duty the morning of September 11th gathered around
the station's television and watched in sheer disbelief as the horrific
events unfolded at the World Trade Center in New York. Less than
an hour later, when the report came out that a third hijacked plane
had crashed into the Pentagon, the station's alarms rang out as the
District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department (DCFEMSD) called on
the special telephone link with BCCRS to request assistance. Four
BCCRS advanced life support (ALS) units, one of the Rescue Squad's
heavy rescue trucks and the BCCRS air truck immediately responded
to fire stations in the District of Columbia to serve as backup for
the DCFEMSD units that were responding to the Pentagon disaster.
A few minutes later, two of the BCCRS Medic Units, the BCCRS air
truck, and a Rescue Squad District Chief were ordered to respond
directly to the Pentagon. They were the first units from Montgomery
County to arrive and assist at the disaster site.
By 12:00 pm, more than fifty additional volunteer firefighters,
rescuers, and paramedics reported into the station to help with the
emergency response and ensure that the Rescue Squad could continue
to provide a high level of service to the community. Two of BCCRS'
Basic Life Support ambulances, that remained in Bethesda, were equipped
and upgraded to serve as paramedic units. A reserve heavy rescue
truck was re-equipped and pressed back into service. A variety of
Rescue Squad support vehicles were additionally equipped and staffed
to respond to medical emergencies.
The two BCCRS ALS Medic Units at the Pentagon were staged on the
perimeter of the crash site, evaluating and transporting victims
of the Pentagon attack to area hospitals. The crews were relieved
periodically by volunteer members back at the station. One ALS unit
returned home on Wednesday evening, and the second returned early
Thursday morning. The air truck played an important role refilling
firefighters' air tanks.
Two additional BCCRS Medic Units transferred to an Arlington County
fire station, where they responded to other emergency calls in Arlington
County. In a 24-hour period, after the initial attack, a total of
70 volunteers and employees provided more than 1,200 hours of service.
For further information, please contact Assistant Chief Peter Morris,
Public Information Officer, at 301-652-0077. |
