August 1, 2002
For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Assistant Chief Peter Morris
(202) 262-3081

B-CC Rescue Squad Responds to Amtrak Train Derailment;
Volunteers Ensure Coverage of Other Emergencies During Crisis

For Immediate Release:

The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad (BCCRS) played a significant role in the multi-jurisdictional emergency response to Monday's Amtrak passenger train derailment in Kensington, Maryland. A large number of volunteer members reported to the Rescue Squad's headquarters station after the Amtrak train derailed shortly before 2:00 p.m., bolstering the Squad's ability to send additional units to the Kensington disaster and respond to other emergency calls in the community.

Twelve B-CC Rescue Squad units responded to the Amtrak incident, representing the single largest unit response from any fire/rescue station in Montgomery County. The Rescue Squad contingent included 2 Command Officers, 3 Ambulances, 3 Paramedic Ambulances, a Heavy/Technical Rescue Truck, a specialized air supply truck, and the new Friendship Heights based Medic Car. A total of 28 Rescue Squad personnel staffed the units, including 7 members of the BCCRS daystaff, 2 Montgomery County Paramedics, and 19 volunteer Firefighters/Rescuers and Paramedics.

The B-CC rescuers on the scene were involved in a variety of life-saving activities including patient triage and treatment, removing passengers from the overturned rail cars, and assisting with the extrication of several passengers who were trapped in the wreckage. The Rescue Squad's Ambulances and Medic Units were also utilized to transport injured passengers to area hospitals.

• B-CC Assistant Chief Russell Dawson was one of the first Command Officers to arrive on the scene. Assistant Chief Dawson established and supervised the "Howard Avenue Division," the busiest theater of operations for the incident.
• Deputy Chief James Master, Chairman of Montgomery County's Metro Committee, which provides technical support on Metro and heavy railroad incidents, provided initial reconnaissance of the derailment scene. Deputy Chief Master identified the exact number of rail cars involved and provided the Incident Commander with an overview of the train layout. After escorting a high ranking CSX official to the Command Post, Deputy Chief Master assumed the critical role of "Safety Officer" for the rear half of the incident scene.
• B-CC's "Medic 10" was one of the first Paramedic units on the scene and Paramedic Mary Davis (DFRS) was instrumental in the initial treatment of 3 critically injured patients.
• "Rescue Squad 18," the Rescue Squad's Heavy Rescue truck, provided the hydraulic spreader tool, commonly referred to as the "Jaws of Life," that was crucial to the extrication and rescue of three passengers entrapped in one of the overturned passenger cars.
• "Ambulance/Medic 40" assisted the two Heavy Rescue Squad crews with the extrication of three trapped patients in Car # 7. The crew then moved to Fire Station # 5, where they established a Firefighter Rehabilitation Station. Working with a special rehabilitation unit from the District of Columbia Fire & EMS Department, "Medic 40" supervised a team of rescuers that screened and re-hydrated over 150 firefighter/rescuers from 45 different units.
• "Ambulance 13" initiated triage in the area of passenger car # 4. The crew then re-located to the patient treatment area where they assisted with the evaluation and treatment of numerous patients. "Ambulance 13" transported two priority patients to the hospital before returning to the scene.
• "Medic 12" transported one of the three critically injured women that were trapped in car # 7. The crew was comprised of four volunteer members who responded to the station after the derailment was reported.

In addition to the units highlighted above, the following B-CC Rescue Squad units also worked at the disaster scene: "Ambulance 11", "Ambulance 15", "Medic Car 1-3", "Air 1", and "Rescue Car 1-5".

During the initial 5 hours of the Amtrak incident, at least 10 volunteer members of the Rescue Squad reported to our headquarters station to help out with other emergencies. The Rescue Squad responded to 9 other emergency calls, in both Maryland and the District of Columbia, over the duration of the Amtrak incident. The additional volunteer staffing assured that B-CC Rescue Squad was able to play a major role in a large-scale disaster and simultaneously meet the emergency needs of our community.

Last year the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad responded to more than 10,000 calls for help. Our highly trained volunteers - emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and heavy rescue personnel donate thousands of hours to master the lifesaving techniques which allow them to handle emergency situations. The Rescue Squad also employs a weekday staff of 10 firefighter/rescuers working alongside two Montgomery County Paramedics.

The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad relies entirely on donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations for firefighting and medical gear, vehicles, and other lifesaving equipment. Although Montgomery County provides radios, some training classes, and two paramedics on weekdays, the Rescue Squad receives no direct tax support from Montgomery County or the District of Columbia. Estimates indicate that it would take at least $4 million in taxes each year to provide a level of service comparable to that provided free by the Rescue Squad.

For further information, please contact Assistant Chief Peter Morris, Public Information Officer (PIO), at (301) 973-7363.