Rescue Squad Crews Respond to Second House Fire This Week
Just prior to 1:00 AM on Wednesday morning, RS741 and A741C were dispatched with Montgomery County (MD) Fire & Rescue and federal mutual aid units from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for a house fire on Whittier Boulevard in Bethesda. First arriving units announced a large amount of fire and smoke was coming from the second floor and roof of the structure, primarily in the Charlie and Delta quadrants of the house.
Due to the amount of fire and the viability of any possible victims being low, all crews were restricted to exterior operations only. The Rapid Intervention Dispatch brought M741 and others to the scene. The fire eventually progressed to two alarms, bringing a total of nearly 20 firefighting apparatus, plus EMS units, and command officers—a total of approximately 100 career and volunteer firefighters and EMTs.
M741 transported one firefighter with heat-related injuries. A741C performed rehab for firefighters, assessing vitals and giving them a chance to cool down. RS741 was tasked with placing ground ladders to windows on sides Bravo and Charlie and performing coordinated ventilation, and eventually removing entire windows to assist with visibility when the fire was in the final stages of extinguishment.
This was the Rescue Squad’s second significant house fire in Bethesda this week. Consider serving the community by joining our ranks as a firefighter or EMT!