Most Frequent Calls Include Auto Accidents, Injured Persons and Cardiac Emergencies

Bethesda, MD—The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad responded to 8,279 calls in 2018, making it one of the busiest fire/rescue/EMS stations in Montgomery County.   On average, BCCRS responded to 23 calls per day—or nearly one call every hour of every day of the year.   Unit responses in 2018 were 10,324, reflecting the fact that multiple units may be dispatched for a single incident.

Automobile accidents topped the list again in 2018, with BCCRS units responding to more than 1,344 such incidents in 2018.  Sixty nine (69) of these incidents were dispatched with a report of a person trapped or otherwise seriously injured.

As with fire/rescue departments throughout the country, more than 80% of the Squad’s calls in 2018 were for some type of emergency medical situation.  BCCRS firefighters and emergency personnel responded to 172 incidents involving a report of fire or smoke in a home, high-rise or other building.

The Top 15 call types in 2018 were as follows:

In addition to these top 15 call types, BCCRS personnel responded to 88 dispatches for an overdose involving drugs or alcohol; 46 for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle; and 21 involving technical (rope) (8) or water rescues (13).  Of the technical rescues, two required the use of advanced rope rescue techniques and equipment at the Bethesda Metro station.  BCCRS units were among the first arriving on the double fatal house fire on Western Avenue.

“We are proud to play a key role in the County’s integrated fire/rescue system that provides the highest quality emergency services in Bethesda, Chevy Chase and surrounding communities,” said BCCRS Chief Edward G. (“Ned”) Sherburne.  “Our more than 100+ active volunteer paramedics, firefighters, and EMTs, along with our daytime personnel, continue to serve with compassion and dedication.”

Sherburne noted that many of the Squad’s calls in 2018 involved incidents that were preventable, and he offered the following life and home safety tips:

• Drivers in the downtown Bethesda area should follow applicable traffic safety laws, including yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks. Pedestrians should also be aware of their surroundings and cross streets only in designated cross walks and follow crossing signals.
• Smoke detectors save lives, but remember they must be replaced after 10 years.  As of January 1, 2018, Maryland requires that all battery-only smoke detectors be replaced with units powered by sealed-in 10-year long life batteries.
• Residents and others should activate 9-1-1 promptly when they suspect someone is experiencing chest pains or other indications of a potential cardiac event. Rapid identification, transport and intervention  of heart attack and stroke patients has been shown to save lives and improve patient outcomes.

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The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad provides 24/7/365 emergency medical, fire and rescue service to residents, businesses and visitors in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and surrounding communities.   BCCRS is managed entirely and staffed primarily by more than 100 active volunteer paramedics, firefighters and emergency medical technicians.  BCCRS is fully integrated into the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service department.   To speak to one of our volunteers, take a station tour, or get more information about volunteering at BCCRS, visit our new-and-improved website at www.bccrs.org.