At 1537 Hours Friday, Charles and Prince Georges County (Maryland) companies were dispatched for a single family house fire with a report of possible trapped occupants. First arriving companies found a 1 story single family dwelling with heavy fire showing. As a search was being conducted, a reported flashover occurred. This resulted in a firefighter from the Waldorf VFD being burned requiring a medevac to Washington Hospital Center in Washington D.C. The Firefighter is suffering from 2nd degree burns to both hands and 3rd degree to the right ear requiring admission. One other firefighter was injured and transported to a local hospital with a possible shoulder injury. There were no civilians located in the residence.
The Waldorf VFD is also where EMT Tonya Mallard lost her life in the Line of Duty in the Maryland State Police medevac Crash last September.


SAN FRANCISCO FIREFIGHTERS INJURED/BURNED UPDATE:
2 of the 6 San Francisco Firefighters injured Thursday remain hospitalized. The Firefighters were injured when a roof collapsed at a working vacant house fire. The collapse didn't directly hurt them but the resulting change of conditions did.
Firefighter/Paramedic Christopher Posey, suffered life threatening injuries to his respiratory system with severe inhalation burns and CO poisoning along with second and third degree facial burns. He remains in ICU. He has more than 18 years' experience with the city, seven as a paramedic and 11 as a firefighter paramedic.
Lt. James App, who has been on the job for 8 years, suffered 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns - but is expected to be released in a few days. Updates will follow.


FIREFIGHTING FOAM PROBLEMS?
Minnesota health officials are launching a major investigation into whether drinking water in 15 Minnesota cities is contaminated with chemicals formerly manufactured by 3M Co. and used in firefighting foam. The tests, starting next month, will be important to residents and fire officials across North America where 3M firefighting foam has been used for years, especially in training exercises, often on city-owned property adjacent to municipal wells. The foam is flushed into storm sewers or left to seep into the ground, raising the possibility that drinking water has been affected.
"This could have national significance," said Doug Wetzstein, supervisor in the superfund section at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Here is more:
http://www.startribune.com/templates/Print_This_Story?sid=39229742
Take Care-BE CAREFUL.
BillyG
The Secret List 2-6-09 / 2319 hours
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com