Archives: Date in CHVFD History

Units were dispatched to the 5500 block of Brenner Street for a reported house fire. Upon arrival, the engine reported heavy smoke conditions and a fire on the first floor of a 2 story house. It was reported that several children were trapped upstairs. The engine crew advanced a hose line under adverse conditions and positioned between the fire and the stairs to the second floor. The crew held back the flames allowing crews from Hillside – Company 6 and Seat Pleasant – Co. 8 to get up the stairs and search for the children. Three (3) children were removed from the house, all suffering from smoke inhalation. A coordinated fire attack, protection of the stairs and the quick search / removal saved the lives of the three children. On July 14, 1998 the crews from Capitol Heights, Hillside and Seat Pleasant that were involved in this incident received an Emergency Services – Unit Citation for their actions. The career and volunteer personnel from Capitol Heights receiving the unit citation included: Chief James E. McClelland, Assistant Chief John H. Weaver, Lieutenant Earl Shubert, Firefighter Rob Wallace, Firefighter Cliff Wilson and Volunteer Lieutenant William G. Lehew, Sr.

Units were dispatched to the 6800 block of Walker Mill Road in District Heights for two children trapped in a house fire. The house was very cluttered, making it very difficult to search but the two children were located and removed from the house. Despite heroic efforts to revive the children, they succumbed. One of the rescuers was Captain John H. Weaver was awarded the Bronze Medal of Valor in April 1996 for his efforts to rescue the children.

Volunteer Lieutenant William Hawkins, from the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department and career Lieutenant Richard Rahilly (assigned to Hillside – Company 6) left the United States for a three (3) week tour of duty in war torn Bosnia. The purpose of the mission was to follow-up and ensure that donated fire apparatus and equipment to support firefighters in Bosnia was reaching its destination. This apparatus and equipment was needed to maintain some level of firefighting effort in Bosnia. Both Lieutenants Hawkins and Rahilly were approved for this dangerous mission because they were single. Travelling with an interpreter, they worked alongside the Bosnian firefighters, dodging sniper fire and artillery shells. The Bosnian fire chief came to the United States to plead for help from the United Nations. He was assassinated a few short weeks after returning home.

Truck 5 was placed in service and responded on it’s first call for an apartment fire on East Marlboro Avenue in Kentland. The 1986 Spartan / Maxim 100 foot tractor drawn aerial was purchased from the Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department. Past Chief David Breeden drove the ladder truck on the first call for service.

Engine 52 and Chief 5 participated in a re-enactment of the February 20, 1993 fire at 5290 Marlboro Pike. The re-enactment was being done for the filming of a training film for the American Red Cross. This film is used throughout the country to train American Red Cross personnel in assisting citizens with their recovery after a fire.

ngine 51 was dispatched as the first due engine company for an apartment fire at 5290 Marlboro Pike in Hillside. When they arrived they found

Engine 52 and Chief 5 provide fire protection support at the Capital Centre for a Presidential Gala as part of Bill Clinton’s Presidential Inauguration. The crew was directly responsible for making sure that the President was protected in case a fire broke out in the arena.

Lifetime Members John Weaver and James McClelland participated in the making of “Honor and Glory,” a martial arts film originally titled “Zong heng tian xia”

Engine 52 was involved in a personal injury accident while responding to a report of smoke in the tunnel between the Addison Road Metro Station and the Yost Place Fan Shaft. As Engine 52 arrived at the Yost Place Fan Shaft to investigate, they were rear-ended by a 1981 Buick. The Buick had stolen license plates. Three (3) firefighters were transported to the hospital for minor injuries and were treated and released. Two (2) passengers in the Buick were also transported with minor injuries and treated and released. The driver fled the scene. The engine received minor damage and the car was totaled.

On New Year’s Day, a 3 alarm fire heavily damaged the 1st Baptist Church of Capitol Heights. Units were initially dispatched for a report of a church fire at Central Avenue near Suffolk Avenue. While enroute to that location Truck 6, from the Hillside Volunteer Fire Department, came across the correct location of the church fire on Capitol Heights Boulevard, just off Central Avenue. Units worked for most of the day to bring this fire under control and get to fire travelling the void spaces.