Today (9/28/24), our Junior Program is attending the County wide Junior Day at the Carroll County Public Safety Training Center. They are starting the morning off with educational stations then demonstrations and ending the day with some friendly competition
Westminster VFD in conjunction with CC DFEMS hosted the first of hopefully many live Rapid Intervention drills. Participants were placed in a real life scenario to respond and rescue one of their own. It was an excellent opportunity to practice rarely used skills to better prepare for an emergency we all hope that never happens. A big thanks to Lt. Dave Olsen (CC DEFEMS), Ian Runkles (Reese VFD), and Chris & Avery High (Lineboro VFD) for all of their hard work to make this happen.
On September 8th, units from Westminster participated in a rural water supply drill that was held at Pleasant Valley. Units from all over the county learned drafting, fill site, and Siamese pump off techniques. Chief Price from Westminster was the organizer of this drill. Many thanks to all who participated.
See our Facebook photo album for all the photos copyright Amanda Caple.
On Thursday evening Westminster Fire Department volunteers and Carroll County Department of Fire and EMS of Maryland employees participated in a training on heavy bleeding. The WFD training committee hosted a training on the proper use of tourniquets, pressure bandages, and Quick-Clot. This training is similar to “Stop the Bleed” but focuses on the role of the first responders. When seconds matter, this equipment and lifesaving techniques matter. Content and Photo from Facebook.
On meeting night, members gathered before the meeting for a drill with the Hasty Rescue strap. Participants practiced applying the straps and the proper way to utilize the strap to rescue a fellow firefighter.
On Tuesday evening, February 20, 2024, members of Westminster VFD and CC DFEMS St-3 B-Shift participated in a rope drill. Participants practiced knots and rigging for slope evacuations with Tower 3. Participants learned about mechanical advantage systems and how to use them in rescue scenarios.
Training continues to make sure we are ready no matter what the emergency situation presents.
Our uniors held their February 2024 monthly meeting and training. The Junior Program is open to ages 12 through 16 and meets on the 2nd Monday of every month from 7 to 9pm. There is a small business meeting from 7 to 730 and training from 730 to 9. There is a different training topic each month to include hands on activities in both fire and EMS. Several of our Junior members have chosen to further their training through the Emergency Services Training Program. This program is offered as a concurrent enrollment option during their Junior or Senior year to prepare them to volunteer with their local department or start a career in the fire service.
If you would like to join our program, please email wvfd3rr@westminstervfd.org or check out our website.
Photos copyright WFD Recruitment/Retention team
From our Training Committee: On Tuesday, January 23rd, Westminster hosted an MCI/Triage drill. We had over 25 participants from Westminster, Reese, and CCDFEMS. We discussed issues facing Carroll County and how resources would be best used if we were to be faced with a large-scale incident. We also learned and practiced the START Triage method on mock patients.
On the morning of February 19th Westminster VFD and members of CC DEFEMS St. 3 A-Shift participated in an additional MCI/Triage drill held at the station.
On Sunday May 30, we conducted a live training evolution on Tannery Road in Westminster. Despite the cold temperatures and periodic rain, 50 firefighters and support personnel from 6 of our mutual aid companies participated in the training. We were able to conduct 18 evolutions in 5 hours, giving the participants the opportunity to expand their knowledge. Several junior members participated in the training, while they were not allowed to enter the house, they were given an opportunity to work with the hose lines from the exterior. In the fire service, there are limited opportunities for live training, so we would like to thank the owners of the property for allowing us to utilize the house on the property. To allow all members and career staff to participate, Adam County Station 20 (Alpha) from Littlestown, covered our first due area, providing emergency services to the citizens of Westminster. This training would not have been possible without the support of instructors and a Safety Officer to ensure the safety of everyone who participated. Training is a necessary part of the job and is ongoing to ensure that we provide exemplary service to the citizens of Westminster and our neighboring companies.
Saturday morning – April 18, 2020 by Kevin Dayhoff Westminster Fire Department PIO and Chaplain.
An early morning two-alarm fire in a commercial building in the 1000 block of Baltimore Blvd. – Rte 140, injured one firefighter. The first call came in to the Emergency Communications Center at 2:18 a.m., for a report smoke coming from the side of building and fire being observed.
Units from Reese and Westminster fire departments were first on the scene in a steady light rain – with Reese taking command. Upon arrival firefighters preliminarily found a fire perhaps coming from the basement of the one-story commercial building. The building is reported to be under renovation.
Perhaps as many as 50-75 firefighters responded from Carroll County and Baltimore County. The fire was determined to be under control at 3:57 a.m. Although units remained on scene until 5 a.m. for clean-up and the help the fire marshal’s investigation. Preliminary observations indicate extensive damage to the interior of the building.
Baltimore Gas and Electric, the Maryland State Police, and the State Highway Administration also responded.
One 45-year-old volunteer firefighter with 25-years’ experience was injured fighting the fire. He was transported to Shock Trauma.
According to a release by the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal, “A Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Company (firefighter) sustained minor injuries after falling through the floor.”
By mid-day on Saturday, the Reisterstown Fire Department released a statement on the department website that said, “The injured firefighter is home recovering from minor injuries. We would like to thank everyone who has reached out to check on the firefighter.”
In a phone interview later in the afternoon, Reisterstown Fire Chief Craig Hewitt said that the firefighter, “was released from Shock Trauma this morning after some tests and observation. He has returned home and is recuperating from minor injuries. He is in good spirits. He is expected to recover and be back to work soon.”
The fire remains under investigation by the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Reese fire department PIO Robin Stansbury contributed to this story.
