On April 17th and 18th, Fort Myer personnel were tasked with a stand by at Fort McNair in Southwest Washington, D.C.  The crew staffed Foam Unit 162 and stood by as the V-22 Osprey touched down on the parade field as part of a static display for multiple special forces teams and equipment.  The stand by consisted of Assault Boats, Sniper Rifles, Military Working Dogs, and other advanced technology that the Military uses.  Each day the crew from Fort Myer stood by for 7 hours.

April 17th crew: F/F Affolder, F/F Drake, F/F Jackson

April 18th crew: Capt. Pine, F/F M. Humphreys, F/F Parise

The members of the Fort Myer Fire Department and IAFF Local F-253 would like to congratulate and welcome our new Fire Chief Russell Miller aboard as he begins his new career here with us. We are all excited for our new endeavors under new leadership and experience.

Chief Miller began his fire service career with the Naval Air Development Center in Warminster, PA. in 1981 as a firefighter. There he rose through the ranks to Driver/Operator, Captain, Fire Inspector, and eventually Chief Fire Inspector. In March of 1997, he was hired with the Naval Safety Center in Norfolk, VA. as a Fire Protection Specialist where he oversaw the DOD reporting database, as well as Navy and Marine Corps facility safety surveys. Then in September of 1999, he moved to the Naval Air Engineering Center in Lakehurst, NJ. then to the Fleet Combat Training Center in Dam Neck, VA. After a couple of years there, Chief Miller was hired back with the Naval Safety Center where he served as the Deputy DOD Program Manager and eventually Program Manager for the NFIRS reporting database system. In June of 2008, Chief Miller was hired as the Assistant Chief of Training with the Fort Belvoir Fire Department in VA. He served there until promoted to Deputy Chief, where he served until coming here to Fort Myer.

The Fort Myer Fire Department would like to send our heartfelt prayers to the Philadelphia Fire Department and the families of Lt. Robert Neary and FF. Daniel Sweeney of Ladder Company 10. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the two other firefighters who were injured in the collapse incident while battling a 5 - Alarm fire during high wind conditions.

At 1552 hours Engine 161 responded to Memorial Circle to assist Arlington E110 on scene with a rollover accident involving 6 patients. E161 arrived on scene and began assisting crews with packaging patients. All occupants were involved in a High-Speed Police Chase that had originated in Fairfax County and ended at the entrance to the Arlington National Cemetery. E161's crew packaged 4 patients, including a 2 year old child. All patients were transported to local hospitals and Trauma Centers for their injuries and were listed as stable. The scene was turned over to Police Authorities and E161 returned to service at 1630 hours.

Engine 161: D/O Strybing, Capt. Angerett, F/F M. Humphreys, F/F Bailey
 

This evening a group of college students visited the station to provide the firemen with some free pizza and dinner. The students are working on a group project on Communications and had to complete a friendly and kind act to a group of people. In doing so, the students chose Fort Myer Fire Department. As everyone sat and enjoyed their food, the students also had a chance to chat with the firemen on duty about their daily routine and some of the things we are faced with day to day. A good time was had by all, some even had a chance to try on our PPE and equipment to get a better taste at what it is that we do. The Fort Myer Fire Department would like to wish this group of intelligent young adults the best of luck in their endeavors!

Today marks the anniversary of two very important events in United States History. May we never forget the sacrifices made for either one!!!

On February 23, 1945 after storming the mountain at Iwo Jima and defeating their enemies, U.S. Military forces marked their victory with the raising of the American Flag. Although the occurrence was made famous with a photo of the second flag raising event, the event itself still stands true as an image of Freedom and Victory for all Americans. The Fort Myer Fire Department proudly serves the area in and around the Marine Corps Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Va.

On February 23, 1991 Philadelphia firefighters were dispatched to One Meridian Plaza for the high-rise building on fire. Firefighters arrived to find a 38 story office building with heavy fire which started at the 22nd floor. Firefighters engaged in an aggressive battle to attempt to extinguish the fire, which was caused by linseed oil soaked rags that had ignited. Three firefighters died in the Line of Duty during this event after becoming disoriented in the heavy smoke. The fire burned for nearly 24 hours before finally burning being extinguished. After many years, the city finally tore down the structure, making it the 3rd tallest building to be destroyed at the time.

At 2249 hours Engine 161 was dispatched 2nd Due to Box 71-07 for the Structure Fire. Arriving first, E161 assumed 1st Due Engine responsibilites and found smoke showing from the front entrance of an Assisted Living Center. The crew stretched the 400' pre-connect and found heavy smoke conditions on the first floor. After making their way to the lobby, the crew found a fire on the stove of a small kitchenette. The crew made quick work of the fire while Tower 104 ventilated and checked for extension. The fire was contained to the stove area and contents. No injuries were reported, and crews were on scene for approx. 1 hour.

Engine 161: D/O Harris, OIC F/F Strybing, F/F Grierson, F/F Jackson
 

The Members of the Fort Myer Fire Department and IAFF Local F-253 would like to send our condolences and heartfelt prayers to the Alexandria Fire Department and the family of Paramedic Joshua Weissman. The following press release was issued by the Alexandria Fire Department today:

It is with great sadness that Alexandria Fire Chief Adam K. Thiel announced the death of Paramedic Joshua Weissman at 4:25pm on Thursday, February 9.

While responding to a car fire on Interstate 395 near Glebe Road on the evening of February 8, Paramedic Weissman fell from the roadway, where he suffered a severe head injury. He was rescued by City of Alexandria and Arlington County Firefighters and Paramedics, with assistance from the City of Alexandria and Arlington County Police Departments and the Virginia State Police. Despite valiant efforts by the medical team at the Washington Hospital Center, Paramedic Weissman’s injuries proved to be fatal.

Joshua Weissman, 33, of Bristow, VA. was a seven-year veteran of the Alexandria Fire Department, and was hired in April 2006.

At the request of the Weissman family, condolences and donations may be sent to:

Joshua A. Weissman Memorial Fund

c/o Alexandria Firefighters, Inc - IAFF Local 2141
4600 Duke Street, Suite 429
Alexandria, VA 22304

At 1601 hours on January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge during rush hour on a snow filled and icy day. The Boeing 737 impacted the bridge striking 7 vehicles and killing 4 occupants and severely injuring several others. On board the plane, 4 of the 5 crew members including both pilots were killed. After it was all said and done 70 of the 74 passengers lost their lives in the crash, but one stood out above the rest. Arland D. Williams Jr. passed up the survival line in that frigid water several times to help rescue other passengers before drowning himself. After all repairs were done to the bridge, it was respectfully renamed in his memory.

Several members of the Fort Myer Fire Department responded to this tragedy 30 years ago, some working at The Fort at that time, and some working at other departments. No one could ever have prepared the emergency rescuers for what they were faced with that afternoon, but Heroism stood out above all else on that somber cold afternoon. For that, the firefighters of the Fort Myer Fire Department salute all of you, and pay this tribute to all of those who lost their lives or their loved ones on this day in History.

As 2011 has come to a close, we would like to provide you with a year in review story. In 2011, we responded to 1,295 calls and 17 working fires. This is a 197 call increase, and 7 more fires than we had in 2010. The year was an eventful one, with Fire Chief Mike Thayer and Sergeant Dave Flick both retiring, as well as welcoming 2 new firefighters to our department. We look forward to welcoming a new Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, Inspector, and 2 more firefighters in 2012. Members of F-253 were busy in 2011 showing their company pride by making a new station bench, designing a 9-11 Remembrance t-shirt, and creating a first "Fort Myer Fire Video".

Here are some memorable moments from 2011 at "The Fort":

F/F M. Humphreys represented our department at a 9-11 Tribute event during a Washington Redskin's game at FedEx Field.

F/F Grierson was bestowed the honor of meeting President Obama and Vice President Biden and having his photo taken with them.

Several members were able to meet and greet with NFL Coach Herm Edwards during the broadcast of ESPN's SportsNation here on Fort Myer.

Our 10th Anniversary T-Shirts are now on sale to the public.  The front of the shirt is our newest patch that we wear on our work shirts and the back logo is located below.  It is a picture of our crash truck that was destroyed in the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon.  The shirts are $20 and the sizes are Large and Extra Large.  Proceeds are going to the IAFF Burn Foundation where the funds will be used for the Burn Camp.  Call the station if you would like to place an order 703-696-3483.

The Officers and Firefighters of the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Fire Department send our condolences and prayers to the Parise family for the loss of Firefighter Al Parise's father.  Anthony Parise passed away unexpectedly at a hospital in upstate New York. 

At 1450 hours, Engine 161 was dispatched along with ACFD Medic 105 to the Henderson Hall gate on Southgate Road for a reported motor vehicle collision.  Engine 161 arrived on scene to find a vehicle that had hit the small wall, drove up the small hill, and through the barrier fence.  The driver of the vehicle was not trapped but had to be removed quickly by the crew of the Engine due to the patient's condition.  The patient was transported to a local hospital for injuries sustained the the crash.  Engine 161 cleared the scene at 1530 hours.

Engine 161: D/O Harris, Capt. Rearden, F/F Nordstrom, F/F J. Humphreys

In the afternoon hours, the Fort Myer Communications Center received a phone call from the Arlington County Fire Department regarding a request for assistance at the Arlington National Cemetery. After receiving the details, Engine 161 set off for their destination. Upon arrival, the crew found an Army Vietnam Veteran whose hat had flown off of his head and into a muddy canal on George Washington Pkwy. The crew immediately acknowledged the Veteran's need for help, and went into hat retrieval operations. After sizing up the area, the crew geared up and started making their way into the canal. F/F Montgomery trenched through waist deep mud for several feet before being able to reach the hat with a Hook. After cleaning off the hat a little, the Veteran was reunited with his property. The crew wished him well on his day of honor and returned to service. THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE VETERANS PAST AND PRESENT FOR PROVIDING US AND OUR COUNTRY WITH THE FREEDOM WE LIVE WITH EACH AND EVERY DAY!

Engine 161: D/O Strybing, OIC Capt. Long, F/F Grierson, F/F Montgomery

The ESPN program SportsNation broad casted live from Fort Myer on Whipple Field in their salute to our Troops during Veteran's Week.  Our department was requested to stand by due to the number of people who would be in attendance.  Once there, the crowd started filling in which included active duty personnel as well as military families.  The Engine crew handled 1 medical which was an accidental stabbing by a bayonet.