ATTENTION !!!
Some of the pictures and stories shown on the following pages may be disturbing. In many of these cases, the stories are tragic. People have been seriously injured and in some instances, killed. Those involved frequently have suffered very significant, sometimes permanent injuries. The patients, their families, and their friends have all suffered as a result of these events. We often receive calls from patients or their families asking us about what happened during an incident. The following photos and stories are provided, similar to a newspaper account, for educational and informational purposes. It is our hope that through education, tragic incidents such as these can be prevented. Every GCVFD member that responded to the calls send their thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the incidents.

Morgan County Communications alerted Companies 2 (Great Cacapon), 1 (Berkeley Springs), 3 (South Morgan), 32 (Paw Paw), and Washington County Company 5 (Hancock) at 0625 hours for a fully involved mobile home fire at 275 Jackson Lane. Engine 21 with 3 and Assistant Chief 2 (M.Grimley) responded within 4 minutes of the original call foolowed by Tanker 2, Engine Tanker 22, and BLS 2. Engine 21 arrived on the scene advising of a fully involved mobile home. Assistant Chief 2 established Jackson Lane command. Engine 21's crew pulled both crosslays and quickly knocked the bulk of the fire. Engine 11 arrived on the scene and established a water supply for Engine 21, Engine 32 setup a fill site at the dry hydrant on Milo School Road for the tanker shuttle.

Units Assigned to this Call : Engine 21, Tanker 2, Engine Tanker 22, BLS 2 (Great Cacapon), Engine 11, Tanker 12, Squad 1 (Berkeley Springs), Engine 32, Tanker 32 (Paw Paw), Engine Tanker 5 (Hancock), Medic 7-4 (Morgan County Rescue)

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Morgan County Communications alerted Companies 1 (Berkeley Springs), 2 (Great Cacapon), 3 (South Morgan), Washington County Company 5 (Hancock), Allegany County Company 43 (Orleans) at 1012 hours on box 1-43 for a trailer fire at 718 Sandmine Road. Heavy smoke was reported from miles away with Communications reporting multiple calls for a working fire. Engine 21 with 3 and Engine Tanker 22 with 1 both responded at 1017 hours. Engine 21 arrived on the scene staging behind Engine Tanker 5 (Hancock) with the crew assisting with interior operations. Engine tanker 22 supplied Engine Tanker 5 (Hancock). Command advised of the fire under control holding all units for mop up. All units returned to service at 1210 hours.

Units Assigned to this Call : Engine 21, Engine Tanker 22 (Great Cacapon), Engine 11, Engine 12, Tanker 12, Squad 1 (Berkeley Springs), Tanker 3-20, Tanker 3-25 (South Morgan), Engine 5-2, Engine Tanker 5 (Hancock), Tanker 43 (Orleans), Medic 7-4 (Morgan County Rescue)

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Morgan County Communications alerted Company 2 (Great Cacapon) at 1250 hours for a smoke investigation on Compton lane off the 3000 block of Rockford Road. The original caller stopped at station 2 prior to responding and advised it looked like a brush fire at the bottom of the mountain. Engine 21 with 3 at 1255 hours. While enroute Morgan advised the caller was calling from a cell phone an wasn't able to get much info an the call was dropped. Engine 21 arrived on the scene to find a controlled burn. The fire was extinguished and the homeowner was advised of the burn laws and proper burning procedures. Engine 21 returned to service.

Units Assigned to this Call : Engine 21

Morgan County Communications alerted Company 2 (Great Cacapon) at 1359 hours for a vehicle accident in the 1200 block of Woodmont Road. Engine 21 with 3 and BLS 2 with 2 both responded at 1406 hours. Engine 21 arrived on the scene to locate one vehicle head on into a tree with Engine 21 (J.Steiner) establishing the Woodmont Road command. Command advised of all patients out of the vehicle placing Squad 1 (Berkeley Springs) Medic 74 transported one patient. All units returned to service at 1441 hours after all hazards had been removed from the roadway.

Units Assigned to this Call : Engine 21, BLS 2 (Great Cacapon), Squad 1 (Berkeley Springs), Medic 7-4 (Morgan County Rescue)

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Morgan County Communications alerted Company 2 (Great Cacapon) at 1330 hours to assist Paw Paw (Company 32) with a large Brush fire in the area of the 6600 block of Detour Road. Engine 21 responded with 3 and the Captain (M.Grimley) followed by Engine Tanker 22 with 2 and Brush 26 at 1335 hours. While enroute units were advised of CSX workers on the Magnolia Bridge that could see a large brush fire close to a residence on the side of the mountain. With this additional information Captain 2 requested Engine Tanker 5, Brush 5, and Brush 3. Engine 21 arrived in the area of the 6600 block of Detour Road unable to locate anything upon looking over the mountain noticing heavy smoke in the Valley High Timber Farms area they advised Morgan Communications of this. Captain 2 advised units to stage at the inersection of Detour Road and Gamble Road. Engine 21 and Brush 32 located the fire with Captain 2 establishing Gamble Road command advising og 3 plus acres involved. Command requested brush units from Slanesville (Hampshire Co. Company 5) and Needmore (Fulton Co. Company 55) as well as manpower from Berkeley Springs (Company 1). Engine 21 and Brush 26 were redirected to a new access point at the head of the fire while Brush 32 and Brush 5 worked the fire near the structure. Brush 26 began cutting a road to the center with Engine 21 pulling an apartment line. Brush 3-62 arrived on the scene and assisted by this time the fire had grown to 6 plus acres. Command at 1623 hours advised Morgan Communications the fire was out terminating command and all units could return to service.

Units on scene : Engine 21, Engine Tanker 22, Tanker 2, Brush 2, BLS 2 (Great Cacapon), Brush 32 (Paw Paw), Engine 15, Engine 12, Subarban 1 (Berkeley Springs), Brush 3-62 (South Morgan), Engine Tanker 5, Brush 5 (Hancock), Brush 5-60 (Slanesville), Brush 55 (Needmore).

Special Thanks to Orleans for transferring Engine 43-2 to Station 2

Morgan County Communications alerted Company 2 (Great Cacapon) at 0906 hours to assist Orleans (Allegany Co 43) for a house fire at 1051 Purcell Road. Engine Tanker 22 responded with 2 at 0913 hours. Command advised of a small fire requesting Engine Tanker 22 and Washington County Engine Tanker 5 transfer to station 43. Engine Tanker 22 completed the transfer at 0940 hours. With no additional calls Engine Tanker 22 returned to service at 1048 hours.

Morgan County Communications alerted Company 2 (Great Cacapon) at 1915 hours for a three vehicle accident at 2951 Cacapon Road. Berkeley Springs (Company 1) and Morgan County Rescue (Company 7) were also dispatched to this call. Engine 21 with 4 and the Chief (R.Steiner) responded at 1920 hours followed by BLS 2. Engine 21 arrived on the scene on the scene at 1924 hours with chief 2 establishing the Cacapon Road command. Command shutdown Cacapon Road and upon further investigation advisd of only two vehicles involved with no entrapment. Command placed Berkeley Springs (Company 1) back in service. Medic 74 returned to service fter obtaining patient refusals. all units returned to service after all hazards were removed from the roadway at 1949 hours.

Units assigned to this Call : Engine 21, BLS 2 (Great Cacapon), Squad 1, Subarban 1 (Berkeley Springs), Medic 7-4 (Morgan County Rescue)

Morgan County Communications alerted Company 2 (Great Cacapon) at 1806 hours for a vehicle in the water on Power House Road at the Low Water Bridge. Upon dispatch Assistant Chief 2 (J. Hook) requested Washington County Special Ops Boat 20. Rescue Engine 2, Engine 21, and BLS 2 all responded. Rescue Engine 2 and BLS made access from the Rockford Road side while Engine 21 made access from the Cacapon Road side. Law Enforcement arrived on the scene advising of 1 person still in the vehicle 50 to 60 foot in the water. Rescue Engine 2 and BLS 2 arrived on the scene with assistant chief 2 establishing the Power House Road command. Command requested Trooper 5 due to very swift water conditions. Engine 21 arrived on the scene and provided lighting. Water Ropes were utilized from Rescue Engine 2 with the patient instructed to tie them around, the patient was then pulled ashore by Fire/EMS and Law Enforcement. The patient was quickly loaded onto Medic 74 for aviation to transport. Special Ops 20 was returned to service. Engine 21 and BLS 2 cleared the incident scene and went enroute to the ball field to establish the landing zone. The scene was turned over to law enforcement. Rescue Engine 2 returned to service at 1853 hours. Engine 21 advised the helicopter was in the air at 1926 hours and all units could return to service.

Company 2 had a total of 16 Personnel on the scene assisted by EMS and Law Enforcement Special thanks to Everyone.

Units on scene : Rescue Engine 2, Engine 21, BLS 2 (Great Cacapon), Medic 7-4 (Morgan County Rescue)

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Morgan County Communications alerted Company 2 (Great Cacapon) at 0803 hours for a single vehicle accident in the 2900 block of Cacapon Road. Rescue Engine 2 responded with 2. Rescue Engine 2 arrived on the scene at 0813 hours adviseding of 1 vehicle over the embankment on its side into a tree. Rescue Engine 2 (J. Steiner) established Cacapon Road command and shutdown Cacapon Road. Upon further investigation all occupants were out of the vehicle. Command advised Squad 1 to shutdown Cacapon Road from the east. The patient refused treatment. All units remained on the scene until the WV DOH treated the roadway due to icy conditions. Command returned all units to service at 0838 hours.

Units on scene : Rescue Engine 2 (Great Cacapon), Squad 1 (Berkeley Springs), Medic 7-4 (Morgan County Rescue)

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Morgan County Communications alerted Company 2 (Great Cacapon) at 1753 hours to assist Paw Paw (Company 32) for a single vehicle accident in the 18000 block of Cacapon Road. Rescue Engine 2 responded with 4 and the Chief (R. Steiner). While enroute Ambulance 32-1 arrived on the scene advised of the roadway blockedwith a vehicle on its top. Rescue Engine 2 was advised to shut down Cacapon Road from the east. Rescue Engine 2 arrived on the scene at 1814 hours. The patient refused treatment. Chief 32 established the Cacapon Road command. Units remained on the scene until the hazards had been removed from the roadway. All units returned to service at 1902 hours.

Units on scene : Rescue Engine 2 (Great Cacapon), Rescue Engine 32, Ambulance 32-1 (Paw Paw)

Morgan County Communications alerted Company 2 (Great Cacapon) at 2035 hours to assist Berkeley Springs (Company 1) for a Shed Fire at 2551 Fairview Drive. Engine 21 responded with 3 and the Assistant Chief (J. Hook), Tanker 2 responded with 2. While units were enroute Morgan Communication advised of multiple calls reporting a fuly involved building fire. Engine 11 arrived on the scene advising of a 20 by 20 building fully involved, Engine laid 600 feet of 5 inch supply line. Upon arriving on the scene Tanker 12 connected to the supply line. Engine 21 and Tanker 2 arrived on the scene at 2100 hours with the engine crew assisting with extinguishment while Tanker 2 supplied Tanker 12 with 1 load of water before returning to service. Engine 21 remained on the scene until 2335 hours.

Units on scene : Engine 21, Tanker 2 (Great Cacapon), Engine 11, Engine 12, Tanker 12, Squad 1 (Berkeley Springs), Engine 51, Engine Tanker 5 (Hancock), Tanker 3-25 (South Morgan)

Morgan County Communications alerted Company 2 (Great Cacapon) at 1639 hours to assist Berkeley Springs (Company 1) for a landing zone at War Memorial Hospital. Engine 21 responded with 2. Engine 21 arrived on the scene at 1655 hours. Health Net 8 arrived at 1704 hours. The patient was airlifted at 1740 hours. Engine 21 returned to service at 1743 hours.

Morgan County Communications alerted Company 2 (Great Cacapon) at 0620 hours to assist Berkeley Springs (Company 1) for a single vehicle accident with heavy entrapment. Rescue Engine 2 responded with 3 and the Assistant Chief (JR Hook). While enroute Rescue Engine 2 was advised to stage behind Squad 59. Rescue Engine 2 arrived on the scene at 0643 hours the crew assisted units already on the scene with patient extrication. The patient was airlifted to Fairfax Inova Hospital..

Units on scene : Rescue Engine 2 (Great Cacapon), Engine 12, Squad 1, Subarban 1 (Berkeley Springs), Engine 51, Squad 59, Medic 593 (Hancock), Medic 7-3, Medic 7-4 (Morgan County Rescue)

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Morgan County Communications alerted Company 2 (Great Cacapon) at 1403 hours for the large truck accident on Detour Road at Milo School Road. Chief 2 responded to the scene with an extended ETA while Rescue Engine 2 responded with 2 at 1406 hours. While enroute Morgan County Communications advised units of multiple calls reporting a fuel tanker rolled over with fire. With this information Rescue Engine 2 requested a tanker from station 2, an engine and tanker from companies 1 (Berkeley Springs) and 32 (Paw Paw). Engine Tanker 22 responded at 1409 hours. A member from company 2 arrived at the scene and advised of tanker carrying approximately 2000 gallons of fuel that had rolled over and was actively leaking and no fire. With this additional information Rescue Engine 2 requested the haz-mat team from special operations 20 (Washington County, MD). Rescue Engine 2 arrived on the scene at 1418 hours confirming a tanker on its side 100 yards west of Milo School Road with a power pole snapped in half and electric lines dangerously close to the vehicle. Firefighter J. Steiner assumed command and advised Morgan County Communicatins to have potomac edison respond and cut power as soon as possible and advise Engine Tanker 22 to stage behind Rescue Engine 2 with all other units staging at Milo School Road and Detour Road. Firefighter S. Reed pulled a 200' 1 3/4" foam line while Firefighters L. Stotler and A. Reed were instructed to control the fuel leak running down the ditch with absorbant, socks, pads and build 3 dykes for containment. Rescue Engine 32's crew was assigned to assist with this task on arrival. The patient refused treatment the carriers company was contacted and asked to respond with a truck to offload any fuel left inside the damaged vehicle. Chief 2 arrived on the scene and assumed command, Chief 2 then requested DOH with a truck load of sand and advised to alert Rehab Unit 255 (Washington County, MD) to assist. Once hazmat 20 arrived on scene and the power was shut off crews were able to gain access to the truck. The truck had 4 seperate pods of fuel with 1 being ruptured with approximately 800-1000 gallons of fuel being lost. Hazmat crews had to drill into the side of the tank to offload the rest of the fuel, once this task was completed command held company 2 units and Rehab 255. Once the truck was removed Chief 2 turned the scene over to Potomac Edison and DOH at 1812 hrs.

Units on scene : Rescue Engine 2 Engine Tanker 22 (Great Cacapon), Engine 12, Tanker 12 (Berkeley Springs), Rescue Engine 32, Tanker 32 (Paw Paw), Medic 7-3, Medic 7-4 Morgan County Rescue), Hazmat 20, Rehab 255 (Washington Co)

Special thanks to all that assisted and Hancock for the transfer to Company 1 (Berkeley Springs) and Levels for the transfer to Company 32 (Paw Paw)

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Single Vehicle MVA
Submitted By: Jason Steiner

A short time later Morgan County Communications again alerted Company 2 and Medic 7 for a single vehicle accident in the 4900 block of Cacapon Road at 1930 hrs. Rescue Engine 2 arrived on the scene with Chief 2 establishing Cacapon Road command advising of one vehicle off the roadway into a tree and no patient located. Medic 7 returned to service while Res Engine 2 remained on thescene until the hazard was removed.