Recently, we placed Engine 9-1 in service as a Rescue Engine. The unit has been inspected and meets all minimum requirements set forth by Washington County.

First, I want to assure each of you that no squad boundaries have changed, will change or are in jeopardy of changing. All squads currently running in our area will continue to do so with no exception. Our intention is NOT to get into the squad business.

Second, I want to let you know why we felt it was important to upgrade our engine. In light of recent changes to vehicle “collision” assignments, I wanted to take a proactive approach to response to these types of events. RE9-1 will be running more PI assignments, either in conjunction with or in lieu of E9-4. It provides a larger blocker and gives us a rescue tool on the scene. Since there are incidents where no squad is dispatched, the potential exists for us to arrive on the scene with an entrapment and no squad responding. This will enable us to get started until a squad arrives. I want everyone to think responsibly when electing to cancel a squad. Though it is a crucial special service within the county, the staffing provided to an incident scene could be just as critical as the equipment it carries. Basically, if we’re understaffed, we may hold a squad until we get a safe zone established and the hazards are mitigated.

Lastly, we will offer this piece of equipment as a resource. It does meet the standard for Rescue Engine and has the basic complement of equipment needed to do limited vehicle stabilization, a door pop or whatever.

I feel we need to maintain good working relationships between all surrounding organizations. I felt it was necessary to send this letter out to each to both keep our neighbors informed and keep any rumors at bay.

Thanks for all that you do. Feel free to contact me at any time regarding this matter.

The Leitersburg Volunteer Fire Company held the annual awards banquet this evening. Torrential rain and high winds didn’t hinder the celebration. A wonderful meal was enjoyed by everyone with Catering by Sunnyway Diner, who had to divert their route of travel due to flooded roadways, still managing to deliver a fine meal. After dinner, awards were given to the top 10 responders and the top 10 fundraisers as well as a the presidents and chiefs award with a special award being presented to firefighter Frank Shuey. Firefighter shuey, who has been active with the fire company for over 20 years, lost all of his belongings in a house fire back in December, including past plaques and his class A uniform. A perpetual plaque was presented, identifying each year and his standings. Firefighter Shuey was definitely surprised and appreciative of this award. Other award recipients are as follows…

Fund Raiser Top 10

10. 60.85 Hours… Sue Mongan
9. 69.60 Hours… Stacey Myerly
8. 74.10 Hours… Kirk Mongan
7. 76.50 Hours… Dan Grove Sr.
6. 82.40 Hours… Chris Hawbaker
5. 101.90 Hours… Lorraine Bloom
4. 102.00 Hours… Frank Shuey
3. 108.80 Hours… Robin Waltz Jr
2. 113.25 Hours… Daniel Hawbaker
1. 123.15 Hours… Milton Bloom III

Top Ten Responders

10. 62 Calls… Lloyd Emswiler
9. 67 Calls… Robbie Veil
8. 78 Calls… Greg Kelley
7. 84 Calls… Clinton Stouffer
6. 136 Calls… Kenneth Diffenderfer
5. 139 Calls… Milton Bloom III
4. 149 Calls… Kirk Mongan
3. 186 Calls… Frank Shuey
2. 191 Calls… Danny Hawbaker
1. 218 Calls… Robert Myerly

President’s Award

• Dan Grove Sr. - an individual who has been active in the company for years. He has held several elected positions throughout the years including Director, Assistant Chief and Fire Chief. There have been very few meetings that this man has missed. He has been a delegate to the Association and has been in charge of the Association picnic for 17 years.

Chief’s Award

• Oscar Forshey - an individual who went above and beyond in 2009. When it comes to paperwork and record keeping, he is top notch. Serving as part of the membership committee last year, he developed and instituted all the new member packets, forms and also serves as our resident photographer. He has also rewritten and reformatted all of the company’s operating guidelines, saving me a ton of time and paperwork.

A few gag awards were handed out as well…

• Butch Bloom, Bobby Myerly, Danny Hawbaker and Frank Shuey received Certificates of Valor for a daring cow rescue last year.
• Butch Bloom received a part of a blown tire mounted on a plaque for skillfully bringing E9-1 to a stop after a tire blew out.
• Crystal Hagans received a sombrero and a bottle of sunblock after standing in the sun for two days in sweltering heat collecting money during the boot drive at last year’s peach festival.
• Lorriane Bloom received a pair of binoculars to always watch the fire hall.
• Dan Grove Sr. was officially dubbed Pit Master due to his dedication and commitment to starting the fire at the beef sandwich sales.
• Kevin Jones was given a length of ribbon to tie around his finger as a futile attempt to remember anything.
• Chief Mongan was given a string to keep his phone affixed to his belt so it doesn’t fall on the ground and get ran over by a fire truck.
• Danny Hawbaker and Bobby Myerly were given toy wind up sirens to move traffic while responding to fire calls.

An outstanding time was had by all. We thank everyone for their contribution to the community and look forward to next year’s banquet.

On February 9, 2010 Washington County E.C.C. took a report from a neighbor on Little Antietam Road reporting that his neighbor’s house was on fire. The neighbor made reference that the occupants were still in the house. Box 9-4 was dispatched at 12:20 p.m. for a house on fire with possible entrapments.

Engine 9-2 from Leitersburg was one of the first arriving units. Leitersburg firefighters were able to see the heavy black smoke from Leitersburg Pike as they turned onto Little Antietam Road. Lieutenant Myerly of Leitersburg Company 9 was driving the engine that day and said they had heavy fire showing from the alpha and bravo sides of the ranch style house as they arrived on the scene. Firefighters were able to begin attacking the blaze as Assistant Chief Clint Stouffer of Company 9 assumed Little Antietam Command.

Firefighters worked at the scene for nearly twenty minutes before bringing the blaze under control. The two occupants of the residence were taken to Washington County Trauma Center for injuries sustained during the blaze. Both were able to safely exit the house but re-entered the residence to try and save pets that were still inside. One male occupant was treated and released for chest pain and smoke inhalation while the female occupant suffered burns, which she was transferred to the Bayview Burn Center in Baltimore for. Two firefighters battling the blaze also sustained minor injuries and were transported to Washington County for check-up.

Fire and EMS remained on the scene for several hours while crews conducted overhaul operations and FM26 “Ed Ernst” from the State Mire Marshals Office began his investigation into the cause of the blaze. Fire Marshal Ernst found that combustibles stored to close to the wood stove ignited accidentally causing the blaze. The house was considered uninhabitable due to heavy fire and smoke damage. The Red Cross was called in to assist the displaced family.

Leitersburg Company 9 responded to the blaze that afternoon with assistance from Long Meadow Fire Co.27, Smithsburg Fire Co.7, Mt. Aetna Fire Co.16, Waynesboro PA. Fire Co.2, HFD Independent Juniors Eng.3, Maugansville Fire Co.13, Washington County Special Operations 20, Smithsburg EMS Co.79, Community Rescue Co.75, Waynesboro PA. EMS Co.2, Washington County Emergency Air Unit 25, Emergency Rehab Unit 255, Washington County Fire Police, Washington County Sheriff Department and the State Fire Marshals Office.

Engine Company 9 was alerted on the 7 box for a barn fire. Engine 9-1, Tanker 9 responded. FRC advised the calls received indicated a working fire. Command 7 started the working fire assignment. Units arrived on the scene with a working fire. Crews from Company 7 quickly knocked down the fire. Engine crew from 9-1 assisted with extinguishment and overhaul. Command deemed fire out and units were placed in service. Tanker 9 went in service. Engine crew assisted with repacking RE 7-2 supply line and returned to service.