A little before noon, Truck 17 was alerted as first due truck to the 1500 block of Kenilworth Ave NE for the apartment fire. Engine 27 arrived on scene with a two story apartment building with smoke showing from the second floor.  17 Truck arrived on scene and went to working throwing ladders, searching, and opening up.  Crews opened up and a good amount of extension in the cockloft which added a little extra work to the day. The fire and extension were quickly knocked down and the assignment was later held with Engine 27 and Truck 17.  Engine 30 was on a medical local at the time and ran on the Working Fire Dispatch.

At 0612 hours, Engine 30 (2nd due) AND Truck 17 (1st due) along with units with the 2nd Battalion were alerted to the 4200 block of Lane Place, NE for a house fire.  27 Engine (Deanwood) arrived on scene of a one and half story single family with fire showing.  While Engine crews started knocking down the fire, Truck 17 laddered the home, initiated a primary search and began venting.  Unfortunately, crews were unable to reach the 2nd floor because the stairs had burned through which caused units to switch to a defensive attack.  17 Truck set up the ladder pipe and knocked down the fire on the second floor.  Units were released a short time later.

Shortly before 2100hours, Engine 30 (first due) and Truck 17 (first due)  were alerted for a house fire with people trapped in the 4000 block of Blaine St NE.   Units from The Heights arrived on scene with heavy fire showing.  Engine 30 advanced a line in the front door and started knocking down the abundant amount of fire while Truck 17 initiated a primary search, threw ladders, opened up, and vented.   Units mounted an aggressive attack on the fire and were able to bring the fire on all floors under control within 20 minutes.  Searches proved negative and Command held Engine 30 and Truck 17 as well as an additional Engine and Truck.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Around 1930 hours, Engine 30 (first due) and Truck 17 (first due) were alerted to the 4700 blk of Benning Road SE for the apartment fire.   Truck 17 arrived on Side A of a 3-Story Apartment building with smoke showing.  Upon arrival, the crew of Truck 17 was informed by MPD that there was an occupant trapped in the apartment.  Truck 17 made entry into the building and located a working fire on the 2nd floor.  The crew forced entry and were met with fire in the living room, kitchen and hallway.  The crew made entry and conducted an aggressive search of the entire unit which turned up negative.  Shortly after, Engine Co. 30 and Engine 27 arrived simultaneously and quickly got water on the fire.  With the fire knocked down and extension in check, Command held Truck Co.  17, Truck 16, and Engine 27.

Shortly after 1500 hours Engine 30 (2nd due) and Truck 17 (first due) were alerted for an apartment fire in the 300 block of Anacostia Road SE. Engine Co. 27 (first due) arrived scene of a three story garden apartment building with smoke showing from the second floor.  27 located a kitchen fire and made a quick knock.  Truck 17 searched and opened up and the box was held with Engine 27 and Truck 17.

Shortly before 0900 hours Engine 30 and Truck 17 were alerted first due to the 5400 block of C Street, SE for the house fire. Units from The Heights arrived on scene of a two story semi-detached with smoke showing from the second floor. Engine 30 located and extinguished a room off on the second floor while Truck 17 searched and vented the structure.  With the fire knocked down as well as the minor extension in the cockloft, Engine 30 and Truck 17 remained on scene to mop up as other units were released.

Just before 1900hrs Engine 30 and Truck 17 were sent to  the 4000 block of Lee Street NE for thje reported house fire. Engine Co. 27(Deanwood) arrived on scene with fire showing from a one-story house. The crew from Truck 17 arrived on scene shortly after and initiated a primary search and vented vertically and laterally.  30 Engine assumed 2nd due responsibilities, checked the basement and backed up 27 Engine.  After an aggressive attack by 27, Command 2 held Engine 27 and both units from The Heights.


 




 

Shorty after 1730 hours Engine 30(first due) & Truck 17 (first due) were alerted to the 700 block of 49th Place, NE for a house.  Engine 30 and Truck 17 arrived on scene of a 2-story SFD with smoke showing from side A and fire showing from side C.  30 Engine located a couple of rooms going on the 2nd floor and extinguished the same while Truck 17 searched, vented, and handled utilities.  

Shortly before 0900hours, Engine 30 and Truck along with other units from the 2nd Battalion were alerted to the 4800 block of Bass Pl, SE for a reported house fire. Units from The Heights arrived on side Alpha of a two story middle of the row with smoke showing. E30 located and extinguished a room off on the second floor while Truck 17 conducted a primary search, vented, and controlled utilities. 

The 30th year of the National Run Survey from Firehouse Magazine highlights many categories within the fire service including busiest Engine, Ladder, Rescue Squad and more. Departments from around the country submit their run totals to be ranked among their peers across the US and Canada. Only the top unit in each class from each department is included in the results listing published in the August issue of Firehouse Magazine. The District of Columbia made a strong showing again this year and the members of "The Heights" are proud to announce their inclusion in the fabled "list". For the year 2010, Truck Company 17 was the 2nd busiest ladder company in the Nation, responding to assist the citizens of the "East End" 4,496 times last year. "The Heights" complement of Engine 30, Truck 17, Ambulance 30 and Medic 30 again took honors as the 2nd busiest station in the Nation with the 4 units recording a total of 18,531 responses. The Battalion Chief responsible for the East End crews, BFC 2, recorded a 19th ranked 2,062 runs in 2010. The Officers and Members of "The Heights" are extremely proud of the recognition from Firehouse Magazine for their long nights and proven dedication to the citizens of DC and thank them for the honor.

Congrats to Truck 17 alumni Sid Polish and wife Kelly on the birth of their son. Reed Patrick Polish was born 8-18-11, weighed 7lbs 8oz and was 21" long. Baby Polish, Mom (Kelly), big brother Jacob and big sister Teagan are all doing great. Sid was appointed to T-17 and served there from June 2000 until his promotion in November 2008. His heart has always been in "The Heights". From all the crew at Engine 30 and Truck 17 we wish Sid and Kelly our best. On a side note, Baby Reed will be turned over on Telestaff next week and was not named after Reed Terrace, Southeast (First Due).

Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Brian Stolle and the birth of their newborn baby girl. Grace Elizabeth made her entrance on August 10th at 8:31am 6 lbs 15 1/2 oz, 20 inches long, full head of brown hair! Best wishes from the East End family to Erin and Brian.

Shortly before noon, Truck 17 and other units with the 2nd Battalion Fire Chief were alerted to the 300 block of 47th Street NE for a reported house fire.  T17 arrived on scene of a one story single family with fire showing in the rear. With Engine 30 sitting on a gas leak and unavailable to respond,  E27 (first due) Truck 17 completed primary searches, vented horizontally and laterally, and controlled utilities while E27 knocked down all visible fire.  Shortly thereafter the Box was held with Truck 17 and Engine 27.  This was the first fire for the New Ladder Truck!

Today, the 4th Platoon placed the new Truck 17, S-313, in service.  The new truck is a 2011 Seagrave Marauder II Tractor Drawn Aerial and replaces a 2003 Seagrave TDA.  It comes with a Cummins ISO 500hp motor, Allison 4000 Automatic Transmission, Telma Retarder, 10kw Harrison Generator, and an all LED Whelen Lighting package.  This truck was delivered with its twin, Truck 10 S-312, which was assigned to Truck Co. 10 in L'Enfant Plaza.

Old Truck 17 (S-302) will most likely go into the reserve fleet where it will continue to serve the citizens well. Aside from the bad air leak in the trailer airbags and a little cosmetic damage from rust and C***E over the years, she was a great truck and will be missed.

On November 10th, 2010 on the 235th birthday of the United States Marine Corp and with Veterans Day approaching, the members of Engine 30 and 17 Truck received a very fitting email from our troops overseas. A little over a month prior the members of "The Heights" sent over a little "sign" of support for 9th Engineer Support Battalion of the USMC as well as all of our troops fighting for our Country abroad. The sign (shown below) included the company patches of the proud East End crews as well as the formally recognized patch of the District of Columbia Fire Department. The sign was sent to Cpl. Stephen J. Fennell, son of Truck 17 # 1 Lieutenant Stephen Fennell, and his fellow Marines on the grounds of Camp Leatherneck in Helmond Province, Afghanistan. See the attached picture of the brave Marines sporting the sign of support. The sign was hung in the weight room of Camp Leatherneck for the remainder of their deployment. The banner served the men as a constant remainder of the world they were protecting and the pride the crew from the East End and the rest of the DCFD has in their efforts to protect our freedom. Thankfully, the sign returned home along with the unscathed Cpl. Fennell and the rest of the 9th Engineer Support Battalion. One of the 1st stops Cpl. Fennell made when he returned stateside was to the quarters of Engine 30 to express his gratitude for our support and to share a well deserved meal with the crew. To all the members of the US Armed Services proudly serving our Country home and abroad, the members of "The Heights" and the entire District of Columbia Fire Department, we extend our deepest gratitude for your service. Semper Fidelis.