On Friday at 0645 hrs, a rescue box was dispatched on Fowler Road at Jennifer Lane. Squad 5, Ambulance 59, Chief 5 (Wells), and Chief 5A (McAllister) responded. Units arrived on the scene and found a two car accident involved in a head on collision. After patient was evaluated, a helicopter and medic from Cals was requested. Squad 5 established the LZ at the scene, and Trooper 2 flew one subject to PG Shock Trauma. About thirty minutes later, another rescue box was dispatched in Dunkirk for a single vehicle. Units responded and found the same, units cleared about twenty minutes later. Dunkirk Volunteers stayed busy running calls all day with three more being rescue boxes in the first due. After a busy April, the Month of May is starting off the same way.

On Monday at 0800 hrs, the day started off with a rescue box and followed shortly with a medical local. Units were dispatched for an unresponsive subject and arrived to find the patient in full arrest. Crews went to work doing CPR and shocking the subject. After leaving CMH, the subject was alive and in stable condition for a full recovery. Units cleared and responded on 6 more runs for the day until another medical local was dispatched for trouble breathing. Crew on the Ambulance arrived and found a second full arrest and went to work. Engine 52 was then dispatched and arrived to find the Ambulance crew working the subject. Crew transported to CMH once again priority one. After clearing the Hospital, a second subject was brought back and was in stable condition looking to make a full recovery. This day ended with a total of 14 runs and two subjects being saved by the quick response and the outstanding job of the Ambulance crews. Crew on first run was Bryan Darmstead, Dave Skaggs, and Dave Tipper assisted by the crew on Engine 52. Crew on second run was Kim Leyland, Jessica White, Charlie Groce, and Lindsay Shaner assisted by the crew on Engine 52. Great job once again guys, and keep up the good work!

On Saturday at 0800 hrs, Squad 5 and Tanker 5 were supposed to have been in Newburg at this time for a house burning. However, due to the fire in Prince Frederick, Squad 5 and the crew made sure everyone got back in service before they left. Tanker 5 was still being utilized at the fire, so the Squad eventually went solo to Newburg and participated in a house burning. This is the second time in a Month, which the Newburg VFD has invited us down. Once again, we would like to say thanks to the Newburg Volunteers for the invite.

The Prince Frederick VFD was alerted shortly before 0600 hours for the investigation of smoke in the area of 1200 Solomons Island Road (Bayside Toyota). Units arrived on side Alpha of a two story commercial building with smoke showing, filling out the box. 2C established Command as crews found heavy fire and smoke conditions on the first floor of Bayside Toyota. A second alarm was called for due to the fire load and finding hydrants out of service. Crews opened up and brought the fire under control a short time later. While checking for extension, crews noticed the second floor sagging and crews were immediately evacuated. Units remained on the scene for the Investigators for approximately 4 hours. While crews from Dunkirk operated on the scene, crews came from home and made sure the Apparatus in the Station was covered. Once again, another fire in Calvert County which the Squad never was dispatched on.

Last week, several members participated in drills that were involved on auto extrication. We were donated three cars for the two drills that took place at the Firehouse. Please contact the firehouse if you have a vehicle you would like to donate.

The Month of April has turned out to be the busiest Month so far in 2008. The dedicated volunteers have been running on an average of 12 plus run’s a day for this busy April. Last week, several boxes were dispatched and the Apparatus stayed on the street for majority of the day running calls.

Last week, Engine 52 went to participate in the Firefighter II class in Laplata. We have four members from Dunkirk that are in this program, and have all done an outstanding job so far.

The Officers and Members of the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department would like to congratulate Marty Sealey and Scott Peterson. They have been selected for the annual Heroism & Community Service Awards program, the largest of its kind in the fire-rescue service. America’s 1.5 million career and volunteer firefighters read Firehouse Magazine. From the fire chief on down, all echelons of firefighters read Firehouse Magazine for lessons learned while answering calls. Firehouse Magazine was founded in 1976 and is recognized as the publication of record in fire service for providing timely, in-depth coverage of major emergency incidents.
Last year on Valentines Day, the Dunkirk VFD was alerted for a subject that had fallen through the ice. Units responded from Dunkirk and arrived to find a subject fighting to hang on. The female subject was trying to walk across a lake, due to her dogs taking off onto the ice. After making it a good distance out on the pond, the ice gave way and she fell into the freezing cold water. Over 20 members from Dunkirk went to work, while Marty and Scott got their suits on and made their way across the ice and into the water after her. She was barley hanging on, when Scott got to her with the assistance of Marty and rescued her and one of the dogs. Both subjects being properly tied off, was then brought to shore. Crews packaged the subject for transport to CMH priority one. The next day, the female subject came to the firehouse to say thanks to everyone who saved her life.

On Tuesday at 1600 hrs, a rescue box was dispatched for a subject stuck in an elevator at the Dunkirk Gateway Building. Squad 5 and Ambulance 58 responded leaving a crew back. Crew on Squad 5 released one subject and went in service, but was alerted for an auto fire while backing into the firehouse. Engine 51, Tanker 5, and Chief 5 (Wells) responded leaving a crew back once again. While units were responding, a medical local was dispatched on Skinners Turn Road which the crew at the firehouse took care of. Units arrived on the scene with a fire in the engine compartment. Crew made quick work and extinguished the fire and went in service. While units were on the way back, a box was dispatched in the Beach bringing Engine 51, Tanker 5, and Chief 5 (Wells) along with Squad 5 from the firehouse.

On Wednesday at 1600 hrs, units from Dunkirk were operating on an overturned vehicle on Route 2. Units were clearing the scene, when Calvert dispatched another rescue box located this time on Route 260 in Dunkirk. Squad 5, Engine 51, Ambulance 58, Chief 5A (McAllister), and Chief 5B (Sealey) responded. Units arrived and found another serious accident that resulted in one extricated and flown to PG Shock Trauma. Units form Dunkirk had two serious accidents with a subject flown in each within an hour.

On Wednesday around 1600 hrs, a rescue box was dispatched on Route 2 bringing Squad 5, Ambulance 58, and Chief 5B (Sealey). Units arrived on the scene and found a two vehicle accident with one overturned. Crews went to work and extricated one patient for transport to the LZ. Subject was flown out to PG Shock Trauma for further evaluation.

Over the past several months, Rusty Helwig has been working hard going through the recruit class for the District of Columbia. In the past week, Rusty graduated from his class and was assigned to 4 Engine on number 2. The Officers and Members would like to congratulate Rusty and wish him well with the start of his new career.

The Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department has over 30 members that are career firefighters or law enforcement in other jurisdictions. We have 15 more members that are working as a dispatcher or in the public safety division.

We would also like to wish live-in Jimmy Grebas a safe trip as he leaving April 10th for the Secret Service Academy in Georgia.

On Saturday at 0700 hrs, 6 Dunkirk Volunteers travel to Newburg with the Tanker and Utility to participate in a house burning. Members stayed in Newburg for several hours, while the Tanker stayed down there until around 1800 hrs. We would like to say thanks to the Newburg Volunteers for the invite, and we look forward to coming back and playing again. We will send the invite back to you the next time we get a house to burn in Dunkirk.

On Saturday March 22nd, serveral hundred people packed the hall for our Annual Awards Banquet And Installation Of Officers. The evening started with the normal cocktail hour followed by a great dinner by Bert & Libby. Once again, another great slide show was presented to the Members and guest. The music was provided by Nikki & Charlie from the moon and the stars kareokee service. Bar was done by Tina and Sandy. Several guest presented the Dunkirk VFD with awards for our yearly achievments.

Chief Wells talked about how crazy of a year this was with the various types of calls that had happen in 2007. He touched on Kip drive which the Squad crew pulled one from the basement. Subject that had fallen through the ice with one rescue, the little boy that was missing and found several hours later in the woods, Deputy Coates who was extricated and flown out, and over twenty fatals in Dunkirk for 2007. He talked about the types of other accidents that took place such as a Tractor Trailer overturned, several Dump Trucks, School Bus, Emergency plane landing on 9-11 behind the Giant. That was just a few that he had mentioned as 2007 was a special year for the dedicated Volunteers of the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department. The following awards were awarded for the evening!

Top 25 runners - Darius Osborne, Allen Marcellas, Amanda Mitchler, Kerri Kaplan, Curtis King, Toby Sealey, Nick Loeffler, Ashley Jaskulski, Dave Stream, Mike Weimer, Chris Olson, Terry McAllister, Dave Scaggs, Danny Morrison, Justin Frizzell, Bryan Darmstead, Kim Leyland, Jimmy Grebas, Marty Sealey, Merrill Wells, Eric Holzberger, Scott Peterson, Casey McAllister, Charlie Sines, and John Mowatt.

Special Award for Fire & Rescue - Jim, Mona, Kim, and Robert
Special Award for Gary from Cluck-U-Chicken
Special Award for our Auxilary
Life Saving Award for Mike Groce
Life Saving Award for Ice Rescue - 18 Members
Life Saving Award for Kip Drive - Squad crew
Life Saving Award for missing boy - 33 Members
Rookie of EMS - Catherine Anastasi
Rookie of Fire - Charlie Groce
EMS Cooperative - Marcia Plew
EMS Initive - Bryan Darmstead
Squadsman Of Year - Ashley Jaskulski
Most Cooperative Fire - Jimmy Grebas
Most Initive Fire - Scott Peterson
Firefighter Of Year - Chris Mills
Top Runner - Darius Osborne
Chiefs Awards - Allen Marcellas, justin Frizzell, Curtis King, Dave Stream, Dave Scaggs, Danny Morrison, Amanda Mitchler, Erin Stinnett, Jerry Johnson, Nick Loeffler, Kim Leyland, John Mowatt, Shawn Allen, Terry McAllister.
Officer Of Year - Mike Weimer
Marty Sealey Award (Volunteer Of Year) - Darius Osborne
Special Award For President Randy Smith
Special Award For Casey McAllister
Special Award For Desi McAllister
Special Award For Tanker 5 Commitee - Merrill Wells, Terry McAllister, Curtis King, Anthony King, and Darius Osborne
Jack Dorsey Award - Howard Kelly
Mutial Aid Awards
Hats, Mugs, Sweat Shirts, Gym Bags, Calendar, Mugs, and koozie’s were given away to the Volunteers
Special gift for Wayne Ward Jr along with father Wayne Ward Sr
Scott Peterson and Marty Sealey for life saving awards
Special Award for Bingo to Marty Sealey
Three other Chiefs Awards - Toby, Anthony, and Terry

We would like to thank the Dunkirk Auxilary for their several gifts they gave and did for the department. We would also like to thank the fill-in crews for making this possible. Bunker Hill(Engine 51 & Ambulance) from Noon Saturday to Noon on Sunday, Chief 42 from Deale (Tanker 5), and the hand selected crew for Squad 5 ( Chief 35B Driver, Dalrymple Officer, Captain 35 back step, and two other guys from Howard County).