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.  

At 12:44 hrs units with the Second Battalion were alerted for a reported house on fire in the 4500 block of Grant St. NE. Engine 27 arrived to find a one story single family home with heavy fire showing and extension to the B-bravo exposure. As Engine 27 stretched their line to the fire building Truck 17's crew laddered and quickly searched the exposure building, finding no immediate extension into the structure. Engine 30 reported to the rear and found a similar situation, stretching their line and getting water on the fire. Very early into the incident the fire building was deemed a defensive operation and larger lines were put into service by the crews of Engine 27, 30 and Truck 17 to knock down the bulk of the fire. Truck 17 put the ladder pipe in the air but the extra water was not needed as the fire was knocked down. Crews opened up the outer walls on the exposure building and finding only minor extension the incident was scaled back.  
 

During the early afternoon hours Engine 19 was dispatched on the local alarm for an auto accident in the area of Randle Circle and Minnesota Ave. Southeast. Engine 19 arrived shortly after to find a police chase that ended with the dipper suspect t-boning another truck and putting it on its side. The suspect fled but they left behind a person trapped in each car. Engine 19 requested the rescue assignment bringing Truck 17, Rescue Squad 3 and others to the scene. Truck 17 arrived on scene an set up a safety perimeter and assisted with patient care as Squad 3 split their crews to free the victim in the car and stabilize the overturned truck. Once the door was removed from the car the crew took the roof off of the truck and removed that victim as well. Engine 19 stood by with a handline to support the extrication. Units picked up and returned to service a short time later.   
 

Saturday June 6, 2011 in the late evening hours, units from the Northside of the 2nd Battalion and 3rd battalion were battling a row-house fire. With several units committed, Engine 30, Truck 17 & A-30 were dispatched 1st due to 4101 Benning Road, NE for the auto fire threatening a building. Due to several units that would normally have been dispatched operating on the other fire, the assignment was altered bringing Engine 27 (2nd due), Engine 12 (3rd due), Engine 9 (4th due) and Engine 3 (5th) due. Units arrived in the 4100 block of Benning Road, NE with nothing evident. Supplemental information a few minutes later advised that it was possibly in the 4200 block of Benning Road, NE. As units were searching the area, over a dozen MPD cruisers were seen responding south-bound on Benning Road towards SE.

After several minutes of searching incorrect locations, Communications advised to check the 4600 block of Benning Road, SE. Units arrived finding a fully-involved auto against a building with fire extending into the basement entrance of Side "D." Engine 30's crew quickly knocked down all visible fire in the basement and the auto. Truck 17 forced entry into the basement, threw several ground ladders and vented horizontally. Within minutes, the Box was held to 1 & 1 and the Fire Investigator.

Just after 2100 hrs units with the second and third battalion were alerted for the report of a building fire at 5105 F St. SE. Engine 30 arrived on the scene and reported a 3 story garden style apartment building with smoke showing from the roof area. Truck 17 arrived just behind them and were greeted by several residents stating that there were people trapped on the upper floors. As the Engine crew advanced the 200ft 1 1/2" preconnected handline into the building Truck 17s crew worked to ladder the building and vent the structure. Interior crews located a room off in an apartment on the second floor (although labeled 102) and made quick work of it. Rescue Squad removed one patient with smoke inhalation from a top floor apartment. Although a second alarm was requested it was quickly returned as the incident was deemed under control. Truck 17 with the help of Engine 30 and Engine 8 (RIT) threw 175' of ground ladders to the building with Truck 16 and Engine 27 laddering the rear with additional ladders. Great job by all crews involved especially Battalion Fire Chief #2 Del Balzo who celebrated his retirement just that very afternoon with the fellas of East End.

In preparation for Firefighters Memorial Day (May 29, 2011), the DCFD tightened up the Last Alarm Garden, located at Fort Lincoln Cemetery. The Last Alarm Garden is dedicated to fallen firefighters and EMT's--heroes who have served the area. In representation of the Heights, 4 members from Engine 30 assisted in the clean-up. Many thanks to Lieutenant Bowie Kuhn (Fire Boat # 3) for coordinating this event.

Shortly after clearing a medical local near by, Truck 17 was alerted for an auto accident in the 1000blk of Burns St S.E. with one overturned.  The Truck arrived on scene to find a single vehicle which had rolled down an embankment into a small creek.  With the report of an infant trapped, the driver ejected, and the Squad coming from a distance, the crew of Truck 17 immediately went to work to gain access to the vehicle and provide a means of egress for the occupants.  Truck 17 split crews and simultaneously confirmed an infant was trapped in the vehicle and provided initial care to the ejected adult male. 

While the Squad was still enroute, Truck 17's Barman and Canman gained access to the infant and removed him from the vehicle.  While both patients were packaged, the Truck Crew's Tillerman and Hookman set up a tag line, rescue line, and belay line Utilizing equipment and tools carried on the Truck.  Both patients were then secured to the stokes basket and removed from the creek to awaiting EMS units. 

At 1145 hours, Engine 30 and Truck 17 were alerted to the 400 block of 37th Place, SE for an apartment fire. Engine 30 and Truck 17 arrived on scene of a three story apartment building with smoke showing on side Alpha. Crews from The Heights located a room off in a first floor apartment.   While the engine crew got a line on the fire, Truck 17 conducted a primary search, vented, and secured utilities.  The fire was quickly knocked down and the assignment was held with Engine 30 and Truck 17.