At 1200 hours, Boat 3, with a crew of 4 and EMS 3-1 with 3, made their way to the C and D Canal to assist the Chesapeake City Fire Company with the Annual Canal Day festivities.  Boat 3 patrolled the area unitl after midnight along with boats from Chesapeake City, Port Deposit, Minquas (DE), MD and DE DNR Police, and the US Coast Guard.  It was mostly an uneventful day, with just a few small fights and minor medical problems.  The boat towed a few disabled boaters and transported medical personnel to different locations.  Thanks to Chesapeake City for the invite.

Just after 0400 on 6-28-09, Kent alerted for the Engine and Tanker to assist on a working barn fire on Rt 291 (Buckingham Farms, Sta 6 area)  The tanker shuttled 3 loads of water and the crew from Engine 3 assisted with extinguishment.  Captain Shaw was OIC of Galena Units. Units operated for about 3 hours. 

While the units were still out, we were alerted to assist Millington on an MVA with rollover and entrapment on Rt 301.  Rescue Pumper 3 responded with 5, with Asst Chief S. Duhamell.  Just after arrival with Rescue 2, it was learned that the vehicle had just run off the road, and no one was injured. 

Thanks to NCCD Tanker 26 for the transfer while the North County Tankers were committed. 

At approximately 0430 we were alerted for an Engine transfer to Station 4, Kennedyville.  They were busy assisting Chestertown with a working fire on Morgnec Rd. Engine 3 made the response with Deputy Chief Duhamell.  Shortly after, Engine 2 (Millington) was pulled from Station 6 to respond to Main Street,  Church Hill for another working Commercial Building fire.  Engine 3 was moved up to Station 6 and while enroute was again re-assigned to go to the scene on Main St.  Engine 3 arrived, pumped off their load of water and the crew was assigned to pull a 2 1/2 line from Engine Tanker 7, (Crumpton) and protect an exposure which was already suffering from heat damage.  Engine 3 operated for about 5 hours.  Thanks to North East Fire Company  (Engine 412) for covering Sta 3, Sta 4 and Sta 2.   

At approximately 2100 hours, Kent County Alerted Fire Box 30-11 for a barn fire.  On the initial alert were Sta 3, 4, 2, CC1, QA 7 and Sta 6.  Command 3 arrived and reported fire from the A/D corner.  RP-3 dropped a 5" line from the road and made a quick knock of the fire.  Crews from E-3, Brush 3, CC E-116, and QAC Engine Tanker 7 assisted with overhaul.  Crews were on scene for about 90 minutes.  Chief Rodney had the Kentmore Park Rd Command. Special thanks to Nevin Steffy for the photos.

    At 0730, we met along with Cecil Engine 116 and Tanker 1 to burn a structure on Olivet Hill Rd at the request of the property owner.  The house was not in good enough shape to train in, but our drivers got some pump time and some of the new people got some handline time.  Thanks to Chief Dixon (Cecilton) for helping out. 

    While at the morning burn, Chief Dixon invited us to a last minute burn with training in Cecilton.  Eleven members made the trip for the late evening burn.  About 15 burn evolutions along with ventilation and hoseline training were completed.  Thanks again to Cecilton for the invite.  Photo by Dede Pardee

At approximately 1100 hours, we were alerted for a Rescue, Engine and Ambulance assist to Millington for an MVA on Rt 301 at Millington Rd.  Rescue Pumper 3 responded with 4 along with Paramedic 3.  The Rescue was assigned to assist with extrication, and Paramedic 3 assisted Paramedic 1-3 and Ambulance 2 with patient care.  Both Rescue lines and 3 additional tools were utilized from RP-3 to assist with a door removal,  the start of a partial roof flap,  and a dash roll.  Extrication took about 20 minutes.  One patient was transported by MSP Trooper 6 and one patient was taken to Chester River by Ambulance 2. 

Deputy 3/ J Duhamell was given Rt 301 Command by the officer of Rescue 2 and Captain 3-1/ Bartholomew from Engine 3 had the LZ.

Thanks to Nevin Steffy for the Photos.

For the monthly training for May, we held a vehicle extrication class.  An emphasis was placed on the Rescue 42 strut system and working on vehicles on their sides and roofs.  About 15 members attended and practiced with all of the Hurst Equipment as well as hand tools. 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Chief Charles (Buck) Clough, Jr. and the Sudlersville Volunteer Fire Co.

     The Kent County Sheriff's Office in cooperation with the Kent County Adolscent Substance Abuse Coalition and Kent County Behavioral Health is sponsoring a prescription drug round-up.  The operation is to provide citizens an opportunity to to properly dispose of medications, prescription and over the counter, that are no longer needed or expired / unused.  The purpose of the round-ups is to reduce access to prescription drugs and to keep landfills and water supplies safe from contamination. 

     The Sheriff's office has made an agreement with the Kent County Fire/EMS Departments to collect these items.  Please remember that only certified law enforcement officers can accept these drugs, so please do not bring them to the firehouses outside of the allotted times.  The drugs may be brought to the Kent County Sheriff's Office during business hours.   Thanks to the help from the Fire and EMS departments and the Kent County Sheriff's Office, this operation may help save lives from the unprescribed use of prescription drugs.  Listed below are the dates and times for drop-offs:

Betterton Fire Department - 3-26  1500-1800 hrs, Millington Fire Department - 4-16   1500-1800 hrs,  Kent and Queen Anne's Rescue Squad - 4-19  1300-1500 hrs,   Galena Fire Department - 5-7   1500-1800 hrs, Rock Hall Fire Department - 5-17   1100-1400 hrs.

At the Board of Directors meeting Past President Doug Uhl was appointed Assistant Treasurer.  Doug was appointed to fill out the vacancy left by the passing of Elmer Sells

 At about 1700, Rescue Pumper 3 was alerted to assist Ambulance 3 and Paramedic 1-3 with a medical emergency on a boat.  The patient was on the second deck of a large boat that was in dry dock for repairs at Gerogetown Yacht Basin.  After consideration of all options, a large forklift with an oversized pallet was used in conjunction with a stokes basket to extricate the patient.  Units worked for about 30 minutes.

Deputy Chief Jack Duhamell was in charge of Galena Units 

At 0108 hours, Kent County Alerted for Engine 3 for mutual aid on Cecil County Fire Box 106 for a working house trailer fire in Crystal Beach Manor.  Engine 3 responded with 4 with Asst. Chief Scott Duhamell.  Tanker 3 was also later requested and made the response with 3.  The crew from Engine 3 pulled one 1 3/4" handline and assisted with overhaul and extinguishment.  Units operated for about one and one half hours.

Photos courtesy of ceciltonvfd.com

It is will the deepest regrets that the Galena Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. announces the passing of Assistant Treasurer Elmer Sells.

Mr. Elmer joined the Fire Company in February 1997 and was recently elected to Life Membership.

Mr. Elmer has served as Assistant Treasurer since January 2004.  He served on numerous committees, including Building Maintenance where you could fine him working on many projects.

Mr. Elmer shall be greatly missed.

Per the families request there will be a Memorial Service Friday February 27th 1100 hours at the Olivet United Methodist Church in Galena.

A luncheon shall follow the services at the Galena Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

At approximately 1900 hours, Kent alerted fire box 30-1 for a house fire on Main Street.  Command 3 was the first to arrive with fire showing from the chimney.  The crew from Rescue Pumper 3 laddered the roof and also checked for extension with assistance from the crew Engine 2.  Tower 27 (Middeltown) placed their aerial in service to finish extinguishing the fire in the chimney.  The crew from Cecilton E-116 assisted with interior operations.  Units on scene C-3, RP-3, A-3, E-2, CC E-116, CC A-191, NCCD E-27-5, and Tower 27.  Deputy Chief J Duhamell had Main Street Command.  Units operated for just over one hour. 

At 1517 hours, Kent County Alerted Local Box 30-18 for a vehicle fire.  The initial alert included Cecil County Station 1 for one engine.  Command 3 was the first to arrive and found one van fully involved with extension to a second nearby vehicle. The crew from Rescue Pumper 3 made a quick knockdown of the fire and the fire was placed under control in 9 minutes.  Units on scene - C-3, RP-3, E-3, T-3, EMS 3-1, CC E-116(staged), FM-68 and Kent Sheriff.  Deputy Chief J. Duhamell had Metasequoia Ct Command.

Just about 12 noon, a vehicle pulled into the station asking for help.  The people owned a cat, which had been stuck up in a tree for four days.  All efforts to get the cat to come down had failed, so, always willing to help, Engine 3 made the response with 4, with Deputy Chief 3/J. Duhamell to the Rick Landing Rd address.  With a 35 foot extension ladder, a pole saw, and a special tool brought by animal control, the unhappy cat, Piggy,  was successfully reunited with its owner