Your BCFD responds to a number of calls each week. At each scene, quick response, knowledgeable assessment, scene size-up, skilled use of firefighting and extrication tactics are used to provide the highest level of rescue to our community.
Three of the notable incidents this week include:
5/21/2024: Berkeley Co Fire Department personnel detailed to Station 40 Bedington Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident. Squad 40, with a crew of 2 personnel, arrived on location less than 4 minutes after dispatch and reported a two vehicle accident with entrapment and one unconscious patient. A BCFF/Paramedic assigned to Squad 40 quickly recognized that one patient was not breathing and quickly acted to reposition the patient opening their airway, saving their life. Additional units from Station 40, Station 30 Hedgesville Volunteer Fire Company, and City of Martinsburg Fire Department also responded. Three medic units from BCEAA and a HealthNet Aeromedical Services were dispatched to the scene. The firefighters extricated the patients from the vehicles within 8 minutes of arrival. One patient was flown to a trauma center from the scene and 2 additional patients were transported by ground to Berkeley Medical Center and then flown to regional trauma centers after further assessment.
5/22/2024: BCFD personnel assigned to stations 40, 30, 60, 20, and 50 responded alongside Martinsburg FD, 167th ANGFD, and a number of volunteer companies from Washington County, Maryland, to a two-story fully involved residential structure fire. Crews faced challenges combating the fire due to Collyer conditions and structural failure of the residence. Crews were on scene for three hours, no civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.
5/23/2024: BCFD personnel on Engine 62 were the first to arrive at the scene of a residential structure fire. The crew from E-62 made a forced entry into the middle townhouse. During a primary search an unconscious person was located and removed from the residence and turned over to BCEAA for treatment and transport. VAMCFD Tower 80 and MFD E-3 arrived on scene, a second crew made entry and suppressed the fire. Additional units were assigned to assist with ventilation, overhaul, and Rapid Intervention Teams (RIT). Additional responding agencies included: VA Medical Center FD, 167th ANGFD, HVFC, BVFD, BCVVFD and SBVFC.
Continuous training, readiness, and professionalism were key elements to these successful multiagency incidents.