Submitted by Asst Chief Jeff Pfister
Station 17 was alerted at 1104 hours to respond to 12815 Winchester Road on the working fire alarm as the R.I.T. team for station 9. Engine 171 responded with a crew of 6. Engine 171 staged in front of thr fire building and insured ladders were placed at all 2nd floor exit points. the units returned to service in a little over an hour. Chief 9 (J. Athey) had the Winchester Road command.

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Submitted by Asst Chief Roger Bennett
On March 6, 2011, the Shaft Volunteer Fire Department responded to 7 different motor vehicle crashes along east bound Interstate 68. Winter weather, and excessive speed for the road conditions were the cause of the crashes. Several vehicles were towed and all occupants signed refusals. Mutual Aid units responding included Frostburg Fire Department's Squad 16, Frostburg Ambulances' 364 and 359, Eastern Garrett's Squad 80, and Utility 80, Maryland State Police and Maryland State Highways Administration. Frostburg Fire Department's new Squad 16 ran it's first call.

PHOTO - A Shaft volunteer firefighter walks along the shoulder of Interstate 68 eastbound near the Maryland Truck Weigh and Inspection Station at Finzel Sunday, the site of several minor vehicle accidents that occurred when temperatures dropped and a steady rain slickened roads as it transformed to sleet and snow. Emergency dispatchers in both Allegany and Garrett counties reported several “fender-bender” type accidents with no injuries. The National Weather Service put the area under a winter weather advisory, which forecasted several inches of snow in Garrett County through late Sunday. John A. Bone/Times News.

Submitted by Asst Chief Roger Bennett/Courtesy of Andy Kotch(The Bottom Line)
In the early morning hours of Friday, December 3rd, a blaze grew in Malino's Pizza Shop on Main St. The fire quickly spread to two of the five adjoining rental apartments, where it claimed the lives of Evan Kullberg and Alyssa Salazar, who was only four hours into her twentieth birthday.
The fire, which investigates have yet to discover the cause of, was stopped before it claimed the adjoining business, Lucky's Liquors, due to the diligent combined efforts of the Frostburg and Shaft Fire Departments.
Cumberland Times reports that police and firefighters were on the scene within minutes of the outbreak, many suffering from smoke inhalation and minor burns as they worked to rescue the trapped residents. Unfortunately, there was nothing they could do. Firefighters also told Cumberland Times that they were unable to find any sign of smoke detectors in the building, which would have warned the two residents had they been installed and working properly.
This is the first fatal fire in Frostburg since 2003, when an elderly man was killed on Water Street. It also follows a very similar fire that destroyed Gianni's Pizza Shop last year. Even though the fire that claimed Malino's is the fourth major fire in Frostburg's business district in six years, investigators do not believe this was an intentional act. On campus, where both Kullberg and Salazar were active in their respective fraternity and sorority, reactions have been dour. Small shrines have cropped up on Main Street, near the fire department, and on campus to pay homage to the students.
What was initially supposed to be a small candle-light vigil Sunday night had a very large turn-out. Despite the cold, students and Frostburg residents alike came out to show their support and grief for the Kullberg and Salazar families.
Early Friday morning, Dr. Gibralter released several statements to the student populace. "This is a particularly difficult time to absorb the impact of such a painful loss as we are otherwise focused on the tasks that face us this close to the end of the semester and year. It will be important that we take the time to reflect on this loss and its impact on our community and on Evan and Alyssa's loved ones."
The staff of The Bottom Line Student Newspaper would like to extend their most heartfelt condolences to the families of Evan and Alyssa. Several staff members knew the victims personally, and the entire campus feels the loss of their families.
As Dr. Gibralter said in his releases, anyone who wants to talk or who feels especially effects or saddened by these events should take advantage of the University's counseling system.
The counseling center can be reached at 301-687-4234, Father Ed Hendricks can be reached at 301-689-5041, and Reverend Cindy Zirlott can be reached at 301-687-7490.
The Bottom Line would also like to remind everyone to check their fire and smoke detectors batteries every few months to help prevent and tragedies like this in the future.

Engine 171, Engine 172, Utility 17 all responded to this call.

*** The Shaft Volunteers would like to send our thoughts and prayers to the families involved in this fire, We are keeping everyone in our thoughts and prayers ***

For the full story from Your4State online click the link below....

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Submitted by Asst Chief Jeff Pfister
On Tuesday November 23rd 2010 at 1540 hrs Station 17 was alerted for a First due flue fire on Midlothian Road. Deputy Chief 17 ( Chapman) arrived first and established the Midlothian Road command after doing his circle check he advised of a working fire with possible extension to the wall around the flue. Engine 171 responded and were given orders to pick up a water supply. Engine 171 dropped lines at the plug and had Engine 182 pick up the line. The crews from Engine 164 & Truck 16 along with the crew from Engine 182 Checked for extenison and extinguished the fire. All the units cleared the scene in just over an hour.

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Submitted by Asst Chief Jeff Pfister
On Friday November 19th 2010 at 0606 hrs Station 17 was alerted on the working fire dispatch for the structure fire at 15505 Elklick Road in station 18s first due. Engine 171 responded with a crew of 5. Upon arrival command advised engine 171's crew to come to engine 182 and pull a 2nd 2 1/2 attack line, after getting most of the bulk of the fire knocked units on the scene began overhaul operations. Chief 18 Jeff Cutter had the Elklick Road command.

Units on the scene Engine 182 &squad 18 (Midland), Engine-Rescue20 (Lonaconing), Engine-Tanker 19 (Barton), Engine171 (Shaft), Engine 164 (Frostburg), Engine-Tanker 14 (Clarysville), and Engine-Tanker 22 (Westernport) for R.I.T. All units cleared the scene in a little under 5 hours.

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Submitted by Asst Chief Jeff Pfister
On Saturday October 23rd 2010 Station 17 was alerted for the Motor Vehicle Collision (MVC) reported with entrapment at 11439 Upper George's Creek Road. Chief 17 (S. Yates) arrived on the scene and found a single vehicle roll over accident on its roof. After surveying the scene he reported no entrapment but requested a 2nd ambulance for the 3 patients. Engine 171 arrived next and were given orders to provide lights and assist Emergency Medical Services along with squad 16. All units cleared the scene in a little over an hour.

Submitted by Asst Chief Jeff Pfister
On Thursday October 21st 2010 at 1756 hours Station 17 was alerted for the first due house fire at 11334 Upper George's Creek Road. Deputy Chief 17 Ryan Chapman arrived first found a fire contained to the oven in the kitchen and established command . Engine 172 secured a water supply and extinguished the fire. Truck 16 arrived next and assisted the engine company with checking for extension and ventilation. All units cleared the scene in 40 minutes.

Submitted by Asst Chief Jeff Pfister
For the 2nd time in 3 days Station 17 was alerted with Station 16 for the working house fire at 77 North Water street in frostburg. Deputy Chief 16 arrived and established command. Engine 164 arrived 1st and split there crew to fire attack and search. Engine171 and Truck 16 arrived at the same time Engine 171 secured a 2nd water supply and pulled a back up line to the front door. Then were given orders to take a 2nd line to the basement. After finding no fire in the basement 171's crew advanced the line from the basement to the first floor to assist with extinquishment of the fire. Due to older construction there was a lengthy overhaul period and all units the scene in just over 4 hours.

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Submitted by Asst Chief Jeff Pfister
On Wednesday October 13th 2010 Station 17 was alerted with Station 16 to 147 Ormand St for the house fire. Within minutes the call was upgraded to the working fire assignment. Engine 164 arrived first and advised of a 2 story structure with fire showing from side charlie and the roof. Engine 171 responded with a crew of 4 and established a 2nd water supply. Engine 171's crew pulled a 200' attack line to the charlie side of the house. Engine 172 with 2 responded extra on the assignment and their crew assisted 171's crew on the scene. all units cleared the scene in just over 2 hours

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