At approximately 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 11, companies from Prince George's and Montgomery County in Maryland were dispatched to a house fire in the Calverton area of Prince George's County.
First-due Engine 411 (Beltsville, Co.41) arrived on the scene, and the crew reported a single family dwelling with smoke showing.
Battalion Chief 6 arrived and established the "Blairmore Command" while Engine 311 (Beltsville, Co.31) arrived and reported fire showing from the basement.
Exterior basement access was confirmed and Engine 311, along with Montgomery County Truck 15 (Burtonsville, Co.15), was directed to begin the fire attack. Engine 411, Truck 14 (Berwyn Heights, Co.14) and other companies which had been working on the first floor were directed to protect the interior stairway.
As the bulk of the fire in the basement was being knocked down, command directed that the roof be opened due to conditions seen from the street.
An additional engine and truck were special-called, above the Working Fire dispatch. Engine 411 repositioned their line to access the attic while the roof was being opened. In a little over half an hour the fire and extension to the first floor were extinguished.
No extension to the attic was found and the primary and secondary searches were negative as well. The units that were special called were subsequently placed in service.
For relevant training information see:
"Looking at Conventional Basement Fire Tactics"
Michael M. Dugan, Firehouse.com Contributor
