Water Main Break Damages Elrama, PA, Fire Rigs, Station; Briefly Traps Crew
A main break outside the Elrama Volunteer Fire Company late Friday night sent feet of water crashing through the bay doors, leaving firefighters briefly trapped in a rear room.
The crew linked arms and waded through at least three feet of water, got in one of the rigs and drove out of the station, Assistant Fire Chief Lenny Bailey told WTAE.
The department has suffered a devastating loss including damage to station and at least three apparatus. The 26 sets of turnout gear and other equipment were destroyed.
Firefighters often spoke about the what-ifs should the 48-inch main outside the station broke. Late Friday night, it happened and it was powerful.
"The Jeep was here floating in the air, and the road was caved in. It was my son's vehicle that ended up in the creek here, or the hole."
Bailey said neighboring companies have been assisting as the department assesses the damage and cleans up.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.