Congrats go out to Station #1 FF Aaron Lange on being the newest fire fighter hired by the Victoria Fire Department. Located about 110 miles south of Stafford down US59, the Victoria FD operates from 5 stations running 5 Engine Co.'s and 1 Truck Co.

Congrats again to FF Lange on his achievement.

Early this morning department personnel joined others in Wharton, Texas to pay their respects to Wharton FD Captain Thomas Araguz III. Just one week prior Captain Araguz was tragically killed operating at the multi-alarm fire at Maxim Egg Co. in Boling, Texas.

During the service various speakers recalled their relationships and experiences with Captain Araguz thoughout his life including family, friends and co-workers. Following the services the apparatus procession wound throughout Wharton enroute to the grave site.

May everyone keep Captain Thomas Araguz III, his family, friends and co-workers in your thoughts and prayers.

 Photos courtesy of FF L. Harlow

The officers and members of the Stafford Fire Department would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family of Wharton Fire Department Captain Thomas Araguz III who was tragically lost this morning while operating at a commercial structure fire.

Captain Araguz was lost this morning while operating at the Maxim Egg Co. fire in Boling, Texas. While performing fire fighting operations he and his crew became trapped on the inside of the structure. Personnel on scene were able to successfully breach a wall and remove 2 of the fire fighters but, with extremely high heat and zero visibility, were unable to reach Captain Araguz.

An 11 year member of the department since age 19, Captain Araguz had recently been promoted to Captain. Captain Araguz leaves behind a wife and two children.

Please keep the Araguz family and the Wharton Fire Department in your thoughts and prayers.

Photo courtesy Wharton Fire Department

At approximately 00:45hrs units were dispatched  to the 330 block of FM442 in Boling, Texas to assist the Wharton Fire Department with a commercial structure fire at Maxim Egg Co. with a report of fire fighters trapped. Responding along with Missouri City Fire & Rescue Department Engine 31 (OIC Scott) and Battalion 31 (Braswell), Quint 22 (OIC M. RIcks) and Car #1 (Di Camillo) arrived at the location approximately an hour after dispatch.

Upon arrival confirmation was given of 1 fire fighter still unaccounted for inside of the vast commercial structure with instructions given to Quint 22 to perform a recon of the western portion of the complex to determine the extent of fire spread. With limited visibility on the fire ground due to dense, low lying smoke crews determined a position for attack to attempt to limit fire spread into the uninvolved portions. Given the lack of hydrants in the area, all fire fighting efforts were done using tanker shuttles to supply 2 ladder towers and 2 handlines through loading dock bay doors. With operations on the fire ground entering their 10th hour over 150 fire fighters from over 30 fire departments in 5 counties operated on the fire ground.

Sadly during the course of this fire Wharton Fire Department Captain Thomas Araguz III and his crew became trapped inside the structure, While other personnel were able to breach a wall and locate and extricate his crew, sadly personnel were unable to reach Captain Araguz due to extreme heat and zero visibility. 

The officers and members of the Stafford Fire Department extend our condolences to the family of Captain Araguz as well as the officers and members of the Wharton Fire Department for their tragic loss.

Please keep Captain Araguz, his family and the Wharton Fire Department in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

As everyone is hopefully enjoying time with their families and friends on the birthday of our great country, the officers and personnel of the department would like to say thank you and offer a reminder...

A thank you to the men and women of our armed forces; those that have served and those that are serving around the world protecting our country. May these brave men and women be able to safely return home to their families and friends at the end of their tour of duty.

And remember when you gather to watch the fantastic firework displays tonight that they are only possible through their service and sacrifice.

So when you see a member of our military take the opportunity to say 2 little words... thank you.

Shortly after 04:00hrs this morning units began what would be a busy day responding to the reported car versus tree in the 12000 block of the Southwest Freeway. Upon arrival of Engine 23 (OIC Hagraves) and Battalion 21 (Bomberger) units found a Mercedes convertible which had struck a tree along the feeder road coming to rest in the front of a local car dealership. With the single female patient  found between parked cars in the lot FBCEMS Medic #10 requested Air Medical due to multi-system trauma. With the patient transferred and loaded onboard Memorial Herman Life Flight additional calls for service were received sending units to other locations including to a District 1 apartment complex for the reported newborn infant left on the doorstep. Upon arrival personnel found an approximately 2 hour old baby girl presenting outside a downstairs apartment. Upon arrival of FBCEMS Medic #7 the infant was rapidly transported to Memorial Herman Southwest Hosptial with SFD personnel onboard assisting with care during transport. While the early spike in call volume ended within the hour, the remainder of the day remained steady with units responding to an additional 8 incidents.   

At approximately 15:13hrs Decon 22 was requested to respond with other East Side Haz Mat Team resources to the reported suspicious package in the 3200 block of Five Oaks Dr. in the Sienna Plantation subdivision of Missouri City. WIth Battalion 31 (Matthews) as Five Oaks Command, Battalion 21 (Mills) and Decon 22 (OIC G. Lopez) were assigned as Decontamination Group to support entry team personnel from Haz Mat 5 (OIC Bayes), Richmond FD and Houston FD. Through the course of the incident SFD personnel performed decontamination on personnel from 3 seperate entry teams as well as the home owner and a FBCSO Deputy. Following completion of material testing and precautionary decontamination units returned to service at approximately 19:46hrs.

This incident marks the 2nd time in a little over a month were personnel performed decontamination as part of an East Side Haz Mat Team response.

Congrats to Station #1 FF Brandon Lewis on his recent hiring by the Porter Fire Department. Located in Montgomery County, north of Houston, Porter operates from 3 stations and is one of the busiest departments in Montgomery County.

Congrats again to Brandon who starts in July.

At 05:52hrs units were dispatched to the reported "unknown major/minor" accident in the 11600 block of Dorrance in Meadows Place. Upon arrival of EMS-21 (Lange), with FBCEMS Medic #7 on scene, one car in the front yard of a residence with moderate damage was reported. Upon making contact with the vehicle it was determined to be occupied by 2 individuals, both requiring extrication, after their vehicle struck a parked station wagon and fire hydrant. With Battalion 21 (Bomberger), Engine 23 (OIC Merchant) and Quint 22 on scene for patient care and extrication, Medic #7 requested Air Medical for the passenger and a 2nd ground unit for the driver. With Medic #10 as the additional transport unit and SLFD Ladder 2 (OIC Gore) requested for landing zone responsibilities, Extrication Group (Mills) removed both passenger side doors and "B" post to extricate the passenger, and then driver. With a more detailed assessment of the driver now possible, Medic #7 requested to fly both patients and made preperations for same. Upon arrival of Memorial Herman Life Flight both patients were moved to the LZ for transport to the Level I Trauma Center at Memorial Herman Hospital in the Houston Medical Center. Following the safe departure of the aircraft and securing of hazards all units returned to service at 07:07hrs.

At 04:37hrs units were dispatched to the reported structure fire with flames visible at 1103 Dulles Ave. Arriving shortly thereafter Car #1 (Di Camillo) advised of smoke showing from the end unit of a 4 unit townhome row. Upon arrival of Tower 22 (OIC Ortega) the assignment of Fire Attack Group was given and crews reported to the interior to open up the fire area reported by the resident as the kitchen. Upon opening up crews encountered fire in the ceiling space and requested their line charged. As this was being done SLFD Ladder 2 (OIC Hiliger), as Extension Group, reported to Division 2 to check for vertical extension and Engine 21 (OIC Ramirez Jr.), as Exposure "B", checked the next unit in the row for extension on all divisions. With Fire Attack Group, assisted by Quint 31 (OIC Kitson), finding more avenues of extension and Division "C" (Mills) advising of smoke conditions worsening, additional crews were assigned to assist on both Division 1 and Division 2. Given the nature of the construction extensive opening up was conducted on both divisions which resulted in discovering  extension via pipe chases and air ducts. With all visible fire knocked down and primary searches completed the incident was placed under control and held for the FBCFMO Investigator. Additional units operating on the fireground were Quint 22 (OIC Matson), Engine 23 (OIC Hargraves), Battalion 31 (Wheeler) at the Command Post and Battalion 1 (Le Grotte) as the Safety Officer. Following assisting FBCFMO all units returned to service a little after 05:30hrs with no injuries to fire service personnel or civilians.

The cause of the fire was determined to be unattended cooking.

As department personnel were completing EMS protocol testing with the department Medical Director units were dispatched at 21:15hrs to the reported 1 car roll-over MVA in the 12200 block of Southwest Freeway. As Engine 21 (OIC Pavlock) and EMS-21 (Lange) were responding SPD units on scene advised of a confirmed vehicle roll-over with 1 trapped suffering from an amputated hand. WIth this additional information an Air Medical Provider was requested in addition to an extra engine for extrication and and LZ responsibilities. Upon making patient contact the same as reported was found in the care of a paramedic who witnessed the accident. WIth resources arriving on scene companies were assigned to specific areas of responsibility; Engine 21 as Hazards Group, Quint 22 (OIC G. Yell) as Extrication Group, Engine 23 (OIC Hargraves) as Landing Zone Division and EMS-21 as Patient Care Group with FBCEMS Medic #7. With the vehicle stabilzed with the strut kit crews immediately began extrication using both conventional extrication tools and battery operated recip saws. Given the close proximity of the top of the vehicle to the outside wall of the exit ramp (3'-4'), the limited space increased the level of difficulty as crews constantly assessed the condition of the patient. After approximately 20 minutes the patient was extricated and packaged with Medic #7 just as Memorial Herman Life Flight #3 arrived on scene. With the patient packaged and transferred to the awaiting aircraft personnel began the process of taking up to return to service. As the normal process of aircraft startup was beginning the aircraft suddenly shut down and the flight crew exited. With the aircraft having suffered an unexpected mechanical problem during start up the crew immediately off loaded the patient, and with Medic #7 and SFD personnel, transferred the patient for ground transport. Within 90 seconds from offloading the patient from the aircraft Medic #7 departed the scene with the flight crew and SFD Medical Director Joe Anzaldua onboard enroute to the Level I Trauma Center at Memorial Herman Hospital in the Houston Medical Center.

WIth the patient now enroute to the Medical Center SFD and SPD units redirected full attention to traffic management on the busy Southwest Freeway which was closed completely; initially as the designated LZ and now due to the grounded aircraft. Following excellent cooperation between both agencies traffic was re-routed and opened in a limited capacity. Following the arrival of Memorial Herman aircraft maintenance personnel the aircraft was placed on dollies and removed from the roadway finally reaching its overnight parking location in an adjacent parking lot at approximately 00:30hrs at which time the remaining SFD units returned to service.

Shortly after 02:15hrs units were dispatched for the reported MVA with a vehicle into the Harley Davidson building in the 12700 block of the Southwest Freeway. Upon arrival of units one SUV was found entirely inside the showroom portion of the building, having entered from the freeway feeder rd., with the single occupant having self extricated. With FBCEMS Medic #10 evaluating the ambulatory driver, Engine 21 (OIC P. Ramirez Sr.) and Battalion 21 (Ricks) evaluated the structure and vehicles for hazards as well as 2 motorcycles inside which were struck. With the driver denying injury and in the custody of SPD, power was secured to the affected areas of the building and the structure checked for additional hazards. Following removal of the vehicle from the building all units returned to service at approximately 03:45hrs.

At approximately 02:54hrs Engine 23 was dispatched for the report of a fire alarm in the 10100 block of Cash Rd. Even before getting enroute communications advised that SPD units were on scene with an audible alarm and visible smoke coming from the Aramark Uniforms building resulting in the re-dispatch of the incident as a structure fire. Arriving shortly thereafter  Car #1 reported smoke showing from the bay doors and roof line of an 800' X 100' building and established the "Cash Rd. Command" on Side "A". 1st arriving Tower 22 (OIC M. Ricks), instructed to set up on the "A / D" corner, connected to the sprinkler FDC and stretched a 2" attack line thru a walk-in door after forcing entry. Upon arrival of Engine 23 (OIC Hargraves) dual 300' supply lines of 5" and 6" were laid to supply Tower 22 while Engine 21 (OIC Towne) teamed up with Tower 22 as fire attack group. With Battalion 1 (Crespo) as Division "D" Engine 23 and Quint 31 (OIC Drake) worked  to open up the numerous overhead bay doors for ventilation and access as Engine 1 (OIC Holiday) assumed R.I.T. responsibilities on the "A / D" corner. With fire attack reporting smoke conditions becoming heavier towards the rear of the structure, and after extending the attack line to 400', the main body of fire was located in the rear portion of the building within an interior fenced storage area. With sprinkler heads holding the fire in check, fire attack group forced entry into the area and asked for water on their line. Following knock down on the fire, and with Side "D" completely opened up, extension was checked and attention turned to ventilating the large open structure. Given the interior construction of the building and limited capabilities of conventional PPV fans, a request was made for the Houston FD Mobile Ventilation Unit (AKA Big Blow) as crews rotated through the tasks of opening up the bales and piles of mop heads, shop rags and other linen products. With negative extension on all sides, sprinkler system secured and company personnel on scene operating building systems ventilation was rapidly accomplished and the incident placed under control with Big Blow returned to service. Following overhaul and loading of hose and equipment all units returned to service shortly before 05:30hrs with no fire service or civilian injuries reported. During the incident Battalion 21 (Bomberger) functioned as the Safety Officer and Battalion 31 (Matthews) assisted at the command post while Engine 32 (OIC Male), requested extra, also assisted on scene. 

On a historic note this same business and building suffered a catastrophic fire in 1990 resulting in almost complete destruction of the processing and warehouse portion of the building. Because of that fire the structure was totally rebuilt with a complete automatic sprinkler system throughout which no doubt played a major role in preventing a larger incident on this date.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Congrats go to Station #3 Fire Fighter Matthew Berg and Sarah Cunningham on the birth of their daughter Emma Jacqueline Berg. Born at 18:02hrs today and weighing in at 8lbs 6ozs both mother and baby are doing fine.

Congrats again on the new addition to the family.

At approximately 09:35hrs today units were dispatched to assist the Sugar Land Fire Department with a chemical spill inside the building in the 12800 block of Jess Pirtle Blvd. Upon arrival of SLFD Ladder 2 (OIC Rogers) a spill of 2 chemicals, hydrochloric acid and ethyl ether, was confirmed within the warehouse portion of a commercial occupancy. Given the chemicals involved and unknown extent of the spill or source, a Level II incident was declared bringing Tower 22 (OIC Fleming) with Decon 22, Battalion 21 (Sabrsula), Missouri City HM Technicians and Fort Bend County EMS to the scene. During the course of containment and mitigation efforts 4 seperate entry teams where utilized resulting in SFD personnel conducting decon for 12 personnel over the course of the incident. Following containment, neutralization and packaging of containers for pick-up units began to return to service with Tower 22 and Battalion 21 returning to service at 13:48hrs.