With late afternoon thunderstorms settling over the greater Houston area, the welcome rain added to an already steady pace of calls for service. With 5 runs after lunch the lightening strikes to the soouth brought the inevitable house fire box in Missouri City shortly before 19:00hrs sending Engine 21 (OIC Hilgers) and Battalion 21 (Sabrsula) to far south Sienna Plantation for the reported house fire. After winding thru the winding streets, units arrived to find smoke showing from a 2 story SFD. With their initial assignment for primary seach rapidly completed, the crew of Engine 21 was reassigned to Division 1 to open up the kitchen area to reveal fire in the walls running from the slab to the attic. With crews opening up the exterior wall revealing significant fire between the floors as well as the walls, all companies expended a great deal of energy opening the numerous void spaces on Side "B" of the structure. While Engine 21 operated and Battalion 21 assisted at the Command Post, a request was made for an additional company to back into MCFRS Station #1 for coverage due to the high volume of calls in the eastern portion of the county which sent Engine 23 (OIC Yell) out of the city. While this was taking place another request was recieved for a company to respond to the far south Fresno area of Fort Bend County for the 2nd reported residential structure of the day. Upon arrival of Engine 24 (OIC Scoggins) in Fresno, the company set about assisting FVFD personnel with opening up the interior of a 1 story SFD for fire in the walls while Battalion 21, arriving after being released from the 1st fire, assisted at the Command Post. With the weather clearing and the rain coming to end, Engine 21 , Engine 23, Engine 24 and Battalion 21 began to return to the city after being released from their respective mutual-aid assignments.

Throughout the entire high call volume time, and with a total of 3 companies and the Duty Supervisor out of the city simultaniously, the department maintained a fully staffed company plus a squad unit in the city to answer calls for service.   

Shortly after checking back in quarters from lunch units were dispatched to the reported pedestrian struck by a tractor trailer in the 12000 block of W. Airport in the City of Meadows Place. While enroute Engine 24 (OIC Therault) was advised of a corrected location to the rear of the Radio Shack store at the intersection of W. Airport and S. Kirkwood. Upon arrival of Engine 24 and FBCEMS Medic #7 a male subject was found on the ground adjacent to a 10-wheel tractor trailer after being struck and drug by the trailer for approximately 12' to 15'. Upon making patient contact a rapid trauma assessment revelaed significant injuries and a decision made to transport by ground. Due to the heat of the day (100+ degrees) the patient was rapidly packaged and placed in the Medic Unit were care was continued until transport was made to the Level III Trauma Center at Memorial Herman Hospital Southwest.

At approximately 17:59hrs Engine 21 (OIC Taylor) was dispatched to the area of Ruth St. to assist FBCEMS Medic #34 with a subject struck and pinned on the roof of a 2 story SFD by a fallen tree branch. Upon arrival the same was found and Engine 21 immediately deployed ground ladders to access the patient and  begin extrication efforts. Due to the need for possible additional ground ladders and equipment Tower 22 (OIC M. Ricks) was requested to assist. Upon reaching the patient pinned at the edge of the roof and partly hanging off, Lt. Taylor was able to perform a patient assessment revealing open arm fractures and severe arterial bleeding. Upon removal of the fallen tree branch, the patient was extricated and turned over to Medic #34 once reaching the ground. Due to the open fractures and severe bleeding, Air Medical was requested by Medic #34 for transport to the Texas Medical Center. With Engine 21 as Patient Care Group assisting Medic #34, Tower 22 was diverted to function as Landing Zone Division. Upon arrival of Memorial Herman Life Flight #3 patient care was transferred and transport made to the Level #1 Trauma Center at Memorial Herman Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. Upon completion of significant decontamination of equipment all units returned to service.

At 19:00hrs today members of the department joined other guests in Rosenberg to witness the wedding of 2 department personnel. Greg Yell, Station #3 Lieutenant, and Jessica Todd, Fire Fighter/EMT also of Station #3, were wed before approximately 200 guests. Following a lively and crowded reception, the newly weds departed for their week long honeymoon in Antigua.

It is important to note that during the reception Jessica was presented her new bunker coat name plate, much to her dismay, which NOW reads "J. Yell" in place of her former "J. Todd".  

Again, congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Greg Yell on their marriage. The department would like to wish you all the best for the future and a great life together.

At 01:43hrs early Saturday morning companies were dispatched to the 300 block of Oak Dale for the reported house fire. FBCEMS Medic #34, arriving 1st, advised of 1 story SFD heavily involved. Upon arrival of #2 (Burns) heavy fire was evident from the same with exposures on Side "B" (2 story SFD) and Side "D" (1 story SFD). With all occupants accounted for per the residents and due to the level of involvement, the fire was declared defensive. 1st arriving Engine 21 (OIC Pavlock) was instructed to protect exposures while Quint 22 (OIC M. Ricks), arriving less than 30 seconds later, was instructed to take the hydrant across the street from the residence and place their aerial in service to knock down the bulk of the fire. With initial exposoure protection in place, next arriving MCFRS Engine 31 (OIC Ybarra) was assigned to assist with fire attack and Engine 24 (OIC Hargraves) placed inside Exposure "D" to check for extension. With all companies working, Lt. Ybarra was assigned as Operations Branch while Battalion 31 (Braswell) assumed Safety Officer responsibilities and Battalion 1 (Le Grotte) assisted at the command post. With exposures checked again for extension and the bulk of the fire knocked down, the incident was placed under control approximately 30 minutes later with no reported injuries to fire department personnel or civilians. Additional companies operating on the fire ground included Rescue 23 (OIC Bomberger), SLFD Ladder 2 and FBCEMS Medic #34.

The hero of this incident is the family dog. After going door to door in the residence to alert sleeping occupants, the family dog returned one last time to the daughters room to ensure she had been awakened and removed. Unfortunately, after doing so, the dog was unable to escape from the heavily involved house and was later found in the daughters bedroom.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Fort Bend County Fire Marshals Office.

Photos by MCFRS FF Casey Mack

Today marks the ending of an era for the fire service of East Fort Bend County. On this date "C" Shift Battalion Chief Kevin Dickson of Missouri City Fire Rescue Services officially retires after 29 years and 7 months of service. Over his career, BC Dickson has been instrumental in guiding and molding the department into the agency it is today by always looking forward. 

During his many years of service, BC Dickson developed close working relationships with neighboring departments and through those passed on his vast experience, knowledge and ability to us all, both on the fire ground and off. Often thought of as the Incident Commanders' Incident Commander, the world of the Incident Management System always sounded right when he was the IC. 

The Stafford Fire Department would like to wish Kevin, his wife Kathy and their family a happy retirement that is richly deserved.

At 11:35hrs Quint 22 and Battalion 21 were dispatched on the box for the reported house fire in MCFRS in the 3900 block of Jade Cove. Upon arrival of Battalion 31 (Dickson) heavy smoke was found from Side A of a 1-story SFD. Upon arrival of Engine 34 (OIC Horsack) a fast attack was initiated while Engine 21 (OIC Ybarra) established the IRIT and secured utilities. Upon arrival of Quint 33 (OIC Butler) roof ventilation was undertaken and SLFD Engine 3 (OIC Leopold) established the formal RIT on the Side "A/D" Corner while Engine 31 was re-assigned to assist with fire attack. Despite great effort to make the attic inside, multiple attic spaces in the new construction home hampered progress and fire burned thru the Side "A/B" Corner soon after. Upon arrival of Quint 22 (OIC Ortega) the crew was assigned to stretch a line for Exposure "B", a similar 1-story SFD until interior crews could gain access to the fire area. With crews in the attic and with a large area of ceiling pulled, access to the fire was achieved and a final knock down accomplished. During the incident SLFD Battalion 1 (Le Grotte) assisted at the CP while Battalion 21 (Di Camillo) was assigned as the Safety Officer.

Around mid-afternoon today Quint 22 (OIC G. Lopez) was dispatched to the area of FM1092 and Cash Rd. for the MVA. Finding a corrected location of FM1092 and Greenbough Dr., the size-up revealed a 2 car MVA with moderate intrusion to the drivers door of one. With patient care initiated by EMS-21 (Sabrsula) inside the car and a precautionary hand line deployed, the spreaders and cutters were put to work removing the drivers door. With the help of Engine 21 (OIC Towne) which arrived on scene after clearing another run, both patients were extricated and packaged with FBCEMS Medic #34.     

Early on the morning of Monday, May 4th, a Stafford PD patrol officer sat on the outside shoulder of the SW Freeway performing DWI interdiction. He didn't have long to wait......

At 00:43hrs units were dispatched to the 12300 block of the SW Freeway for the MVA involving a SPD patrol unit. Upon arrival of Engine 21 (OIC Lopez) a 2 car, rear-end accident with heavy damage to a SPD patrol unit was discovered. Initial triage revealed only minor bumps and bruises to the officer and civilian driver who were both ambulatory on scene.

With patient care concerns and traffic control issues handled, Engine 21 remained on scene assisting Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) investigators with traffic control and lighting. All units returned to service at 02:28 with DPS placing the civilian driver driver in custody.

At 16:55hrs Engine 21 and Battalion 21 were dispatched on the MCFRS box for the reported house fire on Adams St. Upon arrival of Battalion 21 (Court) heavy smoke was evident from a 1 story SFD. Establishg Adams Command on Side "A", 1st arriving Quint 33 (OIC Faber) was assigned as Fire Attack Group and initiated same through the front door while Engine 31 (OIC Horsak) layed a 5" supply line and was assigned Search Group. With Engine 38 (OIC Sabrsula) establishing the R.I.T. on Side "A", conditions continued to deteriorate. Arriving 4th, Engine 21 (OIC Scoggins) was assigned as Ventilation Group and made there way to the roof while SLFD Engine 3 stretched an additional attack line to assist Fire Attack Group and SLFD Battalion 1 (Wooley) assumed Safety Officer responsibilities. Encountering multiple roof layers and void space over a room addition, and going through multiple saws, crews endured and opened the roof as fire attack located the fire after much effort. With the roof opened, water on the fire and the primary search completed, the incident was placed under control. Quint 22 (OIC M. Ricks) also responded to this incident as an extra company where they assisted with the secondary search and overhaul until released. All units cleared the scene and returned to service by 18:07hrs.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Missouri City Fire Marshal's Office.

Photos by MCFRS Battalion Chief J. Wheeler

Beginning early in the afternoon today rain, ranging from light and drizzling to driving, set in over the greater Houston area. During the course of these rain storms, at approximately 19:00hrs, Quint 22 (OIC M. Ricks) was dispatched as part of the MCFRS box for the residential structure fire in the Sienna Plantation subdivision in the far southern part of Missouri City. With 1st in MCFRS companies quickly placing the incident under control, Quint 22 returned to service and hung a u-turn for the ride home. Prior to making it back into the city limits MCFRS Communications dispatched another box for a structural fire on Quail Village Dr. Being less than 1/4 mile away, Quint 22 hung another u-turn and arrived on scene to find smoke showing from Side "A" of a 1-story townhome complex clubhouse. Stretching an attack line to the Side "A" door, the crew was greeted with fire at the ceiling level while SFD #2 (Burns) arrived on scene and updated the size-up to include fire showing from Side "B". Upon forcing entry, the 1st floor fire was quickly knocked down while opening up the attic to knock down fire found there. While initial fire attack was ongoing, SLFD Engine 3 arrived on scene and provided a 5" supply line for Quint 22  and then assumed R.I.T. responsibilities. Upon arrival of Battalion 31 (Dickson), Quail Village Command was transferred and Engine 31 (OIC Ybarra) assigned to stretch a back-up line and Quint 33 (OIC Braswell) assigned to open up the roof. WIth the fire knocked down, primary search completed and ventilation accomplished, the incident was placed under control holding MCFRS units and Quint 22. Following overhaul Quint 22 returned to service approximately 2 hours later.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Missouri City Fire Marshal's Office.   

At 04:30hrs on April 16th, Tower 22 and EMS-22 with 8 personnel left quarters to attend the Memorial Service for HFD Captain James Harlow and Fire Fighter Damion Hobbs. Held at the Grace Community Church on the Gulf Freeway, fire and other emergency services personnel and apparatus from across the state and the nation showed their respects to the 2 brave men who made the supreme sacrifice in the performance of their duties to the citizens of Houston.

May we always keep the memory of Captain James Harlow and Fire Fighter Damion Hobbs alive.

This Monday evening department personnel particiapted in an automatic-aid drill with the Sugar Land Fire Department at the Fort Bend County Fire Field in Richmond, Texas. Engine 21 (OIC Towne) and Tower 22 (OIC Scoggins) participated with SLFD E03, E06 and L02 conducting fire attack, search and May Day emergencies during the course of the training. During the evolutions Engine 21 operated as Division 2 and Tower 22 as the designated R.I.T. During the simulated May Day emergency, Tower 22 and Engine 21 came together to remove the trapped crew of SLFD from a simulated Division 2 collapse.

It is training evolutions such as this that offer great opportunities for personnel to become familiar with each others apparatus and equipment as well as build relationships which prove invaluable during emergency incidents.

Tragically this Easter Sunday began with the loss of 2 brother fire fighters in the City of Houston. Captain James Harlow, a 30 year veteran, and Fire Fighter Damion Hobbs, both of 1st in Engine Co. 26, were tragically killed while conducting interior fire attack operations inside the 1 story single family dwelling in SE Houston.

The Officers and Members of the Stafford Fire Department would like to convey our prayers, sympathies and thoughts to the families of Captain Harlow and Fire Fighter Hobbs, their fellow Station 26 personnel and the entire Houston Fire Department during this difficult time.

A memorial service for Captain Harlow and Fire Fighter Hobbs will be Thursday, April 16th at Grace Community Church located at 14505 Gulf Freeway, Houston, Texas (KM 617A) beginning at 10:00hrs.

May they rest peacefully.

Today personnel of Companies 1 "B", 2 "B" and 3 "B" particiapted in live fire training at the Fort Bend County Fire Training Field in Richmond, Texas. Through the course of the day personnel participated in various scenarios to reinforce fire attack and search and rescue operations for structural fires. In addition to the reinforcement of the basics, new personnel particiapted in their first live fire training and completed their necessary training burns. Upon successful completion of other necessary skills and check off by their company officers, each will receive clearance for interior operations.

 

Unfortunatly, while operating as the door person during an evolution, FF/P  Hannah suffered a elbow injury when she fell while moving backwards for another pull of hose. Despite experiencing elbow pain and limited range of motion, FF/P Hannah completed her assignment of moving hose into the building and participated in the company debrief after the evolution before reporting her injury and seeking medical attention. FF/P Hannah was transported to Memorial Herman Sugar Land Hospital were X-rays confirmed a fracture just below the elbow.

The Officers and Members of the Stafford Fire Department would like to  wish FF/P Hannah a speedy recovery from her injury and a quick return to duty.