We are raffling off a leather helmet and a survivor light. The winners will be drawn at the bull roast. You do not need to be present to win. Tickets are $1 each see any member or contact the station to get yours.

For those of you that would like tickets but are unable to make it by the station or are out of the area, here is how you can obtain some. Send a self addressed stamped envelope with a check or money order made out to Ritchie Volunteer Fire Department. Along with the number of tickets wanted. You can mix tickets so you can get either just helmet tickets or Stream light tickets or some of both. Send it to 1415 Ritchie Marlboro Rd. Capitol Heights MD, 20743. Your tickets will be mailed out to you. Again you do not have to be present at the Bull Roast to win. If the winner is not present we will contact them with the information provided as well as being posted on our website at www.ritchie37.com

At 0943 Hours Engine 371 was dispatched in the area of Ritchie Marlboro Rd and White House Rd for the MVC with one reported trapped. Engine 371 went with 8 and arrived in the 2000 Blk of Ritchie Marlboro Rd to find a head on collision with one pinned. The crew stretched a hand line for extrication, started patient care, and used some hand tools to gain access to the patient prior to the arrival of Rescue Squad 27 (Morningside). Once the Squad arrived, the Engine Crew assisted with various tasks including stabilization, tool set up, and extrication. After helping remove all 4 doors, the roof, and rolling the dash, the patient was transferred to EMS personnel and was transported to a local Trauma center.

At approximately 0227 hrs the Truck Company was alerted to 13013 Boykin Pl in company 46's area for a reported house fire. The box alarm consisted of Engine Companies 46,20,23 and 43 Truck Companies 37 and 33, Rescue Squad 18. Truck 37 responded with 4 volunteers as the first due special service. Engine Company 46 arrived with a two story single family dwelling with fire showing. Truck 37 arrived just after Engine 461 and performed their duties as the Truck company. Horizontal and vertical ventilation, venting and clearing windows. Performing searches of the first and second floor. The bulk of the fire was knocked down in a matter of minutes and command held Engine companies 46 and 20, Truck company 37 and Tower ladder 33. The truck cleared two hours later. 

At 0310 hrs, the Box was struck for 906 Enterprise Rd in Company 46's area for the house fire. This brought the Engine with 7 as the 2nd due Engine and the Truck with 6 as the 1st due Truck. Engine Company 46 arrived on the scene with fire showing from the roof. Engine 371 arrived to pick up Engine 46's line and stretched a back up line and had the first water on the fire. Truck 37 arrived just behind the Engine going to work splitting into two teams. The outside team threw every ladder off of the truck, vented the roof, cleared windows, and controlled the utilities. The inside team conducted a primary and secondary search of the building, both proving negative, while opening up for the Engine companies. The fire was knocked down in 20 minutes and command scaled it back to two engines and three special services. The company cleared 4 hours later.

At 1620 hrs the box assignment was dropped for 3219 Chester Grove Rd for smoke in the house. This brought the Engine Company with 5 Volunteers and the Truck Company also with 5. Engine Company 23 arrived reporting "Nothing Evident".   Engine and Truck 37 arrived right behind 23, the Truck Company forced the door to find moderate smoke conditions in the house. After further investigation, Company 37 found the fire via the T.I.C. (Thermal Imaging Camera) behind the wall. The power was isolated to the house and the fire was extinguished. Units cleared 30 minutes later.

Just after picking up dinner from Ledo's and clearing the box in District Heights, the box alarm was sounded for 10131 Prince Pl. in Company 46s area. This sent Truck 37 as the first due ladder with 5 VOLUNTEERS. Engine 46 arrived with a 3 story apartment building reporting smoke showing, the truck took a position on side alpha and split into 2 teams. While the exterior team threw multiple ground ladders and ran cord-reels,fans and lights the officer was given interior by command they opened up did a primary of the fire floor and quickly scaled it back to Truck 37 and the engine from 46.

As the crew from Ritchie started figuring out dinner a box alarm was struck for 6849 Holly Berry Ct. in District Heights for a reported townhouse on fire. Ambulance 269 arrived first and reported a couple of porches off in the rear, Truck 37 arrived as first arriving special service and went to work checking for extension. No extension was found in the two town houses. The Truck cleared in 30 minutes and headed to dinner.

Just before 1500 hrs. Truck 37 was dispatched as the third due special service to 5604 Miles Dr. in Oxon Hill for the reported house fire.  First arriving units reported fire show from a single family home.  Truck 37 arrived as the second due special service, but was given the R.I.T duties.  The crew threw ladders to side C and cleared windows to provide egress points.  A short time later command requested the Task Force.  This brought Engine 371 as the first due engine on the task force.  The Engine and Truck were deployed to division 1 and 2 where they finished extinguishing hot spots and performing overhaul.  The units operated on the scene for three hours.

Life member Mike Crigger and his wife Michelle welcomed Jackson David Crigger into the world early Saturday morning.  Mom and baby are home and doing fine.  The officers and members want to congratulate Mike and Michelle.  Oh and we can't forget Mike's father Dave also a life member and his wife Kelly on becoming a Grandparents.

As the company was going over the riding assignments, the box was dropped for 2212 Anvil Ln for the basement fire. The assignment consisted of Engine companies 29,42,27 and 26 Truck companies 21 and 37, and Squad 22. Engine 291 Arrived with a 2 story middle of the row town home with fire showing side charlie. Truck 37 arrived side charlie with fire showing from the basement, first and second floors. Truck 37 was assigned exposure D then re-assigned to the second floor, where the truck was met with fire without the protection of a hoseline, the truck company did a primary and secondary search. The truck driver laddered the roof and made a 4x4 hole in the roof while the outside vent man and hookman threw ladders to exposure B and D and to the fire building.  Command held 29,42,27,37,26 and 21 we cleared 3 hours later.  All photos courtesy of Jim Davis pgfdfire.com