The Aberdeen Fire Department is proud to announce the signing of a new contract for a 2009 Pierce Arrow XT.

The following drawings are original rough drawings when we received the bid back from Pierce.

Basic information on the new engine

900 gallons water
30 gallon Class "A" foam tank
60 gallon Class "B" foam tank
Direct injection foam system
28ft extension ladder
1200ft 5" supply line
800ft 3"
3" preconnected handline
2" preconnected handline
2 - 1.75" preconnected handline's
All LED warning lights

The new engine will be designated Engine 211 and should be delivered by Thanksgiving.

We will post further drawings and also pictures when the Engine Committee makes trips to Wisconsin.

On Thursday June 25th the Aberdeen Fire Department was alerted for a 10-50 PI w/Rescue on Interstate 95 SB near MM 83.3.

Paramedic 291 was the first unit to respond, followed by Rescue 251.

Chief 1-2 (Level, Standiford) was the first on scene where he confirmed two occupants of the vehicle with entrapment w/rollover.

Paramedic 291 arrived and found that the occupants had been extricated by Chief 1-2.  Engine 212 was the first suppression piece to arrive, followed by Rescue 251.

Engine 212 and Rescue 251's secured the scene providing protection for the crews on scene and removed the hazards.  Rescue 251 and Engine 213 remained on scene cleaning up a fuel spill and until the vehicle was removed from the middle of the highway.

Engine 214 and Engine 213 also responded however staged off of the highway.

Lieutenant 2-3 (Weber) had the I-95 command.

Congratulations to FF Adam Smith on his recent completion and certification in Pumps and Aerial Apparatus Operator.

On the evening of Tuesday June 9th, 2009 Harford County (upper-end) were experiencing Severe Thunderstorms and several calls in the Jarretsville, Whiteford and Bel Air Areas.

Several working fires were being dispatched within an hour.  The Aberdeen Fire Department was struck for (3) Engines on the 333 box for a working fire dispatch on Lyndale Court.

Engine 213 went en route immediately followed by Engine 214 and Engine 215.

Engine 213's crew assisted Bel Air and surrounding companies on another house that was reported to have smoke in the attic and may have been struck by lightning.

Engine 214 and Engine 215 cleared shortly after arriving on scene.

Engine 214 later transferred to Bel Air Fire Company House 1.

On Tuesday May 26th, 2009 at 1532 hours the Aberdeen Fire Department was alerted for a Building Fire at Karing for Kids Daycare on West Bel Air Avenue.

Engine 213 went enroute immediately where dispatch advised of smoke in the building and the building was being evacuated.

Engine 213 arrived Side Alpha with nothing evident, crew entered the building where they found a small plastic toy that had burned and also a plastic bucket.  Crews investigated the fire out and checked with there thermal imaging camera for any extension.

West Bel Air Avenue Commad (Lt. 2-5 Hinch) held the assignment to Engine 213.

Engine 216/Engine 113 (Level), Truck 1231 (APGFD) also responded on the box assignment.

On Thursday May 14th, 2009 the Aberdeen Fire Department/Aberdeen Police Department held a SADD Demonstration, in partnership with the Aberdeen High School for PROM Promise.

This event had been held in numerous previous years, and was brought back again this year.

Special thanks to Albert Severn Jr. and Vickie Cunningham and the staff at Aberdeen High School.

Pictures to be posted later today!

Congratulations to FF Josh Montague for passing EMT-B.  EMT-B is a 131 hour course, requiring several hours of studying and practical training outside of classroom time to become an Emergency Medical Technician-Basic.

Josh has been working extremely hard over the last year and a half in completing FF I and Hazardous Materials Training.

Josh recently expressed interest also in the EMS side, and has been a huge addition to the AFD joining the Training Committee and mentoring new firefighters.

Way to go Josh, wishing you continued success in the future

The Aberdeen Fire Department remembers and celebrates the life of Mr. L. Keith Ford. Mr. Ford is a life member of the Aberdeen Fire Department, but to most he was a friend, a brother, and a role model. Mr. Ford may be gone however not forgotten, and his legacy with the Aberdeen Fire Department shall live on….
 
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Lawrence Keith Ford, who was a life-long resident of Perryman, dies at his home on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at the age of 78. He was born in Perryman on December 23, 1930 to the late Gretta McGuigan and Harry Grafton Ford, Sr. Keith had three siblings: Sarah Ford Ripken, Harry Grafton Ford and Sylvester Day (Bob) Ford, all of whom he survived. Keith (known as Chub or Chubby to many) is survived by his beloved wife, Nanci Radcliffe Ford, his brother-in-law, A. Oliver (Rip) Ripken, his brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Patti Lou Guerrieri and many nieces and nephews and their children.
Keith, a long standing and active member of the Harford Co. Volunteer Fire Department and a proud, retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant, retired after years of ownership and operation of first Chemical Products Company and then Paidon Products Company. He was an active parishioner of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Havre de Grace.
 
A life member of the Aberdeen Volunteer Fire Department, Mr. L. Keith Ford, was still actively responding after 59 years of service. During these years he held fire line positions of Assistant chief, Captain and Lieutenant. In recent years he was active as an engine driver. He served as president of the department a total of 17 years and vice-president for 4 years – an office he currently held.

During his tenure as President, Keith was instrumental in the construction of the main station at Franklin and Rogers Street. When the need arose in the Perryman area for a sub-station it was he who set forth to obtain new members, and eventually saw through the construction of Aberdeen's No. 4 House.

He represented Aberdeen for over 40 years as a delegate at the Annual Maryland State Firemen's Association Convention in Ocean City. He chaired a number of fund raising committees, served on three building committees and several equipment committees.
Mr. Ford enjoyed the fellowship of the fire service, and actively served the Harford-Cecil Volunteer Firemen's Association as president for two years. He represented Aberdeen in that organization over many years up to the present. He was honored by the fire service by being named to the Harford-Cecil Volunteer Firemen's Hall of Fame.

Visitation will be held at Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home, P.A. 333 S. Parke St., Aberdeen, MD from 4 to 7 P.M. on Thursday, April 30. A service for family and friends, under the direction of the Fire Department, and Chaplain Harold L. Hubble will be held at the funeral home on Friday, May 1 at 1 P.M. There will be a private (family only) interment at the Spesutia Cemetery in Perryman. Nanci, Keith's wife, respectfully requests that no flowers be sent to the funeral home or to the family home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Aberdeen Fire Department, P.O. Box 118, Aberdeen, MD 21001. Attn: House #4.

Just shortly after 10am the Aberdeen Fire Department was alerted for a Dwelling fire on Smith Ave in the 211 box.  E215 arrived just shortly after the alert to find a single story single family dwelling with heavy smoke coming from the attic.  Firefighters pulled a 2" handline with a 1 1/8" tip, quickly located the fire, and had it knocked with in minuets after arrival.

Units were on the scene for approx 2 hours.

Units on the scene

E-215, E213, R251, Truck 1231, E512, and E515 transferred to House 1.

Photos courtesy of Lt. J. Billy Lamana of the Susquehanna Hose Co.

Several past appratus photos have been uploaded to the website today.

Many thanks goes out to C.F. Morlok for his many hours of photo taking and for putting the album together.

Enjoy! If you have any questions feel free to send Fred an email, click on the Officers Tab on the left hand side.

It is with great sadness that the Aberdeen Fire Department announce the death of Dr. Fred Stemler.

Dr. Stemler joined the Aberdeen Fire Department in 1978 and was one of the very few "Original Perryman Crew" Mr. Stemler hardly ever missed a Monday Night Maintenance at #4 and was very loyal over the years to the Aberdeen Fire Department.

He could be seen behind the scenes at almost every fire prevention activity, fund raising events and always at the Annual Christmas Street at the #1 house.

Finally, was the lawn care specialist at #4 and always kept it looking good for the crew at #4.

Respects may be paid on Friday April 17th, 2009 at Grove Presbyterian Church on West Bel Air Avenue in Aberdeen at 1900 hours.

For a 2nd day in a row after the late evening dwelling fire, the Aberdeen Fire Department continued staying busy...

Beginning the day with a Motor Vehicle accident on Interstate 95, followed by a Harford Sanitation Service trash truck on fire, Engine 213 was on the scene for approximately 2 hours extinguishing the fire and assisting the Harford Sanitation Service.

During the truck fire the department was then struck for a Woods Fire in the area of the baseball fields in North Deen.

Great Job by all crews working together and getting things cleaned up from previous calls.

On Monday March 23rd, 2009 the Aberdeen Fire Department was alerted
for a Dwelling Fire at 422 Hiobs Lane.  Chief 2-1 called en-route and
was advised by dispatch of a possibly fully involved dwelling at
location.

Chief 2-1 arrived with a fully involved 3 story dwelling. Engine 212’s
crew deployed three handlines, as Chief 2-1 ordered a defensive
operation upon arrival. As units were operating on scene, command
advised of a live high tension wire, and for units to use caution,
also requesting BGE Electric Side.

Chief 2-1 then requested Tanker 121 out of Level as well as an
additional engine on the box.

They Maryland State Fire Marshal was also requested, and the cause is
under investigation.

Units were hampered early on in the attack due to the shortage of
water supply, due to this being a non-hydranted area and also high
winds.  Crews on scene set up a 5 inch line in the townhouse
development nearby and then laid the line up the lane to develop a
secondary water source in addition to the multiple engines and tankers
operating on scene.

The fire was placed under control at 2102, units operated several more
hours with extensive overhaul.

One firefighter was taken to the hospital from the scene.

Units operating on scene, Engine 212, Engine 213, Engine 214, Engine
215, Engine 216, Engine 113 (Level), Tanker 121 (Level), Supply 181
(Level), APGFD Tanker 1221, Medic 291, IV-292, Engine 415 (Abingdon-
Transfer to Company 2 House 1)

Units all cleared from the scene around 0030 hours.

Photos Courtsey of Mr. Nicewander, greatly appreciated.

On Wednesday March 11th, 2009 at approximately 0113 hours the Aberdeen Fire Department was alerted for a working Building Fire at 770 West Bel Air Avenue.

Chief 2 was immediately on the air, where he was advised by Harford County Emergency Operations that Aberdeen Police called and were investigating a burglary alarm and advised of a working fire at location.

Paramedic 292 was the first unit on the air, followed immediately by Engine 215.  Engine 212 was the first unit on scene advising smoke showing to the rear of the building.

Chief 2 requested the Maryland State Fire Marshal as well as the Harford County Building Inspector.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Maryland State Fire Marshal.  At this point a possible gas explosion is being investigated.

The fire was placed under control in 30 minutes.

Units operated on the scene for approximately 2 1/2 hours. 

Chief 2 (Reith) had the West Bel Air Avenue Command.

Units on scene working, Engine 212, Engine 213, Engine 215, Engine 216, APGFD Truck 1231, Level Engine 112, Level Engine 113, Paramedic 292

Special Thanks to Lieutenant Evan Tripplet (Level) for the pictures taken from the scene.

On Friday February 27th, 2009 the Aberdeen Fire Department was alerted for an Apartment Fire on Holly Drive.

Engine 215 immediately went enroute w/5, dispatch advised of smoke in the residence, Engine 215 arrived with smoke showing from the exterior.

Engine 215's crew pulled an 1 3/4 handline upon entering the residence found the kitchen countertop on fire, which was extinguished by the hose on the kitchen faucet.

Chief 2-1 (Hinch) held the assignment to Engine 215 and Engine 213.

Pictures will be posted later on Saturday.

The Maryland State Fire Marshal was requested to the scene, the cause of the fire is under investigation.