Firefighting History of Washington DC

Just released our third or Part 3 if you will eBook on the History of Fire Rescue in Washington DC. Originally one work (of over 100 pages) it was broken into 3 parts. The latest covers World War II to Present Day. Company organizations and movements, new stations, changes at the top, major incidents as well as other milestones of development in our Nations Capital. No photos as yet but plan to add some eventually (contact me if you have any you would like to contribute). Go to our storefront to order.

Rescue Wagons of B-CC RS

Here is a topic of great interest to me and I am sure many others. One I have managed to wrangle through at times even getting confused with the various wagons over the years. Hopfully I have it straight and welcome any input or additions. This is Part 1 of a series.

The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad (B-CC RS) serving Montgomery County Maryland has quite a history of rescue trucks over the years. This emergency ambulance and rescue service entity formed in 1937 as the Chevy Chase First Aid Corps based in Upper Northwest Washington DC. With the nation's entry into World War II, service was suspended as its members enlisted for military service promising to return after the war. They did just that in 1945, this time moving to Bethesda re-titling as the Bethesda-Chevy Chase First Aid Corps later Rescue Squad.



1947 photo from bccrs.org



Their first rescue truck went in service that year, an unknown make (maybe GMC) all red parcel van. Reported as an ex airport vehicle this as shown in the picture (photo dated 1947 from bccrs.org) had four spotlights and a loud speaker on the roof.

Photo from bccrs.org

In 1955 the squad adds its first "new" and rescue wagon. This is a stout looking all white, two-door GMC with unknown make about 10-foot half canopy covered compartmented body. In the photo at right it is seen backing into their Fairmont Avenue home previously of the short lived VFD of Bethesda. (not to be confused with the Bethesda FD a different and precedant entity).



Factory photo courtesy
Warren Jenkins



In 1962, comes an imposing looking two-door cab-over Mack "N". This is a Budd cab similar to the Ford "C" instead with a bulldog. It was matched to a Bruco three-quarter enclosed 16-foot walk-in compartmented body with driver's side entry door, (look closly under middle window) forward crew seats looking out windows over the cab plus three spotlights on each side in the step up area behind the enclosed section.  Designated Rescue 19 this replaced the GMC that reportedly went to Upper Darby Pennsylvania. It however proves problematic as soon after portions of the new Capital Beltway open with 65-75 mph speeds and the truck as I have been told was slow off the line.



From MIke Sanders collection



In 1964, the squad makes some changes adding a small four-door International "1700" with Baker one-third covered and compartmented utility body this as Rescue 18.



Robert Washburn photo
courtesy of Warren Jenkins



This light duty rescue is likely for interim use while Rescue 19 has it's Bruco body remounted matched with a two-door new '64 GMC "6000". This truck could "move" as I in spite of my youth at the time can attest. Sadly it's over cab windows were covered as the new cab is taller.

In part 2 we will cover the mammoth Kenworths that follow.

New Works Now Available

Just loaded onto our storefront are two new history works. The History of Arlington County Virginia and its Fire Rescue Service also covering Reagan National Airport and Fort Myer and the History of Washington DC and its Fire Rescuie Service (part 2) 1871 to World War II also covering its applicable federal departments. Neither have photos added so anyone wishing to submit (must be credited to pixer) drop me an email.

In other news the Alexandria FD has in service two new daytime staffed medic units. Medic 213 and Medic 214 are kept at Stations 2 and 9 and are in service daytime only from 7 am to 6 pm. When in service both move westward covering as needed calls usually in station 6, 7 and 8's districts. Medic 213 covers Sunday to Wednesday with Medic 214 covering Wednesday to Saturday. BOTH are in serivce Wednesdays as front line units are in training. These new International, Hortons are painted in black over red livery a striking change for Alex.

Update on the Updates

With all the recent updates and new additions to the storefronmt seems it was not "digesting" them. That has been remedied and the RR Storefront now shows all the latest works and features as it should. We have also just added a back by popular demand item the DC Firehouse Guide. This lists ALL the known firehouses in Washington DC including old vollie sheds and the various federal deprtaments. Under each is a list of assigned companies and units when they came and went. Stay tuned for a new roster covering the Eastern Shore of Virginia that is Accomack and Northampton Counties plus more history ebooks.

New & Updated Rosters

This is to let everyone know we have updated the DC Maryland Metro Roster as well as added the Southern Maryland Roster. Other updates (Baltimore Annapolis, NoVa Metro) and new releases (DC History, Arlington County VA History plus Lower Delmarva Roster) are to follow so stay tuned. Log onto the RR Storefront or check back here.

Rescue 607, Station 6 & Other Updates

Some updates on both side of the bay. In Loudoun County Virginia, the Middleburg VFD sought to get out of the rescue truck business. As a result, their 2007 Pierce "Dash" was removed from Station 3. Restripped and relettered it has been assigned as Rescue Squad 607 at the Aldie VFD Station 7 going in service November 16. (Thanks to Mike Sanders for use of his photo) The new squad is housed in a small shed built in front of the currently cramped Station 7 that is slated for replacement. The squad is cross staffed by the engine crew or available volunteers. See Firepics.net for more complete coverage and additional photos.

In Wicomico County, the Parsonsburg VFCo moved ot its new Station 6 on November 7. The new address is 33030 Old Ocean City Road just east of the old firehouse. See previous postings for my most current photo otherwise check out Parsonsburgfire.com. In Dorchester County, the East New Market VFD has also moved to its new Station 21. It is believed located at 4020 Route 392 south of town. Check this link EastNewMarketvfd.com for details.

As an FYI for Historic Works I have posted on the storefront my latest Ebook The Chronological History of Washington DC and its Fire Protection from Early Beginnings to 1871. This includes updated info on the volunteer companies and the Navy Yard's protection also covering Georgetown up through the Washington City FD and Government FD (Civil War) years onto formation of the DCFD. Some images are included . If anyone would like to allow use of their images in this or any other work please email me. Check out the strorefront at this Link

Station Apps Roster & History Book Update

I first off I want to thank everyone for their orders and ongoing support. Also want to update everyone on goings on with the rosters and histories. I have for some weeks been working on a web site with all works rosters and histories available as downloadable e-books. Select, pay, press button and bingo you have it then and there. Seems the old man is not as techno savvy as once was hence the site is as yet "operational". I still plan to get 'er going hopefully within the month (mid June) so stay tuned. My first error was choosing the wrong hosting service as the site did not do what I wanted it to.

As for the rosters, we are updating all for this spring DC Metro Maryland, Baltimore-Annapolis, NoVa Metro and Southern Maryland. Plan as well to be coming out with a Lower Delmarva covering Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset Counties including of course Ocean City.

In the history book department, we have a number of new releases pending. A General History on Alrington County and Fairfax County plus smaller works on History of Ladder Trucks in Fairfax County plus History of Rescue Trucks and Special Units in Fairfax County. The latter two, albeit short and sweet also have photos. Hopefully some pics will also be added to the other works as well. Stay tuned for history works on PG County as well. For now, purchases are still at the Ebay Store but do stay tuned as were gonna get one line eventually. -Rusty