Santa and His "Elves" (Deputy Fire Chief Paul Sterling, Jr. and Fire Chief James P. Seavey, Sr.) hand out toys at the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda, MD

First off, us here at Cabin John Park VFD would like to wish anyone and everybody a happy and safe 2012! As of this post, our residents have been doing a good job staying safe, so here’s hoping to a relatively “quiet” year in West Bethesda, Potomac, and Cabin John.

We’d also like to take this time to say a huge “thanks” to all those that helped out Santa by donating toys. CJPVFD collected over 600 toys! Some went to the National Center for Children and Families on Greentree Rd in Bethesda, as they have in the past. The rest of the toys were taken and given to help out the U.S. Marine’s “Toys For Tots” program.

The children were very grateful for the stop Santa made at their temporary home! We cannot wait to do this next year because we know once again our residents will be there to help us help others.

One of the older traditions at CJPVFD is back for another year! Santa will be making his way through the neighborhoods that are served by the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department! On top of passing through the neighborhoods, Santa will be collecting gifts again for a local children and families shelter. The more toys, the better as the toys are sorted for each of the children based on age and gender, but don’t worry about giving too many because all excess toys are donated to help with the “Toys For Tots” program.

Look for Santa in a neighborhood near you! Click “Continue reading” below the video of Santa’s “Sleigh” to see the schedule. PLEASE NOTE THAT SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO WEATHER AND OTHER EVENTS THAT EFFECT VOLUNTEERS. We will modify the schedule as soon as we confirm changes.

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It’s that time of year again! For countless years, The Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department has sold Christmas Trees not only to beautify the homes of area residents, but to help the department raise money for operational expenditures. This year, the department hopes to exceed the sales of last year, and build upon the expectations of quality.

Last year was the first year for the department’s newest source of trees (Douglas Fir, to be exact), and based on the overwhelming response on quality of tree, the department has chosen once again to purchase Douglas Firs the same supplier. In fact, last year the trees were so consistant in symmetry and overall quality that we had some customers even buy a tree from us after already purchasing a tree because of the poor condition of their original purchase.

Help the Department by stopping by and picking up a tree! With your purchase, you also receive our special tree preservative recipe, as well as the traditional bailing, trimming, loading, and customer service we have always provided. All purchases are considered 100% tax-deductible donations to the department.

Specific pricing information is available on site, and trees will be sold until Christmas Day, or we run out, whichever occurs first. Stop by weekday evenings, or all-day during the weekend, at Station 10 to purchase your own tree. Station 10 is located at 8001 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817. The station is two tenths of a mile west off Exit 39 of Interstate I-495, just past the intersection of Seven Locks Road and River Road. CJPVFD accepts cash or check for purchase only.

On Sunday, November 6^th, the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department held their Annual Fire Prevention Open House at the River Road Station #10.  Concurrent with the festivities was the Dedication of the Department’s Meeting Room in honor of PFC William Ronald Bissell, of the United States Marine Corps.

The Open House, held from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm, was a tremendous success, attended by over 750 members of the community.  There was a Moon Bounce, various demonstrations, a petting zoo and the display of fire and EMS apparatus from both Cabin John Park stations.  Food was provided by the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary and the Nest Restaurant Catering Division from Bethesda.

The highlight of the day, however, was the dedication of the Department’s Meeting Room, at 2:00 pm.  The colors were presented by the Cabin John Park VFD Color Guard and were accompanied by a lone bagpiper, Captain Ricky Blandford of the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Pipes and Drums.  He played the Marine Corps. Anthem, while marching through the packed room at the beginning of the ceremony. Continue reading →

All those who were corncerned about the weather ruining the Cabin John Park VFD Open House can worry no more, as the decision has been made to move back the Open House. The Open House will still take place from 10AM-5PM, however it will now be on SUNDAY NOVEMBER 6TH

One benefit of the change is that now members of the public will be more easily to attend the dedication of the CJPVFD Station 10 meeting room. After much deliberation by members of the board of directors, the decision was made to dedicate the Meeting Room, in the upstairs of the station, in honor of Ronnie Bissell. Bissell was a member of CJPVFD when he was tragically killed serving his country oversees in Vietnam.

The dedication of the meeting room will take place at 2PM, during the middle of the Open House activities. All the same activities will still be taking place – lots of opportunities for all friends and family to stop by, get an inside look at the department, and have some fun!

Members of the Hoe and Hope Garden club, after working in the less-than-favorable weather, pose for a picture with Fire Chief James P. Seavey, Sr.

Hoe and Hope Garden Club, volunteering their services to The Cabin John Park VFD, spent some time in the not so nice weather to help get the station ready for the open house.

Here’s what Chief Seavey had to say:

The ladies of the garden club braved heavy rains and thunderstorms to assist their local volunteer fire department in “sprucing” up the outdoor areas of the station for the annual invitation to visit the fire station! Our thanks go out to the ladies of Hoe and Hope Garden Club for helping to make our fire department a much more appealing part of the community!

As a reminder, the Cabin John Park VFD Open House will be taking place on Sunday October 29th from 10AM – 5PM. The department hopes to see you there! Making the station ready for the public takes a lot of time and effort, and we cannot thank the garden club enough. We know that their hard work will not go unnoticed.

Cabin John Park VFD is set to have it’s annual open house at Station 10, located at 8001 River Rd, Bethesda, MD, on Saturday, October 29th 2011. The open house will take place from 10AM-5PM. Bring all your friends and family for lots of fun activities, fire safety education and a meet in greet with the volunteers that keep Cabin John, Potomac, and West Bethesda Safe.

Press Release:

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact:
Jason Goldberg
jgoldberg710@gmail.com
(301) 379-9287

The Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department Announces 65th Annual Open House

Montgomery County, MD September 16, 2011 – The Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department announced today their 65th Annual Open House to be held on October 29, from 10am-5pm. This Annual event enables community members to become acquainted with their local firehouse and meet the firefighters and EMTs who serve them.

The 65th Annual Open House event includes free blood pressure checks, tours of the fire station, fire/rescue apparatus and much more.

“The officers and members of the Cabin John Park VFD look forward to our Annual Open House,” said Chief Paul Sterling. This is a great way to visit with members of our community in a non-emergency setting and at the same time promote fire prevention and share our facilities and equipment.”

Numerous demonstrations such as Aerial Rescue, Auto Extrication with the, “Jaws of Life,”911 Call Simulations and many more will be held throughout the day. There are also plenty of activities for children including a petting zoo, a fire-safety house, and a moon bounce.

The Open House will be located at the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department located at 8001 River Road, Bethesda, MD 20817. For more information on the Open House or any future events visit the Cabin John Park website.

About Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department:
On the 19th day of March, 1930, the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department was incorporated to “control, prevent, limit and combat damage by fire…” by Mr. Charles E. Benson and ten other founding members. The group’s first meetings were held in a room over Mr.Benson’s store. Later, as the department grew, meetings were moved to the auditorium of the Clara Barton School. Since 1930 we have grown into a large, professional volunteer department that takes pride in serving our community. The Bethesda, Potomac, and Cabin John areas have rapidly grown, and we have responded to our area’s needs by improving and expanding our emergency service. For more information, visit online at http://www.cjpvfd.com/.

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The Au Pairs lined up for a photo in front of E710

In what has become an annual event at the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department, Au Pairs from “Au Pair In America” stopped by the station. At least once a year the live-in nannies from abroad stop by to learn about fire safety and basic first aid. The classes are tailored for the Au Pairs as many of them come from foreign countries where emergency services and public safety may be handled differently than America. For example, we explain to the Au Pairs that in Montgomery County, ambulance service is completely free, and you can never be turned down from service; therefore there is never a reason not to call 911 if you think an emergency exists. CJPVFD also teaches the Au Pairs activities they can do with the children to pass on the fire safety message.

Of course it isn’t all serious business. After the fire and safety lectures the Au Pairs get a tour of the firehouse and apparatus. As well, this year they competed in races to see who could don firefighter turnout gear the fastest. The Au Pairs also took advantage of the numerous photo opportunities with the fire apparatus and equipment. CJPVFD would like to send thanks to the career firefighters of the “B” shift who assisted with the visit. A extra special thanks goes to 10-B Lieutenant Tom Cleveland who gave the fire safety lecture and also went into great detail on the operations of emergency services in Montgomery County.

If you are interested in having an Au Pair provide live-in child care at your home, please visit www.aupairinamerica.com

For those of you who live outside of the Greater Washington, D.C. Metro area, last week was a wet one. Rain lasted about week, caused by a tropical depression not too long after CJPVFD provided extra, but thankfully, unneeded, staffing for Hurricane Irene. Starting early in the week, the rain did not cause many problems, but after a couple of days already higher-than-usual rivers and streams began to exceed flooding levels – with no end in sight of the rain. Thursday the 8th was one of the busiest days in the history of the Montgomery County Fire & Rescue and CJPVFD River Rescue and Tactical Support (RRATS) teams.

Despite numerous requests posted online and on advertised over local media by MCFRS to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” many people still attempted to cross water in the roadways, and soon realized the dangers of flash flooding. Early in the day, a dramatic rescue unfolded as told by NBC4:

This was not the only rescue for RRATS. Later that day, several more rescues for people trapped in submerged vehicles across the county from Cabin John, to Germantown, to Silver Spring. Luckily, thanks to significant planning by MCFRS Special Operations, working in coordination with the volunteer fire departments of Montgomery County, extra staffing (both career and volunteer) was called in to prepare for the rising water levels, and teams were placed at Cabin John Stations 10 & 30, as well as Hillandale Station 12 and MCFRS Station 34 (Germantown, Milestone). Germantown VFD and Sandy Spring VFD also had extra river rescue members on standby.

Other events of note include the transfer of Strike Team 710 to Fairfax County to help in the event Fairfax resources were further taxed, and the transfer of Strike Team 712 to the Forrestville area of Prince George’s County to help with their flooded roads:

Strike Team 712 comprised of resources from Station 10 in Forrestville, Prince George's County to assist with flood levels. Click the photo to see more photos and read about flooding in PG. (Photo by Mark Brady, PGFD Public Information Officer)

Now that we are back to sunny days down here in Cabin John, we still ask that when mother nature provides significant rainfall, it is important that you do not attempt to cross water in roadways. It may not be possible to tell how deep the water is, and even if the water is low, the level can quickly rise.

Better late the never! Here is the press release regarding the new Ambulance 710 (2010 Ford E-450/Horton) being placed in service

For Immediate Release

July 28, 2011

Ambulance 710, a 2010 Ford E-450/Horton, has been placed in service

Fire Chief James P. Seavey, Sr. and Department President Lee Hunter, along with the entire membership of the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department are proud to announce that a new Ambulance 710 has been placed in service.  The new unit is a Horton Concept III built on a 2010 Ford E-450 chassis. While this unit is markedly different from the other current county-owned Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) units, it is able to preform to the same standards.

Defining features of the unit include the electrical control system aimed at easy-of-use and low learning curve and energy efficient technologies. Specifically, the new energy efficient features such as 100% LED compartment lighting and emergency lighting mean that the unit does not have to idle at high engine speeds as often to preserve battery charge, resulting in increased fuel savings.

Paid for primarily in donations given to the department, this unit was chosen for it’s low cost to build as a result of pre-designed specification. While most departments are fearful of apparatus not built to specifications for the jurisdiction in which they will operate, Cabin John Park VFD and committees assigned to the procurement of a new ambulance had no problem choosing a Horton built ambulance on a Ford F-450 chassis as this style of unit has gone above and beyond the call of duty in District of Columbia Fire and EMS. Already this unit has proved that it is up to the call of duty in the Cabin John, West Bethesda, and Potomac areas – and while some of the changes require adjustment, most are welcome.

Step inside the patient compartment, and most users immediately notice how much larger the workspace is compared to MCFRS units. Most find it hard to believe that the available patient space is much larger in a unit built on Ford Econoline chassis compared to a medium-duty commercial chassis as the current MCFRS units are. Also, the lower-profile Econoline chassis means that complicated air lowering systems so that patients can be loaded and unloaded are not needed, resulting in lower chance of the unit going out of service. With more of a focus on the patient by design, Ambulance 710 is truly a unit for the citizens that helped pay for it.

The department would like to thank go out to Retired Chief Robert Hook, with his assistance in the purchase of Ambulance 710. Also, much needed thanks go to Captain Corinne Mann and Firefighters Harrison Wilson and Alex Cederbaum, as well as all the volunteers at station 10 for their work for making this unit ready for service.

Contact:

Fire Chief James Seavey, Sr. at 301-252-5315

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Feel free to let us know if you spot the unit, or take pictures/video of the unit on a call, responding to a call, or just around town.