Hello! I just wanted to express our thanks and appreciation for Ladder 25 and the men who came to the Church of the Redeemer Parish Day School's Fall Fair on Saturday, October 25. It was a fabulous day and the fair was a HUGE success! Everyone LOVED the engine I wanted to thank you all for taking time out of your Saturday to be there for our school. Also, I was thrilled to hear that one of the men won the money in the 50/50 raffle! Happy Holidays and thank you again to everyone involved who helped coordinate this event. Catherine Nes Gatchell - Fall Fair Chairman 2003

A near fatal fire occurred yesterday afternoon at 2117 E. Pratt Street. It was an occupied, three story brick dwelling. Units discovered heavy fire and smoke conditions upon their arrival on the scene. Through the immediate actions of responding units, the fire was quickly brought under control.

There were also several reports of persons trapped in the building. While initiating fire suppression operations, fire department members also located an unconscious, pulse-less victim and began CPR while removing the victim to safety.

Initial efforts to revive the patient appeared to be unsuccessful; however after repeated attempts by fire and EMS personnel the patient was revived. When the medic unit left the fire ground for the hospital, the patient was alert and breathing on his own.

Often, the only incidents discussed or given exposure are when there is a loss of life or severely injured individuals. We want to commend the members of Engine Company #5, Engine Company #6, Engine Company #2, Engine Company #26, Truck Company #1, Truck Company #3, Medic Unit #16 and Medic Unit #7 on a job well done.

Thank you so much for helping to make BGE's second annual Safety Day a
rousing success! The educator was FANTASTIC! He was patient with the
extremely wiggly 9-year-olds and flexible as we needed to accommodate
late-arriving pizzas. I didn't get his name and he left without his gift
and yours. I'd like to mail both. May I have your mailing address and the
Firefighter's name? The crew who came with the truck were just wonderful.
They were patient, kind and thorough. I look forward to next year!

Greta Anderson
BGE Community Services
(410) 265-4088

Hurricane Isabel Post Report

To the Members of the Baltimore City Fire Department:

It is with great pride, that Mayor Martin O'Malley, my Command Staff, and I thank you, the members of the Baltimore City Fire Department who worked during Hurricane Isabel. Through your tireless effort all calls were handled.

Because of the combined efforts of all of our divisions, from Fire Prevention, Fire Academy, E.M.S. Division, Fire Apparatus, Fire Communications, Fire Supply, and Fire Suppression we were able to endure a storm the size of which has not been seen in decades.

Our specialized units, SRO Team and Dive Team, responded to not only calls locally but also as far as east Baltimore County.

During the storm, our department fought multiple alarms of fire, downed power lines, power failures in nursing homes, emergency medical calls, and civilians trapped by flooded conditions.

Unfortunately as with the nature of our business, our department was not spared injury. The most severe was Firefighter John Williams of Truck Company 3. He is now recovering at Union Memorial Hospital. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

Words cannot express the pride I feel for you, the members of the Baltimore City Fire Department. Again on behalf of the Mayor, the Command Staff, and myself, thank you, and

May God bless you and your families.

Hats off to Captain Ronald L. Baker and the members of Truck Company #15. They did an outstanding job of painting and decorating the inside and outside of quarters. We are striving to return being a vibrant part of the community. The members on Truck 15 have demonstrated how our department can be instrumental in making a positive impact in the communities we serve.

Special thanks to Lieutenant John Ellis, Emergency Vehicle Driver Tom Tosh, Emergency Vehicle Driver Phil Gentile and Fire Fighter Gary Cromwell who worked tirelessly to complete the project.

I don't know if you are the right person to send this to but I would like to
thank some of your men for their hospitality when I visited Baltimore recently with my family. On July 17 we were taking a water taxi ride and saw some of your trucks near one of the stops. They were training. My son is very interested in fire trucks and we got off the water taxi so I could show him the trucks. I was wearing my FDNY hat and 2 of the firemen came over to talk to us. I think they were from Truck 3 and Engine 5. My son was fascinated by the tiller truck, as he had never seen one close up. They let him sit in the tiller and we took some pictures of him , and some pictures by the engine. One of your chiefs came over and introduced himself, and talked to me for a few minutes also. I think his first name was Gary, but I don't remember his last name. I would like to thank them for showing my son the trucks. They were all very kind and courteous. Thanks again.

Kenny Newman
Paramedic FDNY