Dundalk Fire Station Heroes Recognized

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The Dundalk Fire Station will never forget Feb. 10, 2010 when its building caught on fire the day of the blizzard. Fortunately there were no fatalities, as the quick work of 13 firefighters and EMS personnel and two Maryland National Guard members prevented the incident from becoming a major tragedy. A ceremony was held to honor the firefighters and guard members at the Dundalk Fire Station, which is reopened for service. This is a nightmare that has turned into a dream come true, Baltimore County Fire Chief John Hohman said about the brave heroics of the members of the fire station. They didnt have time to react as the firefighters were sleeping on Feb. 10 at 2:40 a.m. They awoke to a fire in the engine bay that destroyed a brand-new $600,000 fire engine, a brush unit, a medic unit and a National Guard Humvee. Station personnel were able to save two fire engines and one medic unit. County Executive Smith is proud of the effort. You had enough presence of mind to go out and drag the hose to the fire hydrant and put out the fire. Even so, in seven minutes the roof collapsed, he noted. That meant the fire station had to find a new home and they did that same afternoon. The Dundalk Fire Station relocated and opened at Sollers Point High School before moving back home on Feb. 25. It reminds us how dangerous it isbeing a firefighter. We are lucky there were no fatalities, said County Councilman John Olszewski, Sr. Actually the blizzard might have been a blessing in disguise because the fire station was filled with a full staff of firefighters and National Guard members that were prepared to help citizens during the blizzard. Instead, they had to take care of business in their own building. Once again our fire stations in Baltimore County prove they are the finest in the nation, Councilman Joe Bartenfelder said. The County Executive presented Hero Pins to the following individuals:

• Captain Frederick L. Burkhardt, Dundalk Station 6B
• Fire Apparatus Driver Operator Dana A. Pack, Dundalk Station 6B
• PM Brandee L. Palmer, Dundalk Station 6B
• PEMT Adam M. Reininger, Dundalk Station 6B * PM/FF Samuel E. Abrams, Dundalk Station 6B
• EMT Ginger M. Diegert, Dundalk Station 6B
• PFF Thomas L. Kimbel, Dundalk Station 6B
• EMT/FF Tracey D. Henry, Dundalk Station 6B
• PM/FF Stephanie A. Valencia, Dundalk Station 6C
• PM/FF Jamie M. LaRoque, Dundalk Station 6C
• EMT/FF Ryan P. Downey, Dundalk Station 6C
• Fire Apparatus Driver Operator Jeremy M. McDonnell, Dundalk Station 6C
• Lieutenant David R. Westbrook, Dundalk Station 6E
• Staff Sgt. Ed Graham, Maryland National Guard
• Specialist Sherie Peeks, Maryland National Guard