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Severe Weather Leads to a Surge of Responses
By Safety Officer Brad Saunders
July 2, 2024
On June 30th at approximately 8 pm, severe weather moved through the area bringing rain, high winds, and hail subsequently leaving a path of storm damage. During that timeframe, Hughesville Volunteers responded to over 20 emergencies in Hughesville and local areas, including two structure fires, one shed fire, multiple wires/trees down and several other emergency calls. Prince Frederick Road was shut down for several hours due to electric lines being down that started several spot fires in the woods along the roadway. During the storm Hughesville staffed four units; Squad 2, Engine Tanker 2, Tanker 2 and Brush 2. Chief 2B was also available assisting with calls.
Squad 2 responded to a structure fire and the shed fire were in Waldorf. While on the shed fire, a structure fire was dispatched on Plumage Ln within Hughesville's first due. Engine Tanker 2 and Tanker 2 responded, while Squad 2 responded from another location. Engine Tanker 2 arrived to find a single family home with light smoke showing. The crew discovered a small fire in the basement wall in the area of an electrical outlet. The fire was quickly extinguished and smoke removed from the home. Units continued to provided emergency and non emergency services as a result of the storm throughout Hughesville until the following morning around 8 am.
Due to the high volume of calls, surrounding units assisted with providing services in our first due. Hughesville VFD would like to thank our automatic aid and mutual aid partners for the assistance during the storms. Hughesville residents received assistance from Mechanicsville VFD, Benedict VFD, Waldorf VFD, PGFD, Marbury VFD, Bryans Road VFD, Dentsville VFD and La Plata VFD. Chief 17 and Chief 15 were also in the Hughesville area assisting with the multiple incidents.
We would also like to thank Bryans Road VFD for filling in while units operated on the first due structure fire.
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Lighten the duties of your officers and chiefs using skilled administrative members who want to help but not respond to calls