Oxford Fire Company, Inc.
Hurrican Earl Update for 9-01-10
Talbot DES General Awareness Update - Hurricane Earl...
13:00 Hrs. September 1, 2010
1. Threat - "General Awareness Only"
2. Forecast remarks - The National Hurricane Center (NHC) continues to issue advisories on Major Hurricane Earl... located about 17 miles ENE of San Salvador and 725 miles SSE of Cape Hatteras North Carolina. (25.1N 72.1W). NHC is advising Earl has maximum sustained winds of 125 mph and is expected to remain a major hurricane with some minor fluctuation in wind speed over the next 48 hours. With regard to the forecast track (NW or 320 degrees at 17 mph) the storm is expected remain on a northwest track for the immediate future. Hurricane Warnings have been issued for the coast from Bogue Inlet North Carolina to North Carolina/Virginia border. A Hurricane Watch has be issued from the North Carolina/Virginia border to Cape Henlopen Delaware.
3. Regional Coordination - NWS Updates, Delmarva Task Force Daily Conference Calls, Level Two EOC operations
4. Winds and Tides -N/A
5. Local Sheltering Issues - None
6. Local Evacuation Issues - None
7. Communications - Current - Primary updates to key personnel by email and Department of Emergency Services Updates
8. Public Communications - Public media outlets directly from the National Weather Service
9. Other - General information only. Please continue to monitor this storm closely. The NHC forecast track continues to put the Delmarva just out of the cone margin of error. Any affects of the storm are forecast to be in our area sometime very late Thursday and early Friday. The storm track remains slightly to the east of yesterday's forecast. There are still questions as to the storms exact track and it could potentially track further west and closer to the coast. If this is the case it could have a more significant impact on Talbot County. Earl remains a dangerous storm. Emergency Management personnel continue to follow Earl's progress and are meeting with appropriate agencies making initial plans should the storm turn more westward.
It is also important that all parties keep their eyes on the tropics. As indicated on the Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook there are other systems lined up which we should be closely monitoring.
Annual Fund Drive Update
The Oxford VFD would like to thank everyone who continues to support our fundraising efforts. In the very near future we will resume our annual appeal for donations.
In 2004, the Fire Department suspended its annual fund drive to kick off a Capital Campaign to upgrade its facilities to better serve its residents. Because of your support, we have a modern new facility, which is also an aesthetically pleasing landmark for Oxford. We know by the support you gave us for this Campaign that you value the services that the Oxford Volunteer Fire Department is able to provide to our community as your local fire department.
Although many residents are continuing to fulfill their Capital Campaign pledges made in 2004, support for the Fire Department’s Annual Fund has declined. The Annual Fund drive helps the Fire Department’s operating budget from year to year. While we have appreciated your generous support over the years, without the annual support of every resident, we cannot continue to provide the excellent volunteer fire, rescue and emergency services that have been our hallmark for over 89 years.
Should you wish to share your time and talent with us by volunteering, either in an administrative or operational capacity, please visit our membership page or leave a message at 410-226-5110 to begin the process of joining our team.
Station 20 Recieves a $2,200.00 DNR Grant
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Service awarded its 2010 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants to 50 local volunteer fire departments across the State. The projects, to be funded in 15 Maryland counties, will assist volunteer fire companies with increasing capacity for wildland fire suppression needs in rural communities."The Volunteer Fire Departments in our State are critical to ensuring the safety of Maryland families," said Governor Martin O'Malley. "I am heartened that we are able to support the work of these courageous volunteers and the lives, property and resources they protect."
Projects to be funded include wildland personal protective equipment, skid units for building brush trucks, replacing small diameter fire hose, upgrading communications equipment, purchase of class A foam and other equipment to enhance wildfire suppression.
"The volunteer fire departments play a vital role in assisting our agency in protecting communities from wildfires," said DNR State Fire Supervisor Monte Mitchell. "These grants help the volunteer fire departments increase their effectiveness and safety in combating wildland fires in Maryland."
Grant funds provided by the USDA Forest Service funded 50 applications this year for $104,615 in match-funding to complete $259,617 in total project cost. The maximum grant award equaled 50 percent of the total project cost with a maximum of $3,000 grant per department.
Station 20 trains with MSP Aviation
On Thursday July 15, 2010 Station 20 personnel conducted company level training relating to Station 20's SOG's for the establishment and safety of helicopter landing zones (LZ's). After the SOG review was completed crews went to the Causeway Park and establised an LZ. Soon thereafter, MSP Trooper 6 arrived and a tour of the aircraft was led by Flight Paramedic / Trooper LeCompte. The information presented by the aircrew was invaluable and the membership thanks MSP and Trooper 6 for their time and expertise.
Photo Courtesy of Tim Kearns, OVFD
Tanker 20 assists with a Structure Fire on Cod's Point Rd.
July 1, 2010 - At approximately 2:00 PM Talbot Center dispatched Station 30 (Trappe), Station 60 (Easton), Paramedic 93 and Dorchester County Station 01 (Rescue Fire Co.) for a working house fire at the end of Cods Point Road. Chief 30 (R.D. Diefenderfer) arrived on location to find a two story house well involved and established “Cods Point” command. Crews battled the structure fire as well as heavy extension into the surrounding woods, for approximately two hours before command placed the situation under control.
The Maryland State Fire Marshall’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
Units on scene: Chief 30, Engine 39, Tanker 36, Brush 35, Tanker 61, Rescue 61, Engine 67, Brush 66, Tanker 20 and Paramedic 93
Photo Courtesy of Bruce Secrist, FITHP
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Boat 20 assists with a Water Rescue
On Thursday June 17, 2010 at 15:42 hrs Station 20 was alerted to assist Dorchester County Station 1 (Cambridge) for a report of a boat capsized with subjects in the water in the area of the Malkus Bridge. Boat 20 responded with a crew of 5 and assisted Boat 1 (RFC) with retreiving the capsized vessel. The vessel's occupants were picked up by an alert boater prior to the fire department's arrival and taken safely to shore. Boat 20 cleared the incident at 16:26 hrs.
Photo courtesy of: Star Democrat, Erin Fluharty, Photographer
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| 2010 Call Statistics | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
| 14 | 31 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 21 |
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