Hey,
A Prince George’s County Firefighter is hospitalized in
“good” condition after sustaining an electrical shock inside his
Fire/EMS Station. On Wednesday evening, February 1, the career firefighter
was unplugging a shoreline from a fire engine at the Beltsville Fire/EMS
Station 831 when the incident occurred.
“good” condition after sustaining an electrical shock inside his
Fire/EMS Station. On Wednesday evening, February 1, the career firefighter
was unplugging a shoreline from a fire engine at the Beltsville Fire/EMS
Station 831 when the incident occurred.
A shoreline is a heavy-duty electrical cord that carries an electrical
charge from a fixed outlet in the station to a piece of Fire/EMS equipment.
The shoreline power charge, 120 volts, is used when a unit is turned off and a
continuous electric charge is needed to maintain the heavy-duty battery system
and for electrical components on-board the fire/EMS apparatuses that require a “trickle”
charge while the unit is not operating.
charge from a fixed outlet in the station to a piece of Fire/EMS equipment.
The shoreline power charge, 120 volts, is used when a unit is turned off and a
continuous electric charge is needed to maintain the heavy-duty battery system
and for electrical components on-board the fire/EMS apparatuses that require a “trickle”
charge while the unit is not operating.
The firefighter and other crew members were preparing to leave the station
for training when he was in the process of disconnecting the shoreline from the
fire engine. It appears the wires pulled away from the protective housing
where the shoreline is connected to the piece of apparatus. The exposed
wires came in contact with the firefighters arm causing an electrical shock
that was powerful enough that he was thrown to the engine room floor.
for training when he was in the process of disconnecting the shoreline from the
fire engine. It appears the wires pulled away from the protective housing
where the shoreline is connected to the piece of apparatus. The exposed
wires came in contact with the firefighters arm causing an electrical shock
that was powerful enough that he was thrown to the engine room floor.
Advanced Life Support paramedics from the nearby Calverton Fire/EMS Station
#841 responded and together with personnel from Beltsville Fire/EMS Station
#831 transported the injured firefighter to the Burn Unit at Washington
Hospital Center where he currently remains.
#841 responded and together with personnel from Beltsville Fire/EMS Station
#831 transported the injured firefighter to the Burn Unit at Washington
Hospital Center where he currently remains.
The injured firefighter experienced an inability to move his right hand with
an accompanying loss of sensation and disorientation. The firefighter
remains hospitalized at least through tonight as he still has not regained
feeling in his hand and arm. His condition will be re-assessed in the
morning.
an accompanying loss of sensation and disorientation. The firefighter
remains hospitalized at least through tonight as he still has not regained
feeling in his hand and arm. His condition will be re-assessed in the
morning.
Battalion Chief Joe Cardello stated, “Captain Kilpatrick (Injured
firefighters supervisor) and I, along with the leadership of the Prince
George’s County Fire/EMS Department and the Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department,
have, and will remain in constant contact with the injured firefighter to
ensure that he has what he needs and that he remains in good spirits.”
firefighters supervisor) and I, along with the leadership of the Prince
George’s County Fire/EMS Department and the Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department,
have, and will remain in constant contact with the injured firefighter to
ensure that he has what he needs and that he remains in good spirits.”
Prince George’s County Fire Chief Marc Bashoor remains in contact with the
hospital and command staff personnel on the condition of the firefighter.
He plans on visiting the firefighter later today. He stated, ”Our
thoughts and prayers are with the injured firefighter and his family.
This incident demonstrates the hazards of our job as firefighters extends well
beyond the fire ground.”
hospital and command staff personnel on the condition of the firefighter.
He plans on visiting the firefighter later today. He stated, ”Our
thoughts and prayers are with the injured firefighter and his family.
This incident demonstrates the hazards of our job as firefighters extends well
beyond the fire ground.”
The injured firefighter is currently in Room 28, Wing 3E, in
the Burn Unit at Medstar. Thanks to Prince George’s County Fire/EMS
Chief Spokesperson Mark Brady for these details.
the Burn Unit at Medstar. Thanks to Prince George’s County Fire/EMS
Chief Spokesperson Mark Brady for these details.
Take Care-BE CAREFUL.
BillyG
The Secret List 2-2-12 / 1205 Hours
