This is critical update and information on a significant incident that occurred less than 2 hours ago – when Engine 707 was struck on the Beltway. First and Foremost – All Montgomery Count (MD) Fire Rescue personnel are OK and un-injured. Engine 707 was responding to a crash on the Beltway and had just arrived blocking in lane 1 and 2 behind a Sherriff vehicle. As the crew was about to exit the rig, a vehicle nearly collided with the engine and swerved into lane 3. The E-4 firefighter was able to exit the engine, while the other 3 remained in the cab, and talk to the Sherriff Deputy and determine the nature of the original crash when the sheriff yelled watch out. The warning was for a car that then struck the left rear corner of Engine 707. The estimated time from positioning on scene to being struck is 3 to 4 minutes….!
The driver of the striking car was transported priority 3.
With the current weather and road conditions being slushy, slippery, snow, sleet, and ice everyone needs to take extra care and caution. This part of the Beltway along with other roads have blind curves and are notoriously for incidents like this. The apparatus damage can be repaired – it provided the safety buffer the crew, the sheriff, and original motorist needed. Please call for extra resources for roadway safety. Please take the extra moments to assess safety before exiting the rig. Please continuously balance risk and benefit.