| On Wednesday February 24th, Volunteers from the New Market District Volunteer Fire Company were presented with a Unit Citation Award from the Frederick County Fire & Rescue Services Fire Chief, Chief Owens. Also in attendance were members from the FCSO, MSP Aviation Command, Boat-2's Crew, DFRS Staff Officers, DFC Leatherman(FCFRS) and DFC Coe(FCFRS). Our members are very excited and privileged to receive recognition for their hard work and effort from the Lake Linganore Dam Rescue back on July 21st, 2015. The Unit Citation reads as follows:
"On Saturday July 27, 2015, at 1834 hours, units from New Market District Volunteer Fire Department, Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company, Spring Ridge Fire Station, Junior Fire Company, Woodsboro Fire Department and Frederick County Advanced Life Support were alerted for a Water Rescue at Eaglehead Dam in Lake Linganore. 911 callers reported that a boat had gone over the dam and that subjects were trapped in the raging waters. Numerous reports advised that there were up to nine people in the water in need of rescue. Additional resources were immediately requested to assist in the rescue.
Upon the arrival of units from Station 15, it was confirmed that there were a total of nine people in the water requiring rescue. Crews from Company 15 collaborated with the Frederick County Sheriff's Office to execute the rescue of a citizen who was clinging to a rock at the bottom of the spillway and in imminent danger. Shore based personnel were able to get a life ring to the citizen, allowing Assistant Chief Matthew Thews and Sergeant Zachary Kline to complete the in-water rescue.
Resources from Company 15 continued to work toward developing and executing rescue plans for the remaining subjects in peril. The crew from Boat-2 safely ferried four subjects who were trapped on the west side of the dam. Maryland State Police's Trooper 3 performed a hoist extrication of three remaining viable subjects. Fire Department personnel operated at the scene for over seven hours that night and in all, eight citizens were rescued and one victim succumbed to drowning.
This unit citation is being presented to recognize the quick and decisive actions of the personnel who contributed to the positive outcome of the incident." |
