Multiple CALS Medics Respond to Report of a Firefighter Down
By CALS PIO
April 19, 2026
At approximately 1700 hrs on Saturday evening units in the south end of the county were alerted for the report of a house fire. Chief 10 was in the area, added himself to the call, and arrived on scene 1st, establishing command until the arrival of Chief 7. E72 arrived on scene and deployed a handline to side alpha to extinguish the fire. Crews from Co.7, Co.6, and Co.1 quickly knocked down the fire, and the initial assignment was scaled back to 2-1 with a tanker. While picking up after the fire, a firefighter on scene suffered a severe medical event and collapsed on scene. Members from Co.7 were immediately engaged in life-saving efforts along with members from CALS who were on scene. With the call for an FF down, several CALS units responded from around the county: UT10 (PMIC March), M104 (SO10 McKeever), Car10 (Capt LaVigne), and Capt Farr (POV from 3 doors down). Crews worked to resuscitate the patient and load him into a waiting ambulance for transfer to the LZ. Due to the quick reactions and efforts of the members on scene the patient was talking to the providers en route to the LZ. Maryland State Police Trooper 7 transported the firefighter to a local trauma center.
CALS and all of its members are extending their thoughts and prayers to the injured firefighter for a speedy recovery.
