3-26-2024 4:05am

LOCAL BLAZE VIDEO

FIREFIGHTER MAYDAY
Retail Auto Parts Store Fire

On the evening of July 18, 2023, the Baltimore County (Maryland) FD responded to a commercial building fire at the Advance Auto Parts store in Reisterstown

.Literally from the first 9-1-1 call to dispatch to turnout to arrival and operations, the department faced numerous and very significant challenges.

During this working fire, Fire Lieutenant Michael Dennis became disoriented within the smoke-filled structure. Within moments, Fire Captain Joshua Levin located him inside the structure and identified the need to initiate buddy-breathing; this event was the first successful deployment in a real-world emergency according to MSA. The efforts of many on the fireground that evening led to their safe removal from the building under very severe circumstances.

In the eight months since this fire, an After Action Review Team including internal and external personnel and SME’s, have examined every detail of the incident through a lens of survival, safer operations, and continuous improvement.

We are sharing this video & report with you, with the encouragement and support of the Baltimore County FD, their IAFF local, their Volunteer Association, and of course, Fire Chief Joanne Rund and staff.

NOTE ABOUT THIS FIRE: While EVERY after-action close call and LODD report is critical, this one highlights the kind of fire that is a low frequency, high risk event…meaning commercial fires are infrequent but create numerous non-residential fire challenges.

The After Action Review Team created a companion video which is linked below. This video provides the personal account of Lieutenant Dennis and Captain Levin in their own words. Additionally, you will find a clear overview of the events that unfolded that night to understand how this fire- and the ensuing firefighting tactics- progressed.We recommend reviewing the video first, before reading the report, as it will give you additional context regarding this event.

WATCH THE VIDEO: https://youtu.be/J5MHj61Gxzo

READ THE REPORT: Advance Auto Parts AAR

Thanks to Lieutenant Dennis and Captain Levin for sharing their message with EVERY FIREFIGHTER, FIRE OFFICER & CHIEF…as the vulnerability in sharing their story should serve as an inspiration and learning opportunity for all of us. Thanks also for the honesty and cooperation exhibited by all their members who responded to the incident, including those intimately involved in the MAYDAY.

This is another outstanding opportunity for us all to learn what your Brother & Sister Firefighters went through.