CAMBRIDGE — It’s not called “Rescue Fire Company” for nothing.
The members of Cambridge RFC responded to two emergencies on July 31 that provided examples of the varieties of dangerous work the crews are called to perform. And it’s not just fighting fires.

At 9:25 p.m., Dorchester Central dispatched units for a structure fire at 859 Park Lane in the Cambridge 1-2 Box Area with reports of fire showing. Chief 1 arrived on location with smoke showing and called for the working fire dispatch.

Engine 1-3 4/0 arrived on location with a hydrant at the corner of Park Lane and Rigby Avenue, stretched 200 feet of attack line and made quick work of extinguishing the blaze in a second-floor room. Other units arrived on location to support the operation and assist with overhaul, ventilation and clean up.

Past President of RFC Ricky Travers was on the roof at one point. “I was taking out the front windows for ventilation of the house,” he said. “I had to get the heat and smoke out for the firefighters inside.”

Command determined the situation to be under control at approximately 9:52 p.m. and placed all units in service without incident.

Units responding were Chief 1, Engine 1-3, Tower 1, Engine 1-2, Rescue Engine 1-1 and Engine 1-4. Mutual aid was provided by the Cambridge Police Department, Dorchester County Emergency Medical Services PM100 (Cambridge), PM101 (Cambridge), Church Creek Station 46, Trappe Talbot Station 30, Secretary Station 16, East New Market Station 21, Delmarva Power, and the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Then at 11:58 p.m., Dorchester Central dispatched units for a motor vehicle collision with entrapment at U.S. 50 West/Whitehall Road in the Cambridge 1-4 Box Area. Units arrived on location to find a tractor with trailer on its side, with fuel leaking from its saddle tanks.

Initial Command was established by Chief 1-1 (Rescue 1-1) but operations were delayed by safety concerns that power lines stretched across the tractor needed to be secured by Delmarva Power. Haz-mat crews went to work afterwards, and pumped off approximately 150 gallons of diesel fuel. They placed multiple bags of absorbent before turning the scene over to the Maryland State Police for investigation.

RFC units at the scene were Chief 1, Rescue 1, Engine 1-3, and Haz-Mat 1.
Mutual aid was provided by Dorchester County Emergency Medical Services PM100 (Cambridge), PM101 (Cambridge), Trappe Talbot Station 30, Secretary Station 16, East New Market Station 21, Maryland State Police, Delmarva Power, DSO, and the State Highway Administration.

The crews’ work didn’t go unnoticed. Lea Spear expressed her gratitude in a post online, saying, “Thank you, RFC!”

Photos of the incidents were provided by FF-EMT-I Kevin Carr, FF-Paramedic Eddie Dean, FF-EMT Kevin Bailey. FF Brandon “Blister” Stacey. and Lt. Tyler White. More can be found at www.rescuefirecompany.org.

Dorchester Banner Editor Dave Ryan contributed to this article.