DTVFD Crews began the Memorial weekend on Friday at 6:00 PM. Within minutes of staffing, the calls came flowing in. Thirty five runs were made from Friday until Monday morning. This is not uncommon for holiday weekends especially at the beginning of the summer.
Friday's highlight run was a motorcycle that allegedly lost control after driver thought he was being chased by the State Police. The force of the impact tore the front wheel and forks off the bike as the rest flew down the road. Fortunately, the driver only suffered some bumps, scrapes, and bruises, and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
On Saturday, a new crew arrived for duty with the same call volume as the night before. Around noon, Engine 503B, and Attack 503 responded to a multiple vehicle accident on Rt. 1 near Quantico, with a rollover. Two vehicles were sent off the road and into the trees. One driver was taken to the hospital for minor injuries. As crews secured the area due to various chemicals and cleaning solvents being thrown from a work van; police conducted the crash investigation. Units cleared the scene after no major hazardous materials were found to be released into the environment.
After steady runs and public education events filling the day, a two hour moment of silence kicked off the evening. Sadly, around 11:30 PM Engine 503B responded to an auto accident involving a motorcycle vs. car. While approaching the scene Medic 503 requested a helicopter as Engine 503B blocked two lanes of traffic. Shortly after arrival E503B's officer called off the helicopter as the motorcycle's operator passed away due to injuries not compatible with life.
Battalion Chief 507F assumed I-95 Command and firefighters remained on the scene while State Police units conducted a crash reconstruction investigation. Interstate 95 (Southbound) was temporarily shut down at the 152 mile marker for nearly two hours. Engine 503 cleared the interstate just before 3 AM. (Note: Pictures of this incident were not taken.)
On Sunday, Engine 503B continued calls from 5:00 AM on until it was time for Rolling Thunder. Around 7:30 AM, members from DTVFD arrived to set up two ladder trucks for a static flag display in honor of Memorial Day.
During Rolling Thunder thousands of bikers show up to begin their trip from Dumfries to their rally point at the US Pentagon. This peaceful tradition marks a First Amendment demonstration that honors prisoners of war and those missing in action over the years.
At 8:45 AM bikers from all over took to the streets under the static display between Truck 503 and Truck 514 (OWLVFD) and headed through Dale City towards Washington, D.C.
Special thanks go out to all of the members and families that helped make this year's events a reality.
