STATter 911: Fireground audio from mayday during suspicious Maryland house fire. PGFD's Daniel McGown was critically burned after face piece was dislodged.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Fireground audio from mayday during suspicious Maryland house fire. PGFD's Daniel McGown was critically burned after face piece was dislodged.

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PGFD photo of Firefighter/Medic Daniel McGown

Watch 11:00 PM report from 9NEWS NOW's Nancy Yamada (or here)

Watch 6:00 PM report from 9NEWS NOW's Lindsey Mastis (or here)

Raw video of aftermath of the fire from 9NEWS NOW (or here)

Earlier coverage from STATter911.com

Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department Chief Spokesman Mark Brady says doctors at the Medstar Burn Unit of the Washington Hospital Center have seen some encouraging signs as they have treated Firefighter Daniel McGown. Still, the doctors caution the next two or three days are critical in his recovery.

Firefighter McGown is in critical condition with respiratory burns and severe burns to his face and head after his face piece became dislodged during a house fire in Largo, Maryland around 2:00 Wednesday morning. Brady says it appears the ceiling or something else may have fallen on McGown as he was with two other firefighters from Engine 846 (Largo). The crew had advanced a line through the front door of the house toward the kitchen in Quadrant B.

Click above to hear audio from DCFireFeed.com. Gaps are removed in the audio so times are compressed.

McGown was discovered by members of Station 833 (Kentland VFD) in the family room in Quadrant D of the home. The sound of an activated PASS device drew the firefighters to McGown. On the audio you can hear the firefighters alerting the incident commander, Chief 833 (Tony Kelleher), to the mayday.

The firefighters lowered Firefighter McGown out of a first floor window on Side D of the house. We are told there is about a 10 foot drop due to the slope on that side of the home.

The two other firefighters from Engine 846 who were on the line with McGown received less serious burns.

The fire started in a vintage Corvette in the carport on Side B of the home. Three other firefighters aboard Engine 846 took a line to the carport as the crew with Firefighter McGown entered the home to check for extension.

Fire investigators believe the blaze was deliberately set.

The 21-year-old McGown became a career firefighter with PGFD four-years-ago. McGown's sister, Kimberly McGown Blackistone has been on the department for seven-years. Their father Bill McGown retired in 2006 as a deputy chief and then took a top spot helping to run the county's 911 center.

Firefighters have gathered at the Washington Hospital Center to help support the family.

A Facebook page titled "Be Strong Firefighter Daniel McGown" was added yesterday to allow comments of support for the injured firefighter and his family.

# posted by Dave Statter @ 3:00 AM

Comments:

Awesome job by all involved. It really sounds like command and all unit units did a solid job given the circumstances.

For those interested, the Mayday occurs around the 8:00 min mark.

# posted by

Anonymous : April 9, 2009 9:11 AM

Prayers go out to FF McGown and his family, hang in there. He was working at Station 846 do they have a web site with further information and any blood drives etc... My station would like to assist in any way. Mr Stater please keep us posted on any thing we can do to help FF McGown and the PGFD. GOD BLESS

# posted by

Anonymous : April 9, 2009 11:47 AM

After reading several posts about the team work and rescue of FF McGown it appears members from Richie VFD (837) and members from Kentland (833) did an outstanding rescue. When things get bad it doesn't matter if your career or volunteer,just get done.

Anyone know how long after the MAYDAY was an accountability check initiated by command?

Prayer to the McGown Family

# posted by

Anonymous : April 9, 2009 11:54 AM

I would like to offer my Prayers to
FF McGown's Family.Words cannot express the Deepest feelings and Hope That this Fine young Man can/will overcome the adversity and challenges of his terrible Injuries. FF Mcgown is an excellent example of how Total Professionalism by everyone in the Fire and EMS Service can work. I appalaud the entire crews of all the Responding Units. ie; E837/E833
Volunteer Staffing didnot hesitate to go inside and effect the Rescue of a Brother Firefighter. I always believed anyone who is in the Fire and EMS Service today is indeed a Brother and Sister. There are two things that can be a Positive result after this tragic Fire Incident. (1) FF/Paramedic Daniel McGown will come out of this with his Health and be able to continue
his apparent Love to serve and help protect the citizens.
(2) PG Fire and EMS continue their efforts to Train and ensure the Firefighters and EMS Providers (EMT-B and Paramedics) have the very best effort to maintain the most up to date FIREFIGHTER SAFETY
Tools to learn and the Professionalism they are Dedicated to provide. Firefighter/Paramedic Daniel McGown I Salute you Young Man. My Prayers will be with you every minute of everyday.
Take Care Get Well Soon.

# posted by

Anonymous : April 9, 2009 12:36 PM

To all the firefighter& Ems personal we send you guys our prayers and hope for a strong recovery to the firefighter from the thunderkatz at company 13. Great job and take away from this as a learning tool and contiue to train everyday cause this a new breed of firefighter that needs the support of our older career firefighter. Our prayers are with you guys.

# posted by

Anonymous : April 9, 2009 2:00 PM

From a brother at Burtonsville station 15-

My prayers are with Fireman McGown, the other firemen burned and their families. Get well soon.

God Bless.

Good job to 833 and all those who effected the rescue.

# posted by

Anonymous : April 9, 2009 2:38 PM

My prayers and thoughts are with the McGown family. Hang in there Daniel. The Virginia Fire Service has spread the news of this tragedy. I started as a volunteer at Station 46 now 846. My parents still live a block from this incident. I am proud of the PGFD system and very glad to know I have brothers and sisters close at hand when my family and their neighbors need them most.

# posted by

Dana L. Main (Baughman) : April 9, 2009 2:46 PM

All of Central Misouri firefighters have you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. My compliments to command and rescue, your calm approach helped save this brothers life.

# posted by

Anonymous : April 9, 2009 5:26 PM

Well done! You all should be commended on doing a fine job and pulling together in saving a fellow brother. Proud to hear such teamwork from all...33,46,37,5,26 and anyone else involved. From listening to the audio, you all did an excellent job.

Hats off to you all!

Get well fast FF McGown.....

# posted by

Anonymous : April 9, 2009 7:22 PM

From a brother at 828 get better man. the entire WLHVFD is behind you.

# posted by

Anonymous : April 10, 2009 2:19 AM

Today is anew and wonderful day of good progress for FF/Paramedic Daniel McGown. In reading the update on STATter911 is was sure an act of somewhat a good Miracle. I was so impressed by the progress he's making. Every day he'll come along well. Before you know it young man, you'll be back on Duty with your Brothers and Sisters at Station 846. I shall say a Prayer for you and your other Brothers on E846 who were injured. As I have always believed it is of the utmost paramount importance for everyone Career and Volunteer to stop and take some time rethink how each one is doing in their Firefighting Knowledge and abilities. FF/Paramedic McGown you have set a fine example of what it means to Trust and Respect Your Brothers and Sisters in every action of today's Fire and EMS Service. Training, Experience, Knowledge of what is right and what isnot right can only get better if everyone will reach out to one another with the challenges
of today's 21st Century Fire and EMS Service. FIREFIGHTER SAFETY/EVERYONE GOES HOME, is what it is all about. Take Care/Get Well Soon Young Man. I shall say a Prayer everyday for you and your Brothers who were with you on E846.

# posted by

Anonymous : April 10, 2009 12:02 PM

prayers.

# posted by

Nick : April 11, 2009 7:54 PM

God Bless You for a speedy and full recovery

# posted by

Anonymous : April 11, 2009 9:57 PM