Poplar Drive House Fire With Subject Trapped

On Sunday May 1st, 2016 at 1000 hours, St. Leonard VFD was dispatched to the 10000 block of Poplar Drive in Lusby for the House Fire. Engine 71 staffed with Driver Earnie Earnshaw and Chief Ricky Weems II marked up up for the call understaffed with 2, as well as Safety Officer Norman Bauer in his POV, as they were within 5 miles of the location heading south to begin the day's activities at the Southern Maryland Fireman's Convention in Ridge. In addition Squad 7 (Sgt. Gilbert) and Ambulance 79 (Roberson) responded. While responding, units were given additional information that there was 1 occupant (a 90+ year old disabled female) of the residence unaccounted for, and believed to be in the kitchen. Engine 71 was the first arriving unit on the scene and reported heavy smoke showing. Chief 7 quickly entered the residence by himself, pulling the victim to safety into the garage where Safety Officer 7 was waiting to assist in removing the victim. The victim had suffered burns to approximately 90% of her body, and a helicopter was immediately requested. Due to weather, none were available, and the patient was ultimately ground transported to CMH by Ambulance 39 with the assistance of Calvert Advanced Life Support. Chief 7 and crews from the SLVFD continued to work on the fire ground until approximately 1430 hours.