Wednesday, March 20, 2024, turned out to be an exceptionally busy day for Gamber & Community Fire Co.

The day started at 6:15 am with an alert for a vehicle collision with rescue located on Rt. 32, Sykesville Road, at Bollinger Mill Road. Responding crews found that there was no rescue at the scene, but firefighters and EMS personnel handled the crash and two people were transported to the hospital.

Shortly later, Gamber was alerted for a medical call and responded with a first responder unit (Utility 13-1) along with Reese’s ambulance. Another medical call followed, and Gamber’s Medic 139 responded to that incident.

At 11:40 am, various Carroll and Baltimore County stations were alerted for a farm machinery fire in Hampstead’s district. Gamber was dispatched to respond with Brush 136. Thirty minutes later, Gamber’s Engine 131 was then alerted to transfer to the Reese Station.

At 2:46 pm, Gamber’s Medic 139 was dispatched for a medical call in Baltimore County at the Weis Markets at Village Center.

The extremely windy and dry conditions led to numerous brush and woods fire throughout the region including Carroll County.

The next call started as a “wires down” call but developed into a woods fire located along Rt. 97 near Bartholow Road. Brush 136 responded to this fire and assisted units from Winfield Fire Co. and Maryland State Police.

At 4:06 pm, Gamber’s Medic 139 was alerted for an injured subject in Westminster at the Westminster Health Care Center. While responding to that incident, the medic unit was diverted to a serious crash with rescue on Rt. 140 in Finksburg near Rt. 91 at approximately 4:13 pm.

This incident was alerted as a rescue call and multiple fire companies and ambulances from both Carroll and Baltimore Counties were dispatched.

Two vehicles were involved with people trapped. Eventually four victims were treated and two were flown out via two Maryland State Police helicopters and two were transported via ambulances.

Gamber’s Engine 134 handled the helicopter landing site located in the Finksburg Plaza near the old Pizza Hut and the Truist Bank. Gamber’s Medic 139 crew also assisted with one very seriously injured patient.

Later that evening, Gamber's water rescue team was alerted for an open water rescue call located in Baltimore County at Pleasure Island near Edgemere. Dive 13, Boat 13-1, and Ambulance 139 responded but were cancelled before arrival.

Two additional brush fires followed. Both were in the Sykesville area. Brush 136 was alerted and responded to assist.
Engine 131 from Gamber was then transferred to Sykesville’s station.

A working house fire in Manchester at 8:23 pm resulted in Gamber being alerted to transfer an engine to Reese’s station.

A total of 16 emergency calls kept Gamber firefighters and EMS personnel very busy all day.