On Sunday September 21st, a little after 3:00pm a fire was reported at 16101 Frederick Rd. at the Montgomery County Recycling Center and Transfer Station. To handle the smoke conditions in such a large facility, Command requested an airboat respond for ventilation… Airboat-704 was dispatched, and responded to assist. Although an airboat’s primary function is for water and ice rescue, the large prop provides an excellent tool for just such incidents. It can clear a large structure of smoke in minutes, as apposed to hours using conventional ventilation methods. Airboat-704 operated for approximately 20 minutes, then returned to service.

Airboat-704 ventilates smoke following a fire at the Montgomery County Transfer Station.

Capt. Mark Lamb mans the operators seat keeping the throttle at the exact RPM required.