An Annapolis Fire Department engine crashed Thursday evening while heading to a reported structure fire, leaving one civilian seriously hurt and raising fresh questions about what happens when a key rig is suddenly sidelined.
What We Know
According to Eye On Annapolis, Engine 35, assigned to the Forest Drive station, was en route to a reported structure fire when it was involved in a motor-vehicle collision.
No firefighters were seriously injured, officials said. One person suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was transported by the Anne Arundel County Fire Department to the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. The Anne Arundel County Police Department is investigating the crash.
Where The Truck Is Based
Engine 35 operates out of the Forest Drive Fire Station, listed by the City of Annapolis as 1790 Forest Drive. The R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, where the patient was taken, is located at 22 S. Greene St. in Baltimore, according to the hospital.
Local fire officials have previously warned that staffing and cross-staffing practices can leave units more vulnerable when apparatus are taken out of service after collisions, a concern highlighted in reporting from Firehouse.
Why This Matters
When a responding engine ends up in a crash, the damage goes beyond bent metal. The rig is taken out of service, which can stretch coverage at the exact moment residents are counting on quick help.
Maryland’s “Move Over” guidance asks drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights, as the state’s traffic-safety site zerodeathsmd.gov notes.
The region has dealt with similar headaches before. A previous Annapolis engine was involved in a collision while responding to a Hillsmere fire, complicating response times and underscoring how quickly roadside scenes can turn dangerous for both crews and passing motorists, according to Eye On Annapolis.
Investigation Ongoing
Anne Arundel County police are handling the investigation and may release more details on their public news page. The Anne Arundel County Police Department posts official updates and crash statements there.
We will update this story as officials publish additional information.
