*** USE CAUTION *** Apparatus Accident

*** Use Caution *** On Wednesday January 3, 2018, units were dispatched to the area of the inner loop of the Capitol Beltway and Pennsylvania Avenue for a report of a motor vehicle accident with injuries. As Engine 371 was slowing to take position and provide barrier protection for crews on the assignment, a chain reaction accident occurred. The vehicle that was directly behind Engine 371 slammed into the rear of the apparatus after being struck from behind by another vehicle. Fortunately there was no firefighter injuries and there was only a minor injury to one of the civilians involved. Operating on the roadway continues to pose a significant threat of being struck by a distracted driver for all public safety departments across the country. The Capital Beltway has been notorious for apparatus accidents over the years… We urge all motorists to use caution in and around accident scenes, especially during times of poor driving conditions due to inclement weather. While our engine obviously suffered damage, we are thankful that our members are uninjured and that there was not any serious injuries to the civilians involved.