STORY FROM NEWS CHANNEL 8 District of Columbia police planned to resume checkpoints in the Trinidad area following a series of shootings early Saturday.   Police say a 13-year-old was killed, six people were shot and one stabbed within minutes of each other early Saturday morning in D.C.'s troubled Trinidad neighborhood in Northeast.     In a matter of hours, police were simultaneously working five crime scenes. According to police, around 1 a.m. in the 1200 block of 16th Street two persons were shot. Moments later, around 1:20 a.m. a person was stabbed near the intersection of Mt. Olivet Road and Trinidad Avenue. Then, at 1:30 a.m. In the 1300 block of Holbrook Street another individual was shot. Police then responded to the 1500 block of Holbrook at 1:40 a.m., where two persons had suffered gunshot wounds and a 13-year-old boy was killed. Lastly, shortly before 2 a.m. another individual was shot in the 1300 block of Staples Street. Police reportedly had to quickly leave each scene trying to get to the next.

The violent spree is the latest blow to the Trinidad neighborhood of Northeast, already plagued by crime. "It's ridiculous...something really needs to be done about it. I've got grandkids and I fear for them," said District resident, Jewel Lewis-Hall.  Police set up checkpoints in the crime-ridden neighborhood last month following a string of shootings, but the checkpoints were halted after a couple weeks after becoming the subject of a class action lawsuit.  But after this latest stream of violence,  police have decided to resume safety checkpoints in the area. The checkpoints are scheduled to begin 7 p.m. Saturday, and continue until 7 p.m. Thursday at various points on Mt. Olivet Road, Bladensburg Road, Florida Avenue and Trinidad Avenue. Officers will check drivers' ID and turn away those who don't have a "legitimate purpose" in the area, as they did during the checkpoints held last month in the neighborhood. Others parts of the District also suffered violence overnight Saturday.  According to police, 29-year-old Keith Ricardo Hines, of the 900 block of Allison Street in Northwest, was shot and killed. Hines was already dead when police arrived on the scene at the above location. He suffered from a gunshot wound to the head.  Another person was stabbed on Morris Road in Southeast. Police do not believe these incident are related to the violence in Trinidad.   Police Chief Cathy Lanier (web|news|bio) says a group in a vehicle repeatedly approached people on the street, robbing and shooting them. Police are looking for a gold 2002 Dodge Intrepid with Maryland paper tags allegedly seen at several of the shooting locations.

With the members of #1 Platoon racking up 6 runs before 0700 hours the pace for the day was set.  During the next 24 hours the members of the House of Pain would respond to more than 40 runs with Engine Co. 10 racking up 30 of them; the members responded to runs that covered the spectrum from fires to accidents with people trapped to shooting and stabbing victims.  

The day was busy with THE DIME running up and down the streets responding to a small first due kitchen fire in the 1600 blk. of Lang Place N.E., Double Locals, Box Alarms and of course Medical Locals.  At 1803 while ENGINE Co. 10 was returning from a Box Alarm in 27 Engines Local Area and Truck Co. 13 was clearing a Box Alarm in 26 Engines Local Area a BOX ALARM was struck for a reported HOUSE ON FIRE in the 3500 blk. of Bladensburg Rd. N.E.  10 ENGINE was close enough to be placed third due while 13 TRUCK was the first arriving Truck Company.  Due to an earlier 3-Alarm fire in the 200 blk. of Longfellow St.N.W.  several transfer crews were in the city and one of them was Prince Georges County Engine Co. 809 from Bladensburg who was placed first due on the BOX.  13 TRUCK arrived on the scene of a two story wood frame, detached, single family dwelling with FIRE SHOWING from the second floor.  THE DIME was placed in charge of Division II while advancing their 400' 1.5" and backing up Engine Co.'s 809 and DCFD 8.  13 TRUCK went to work opening up and assisting the engine companies and the blaze was quickly knocked down and scaled back.

After several other runs a Local Alarm was transmitted at 2354 hrs. for a motor vehicle accident with a report of people trapped at 9th St. and Maryland Ave. N.E.  bringing both 10 ENGINE and 13 TRUCK to the scene.  THE DIME arrived first to discover a single vehicle overturned in an alley with a victim still trapped inside.  10 ENGINE and 13 TRUCK stood by and assisted SQUAD 1 with the rescue and were quickly returned to service.

Then at approximately 0100 hours the TRINIDAD neighborhood came to life with multiple shootings and stabbings in multiple incidents keeping 10 ENGINE and 13 TRUCK on the street until their relief arrived. 

With summer in full swing and high temperatures set in members were reminded that you can EXPECT NO MERCY AT THE HOUSE OF PAIN.

After several other runs a Local Alarm was transmitted at 2354 hrs. for a motor vehicle accident with a report of people trapped at 9th St. and Maryland Ave. N.E.  bringing both 10 ENGINE and 13 TRUCK to the scene.  THE DIME arrived first to discover a single vehicle overturned in an alley with a victim still trapped inside.  10 ENGINE and 13 TRUCK stood by and assisted SQUAD 1 with the rescue and were quickly returned to service.

Then at approximately 0100 hours the TRINIDAD neighborhood came to life with multiple shootings and stabbings in multiple incidents keeping 10 ENGINE and 13 TRUCK on the street until their relief arrived. 

With summer in full swing and high temperatures set in members were reminded that you can EXPECT NO MERCY AT THE HOUSE OF PAIN.

As ENGINE Co. 10 was clearing a BOX ALARM in the 100 blk. of Bates St. N.W. they noticed smoke in the area of Lincoln Rd. and R St. N.E. After further investigation THE DIME discovered a two story, ordinary, middle of the row house with FIRE SHOWING from the roof and SMOKE PUSHING from the second floor windows in the Unit block of R Street N.E. As ENGINE Co. 10 was attempting to notify Communications - 911 calls were pouring into the Office of Unified Communications and a BOX ALARM was transmitted for the same. When all was settled THE DIME located a fire on the SECOND FLOOR that had extended into the cockloft and EXTINGUISHED the same. It was a long night for the members of THE DIME and while they racked up a lot of pump time on Local and Box Alarms the members were unable to obtain any bed time until relieved. Just another Independence Day in the Nations Capitol and not any more unusual than any other night at the HOUSE OF PAIN.

It is with a heavy heart that the House of Pain announces the passing of Retired DCFD Captain Sims, who is also the father of Probationary Firefighter Sims of Engine Company 10 #3 Platoon. The VIEWING for Captain Sims is from 1400 – 1600 and 1800 – 2000 hours on Monday July 7, 2008 at: Devol Funeral Home 10 East Deer Park Road Gaithersburg MD 20877 The FUNERAL for Captain Sims is on Tuesday July 8, 2008 at 1100 hours at: Saint John Neumann Catholic Church 9000 Warfield Road Gaithersburg MD 20877 Please keep Probationary Firefighter Sims and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

With a day full of runs for the Engine Company and Truck Co. 13 being transferred to the quarters of Truck Co. 17 the Journals were filling up fast. Shortly after 2300 hours and on the twenty sixth (26) run of the day for the Engine Company a BOX ALARM was transmitted for a reported HOUSE ON FIRE in the 300 blk. of W St. N.E. Engine Co. 12 went on scene of a two story, ordinary, end of the row house with FIRE SHOWING. THE DIME was third due and picked up Engine 12's Line while advancing the 400' attack line into the fire building and extinguishing the first floor rear porch. The fire involved an auto under the rear porch that had extended up and into the first floor rear porch and the first floor of the dwelling. 10 ENGINE racked up 30 minutes of pump time and was back on the street running Medical Locals in no time. On the twenty ninth (29) run of the day for the ENGINE Co. a BOX ALARM was transmitted just minutes after 0400 hrs. for a reported HOUSE ON FIRE in the 4400 blk. of Grant St. N.E. Engine Co. 27 went on the scene of a three story wood frame, detached, dwelling that was fully involved with FIRE ON ALL FLOORS and had extended into Exposure Delta - 1. 10 Engine was assigned to DIVISION C-CHARLIE and was tasked with laying out and placing their WAGON PIPE in service. 13 TRUCK was SECOND DUE and went to work in the exposure opening up for the engine companies and assisting with extinguishment. 10 ENGINE racked up over one hour of Pump Time while 13 TRUCK was held for considerably longer before being returned to service. It was yet another busy day for the HOUSE OF PAIN racking up more than 45 runs in 24 hours.

Due to a spike in Violent Crime over the past several days the Metropolitan Police Department has LOCKED DOWN the TRINIDAD neighborhood and is conducting checkpoints to verify a persons business in the neighborhood.

Just after 1900 hrs. a BOX ALARM was struck for a reported HOUSE FIRE WITH PEOPLE TRAPPED in the 300 blk. of L St. N.E. ENGINE Co. 10 was 1st DUE and arrived on location to find a two story, ordinary, row house with SMOKE SHOWING. The occupant was removed from the home prior to the arrival of the Fire Department by neighbors and reported that they believed the fire was on ALL FLOORS. THE DIME EXTINGUISHED all fire on the first and second floor of the original fire building. The Second Alarm was sounded due to extension into the exposures and the fire was quickly contained and extinguished. RAW FOOTAGE OF THE CONDITIONS ON ARRIVAL...

On yet another HOT DAY in the District of Columbia after a morning medley of runs including 5th DUE on the METRO STATION BOX ALARM in the 700 blk. of 12th St. N.W., ENGINE Co. 10 was dispatched 2nd DUE on the BOX to the 1100 blk. of 6th St. N.W. for the reported HOUSE ON FIRE. Engine Co. 3 went on the scene of 3-story row ordinary construction with smoke showing from the top floor on Side A; shortly there after THE DIME laid out and advised they had FIRE SHOWING from Side C of a 3-story row. The fire was quickly contained and knocked down and companies were returned to service shortly there after. Even though Engine Co. 10 and Truck Co. 13 have split due to renovations the Engine is still running and THE HOUSE OF PAIN hasn't changed.

The Members of the House of Pain once again spent the day moving; this time THE DIME to their temporary quarters located on the Grounds of Gallaudet University. The members of ENGINE Co. 10 would like to THANK Gallaudet University for their hospitality and support during this uncomfortable time for its members. However, the Gallaudet Facility is not fully ready and the Fire Department is not allowing the members to stay there at this time. So the Dime has been removed from its Local Alarm area and is temporarily quartered at Engine Co. 6 located on New Jersey Ave. N.W.

The members of the House of Pain spent the day moving TRUCK Co. 13 to the Quarters of Engine Co. 8. The move was required due to the renovations to occur to their quarters located on Florida Ave. N.E. ENGINE Co. 10 remains in service in quarters until May 27th, 2008. With the Truck Out Of Service and Relocated, Engine Co. 10 racked up 29 runs in 24 hours while assisting the Truck with their move.

Anthony "Sauce" Phillips gave his life in the LINE OF DUTY while operating on Box 6178 on May 30th, 1999. Over the years the members of the House of Pain have never forgotten Sauce. We teach all new members about the fire that took Sauce from us and why he was truly a 10 ENGINE MAN. Please honor the memories of Pvt. Anthony Phillips and Pvt. Louis Mathews (Engine Co. 26) today and remember their sacrifice by reading some information about them and the fire that occurred on Cherry Road N.E.

On Thursday, May 15th 2008, the Members of the House of Pain traveled to the Upper Marlboro Volunteer Fire Department’s Hall to present a gift to Retired Sgt. George Barksdale for his service as a member of Truck Co. 13. Also honored at the event was recently retired departmental members Wayne L. Settle, William B. Kady, Allen J. Winterwerp and Timothy J. Redington. The members wish all honorees good luck in their retirements.

It is with deep sorrow that the members of the House Of Pain announce the unexpected passing of the Step Son of Fireman Dave Harris of Engine Company 10 #1 Platoon. Please keep Dave and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday May 11th, 2008 at 11:00 am located at the United Methodist Church in Chester, MD. 2739 Cox Neck Road Chester, MD 21619

Just minutes after 2200 hrs. a BOX ALARM was transmitted for a reported BUILDING ON FIRE in the 1200 blk. of Kenilworth Ave. N.E. Engine Co. 27 arrived on location of a single story auto garage facility with fire showing from the roof. 10 ENGINE 3rd DUE laid and used 600' of 1.5" to extinguish an auto that was on fire inside. 13 TRUCK was 2nd DUE on the alarm and raised ladders, forced entry and utilized multiple saws to open up for the companies. The fire was quickly knocked and units were returned to service.

As 10 ENGINE was returning from Medstar after assisting Medic 17 with a Shooting Victim they were placed SECOND DUE on the BOX for a reported HOUSE ON FIRE in the 300 blk. of Channing Street N.E. ENGINE Co. 10 only blocks away was laid out and on the scene in the rear of a two story end of the row single family home with FIRE SHOWING from the first and second floor before the rest of the BOX was even responding. THE DIME went to work advancing and extending their 500' attack line of 1.5" hose and entered the home in its basement and pushed up to the second floor were they extinguished the same. 13 TRUCK was 1st DUE on the 2nd ALARM and was quickly put to work in the exposure building opening up. The units operated for about 2 hours before returning to service. PHOTO CREDITS FROM www.DCFD.com, Botwin E26 #1 PLATOON, Joe Papariello