On July 7th, 1999, Costello N. "Colenel" Robinson and fellow DCFD firefighters responded from Engine 2 for an investigation of smoke in the area of Temple St., NW. While searching in an alley he was attacked by a Pit Bull. Fortunately, he was not bitten by the loose dog, however he did sustain ligament damage to his leg. He was treated on the scene and transported to Washington Hospital Center, where he was scheduled for surgery on Friday July 9th, however that morning he passed after suffering an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack.)
On July 14th, BVFD's own Truck 15 was more than happy to fill in at Truck 9 (U st. & 16th st., NW). Truck 15 relieved DCFD Truck 9, so that they could attend the Memorial Services for FF Robinson. While running as DC Truck 9, our truck ran two box alarms (reports of fire.) The first of the two Box Alarms ended up being a malfunctioning alarm system on the 7th floor. The 2nd box alarm turned into a working fire on Harvard St. near 13th St., NW. Two citizens had to be rescued from the building. FFIII Ed Hite, who was driving T-15 raised the aerial ladder to the roof and realized that one victim had climbed out of his building and onto the roof. FF Hite assisted the trapped victim off of the roof and down to safety. Also of note another BVFD firefighter David Bossie rescued a dog from the first floor of the building. Units remained on the scene for more than 4 hours while fire investigators and police investigated reports of arson. The fire was started on the second floor of the row house.
Also of note, on June 5th,1999, during the funerals for FF Mathews and FF Phillips, the BVFD brought E-152 to fill in for Engine 2, where FF Robinson had spent most if not all of his 36 years of service. Robinson was the third DC firefighter to die in the line of Duty in 1999.
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