Chesterfield Fire and EMS responded to the 800 block of Research Road for a reported structure fire.
See story on page 11
Norfolk A-shift crews successfully battled a townhouse fire and were able to contain the fire to the unit of origin.
See story on page 16
11 Displaced in Albemarle
Career and volunteer units from Albemarle County were dispatched to a fire in the 2200 block of Commonwealth Drive.
See story on page 23
Suffolk firefighters operated recently at an overturned vehicle on Intestate 664 northbound at the entrance of the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial BridgeTunnel.
See story on page 26
The Stanley Fire Department (SFD) responded to a two-vehicle MVAwith entrapment on US Hwy 340 Business.
See story on page 30
On September 11, 2023, individuals from throughout the community came together to honor and remember the fallen firefighters from September 11, 2001.
See story on page 38
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The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) has announced a change in venue forthe 2023 National 9/11 Memorial StairClimb for Fallen Firefighters. This annual event benefits the FDNY Counseling Service Unit and NFFF programs for families of fallen firefighters. The 2023 National Stair Climb will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at Louis Armstrong Stadium at the USTABillie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the U.S. OpenChampionships. More info at www.nationalstairclimb.org.
Post-9/11 combat veterans who served between 2001 and 2013 have until September30, 2023, to enroll in Department of Veterans Affairs health care. The date will conclude a one-year “special enrollment period” provided by the PACTAct. This provision of the PACTAct took effect in 2022. It gave the potential to receive compensation to mil-
lions of veterans or their survivors who were exposed to radiation and toxic chemicals while in uniform, going back to the 1960s.
The VAenrollment period for post-9/11 combat vets is meant to get those veterans deemed to have been exposed to toxins based on their deployments onto the VA’s rolls and into care in which the providers are cognizant of toxic exposures, said Cory Titus, an Army infantry veteran and director with the Military Officers Association of America who led the association's PACTAct advocacy.
The bill automatically assumes troops who served in certain locations were exposed. Once enrolled, veterans’individual circumstances will dictate how much care they'll actually be eligible to receive.
ACampus Fire Forum will be held in Grapevine, TX, from November6 to 9, 2023 The forum will cover Lithium-Ion batteries, MicroMobility devices, Safety issues on campus (from codes to management issues), Active shooters, Blocked/Locked exits, Crowd Management, Drones and Rockets, Students with Disabilities, the fire aspects of special events on campus and more. For more info:
https://www.myccfs.org/forum.
The University of Maryland Autonomous Micro Air Vehicle (AMAV) student team competed in the First Responder UAS Challenges hosted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Annual Design-Build-Vertical Flight Competition hosted by the Vertical Flight Society (VFS). Their AMAV’s Gambit was a low-cost, easyto-fly drone specifically tailored to operate indoors, while providing full light, low light, and thermal imaging. The drone design, fabrication, assembly, and testing were performed by University of Maryland students. The students won over $150,000 in the national competition.
Thermal, HD, and night-vision cameras were mounted on a remote-controlled gimbal with a 180° range of motion, which enabled the drone to precisely maneuver in constrained environments and positively identify objects of interest in any lighting condition. Theirdrone was based on the DJI Matrice 300 drone, a popularchoice forfirst responders. For more go to https://www.nist.gov/ctl/pscr/amav-umd.
Portsmouth Emergency Communications received numerous 911 calls fora residential fire at the cornerof South Street and Effingham Street in downtown Portsmouth. Initial companies arrived to find a two-story duplex well involved with fire. Asecond alarm was called and a defensive strategy was put in place to keep the fire from spreading to closely adjacent buildings. The fire was brought undercontrol in just overan hour. Six people and two dogs were displaced and were assisted by the Red Cross.
Part of the early work completed was to identify other U.S. states with similar demographics to Virginia to support the study of best practices for sustainable funding elsewhere. While The Virginia Firefighter does not have access to the list of states selected, we are aware they have been identified and data has been provided for the work group to analyze and report out.
Final analysis of all the input from the subgroups was underway, and it appeared that the draft report will be ready and delivered on time. Mr. Spencer Willett, VDFP, and VSFA 1VP Bailey presented a preview of the early results to VACO to help them understand what they would likely see in the draft report. 1VP Bailey reported that “none of those attending expressed surprise.”
When the final report is submitted through new Secretary Terrance C. “Terry” Cole, the General Assembly will have a fairly complete picture of the state of fire and EMS in the Commonwealth. It will be on our members to assure that they act on the information they receive, so expect some communications about that through the late fall and early winter months leading to the 2024 session of the General Assembly.
VSFA wishes to thank Dicky Harris and David Bailey Associates for leading the campaign to have this bill passed into law. The Association also thanks 1VP Bailey for his tireless efforts to see the bill through and represent the VSFA members’ interests
Is your fire or EMS organization a member of the VSFA?
If it’s not, it should be! This is the sort of support the association provides for thousands of Virginia firefighters, EMS providers, and fire departments every year. Numbers count with our elected officials—JOIN US AND BE A PART OF THE
throughout the action following passage into law.
The VSFA also thanks the thousands of fire service personnel who took the time to reach out to their elected officials to seek enactment of the bill into law and to offer support for developing survey responses and urging them to be submitted with complete and accurate data.
We would be remiss if we did not thank the other representatives in this assignment for their diligence—we appreciate the time and effort they gave to the tasks at hand.
Look for more specific details about the survey results and next steps in upcoming editions of The Virginia Firefighter.
FIGHT TO OBTAIN WHAT WE NEED TO SURVIVE, AND TO THRIVE! For details, visit our website at www.vsfa.org. Click on the Membership tab on the home page, and select Join & Pay Dues. Don’t delay; make a point of joining or renewing your membership before the end of 2023.
The last of the funds provided by Dominion Energy were delivered to Eastern Shore Recipients.
On Thursday, August 24, 2023, the last two recipients of the Dominion Energy grants received their checks. The funds were personally delivered at a luncheon attended by VSFA officials, and representatives from Dominion Energy.
The event took place at The Island House Restaurant & Marina in Wachapreague, Virginia. Mr. John Gilbert and Mr. Jeff Beal represented the Tasley Volunteer Fire Company. Chief Brandon Patterson and Mr. Randy Green represented the Melfa Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company.
Mr. Terry Gwaltney, District 23 (Eastern Shore) representative for the VSFA and his cousin, Mr. Larry Gwaltney, Executive Director of the VSFA were joined by Mr. Troy Lindsey of Dominion Energy Foundation, who presented the fire department representatives with their checks.
Following lunch, during which a discussion of the ongoing challenges of fire service funding were discussed, the last of the 2023 grant checks were delivered.
The VSFA and all of the departments who received grants appreciate the generosity of the Dominion Energy Foundation, and we hope that they will support our members again in 2024.
“FOR THE PEOPLES GOOD”Tasley volunteers (left) receive their grant check from Larry Gwaltney, Executive Director for the VSFA. To his left are representatives from Melfa and Troy Lindsey of the Dominion Energy Foundation. Not pictured: Terry Gwaltney of the VSFA, who snapped this photo for The Virginia Firefighter.
On September4, 2023, Chesterfield Fire and EMS responded to the 800 block of Research Road fora reported structure fire. Fire Marshal 207 arrived to find a metal non-combustible building with heavy fire showing through the roof. Asecond alarm was declared and fire crews began a defensive operation due to a roof collapse. The blaze was eventually able to be marked undercontrol and crews remained on scene through the rest of the day performing overhaul. The garage and auto detailing shop was declared a total loss. The Chesterfield Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause. Chesterfield crews also responded the next day fora rekindle. Crews were fortunately able to quickly get that undercontrol. - Fire News photos by CFN Media
Norfolk Fire Rescue crews battled a two-alarm fire recently. Intense heat outside and an exposure structure challenged the crews but with an aggressive interiorand exteriorattack, they were able to control the fire. - Photos courtesy of Norfolk FR
At approximately 0643 on June 27, 2023, careerand volunteerunits from Albemarle County, along with personnel from the Charlottesville Fire Department, were dispatched to the report of a fire in a residential apartment building on Spring Court. The first apparatus arrived fourminutes afterdispatch and reported fire conditions in a ground-floorapartment unit. Since the apartment doorwas blocked by smoke and fire, the two occupants, and theirdog, safely evacuated through a window without injury. The displaced residents were being assisted by family members and the American Red Cross. Crews quickly evacuated the adjacent apartments and extinguished the fire limiting the damage to the one apartment. The Albemarle County Fire Marshal’s Office determined the firewas caused by an electrical failure of a powerstrip.
- Photo courtesy of Albemarle County FR
Shortly before 1300 on July 6, 2023, SilerCity Fire was dispatched for an outside fire at a local recycling facility. Upon responding, the chief observed a large headervisible from town and requested a working fire re-alert and added an engine from Silk Hope Fire and additional tankers from Bennett, Bonlee, Coleridge, Liberty, Silk Hope, Staley and Snow Camp fora waterhaul to augment the hydrant Engine 912 was working off forinitial watersupply. Crews did a great job in the days heat to slow the fire’s progress and to extinguish all fire. Personnel flowed over2,000 gallons a minute from a ladderpipe, an
engine-mounted deck gun, two Elkhart RAN blitz nozzles and one 13/4 inch handle with 15/16th smoothbore nozzle. Combine water flowed forfourhours was around 500,000 gallons! Also thank you to Chatham County Rescue and First Heath EMS forthe much-needed bottles of waterand monitoring FFs forheat exhaustion. Also, to Chatham County Communications fortheirtimely dispatching and weathermonitoring as storms rolled through. Pittsboro Fire covered in SilerCity while ourpersonnel were tied up. Training pays off. Well done! - Submitted by Scott
J. Murphy, Chief, Siler City FD
Norfolk Fire-Rescue members of FEMAUS&R Virginia Task Force 2 on theirway to Florida to assist with possible damage from Topical Storm Idalia which is forecasted to become a major Hurricane priorto landfall. (Left to right): FirefighterTrevor Blank (Training Division) Canine HandlerforJones; Captain Jeremy Williams (Rescue Co. 2B)- Rescue/WaterSpecialist; Lieutenant SpencerDavis (LadderCo. 14A)- Rescue/Water Specialist; Captain Kyle Shaw (Rescue Co. 2A)- Hazardous Materials Specialist; Dave Clarence (Rescue Co. 2C)- Rescue Specialist; Fire Apparatus OperatorWayne Proffitt (LadderCo. 7C) Canine HandlerforTaylor - Photo courtesy of Norfolk FR
Washington County Fire Rescue No. 1
On
shuttled fourloads of water(14,000 gallons) to the scene.
On September3, 2023, Chesterfield Fire and EMS responded to Ashton Park Drive at Essentra Packaging fora commercial structure fire. Multiple calls began to come into the Chesterfield Communication Centerreporting that fire and smoke could be seen coming from the building. Battalion Chief 202 arrived to find heavy fire showing through the roof of the commercial chemical plant. Asecond alarm was immediately struck. Crews quickly made access to the roof and worked to get the majority of the fire knocked down from the exterior. Once the fire was knocked down, crews worked to get the interiorfire knocked down. Firefighters also worked with multiple hazmat crews, due to the chemicals inside. Crews reported that the building was significantly damaged. - Fire News photo by CFN Media
Monongah Fire was alerted foran SUVfire off of Holbert Road recently. Dispatch advised of a fully involved SUVclose to a structure. Company 12 Valley VolunteerFire Department was requested. Engine 101 and, close behind, Tankers 103 and 128 also responded.
Valley’s Chief’s buggy arrived on scene to find a working fire. Engine 125 arrived as crews went to work and quickly knocked down the fire. Chief 10 held Holbert Road command.
Norfolk B-shift crews battled a two-alarm fire recently that involved three houses, a detached garage and a large storage unit. C-shift crews took overand were on scene forsome time checking forhot spots. Luckily, no injuries were reported. Great work done by all.
- Photos courtesy of Norfolk FR
On August 29, 2023, at 0353, the Portsmouth Fire Department (PFD) responded to a working structure fire in the 3500 block of TrexlerAvenue. Police were in the area conducting training and noticed the smoke, investigated and notified PFD. Aquick search of the house was conducted by police finding no occupants inside. Fire companies arrived and confirmed no occupants were inside. Fire was extinguished with no reported injuries to civilians, police, orfire personnel. Portsmouth Fire Marshals were investigating the cause and origin of the fire.
- Photos courtesy of Portsmouth FR
At approximately 1505 on March 27, 2023, careerand volunteer units from Albemarle County were dispatched forthe report of a brush fire that was threatening a non-residential structure in the 1800 block of Castle Rock Road. The first apparatus arrived on the scene 19 minutes afterdispatch to find smoke and flames. Crews
were able to contain and extinguish the fire, however, the back end of a shed was destroyed. The Albemarle County Office of the Fire Marshal has determined the cause of the fire was improperly discarded ashes from an outdoorfurnace.
At approximately 1620 on July 25, 2023, careerand volunteerunits from Albemarle County were dispatched forthe report of a fire in the 2200 block of Commonwealth Drive. The first units arrived fourminutes afterdispatch to find a multi-story apartment building with fire through the roof. Albemarle County police officers arrived just prior to the fire units and assisted the residents in evacuating the building. All residents who were home at the time of the fire were able to evacuate safely. Responding fire units used aggressive fire suppression
tactics to ensure the flames did not spread to adjacent buildings, while conducting a search of the building forany trapped residents or pets. One cat was rescued by firefighters and reunited with its owner. Anothercat was unaccounted for. The property management company and the American Red Cross have established a support center to assist the 11 displaced residents from the six units. The fire investigation is being led by the Albemarle County Fire Marshal’s Office.
- Photos courtesy of Albemarle County FR
Suffolk firefighters operated at a working fire on County Street recently. The fire was brought undercontrol without incident and no injuries were reported.
Suffolk Fire Rescue responded recently to a single-vehicle MVAon Route 58 west between the scales and the landfill. One occupant was transported to a local hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries.
At approximately 1127 on July 24, 2023, careerand volunteer units from Albemarle County were dispatched to the report of a fire in an outbuilding in the 5900 block of Buffalo RiverRoad. The first units arrived 14 minutes afterdispatch to find fire conditions in an outbuilding. Crews quickly extinguished the flames. There were no reported injuries.
- Fire News photos by CFN Media
On September1, 2023, Richmond Fire and police personnel responded to the 4000 block of West Broad Street fora reported pedestrian struck by vehicle. Multiple callers were reporting that a man was hit by a vehicle and laying in the roadway. Engine Company 18 confirmed that the victim was dead on arrival. The vehicle that hit the victim fled the scene. Richmond Police Department is investigating the incident.
Stanley Fire Chief Terry A. Pettit reported the Stanley Fire Department (SFD) responded to a two-vehicle MVAwith entrapment on US Hwy 340 Business, nearthe intersection of Alan’s Road on July 8, 2023, at 2230. The accident resulted in one fatality, who was pronounced at the scene; six others were injured, and all were transported to Page Memorial Hospital. The vehicle, which the deceased was in, caught fire on impact and spread quickly due to leaking fuel. He was trapped until being pulled out by two Page County Sheriff’s Department deputies, a Virginia State Police Trooperand SFD Lieutenant Jason Pettit who arrived on the scene shortly afterit happened. Chief Pettit also said that units from the Page County EMS and Stanley Rescue Squad also responded. - Submitted by Terry Pettit
Recently, Chesterfield Fire and EMS responded to Village Place Drive at Capital Ale House fora reported vehicle into structure. Truck 205 arrived to find a vehicle up against the structure. Truck 205’s crew checked forinjuries and entrapment. Crews then discovered they were working two green patients. One of those patients being the driverand the otherone being somebody who was inside of the building and suffered minorinjuries when the vehicle crashed. The driverof the vehicle was transported t o a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and the other patient was treated on scene. - Fire News photo by CFN Media
Suffolk Fire Rescue responded to a call in the Burbage Grant neighborhood fora cat stuck in a storm drain. Recent heavy rains were causing the waterto rise nearthe level of the cat’s head. Ladder11’s
crew was able to remove the animal safely before it drowned.
Fairfax County Recruit Class 159 received in-depth training on preparing forand responding to a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI). Recruits began with an overview of the Incident Command System. During the morning lecture, RC159 also learned about the Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment (START) triage method formass casualty events. The STARTmethod allows first responders to triage multiple victims in 30 seconds orless, based on three primary observations: respirations, perfusion, and mental status. Recruits then participated in a tabletop scenario where they were able to apply the methods they had learned. In the afternoon, RC159 was briefed on a live role playerscenario involving an explosion with
multiple casualties and patients. To make the scenario as real as possible, Fairfax County Police Department SWATofficers from the current EMTClass participated to provide an introduction to the movement of police officers during an MCI. The scenario also provided added stressors, including low light, smoke, and fire alarm audio. The recruits were positioned neara training building when an explosion (flash bang) occurred. An MCI event was then dispatched foran explosion in a mid-rise with multiple patients. FCPD SWATofficers positioned as the class triaged and extricated a total of 37 patients from the building.
- Photos courtesy of Fairfax County FR
Albemarle County
Fire Rescue (ACFR) is proud to introduce its newest class of firefighters. During a 24-week recruit school led by ACFR career staff, a class of 20 recruit firefighters passed all the necessary requirements and received the skills and knowledge needed for the job. Training included EMTskills, firefighter survival, car seat installation, emergency vehicle operation, and a variety of other essential knowledge for success.
These new firefighters were selected for their varied backgrounds and bring a depth of experience to our department.
“As the recruits of Recruit School 22 begin their career as probationary firefighters, we recognize the significant influence they will
have in serving the residents and visitors of Albemarle County,” said Fire Rescue Chief Dan Eggleston. “They will provide life safety services oftentimes during challenging situations and bring hope during difficult moments. Congratulations to our graduates, and may their careers be filled with purpose, courage, and success.”
Apinning ceremony was held on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, to celebrate the accomplishments of these new firefighters. Pinning ceremonies have a long history as a fire service ritual - a rite of passage into a
Members of the community along with area firefighters at the recent Winfield Fire Department’s “Touch a Truck” event.
- Photo courtesy of Monongah FD
profession committed to a level of service and sacrifice above and beyond that of other disciplines.
We welcome the newest class of firefighters, who will begin their service at stations throughout the county:
Roy Boyd, William (Chip) Brady, Joshua Cangialosi, Amos (Nick) Chiarappa, Robert (Rob) Combs, Dustin Degnan, Jacob Donacik, Matthew Gagne, John Garner, Tyler Graves, Drew Gunnell, Jacob Harned, Raleigh Lallmang, Angelo Markantonatos, Ari Nathanson, Alexander Rodriguez, Nicholas (Nick) Russell, Austin Shaffer, Matthew Snead and Matthew Warren
- Photo courtesy of Albemarle County FR
Fire Chief DiBacco, Fire Marshal Chief Nelson and Fire Station 4 crew delivered plenty of dog and cat food to the Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center. Thank you to all the NFR stations and members that generously donated to help make this happen.
- Photos courtesy of Norfolk FR
At approximately 0620 on the morning of August 30, 2023, Portsmouth Medic 1, Engine 2, EMS2, and Medic 11 responded to a residence for a maternity call. Medic 1 and Engine 2 arrived on scene. Noting an imminent delivery, Medic 1 and Engine 2 prepared their equipment for the delivery, and just a few moments later they delivered a healthy baby. The crews used a “pit crew” style approach, which made the birthing process and post-delivery care of the newborn and mom go very smoothly. What an amazing end of shift call!
Medic 1 crew: Paramedic Hedrick and Lieutenant Bond; Engine 2: Captain Hall, Firefighters Yamamoto and Porter. Members from Engine 2 AShift were presented with “O’Baby” recognition certificates and stork pins. (Pictured): Firefighter Porter, Captain Hall, and Firefighter Yamamoto. M1’s crew will receive recognition on their return to shift.
- Photos courtesy of Portsmouth FR
Glenn Usdin is a professional photographer and a firefighter for over 40 years who has been photographing fires and firefighters in NYC since the mid 1970s. Dan Potter is a retired FDNY firefighter with the ability to tell the stories that bring the reader right into the firehouse or on the fireground. Together, Usdin and Potter conceived, photographed and told the stories that captures a wide range of firefighters in They Saved New York.
In the late 1960s, through the 1980s, the New York Fire Department experienced a historic rapid amount of fire duty. The firefighters who worked those years saw more actual fires in a week than most firefighters across the country saw in a year. Usdin felt strongly that these firefighter’s legacies needed to be preserved and honored in a unique way. That was the inspiration for the project that became They Saved New
York
Dan Potter spent hundreds of hours interviewing featured firefighters and then crafted their stories for the book with his deft writing style. Usdin captured evocative portraits of each of them, as well as hundreds of action photos he shot at fire scenes over 40 plus years. The result is a large format photo documentary that honors the profession as well as the featured individuals.
Aportion of the proceeds from this book will support four foundations that serve the needs of retired and current firefighters.
You may find out more about those foundations and the book here: www.TheySaved NY.com.
is about people who head into burning buildings when everyone else is running out.
Congratulations to Portsmouth Lieutenant AHarperwho, on July 21, 2023, completed the Virginia Fire Officers Academy. Heraccomplishment was celebrated with a graduation ceremony on the University of Richmond campus. Pictured are: BC J. Teartt, Captains Lineberry and Doney, and Lieutenant Dorris. - Photo courtesy of Portsmouth FR
Congratulations to Eric Spain on his retirement! Eric has worked forthe city of Suffolk for25 years, 20 of them with Suffolk Fire Rescue. - Photo courtesy of Suffolk FR
On the morning of September11, 2023, individuals from throughout the community came togetherto honorand rememberthe fallen firefighters from September11, 2001, by climbing stairs to represent the final trek of the responding units. Thanks to all who came out from Earlysville VolunteerFire Company, Stony Point
VolunteerFire Company, Charlottesville Fire Department, Charlottesville Police Department, Charlottesville - Albemarle Rescue Squad, Western Albemarle Rescue Squad, Albemarle County Fire Rescue.
