Fire News Virginia, June/July 2022

VIRGINIA Serving VOLUME 3, NO. 3

W W W .FIRENE WS .COM

Fire,Serving Rescue & EMS Fire, Rescue & EMS Heroes Heroes Since 1973 Since 1973

JUNE/JULY 2022

Story on page 12.

- Photo courtesy of Norfolk FR

Fairfax Mourns the Loss of Kimberly Schoppa Please see page 42.

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Fire News, June/July 2022, Page 3

In this issue...

Virginia State Firefighters Association The premier issue of The Virginia Firefighter - the Official Publication of The Virginia State Firefighters Associaton See pages 7-11

Little Fork Structure Fire Held Little Fork Fire Rescue was dispatched to assist Company 1 at a structure fire on Old Rixeyville Road.

See story on page 14

A Service for Virginia Firefighters and EMS Providers Founded 1973

146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713 FRANK C. TROTTA, Publisher TIM EDWARDS, Chief Operating Officer DENNIS WHITTAM, Editor GARY P. JOYCE, Managing Editor MARIE TROTTA, Vice President, Production/Sales CLIFF CHIESA, Art Director, Production Manager

Powhattan Shed Fire

BARBARA CONNOLLY: Advertising Sales

Powhatan Fire Department responded to Huguenot Springs Road for a structure fire.

BRYAN LOPEZ: Editorial Assistant Graphic Artists: LYNN SEDLER, GREG JONES

See story on page 17 COPYRIGHT 2022, THE FIRE NEWS INC., LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

3 Displaced in Richmond Fire On May 7, 2022, the Richmond Fire Department responded to Fendall Avenue for a house fire.

See story on page 19

Rescue Challenge 2022 After a two-year halt due to Covid-19, The Rescue Challenge made its return for 2022.

See story on page 32

Obituary LODD: Fairfax’ Kimberly Schoppa See story on page 42

PLUS: Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4 Up Close & Personal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 21 Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pages 32-35 Business Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 34 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 34 Special Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 38 Industry News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 40

For advertising rates and information, call (631) 776-0500 Press 1 Editorial: (631) 776-0500 Ext 280 Fax number: (631) 776-1854 Internet: http://www.firenews.com e-mail: tim@firenews.com

Twelve Editions Serving Long Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wildwood, NJ Proud Member Of: Letters to the Editor, byline articles, and columns represent the opinions of the writers and photographers and are not necessarily the views of the Fire News. We reserve the right to edit all of the above. We are not responsible for errors in advertisements beyond the cost of advertising space. Copy submitted is subject to editing for space requirements. The placing of an advertisement in this publication does not constitute endorsement. Contents are copyrighted. Editorial and advertising copy cannot be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Fire News is published monthly by Fire News Inc, with corporate offices at 146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713.

Page 4, Fire News, June/July 2022

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From the Editor’s Desk Dennis Whittam, Editor

Are You Ready for Something That Can’t Happen?

An AS/MCI (active shooter/mass casualty incident) drill was held at Greenport (NY) High School on June 4, 2022. The drill had been scheduled months prior, but somewhat eerily took place 11 days after the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting in which 19 elementary school students and two teachers were slaughtered. The proximity to that latest AS/MCI is what has prompted this editorial. The drill involved the Southold Police, Suffolk Police, North Fork fire departments and EMS services from Jamesport to Orient, and even several South Fork departments, along with moulaged teenage actors to play victims. By all reports the exercise was a success.

But what makes a successful AS/MCI drill?

According to FEMA’s 2013 white paper, Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department Operational Considerations and Guide for Active Shooter and Mass Casualty Incidents, there are several things that responding agencies need to incorporate into a specific SOP for such an event.

Why formalize reacting to an AS/MCI if your department already has an MCI plan in place?

Because the “AS” part of the exercise makes it, nearly, an entirely different animal.

Some particular areas of focus, become apparent with little thought and are proved out — or have problems made obvious — by an AS/MCI

drill. Some key facets are communication between the parties, including ensuring all parties are not only able to communicate with each other, but use the same terminologies when doing so.

This is unlikely to be a problem between FDs and EMS, but it may become a problem when communicating with law enforcement (LE) who, in most instances, will be first on the scene.

Other areas of concern will become apparent in frequent drills involving all the aforementioned agencies, as well as local hospitals and trauma units. There needs to be a single Incident Command Post for fire, EMS and LE. The goal of any and all SOPs is to plan, prepare and respond in a manner that will save the maximum number of lives possible.

Although in their careers most first responders have encountered some horrific scenarios, the results of a mass shooting of unarmed people — seemingly more often than not children with obviously terminal wounds — will undoubtedly be something first responders will never forget.

Many of the first responders will be long-term casualties of this ongoing slaughter, even if they never spilled a drop of their own blood. As psychology researcher Deborah C. Beidel, Ph.D. of the University of Central Florida, who has studied the impact these slaughters have on first

responders, put it, “There are just some events that are so horrific that no human being should be able to just process that and put it away.”

Add after-action reports and treatments to the long list of things an AS/MCI SOP demands.

A last note … “It’ll never happen here” too often becomes, “Oh my God, how did this happen?”

Be prepared for the thing that’ll never happen.

And the only way to do so is to train for it.

- Gary P. Joyce Managing Editor Gary P. Joyce is filling in for Editor Dennis Whittam this month. Joyce is a decorated three-tour Viet Nam combat veteran.

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Fire News, June/July 2022, Page 5

Bumpass Residential Fire

Several companies responded for a residential fire on Ark Avenue in Bumpass in Louisa County. Companies working: Bumpass, Locust Creek, Mineral, Louisa, Holly Grove, Trevilians, Rehab-1, TR-105 and BATT 104A w/ Command.

- Photos courtesy of Louisa County Department of Fire & EMS

Page 6, Fire News, June/July 2022

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Paradise Cove Fire

Recently, firefighters battled the Paradise Cove Fire in Lee County, which burned over 270 acres before it was contained.

- Photo courtesy of Virginia Department of Forestry

The Virginia Firefighter THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGINIA STATE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION

“FOR THE PEOPLES GOOD”

Volume 1 No. 1

June/July 2022

Complete and mail with check to: VFSA, Attn: Secretary Jacob Hooghouse 9994 Sowder Village Square, #544 Manassas, VA 20109 or go to www.vfsa.org and submit online

IMPORTANT NOTICE VSFA rolls out online Membership Applications and Dues Renewal!

For your convenience, members and potential member have the option of filling out the application for membership or dues renewal forms online.

After the online form is submitted, you will be directed to a page that will allow you to instantly print your membership cards! No More waiting for the mail!

8 • The Virginia Firefighter • June/July 2022

Steps for on line submission: 1. Go to vsfa.org, 2. Fill out the form.

3. Hit submit 4. Make payment via credit card 5. Print Membership Cards

Page 12, Fire News, June/July 2022

Cover Story

Norfolk 2-Alarmer

On April 14, 2022, Norfolk Fire Department C-Shift crews from the 1st Battalion went to work at a fire on West 30th Street. Just after 2320, E02, E06, E07, L07, R01, M07, M02, BC01, Fire Car 1, FM1 and the FM Group arrived to find heavy fire from the second floor of a home. By 2331 the fire was upgraded to a second alarm which brought E01, E08, L01, and M01 to the scene. Crews were able to rescue two dogs, and there were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.

- Photos courtesy of Norfolk FR

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Page 14, Fire News, June/July 2022

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Barn Fully Engulfed on Arrival On April 1, 2022, at 2247, career and volunteer units from Albemarle County Fire Rescue responded to a report of a barn fire on the 4100 block of Millington Road. Units arrived to find a large barn fully engulfed in flames. The fire was extinguished at 0125 on April 2. Material continued to smolder under the metal roof and crews had to monitor the structure.

The fire was under investigation by the Albemarle County Fire Marshal’s Office.

- Photo courtesy of Albemarle County FR

Galax Car Fire On May 3, 2022, Galax Fire crews responded to a vehicle fire at the Sunrise Trailer Park. Arriving units found a passenger vehicle with the engine compartment fully involved. The crew from Rescue 4 pulled one line and made quick work of the job. All units cleared in 20 minutes.

- Photo courtesy of Galax FD

Little Fork Structure Fire Held May 3, 2022, at approximately 0600, Little Fork Fire Rescue was dispatched to assist Company 1 at a working structure fire on Old Rixeyville Road. The fire was confined to the second floor.

Wagon 9 responded with a crew of four.

- Photo courtesy of Little Fork FR

Suffolk F&R at Commercial Fire Suffolk Fire and Rescue responded to the scene of a working multi-alarm commercial structure fire in the 300 block of Moore Avenue on April 20, 2022, at Celadon DP on Moore Avenue. First units on the scene encountered heavy black smoke showing.

Preliminary information indicated there was an explosion at the site with multiple sides of the warehouse being blown out. No injuries were reported. Responding units include EMS 1, Medic 1, Battalion 1, Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Ladder 3, Engine 4, Ladder 6, Safety 1, Ladder 5, Fire Marshal 6, Rescue 1, Battalion 2, Fire Marshal 7, Car 1, Car 2, Engine 25, Medic 6, Rehab 6, Chesapeake Engine 28, and Chesapeake Ladder 10. Units from Newport News and Isle of Wight covered Suffolk.

- Photo courtesy of Suffolk FR

Page 16, Fire News, June/July 2022

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Woodstock Car Fire Woodstock firefighters begin attacking a vehicle fire on March 7, 2022. There were no injuries and damage was limited to the engine compartment.

- Submitted by Zachary Hottel

Chesterfield Brush Fire Recently, Chesterfield Fire and EMS responded to West Salisbury Road for a brush fire. Battalion 203 arrived to find about a 40-square-foot brush fire. Engine 220 arrived and immediately stretched a line and the fire was soon marked under control. Crews were soon dispatched back to the scene, due to lines arcing and sparking against a tree when the wind gusted.

Battalion 203 and Engine 220 awaited Dominion Energy’s arrival and were soon able to clear the scene again.

- Fire News photo by CFN Media

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Fire News, June/July 2022, Page 17

Electrical Fire in West Falls Church

On April 21, 2022, at approximately 1328, units from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the Arlington County Fire Department were dispatched for a house fire in the 7000 block of Lee Park Court in the West Falls Church area of Fairfax County. Units arrived to a single-story, single-family home with smoke showing from a basement window. Crews quickly extinguished the fire and there was no extension to the first floor. No occupants were home at the time of the fire. Fire Investigators determined that the fire was accidental in nature and started in a basement bathroom. The cause of the fire was an electrical event involving the ceiling exhaust fan. Four adults were displaced.

- Photo courtesy of Fairfax County FR

Powhattan Shed Fire

Recently, Powhatan Fire Department responded to Huguenot Springs Road for a structure fire. The caller reported their shed was on fire and flames were visible. Fire crews arrived to find a shed fully involved. Crews quickly stretched a line and began an attack. Engine 704 got a fast knock on the fire and the incident was placed under control.

- Fire News photo by CFN Media

Page 18, Fire News, June/July 2022

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Looking Back Norfolk - 1922

April 13, 2022, marks the 100th anniversary of the Great Berkley west winds. While the fire caused nearly $1 million worth of damFire which destroyed over 200 homes, 20 businesses, and two age and left 500 families homeless, amazingly, no lives were lost. churches in the Berkley neighborhood of Norfolk. The fire started - Photos courtesy of Norfolk FR in a vacant lumber mill and quickly spread assisted by strong south-

Fairfax Co. - 2018 Fairfax County firefighters battled a multi-alarm fire in 2018.

- Photos courtesy of Fairfax County FR

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Fire News, June/July 2022, Page 19

Long Job in Chesterfield On March 22, 2022, Chesterfield Fire and EMS responded to the 5100 block of Bridgeside Drive for a structure fire. The caller reported a house fire with pets possibly trapped. While en route, Battalion Chief 201 noticed a heavy column of smoke. Chesterfield County Police advised the house was well involved. Crews arrived to find a two-story, wood frame, single-family dwelling with heavy fire showing and multiple exposures.

Crews began an offensive attack with multiple lines. The incident was eventually able to be marked under control. Medic 217 transported one patient to VCU for severe burns with one ALS provider from Medic 211.

Fire crews remained on scene for over five hours.

- Fire News photo by CFN Media

3 Displaced in Richmond Fire On May 7, 2022, the Richmond Fire Department responded to Fendall Avenue for a structure fire. Fire crews arrived to find heavy smoke showing. Fire crews quickly went to offensive mode making an aggressive attack. Crews soon found sponge-like flooring and a hole to the basement. Crews then found fire in the basement and worked quickly to extinguish it. Crews checked for further extensions and preformed ventilation operations. The American Red Cross was requested to assist at least two adult males and one adult female.

- Fire News photo by CFN Media

Page 20, Fire News, June/July 2022

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Chase City Rescue Handles Blaze On 4/10/22, Companies 3,1,2 and Chase City Rescue were toned for a residential structure fire. While in route, Chief 3 noted heavy black smoke from several miles out and had 4th due toned for manpower and water. Upon arrival, crews were met with heavy fire throughout the house. A defensive attack was made before transitioning inside the structure for extensive overhaul and mop-up.

- Submitted by Chase City Volunteer Fire Department

Fatality in I-288 MVA

Recently, Powhatan Fire Department responded to Interstate-288 southbound at the Huguenot Trail exit for a reported MVA with entrapment. The caller reported there were multiple people trapped in vehicles and one patient was unconscious and not breathing. Powhatan Sheriff's arrived to find a multiple vehicle crash with heavy damage. Crews soon determined they were working one red patient, two yellow, and one green and immediately began CPR on their red patient. Command requested mutual aid from Goochland County and Chesterfield County. Med-flight was also requested but due to weather the request was declined. Crews quickly got all the patients out of their vehicles and transported them to local hospitals. Unfortunately, the red patient died at the scene.

- Fire News photo by CFN Media

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Fire News, June/July 2022, Page 21

Up Close & Personal

Fairfax County Fire-Rescue Firefighters from Fairfax County Fire-Rescue.

- Photo courtesy of Fairfax County FR

This Looks Like Trouble Fire News photogs Mike Sanders and Dennis Sharpe at the midnight lights and siren parade, on April 29, 2022. This was at the close of the firefighters’ festivities of the Apple Blossom Festival.

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Look! Up on The Truck!

“Superman” Dean Cain was the Grand Marshall of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester on April 29, 2022.

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Chester Gap FC at the Festival Up Close and Personal with Junior Firefighter Dennis Grigsby and Captain Chris Eamich of the Chester Gap Fire Company at the 95th Annual Apple Blossom Festival apparatus muster on April 29, 2022, in Winchester.

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Page 24, Fire News, June/July 2022

1 Injured in Tractor Trailer I-64 MVA

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Recently, units from Albemarle County Fire Rescue and Albemarle County Police Department responded to a report of a tractor trailer crash near Exit 124 on westbound Interstate 64. Crews extricated one patient and transported him to the hospital.

- Photos courtesy of Albemarle County FR

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Page 26, Fire News, June/July 2022

Extrication in Fairfax Co.

On May 18, 2022, at approximately 1800, Fairfax County units were dispatched for a vehicle crash in the 1100 block of Belleview Road. Crews arrived to find one vehicle on its side with one person trapped inside. The person was quickly extricated and transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

- Photos courtesy of Fairfax County FR

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Page 28, Fire News, June/July 2022

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Fairfax Delivers a Baby Girl Special delivery during EMS Week. Fairfax County Fire Station 25, Reston, B-Shift helped deliver a healthy baby girl in the parking lot of their station recently. The parents were headed to hospital but baby could not wait. Fortunately, they saw the station, drove in, and notified members.

- Photo courtesy of Fairfax FR

Rider Medevac’d After Falling Off Horse On April 21, 2022, at 1038, the Little Fork Fire Department was dispatched for an individual who had fallen off a horse near Myers Mill Road. Due to the injury, a medevac was requested. EMS units assessed and treated the patient, preparing for a flight to Fairfax INOVA Trauma Center. The engine company set up an LZ and communicated with the flight crew. Ambulance 9, Shock Trauma 9-2, Rescue Engine 9, Chief 9, Chief 9-2 and an ALS unit from COES responded to this incident.

- Photo courtesy of Little Fork FR

Little River Rollover May 2, 2022, at approximately 1730, Little Fork Fire Rescue responded to a single-vehicle rollover MVA at Alum Springs and Rixeyville Roads. All of the occupants refused EMS service. Fire units assisted with controlling hazards, traffic and separating a mulcher from the truck. Ambulance 9-1, Medic 9-2, Rescue Engine 9, Rescue 9 and Chief 9 responded to this incident.

- Photo courtesy of Little Fork FR

1 Injured After Tree Falls on Home On April 26, 2022, Suffolk Fire and Rescue responded to the 200 block of Burnetts Way for a tree that fell on a home. Emergency Communications was contacted at 1807 and the first unit in reported that a large tree had fallen on the home causing heavy damage to the structure. One adult resident was seriously injured in the incident and was transported to a local hospital.

Responding units were Battalion 1, Safety 1,EMS 1, Medic 1, Engine 3, Engine 6, Ladder 6 and Rescue 1.

- Photo courtesy of Suffolk FR

Page 30, Fire News, June/July 2022

10 Rescued, 2 Dead on James River Float Trip

On May 30, 2022, at 1513, the Richmond Fire Department responded to the Bosher Dam for a water rescue. A party of 12, riding the river on paddle boards and inflatable rafts from Watkins Landing, attempted to stop at Robious Landing but couldn’t due to strong currents. All 12 victims then went through the Bosher Dam. Richmond Fire Department had their first boat in the water at 1522, and a second at 1523. With the help of kayakers, various fire

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crews were able to rescue nine victims who went through the dam.

Chesterfield Fire and EMS and Henrico Fire Water Rescue crews also assisted. One victim self-rescued and, after searching until 2000, two female victims were unaccounted for. One was located deceased on June 1. The second female’s body was believed to have been recovered on June 6. She was not positively identified, however, as of this writing.

- Fire News photos by CFN Media

Page 32, Fire News, June/July 2022

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Training

Rescue Challenge 2022

After a two-year halt due to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Rescue Challenge made its return for 2022.

The Rescue Challenge is a high-level multi-discipline training event where more than 10 technical rescue teams participated in eight different technical rescue scenarios throughout a four-day period (May 2 through 5, 2022) with limited guidelines and little to no interference.

Several teams from across Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio and the US military participated in the event.

The scenarios were set up at different locations around the central

Virginia area providing some of the best training evolutions available in the region. The scenarios included a wide range of problems including rope or high-angle rescue, heavy equipment incidents, trench rescue, industrial incidents and structural collapse to name a few.

The teams that attend the Rescue Challenge are composed of members that make up local and regional strike teams and task forces throughout Virginia and the surrounding states.

- Fire News photos by CFN Media, Hanover County FR, Suffolk FR, & Fairfax County FR

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Fire News, June/July 2022, Page 33

Training

Fairfax Recruits Train

Fairfax County Recruit School 152 doing some hands-on training weeks away from graduation. Recently, they learned how to approach and extinguish vehicle fires.

- Photos courtesy of Fairfax County FR

Page 34, Fire News, June/July 2022

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Training

A New System for a New Truck Woodstock firefighters participated in a training class conducted by representatives of EZ Trac hydraulic front wheel drive. This course reviewed the operations of this system and prepared members for their new Pierce Enforcer.

- Submitted by Zachary Hottel

Galax Juniors Practice Their Rappelling Recently, Explorer’s from the Galax Fire Department drilled at the Joe P. Crockett Training Grounds. The group faced some fears and excelled as they practiced rappelling.

- Photo courtesy of Galax FD

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Fire News, June/July 2022, Page 35

Training

Little Fork RWS Drill On April 13, 2022, Little Fork VFR Company members practiced setting up the equipment needed for a dump site operation.

This is a component of the RWS (Rural Water Supply) system which is used in areas that do not have a municipal water supply system.

- Photo courtesy of Little Fork FR

Suffolk RWS Training The A-Shift of Suffolk Fire Rescue Station 3 took advantage of the beautiful weather recently and did some rural water supply (RWS) training.

- Photo courtesy of Suffolk FR

Woodstock, Conicville and VSP Train Woodstock fire crews conducted a joint training at the Seven Bends State Park in Woodstock. This training reviewed procedures for search and rescue operations, fire attack, and UTV ops.

It was conducted in conjunction with the Virginia State Park staff and Conicville Volunteer Fire Department.

- Submitted by Zachary Hottel

Page 36, Fire News, June/July 2022

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23 New FFs and EMTs for Alexandria FD The Alexandria Fire Department officially graduated Recruit School 52 on April 15, 2022, at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial after they spent more than seven months in the training academy. AFD welcomed and celebrated 23 new firefighter/EMTs. - Photo courtesy of Alexandria FD

43rd Basic Law Enforcement School Grads

Congratulations goes out to all 24 members of the Virginia Fire Marshal Academy 43rd Session of Basic Law Enforcement School. These candidates completed over 400 hours of training in the 10-week course at the Virginia Public Safety Training Center in Hanover, VA. - Photo courtesy of Norfolk FR

Apple Blossom Festival

Fire trucks as far as the eye can see (in both directions!) at the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival firefighters parade on April 29, 2022, in Winchester.

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Page 38, Fire News, June/July 2022

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What a Model ... for Fire Paparazzi, That Is Photographers galore “shooting” apparatus at the 2022 Apple Blossom Festival on April 29, 2022.

- Fire News photo by Carl Crossman

Woodstock Wins 1st in Custom Engine Category Woodstock Fire Department crew with Engine 12 at the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival. Engine 12 was awarded 1st place in the Custom Engine category.

- Submitted by Zachary Hottel

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Fire News, June/July 2022, Page 39

Maybe a Future EMT The 95th Annual Apple Blossom Firefighters Muster was held April 29, 2022, in Winchester. Displays were set up for fire and EMS education. Here, EMTs demonstrate their equipment.

Education like this may turn out a future EMT. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

HazMat Assn. Event: Sept. 13 to 16 The Virginia Association of Hazardous Materials in partnership with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, are proud to present our 39th annual hazardous materials conference.

We will return to the Marriott-Newport News City Center which proved to be an excellent venue last year. Newport News, in the Tidewater area of the Commonwealth, has much to offer. Near to the hotel lies Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, Busch Gardens, and Virginia Beach. Compliment your training with a short vacation for the family! Within walking distance of the hotel are several fine restaurants, shops, and other amenities.

Pre-conference workshops will begin September 13, 2022. The main event runs from September 14-16, 2022. Registration costs have purposely remained at a reasonable amount so that everyone

that wishes to attend are able to do so. Workshops are designed to be inclusive of all disciplines involved in hazardous materials mitigation. The major focus of the conference is to provide high quality haz-mat training with presenters being some of the most notable in the industry. The event includes a full vendor exhibit hall where the latest equipment of the trade can be viewed.

Attendees have participated as far west as the Rockies, as far north as Massachusetts, and as far south as Florida. This is one of few premier haz-mat specific conferences in the nation. We invite you to attend! Information for attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors can be found at: www.virginiahazmat.org.

- Submitted by Peggy Tucker

Page 40, Fire News, June/July 2022

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FOR HE’S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW… FIREHOUSE SYSTEMS AND THE PANTHER COMPRESSOR

To say I am proud of my father, Fred Gandolfo, would not offer him the justice he deserved. To say I am amazed by my father, would be more fitting, because sometimes we can’t find the right words, we can only feel them. From childhood to this day, I’ve had the opportunity to watch my father pick up any broken object and be able to fix any problem in his personal life or business life; to troubleshoot it and, if any need isn’t met he'd find a way to meet it, especially if solving the problem meant he got to fabricate something.

After several years of development, I watched him build what the entire industry knows today as THE CAT. Little did I know then, The CAT would fuel an entire market change. Having my father’s love of the industry and safety of his client base as the driving force behind his design, leads to high quality, safe, efficient equipment. The CAT was only the beginning.

After the success of The CAT, my father began to design and produce a new line of Breathing Air Compressors — Panther Compressors. Of course, he offered standardized style systems, as always going above any other compressor manufacturer on the market, offering custom solutions to your need, space, and budget.

Recognizing two needs in the industry, my father put the pencil back on the paper and got to sketching out an idea. He wanted to offer a Breathing Air Compressor Trailer

Unit, one that a fire department would actually use. One that would safely operate on scene, one that would operate to its full potential without losing “steam,” one that would be safe for the long-term health of the operator. He needed to find a way to offer an economically friendly, efficient, easy to tow, safe to operate equipment in the middle of a world in the midst of an ecological and economic crisis.

With that … I repeat, to say I am proud of my dad, is not enough…nonetheless…We are very proud to introduce the world’s first battery powered breathing air compressor trailer.

Made especially for you by my dad, Fred Gandolfo … the Panther ECO. The Panther ECO provides eight hours of run time at full load, emits no diesel or fumes and, most importantly, no thermal runaway!

The Panther ECO is available in 10- 15- or 20-horsepower versions.

Already have a breathing air trailer? We can upgrade your current system to the Panther ECO, feel free to ask us for your options/!

Remember: Go green…choose Panther Compressors.

- Liz Gandolfo For more info contact Fred or Liz Gandolfo at 631-661-7515; or Fred at Fred@coastalfiresystems.com or at Liz@coastalfiresystems.com

NATIONAL FIRE SERVICE RESEARCH AGENDA REPORT RELEASED Researchers and fire service practitioners met virtually last year for the 4th National Fire Service Research Agenda Symposium resulting in the National Fire Service Research Agenda Report with nearly 300 recommendations. Symposium participants worked in three facilitated working groups to create recommendations to have the most significant impact on firefighter health and safety. The facilitators then submitted the recommendations as worksheets to an expert jury of researchers and fire service representatives. After review, the jury was able to modify and move recommendations to other domains as needed. The report includes the finalized recommendations and the working groups’ original worksheets. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) hosted the National Fire Service Research Agenda Symposium, and UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) was the exclusive sponsor.

NFFF Chairman of the Board of Directors Troy Markel said, “Our commitment to create a fire service national research agenda is embedded in the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives through Initiative 7. But even more critical than that, is our commitment to take a multidisciplinary approach to firefighter health and safety by providing the opportunity for researchers and fire service representatives to map out the future needs of the fire service.”

Steve Kerber, Executive Director of FSRI, added, “The research conducted today is without a doubt making a difference in the health and safety of our nation’s firefighters and communities across the

country. It is promising to read these recommendations created with the input of firefighters and envision what the future of fire service research can be.”

The report features the working group recommendations based on their domains topical area. The planning committee determined the three domains to be: • Domain #1: Hiring/Retention/ Advancement included recommendations on recruitment, effective leadership, diversity/equity /inclusion/belonging, and hiring, promotion, and retention.

• Domain #2: Effective operations included recommendations related to training, tactics, tools, equipment, apparatus, personal protective equipment, and community risk reduction.

• Domain #3: Health and safety included recommendations related to wellness, understudied populations, cardiovascular health, cancer, mental health, metabolic health, reproductive health, occupational medical evaluations, fatigue, injury prevention/assessment, violence prevention/risk assessment, and work environment.

The 4th National Fire Service Research Agenda Report can be downloaded here: http://www.everyonegoeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/ sites/2/2022/01/research-agenda-symposium-4-report.pdf For more information on the National Fire Service Research Agenda, please contact John Tippett, Director of Fire Service Programs, jtippett@firehero.org.

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Fire News, June/July 2022, Page 41

Alexandria’s Joe Beavan Earns Fire Office Designation

Patches

Crewe Volunteer Fire Department

Colonial Beach Fire Department

Courtland Volunteer Fire Department

The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) recently voted unanimously to award Alexandria Fire Department Accreditation Manager Joe Beavan the Fire Officer Designation.

The Fire Officer (FO) Designation shows that Beavan has demonstrated through his education, leadership and management skills that he possesses the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities required for the fire and emergency services profession. Beavan’s official designation was witnessed by a team of his peers and members of the CPC. - Photo courtesy of Alexandria FD

Page 42, Fire News, June/July 2022

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Obituary

LODD: Fairfax’ Kimberly Schoppa

It is with great sadness that Fairfax County Fire Chief John Butler announced the line-of-duty death of Captain Kimberly Schoppa on April 26, 2022 from occupational cancer. She was 49.

Captain Schoppa was hired as a firefighter in 2004 and served with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department for over 18 years. She was assigned to Fire Station 27, West Springfield (C-Shift) and a member of the Honor Guard, at the time of her passing.

Captain Schoppa was a valued friend and esteemed member of the department. There is no doubt Captain Schoppa touched many lives throughout her career and will be remembered as a kind, caring and compassionate person. She was an exceptional leader, mentor and

friend. She will be greatly missed.

Fire Chief Butler and the men and women of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, extend our deepest condolences to Captain Schoppa's family: wife Master Technician (ret.) Kim Klaren, parents Jan and Karl Schoppa, her brothers Chris and his partner Paul, and Brett (wife Amy and children Riley [fiancé Anya], Abigail, and Maura); Klaren's mom Shirley, brothers Bobby (wife Andrea and children Bo, Cody, and Tyler), Matt (wife Kay and children Kyle (fiancé Elyse), Kacie, and Cole), and sister Kara (husband Mike) — as well as an extended family of friends, co-workers, and anyone whose life she touched.

- Photos courtesy of Fairfax County FR