Up Close &Personal

Three Generations of Stanley Firefighters

Sitting on the left is Bruce Stonebergerwho has been in the department for47 years, in the middle is his son Brad Stonebergerwho has been in the department for21 years and on the right is Brad’s son and Bruce’s grandson Brennan Stonebegerwho has been in the department for fouryears. Not pictured is Bruce’s otherson Andrew Stoneberger who has been in the department for20 years and now is working fora private contractorin Iraq. - Submitted by Terry A. Pettit

Chesterfield firefighters aftera recent structure fire. - Fire News photo by Carter Killorn & Hayden Lear

Loudon County Deputy Chief Pat Reid with Alcoa’s new brush truck. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe AChesterfield Fire Marshal at the scene of a recent structure fire. - Fire News photo by Carter Killorn & Hayden Lear AChesterfield firefighterfrom Engine 20 aftera recent alarm. - Fire News photo by Carter Killorn & Hayden Lear

Virginia Patches

City of Virginia Beach Fire Department. City of Portsmouth Fire Spotsylvania VolunteerFire Department. Department.

VADry Hydrant Grant Program

In rural areas where water mains and conventional fire hydrants are not accessible, installation of permanent dry hydrants may be an alternative solution for firefighting operations. Dry hydrants are non-pressurized pipe systems (typically constructed of inexpensive materials that are easy to maintain) that draft water from an adjacent body of water, such as a pond or stream. One end of the pipe system is situated in the water source, and the other end is available near the roadside, where firefighters can connect to the hydrant and pump from the water source. Dry Hydrant Grant Program

The Virginia Dry Fire Hydrant grant program provides funding to cover the costs of installation and repair of dry hydrants to support firefighting operations.

The program is a joint effort between the Virginia Department of Fire Programs and the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) that provides state level funding on an annual basis for the installation of dry hydrants across the Commonwealth.

Program support is available at the request of Virginia fire departments who secure approval from local landowners. The program provides 100 percent of the funding necessary to cover the expenses of new installations and repairs under the program.

Virginia fire departments interested in the program are encouraged to seek new locations suitable for dry hydrant installations and to take advantage of the program by submitting a request for funding assistance to the VDOF. To Apply

Applicant should submit Form 4.30 Dry Fire Hydrant Grant Program Application to the VDOF Fire and Emergency Response Branch. Application Deadline March 31 (each year)

Avariety of financial assistance programs exist through VDOF and partner agencies for wildfire preparation and suppression, as well as forest management activities. - Courtesy of Virginia Department of Fire Programs

Antique Fest a Hit

Antique Fest was held on May 1, 2021, at the Apple Blossom Mall in Winchesterunderbright and sunny skies and cool and crisp mountain weather. Sponsored by Atlantic Emergency Equipment and the Old Dominion Fire Historical Society (ODFHS.com) modern and antique apparatus was displayed until 1500 and then all of the participants did a “Code 3” around the mall allowing all of the apparatus to be photographed (47 units!) Atlantic provided a demo apparatus and sponsored a firetruck rodeo where entrants showed off theirdriving skills. Firefighters from as faraway as the Dakotas and Florida attended. This was held in lieu of the Apple Blossom Festival not having a firefighter’s parade this year. - Fire News photos by Dennis C. Sharpe

Suffolk Fire & Rescue SummerFire and Life Safety Camp Now Taking Applications

The Suffolk Department of Fire and Rescue is pleased to announce the return of their popular Summer Fire and Life Safety Camps geared to youth ages six to nine.

The half-day local camp runs Monday through Friday and exposes children to what it is like to be a firefighter with Suffolk Fire and Rescue with a variety of fun, challenging, entertaining and educational activities. The mission of the camp is to teach children safety lessons on things around their homes and schools which they encounter every day. Short lectures and lessons are followed by opportunities to actively participate in exercises designed to reinforce topics including firefighting, bike safety, water safety, search-and-rescue practices, first aid, and much more.

The fee for each weekly session is $85 per child, which includes a camp t-shirt, various school supplies, and lunch each day except for Friday, when there will be a Camp Graduation for participants. Participants can arrive as early as 0730 and must be picked up by 1300. The sessions run from 0830 to 1230, Monday through Thursday, and 0830 until 1130 on Friday, with Camp Graduation beginning promptly at noon. Transportation to and from the camp is not provided.

The available sessions and locations are as follows:

Session 1, July 26 - July 30, Station #6, 300 Kings Fork Road

Session 2, August 9 - August 13, Station #6, 300 Kings Fork Road

The registration deadline is July 2, 2021. You may mail or drop off the application and fee to: Suffolk Fire & Rescue Summer Fire and Life Safety Camp, 300 Kings Fork Road, Suffolk, VA23434. Checks will need to be made out to the Jeff T. Messinger Memorial Fund. Space is limited, and Camps will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants will not be confirmed for the Camp until the application and payment are received.

For additional information, please contact Jeanie Brinkley at 514-4584. Application forms can be downloaded from: www.suffolkva.us/220/Fire-Rescue. - Submitted by Diana Klink

4 Saved at Chase City CO Incident

On the morning of February 15, 2021, at 0209, Company 3 and CCRS were dispatched foran unknown problem. Mecklenburg County Communications received a call from an individual not feeling well with possibly three others unconscious. The communicatorrecognized it as a possible carbon monoxide related call and passed along the information. Hearing the call dispatched, Sergeant Will Stembridge and OfficerMichael Dailey responded to that location. Arriving within a minute, the two officers found a female and male semi-conscious close to the back door. With no regard fortheirown safety, Sgt. Stembridge and OfficerDailey entered the home and found two children unconscious in bed. The officers brought the children outside and laid them in a truck bed as Chief 3 and 34 were arriving. The two officers removed the adult male and female while Chief 3 and firefighters from E34 rendered aid to the children before the arrival of CCRS. All fourlatermade a full recovery. Lethal amounts of CO were laterdiscovered in the home. These two officers went above and beyond theirjob description and are true heroes in ourcommunity. Forthis we thank them and presented them both with a challenge coin from ourdepartment. From all of us at Chase City VolunteerFire Department, thank you forall of the extra that you do forour community! Pictured: CCVFD Capt. Josh Whitten, Sgt. Stembridge, and Officer Michael Dailey. - Submitted by Josh Whitten-CCVFD

Fire Marshal Reminds Citizens of MotorFuel Dispensing and Storage Safety

The Suffolk Fire Marshal’s Office would like to remind citizens of the safe ways to dispense flammable fuels such as gas, diesel or heating oil into a portable container for proper storage.

Battalion Chief Chris Cornwell, Fire Marshal, notes the following: • Flammable fuels should not be dispensed into portable containers over six gallons, and the containers should be listed and approved for the flammable liquid intended for the portable container. • Portable containers should have a tight closure with a screwed or spring-loaded cover to prevent spills and vapors from escaping. • When transporting gasoline in a portable container, make sure it is secured against tipping and sliding, and never leave it in direct sunlight or in the trunk of a car. • Flammable fuel should never be dispensed into portable cargo tanks or any other container not listed for flammable liquids. • Never fill a container while located in the trunk, passenger area of a car, or in the bed of a pickup truck. • All containers should be placed on the ground and clear of any possible ignition sources, such as the exhaust from a running vehicle. • Fill portable containers slowly to decrease the chance of static electricity buildup and minimize spilling or splattering. Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the container opening while refueling. Fill container no more than 95-percent full to allow for expansion. • If gasoline spills on the container, make sure that it has evaporated before you place the container in your vehicle. Report any ground spills to the station attendant. • Never smoke around flammable fuels, and never use your cell phone at any time while dispensing fuel.

For more information on fire safety, please contact the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Department at 757-514-4550, or email fireprevbureau@suffolkva.us. - Submitted by Diana Klink