Editorial

From the Editor’s Desk

Dennis Whittam, Editor Where Does Experience Come From?

I became a firefighter in 1992. As a probationary firefighter and for the next few years, I constantly found myself challenged to be the best at what I was doing. After a few months, I felt like a seasoned firefighter. Fortunately, one or two of the old-timers kept me in line and made sure my ego wasn't going to get me in trouble.

Searching for a theme for this month’s Fire News editorial, I gave thought to my career as I now start my 30th year in the fire service. One of the thoughts that came to mind was the summer of 1995. Throughout that summer, Long Island had an unusual amount of brush fires. Upon our return to the firehouse, one of our senior members always asked how the fire went. It seemed that every time he asked about the fire, the flames were hotter, and the size of the fire increased exponentially. Fast forward to July 2022.

Last week my department battled a fatal fire that challenged our members. I know everyone can look back and recall a fire that not only challenged your skills, but also left a scar on your memory. The memory of a fatal fire doesn't go away. You are left with a haunting mark that will always come back to you in some way. Kudos to my department for making sure our members understood that they did their best to save life and property. I applaud the members of my department who did their best to save the victims of this fire.

Now, back to 1995. The Long Island Wildfires of August 1995 started in July of 1995. Yes, throughout the summer of 1995, brush fires were breaking out throughout Terryville, Rocky Point and eventually moved south to the Long Island Pine Barrens. As a firefighter, what goes through your mind as you are responding to a fire and see a dark violent cloud of smoke in the direction that you are traveling? Responding to my first major wildfire, I had no idea what to expect. Thankfully, the crew of experienced firefighters knew what we were in for that day and kept a watchful eye out for one another as the flames exploded around us. I believe 12 departments worked feverishly to bring the blaze under control. Unfortunately, due to the hot and dry conditions, the flames seem to pop out all over Long Island and eventually led to the Long Island Wildfire of 1995. This fire burned approximately 5000 acres.

I urge all new firefighters to research this fire. Ask yourself would you be ready to go to work to bring a major wildfire under control? Keep in mind that every call is a learning experience. Drills help us direct our thoughts and prepare you for dealing with a thought process to battle fires that may cross your path. Experience is what is needed to safely get you through a tough situation.

I recommend that on nights you are sitting at the firehouse, take a moment to share some of the difficult fires you have had with your newer members. Talk about the scenario so that your members are aware of how they can stay safe during difficult calls. Be prepared for the return of the unexpected call. -Dennis

Page 6, Fire News, August/September2022 Cover Story Fully Involved Fully Involved on Arrival on Arrival

Stanley Fire Chief Terry A. Pettit reported that the Stanley Fire Department responded to a structure fire involving a house at 0341 on April 20, 2022, on Little Roundhead Drive. The house was set in a wooded area about one-mile south of Stanley and had been abandoned forseveral years. Chief Pettit stated that the wood frame two-story house was fully ablaze when firefighters arrived. Chief Pettit explained that firefighters had to stretch over1,800 feet of hose forwatersupply, as the road leading to the home was too narrow fortankers. Damage was estimated at $200,000 and the home was considered a total loss. Chief Pettit reported that six units from the Stanley Fire Department and 24 members responded to the blaze and were on the scene forabout fourhours. Page County EMS also responded, and no injuries were reported. The Luray Fire Department stood by the Stanley station with an engine to answer othercalls.

- Submitted by Terry Pettit

FireNews.com Fire News, August/September2022, Page 11 Vehicle Fire Cause of Oak Hill House Fire

On June 30, 2022, at 2039, Fairfax County units were dispatched fora house fire in the 2400 block of Cypress Green Lane in the Oak Hill area of Fairfax County. Units arrived to a twostory, single-family home with heavy fire visible from the garage. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire. Three occupants were home at the time and two were working on an SUVin the garage. They were trying to clean the intake manifold when the vehicle caught fire. The two occupants tried to extinguish the fire with fire extinguishers but were unsuccessful. Red Cross assistance was offered and declined. Damages as a result of the fire were approximately $11,500 forthe vehicle and $85,000 forthe home.

- Photo courtesy of Fairfax County FR

Portsmouth House Fire

Recently, Portsmouth Emergency Communications was alerted to a fire in the area of Portsmouth Boulevard and Columbus Street. Crews from Portsmouth and Navy Region Mid Atlantic arrived to find a two-story vacant home, heavily involved. Crews made an exteriorattack but were hindered by live powerlines falling on the ground. Aerial and ground masterstreams were utilized to get the blaze undercontrol. - Photo courtesy of Portsmouth FR

4 Displaced by Chesterfield Fire

On July 4, 2022, at 2357, Chesterfield Fire and EMS responded to the 15500 block of Twisted CedarCourt fora structure fire. Engine 207 arrived to find a two-story, wood frame, single-family dwelling, with heavy fire showing from the bravo side of the structure. Engine 207 began an aggressive fire attack. When Engine 207 made entry, they found heavy fire throughout the attic. Crews began to get a good knock on the fire and the incident was able to be placed undercontrol at 0047. The cause of the fire was improperly discarded fireworks. Two adults and two children were displaced and are being assisted by family and friends.

- Fire News photo by CFN Media

Three Notch Road Truck Fire

On July 5, 2022, at 0300, Louisa County Fire Rescue responded to a vehicle fire on Three Notch Road. - Photo courtesy of Louisa County FR

Commercial Structure Fire in Vinton

Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded at 0154, July 2, 2022, to the intersection of East Lee Avenue and South Pollard, in the Town of Vinton, fora commercial structure fire. Crews from Station 2 (Vinton) found heavy smoke and fire showing from the first floorof a two-story building. The fire ultimately damaged fourbuildings. There were apartments in two of the structures and eight adults from fourapartments were displaced. The roof collapsed on the fire building and a collapse zone was established. The 1930s-era building was not structurally sound and a contractorsafely demolished the building allowing fire crews to completely extinguish the fire. Another building also suffered a roof collapse and was a total loss.

- Submitted by Brian Clingenpeel

6 Displaced by Mill Pond Ct. Fire

Suffolk Fire and Rescue responded to the 1000 block of Mill Pond Court for a residential fire. Emergency Communications dispatched the incident at 0120. Engine 3, Ladder3, and Medic 3 arrived to heavy fire showing from the rearand roof of a two-story residential structure. Crews performed an aggressive interiorattack while the ladderand rescue companies performed a search. Crews were able to rescue three animals from the interiorand all occupants were out of the structure upon arrival. There was heavy fire damage to the first and second floorof the structure and the attic. Responding units included Car1, Battalion 1, Battalion 2, Engine 3, Engine 1, Engine 2, Ladder3, Rescue 1, Medic 3, EMS1, Safety 1, Rehab 6, and Fire Marshalls 1 and 4. - Photo courtesy of Suffolk FR

1 Burned at Rice Distillery Fire

On June 12, 2022, the Rice VolunteerFire Department in Prince Edward County was toned-out fora structure fire. Dispatch received furtherinfo that it was the Sandy River Distillery on Monroe Church Road, and that one person was burned. Rice’s Chief Wes Reams requested two more departments and requested Air-Med flight, weatherpermitting. Two ambulances from Prince Edward responded. Farmville and Meherrin responded formanpower. Rice was able to contain the fire to the distillery, stopping it from extending to the tasting room. Crews had the fire under-control in a little more than an hour. Prince Edward Unit 14 attended the burn victim who was blown out of the building on the D side and had second-degree burns to his back and legs and was transported to VCU Medical Centerin Richmond. - Submitted by Dan Pempel

ExcavatorFire Snuffed

Recently, Company 7 was dispatched to the 400-block of Craig Mill Road fora report of a excavatoron fire. Chief 7 and Engine 72 arrived on scene to find an excavatorwith heavy fire and smoke showing. Crews from E72 immediately stretched a front bumperline and began attacking the fire with Class B foam. Additional units on scene included Tanker75 and Engine 73. - Submitted by Zach Currin

Route 211 Structure Fire

On June 24, 2022, at approximately 1330, Little Fork and surrounding stations were dispatched fora structure fire off Route 211 nearthe FauquierCounty border. The initial report was smoke coming from the walls of a residential structure. Little Fork and Amissville arrived to smoke showing from every side of the house. All of the occupants were reported out. Little Fork and Amissville combined theircrews and pulled a handline to the rearof the structure, where there was a basement garage located underthe firstfloorkitchen area with fire. The crew performed a quick knockdown. Warrenton stretched a line through the front doorto check forextension. Aunit from Orleans assisted with overhaul. Due to a quick, aggressive attack majordamage was limited to the garage and kitchen area. - Photo courtesy of Little Fork FR

Blackrock Lodge Fully Involved on Arrival

The Stanley Fire Department responded fora structure fire at 0248 on April 18, 2022, in the Big Meadows area located on the Skyline Drive. Chief Terry A. Pettit said that upon arrival firefighters found the 10-bedroom Blackrock Lodge fully involved along with a pickup, a maintenance building and the brush around the lodge. Crews were hampered by low waterpressure and waterhad to be shuttled. It took nearly two hours to bring the fire undercontrol and units remained on the scene until 1000. Afoam unit was brought to the scene from Merck. The cause of the fire was underinvestigation. Six units from Stanley and 21 firefighters responded and were assisted by tankers from Elkton, Luray and Shenandoah. An engine from Luray, along with crews from the Shenandoah National Park also assisted. Page County EMS and Stanley Rescue also sent units and no injuries were reported. Shenandoah covered Stanley. - Submitted by Terry Pettit

Apartment Fire Held in Norfolk

Norfolk B-Shift crews were called into action fora structure fire on Front Street. Units were dispatched to The Roebuck apartment complex and, on arrival, saw nothing from the exterior. Upon making entry to the fourth floor, they had smoke coming from an apartment. Engine 06, E01, E07, E08, L01, L07, R01, M07, BC01, BC02 and the FM Group responded and crews quickly forced entry. With theirattack, along with the assistance of the sprinklersystem activation, they were able to extinguish the fire and prevent any extension to adjacent apartments. They also rescued a dog from the apartment, who made quick friends with crews at the scene.

- Photo courtesy of Norfolk FR

Nice Stop by Galax

Galax Fire Department responded fora structure fire on South Main Street. Arriving units found a single-wide mobile home with floorto ceiling smoke. The occupants were outside and reported a dog trapped. Firefighters made entry, quickly found and exited with the dog, then went back to the firefight. Thankfully, the fire was contained to the airhandler from the airconditioning unit and quickly extinguished. Fourchildren and two adults were home at the time of the fire. Luckily, mom woke up, alerted the rest and evacuated safely. One occupant was transported by Galax Fire forsmoke inhalation and a second was treated at the scene by Galax-Grayson EMS.

- Photo courtesy of Galax FD

Residential Fire Displaces 1

Suffolk Fire and Rescue responded on May 23, 2022, to a residential structure fire in the 100 block of Woodrow Avenue. Emergency Communications was contacted at 0603 and the first unit arrived on scene at 0610. Crews arrived to a single-story residential structure with heavy smoke and fire showing from the rear. Firefighters made entry and performed an aggressive interior attack. Asingle occupant had evacuated priorto arrival of fire units. The residence sustained heavy fire, smoke and heat damage. The single occupant was displaced by the fire. The fire was underinvestigation by the Suffolk Department of Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office. Responding units included Battalion 1, Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 4, EMS 1, Ladder6, Medic 3, Rescue 1, Reserve Rescue 6, Safety 1, Fire Marshal 1, Fire Marshal 7. - Photos courtesy of Suffolk FR

Malfunction in Lithium-Ion Battery Pack Cause of Townhouse Fire

On June 18, 2022, at approximately 0936, units were dispatched fora reported townhouse fire in the 13000 block of Rose Petal Circle in the Frying Pan area of Fairfax County. Units arrived to a three-story, middle unit townhouse with fire visible from the third floor. Crews were able to quickly bring the fire undercontrol. Fire was mostly contained to the third floorwith minorextension into the attic. Two dogs were rescued. The fire was discovered by neighbors who observed fire coming from the third-floorwindow. Smoke alarms were present and activated, according to witness statements. Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental in nature and started in a third-floorbedroom. The cause of the fire was a malfunction involving a charging, lithium-ion battery pack. Two occupants were displaced because of the fire. - Photo courtesy of Fairfax County FR

3 Displaced in Norfolk TrailerFire

Suffolk Fire and Rescue responded to the 1160 block of Nansemond Parkway, the Magnolia Lake Mobile Home Park, fora reported residential traileron fire. Emergency Communications dispatched the incident at 0127. Engine 1 arrived to heavy fire and smoke showing from the singlewide trailer. An aggressive interiorattack and search of the trailer occurred as no one could identify if the residents of the trailerhad exited priorto arrival of the firefighters. Engine 1’s crew attacked the fire while Rescue 1’s crew performed a primary search of the interiorof the home. There was heavy fire and smoke damage to the entire mobile home. Three adult and several animals were displaced and the American Red Cross assisted them. - Photo courtesy of Suffolk FR

HanoverHandles Large Brush Fire

HanoverFire-EMS crews responded to a large brush fire in the 8200 block of Little Florida Road in the county’s east end. Units arrived to find a fast-moving brush fire that was approximately five acres in size. The fire involved two barns and crews requested assistance from the Virginia Department of Forestry fora dozerunit to help control the fire. - Photo courtesy of Hanover County FR

Richmond High Rise Roof Fire

Recently, Richmond Fire Department responded to the 900 block of East Main Street fora reported structure fire. Fire crews arrived to find a 12-story highrise structure with heavy smoke showing. Crews then made access to the roof to determine they were working with heavy fire conditions throughout the roof and a second alarm was struck. Crews determined that the fire had quickly spread from the roof to the 12th floor. Command then declared a third alarm. As this structure was underrenovation, crews dealt with FDIs out of service, SPrisers cut off, lateral pipes leading to nowhere, and closed valves. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.