VIRGINIA Serving VOLUME 2, NO. 3
W W W .FIRENE WS .COM
Fire,Serving Rescue & EMS Fire, Rescue & EMS Heroes Heroes Since 1973 Since 1973
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021
Story on page 34. - Fire News photo by Carter Killorn
Looking Back: VA Fire History Please see page 36.
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Fire News, August/September 2021, Page 3
In this issue... Vacant Bank Fire on Marlowe Road Richmond and Chesterfield responded to the 7000 block of Marlowe Road at the vacant Wells Fargo Bank. See story on page 6
Glenmeadow Court House Fire Chesterfield Fire and EMS responded to the 13200 block of Glenmeadow Court for a structure fire. See story on page 12
A Service for Virginia Firefighters and EMS Providers Founded 1973
146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713 FRANK C. TROTTA, Publisher TIM EDWARDS, Executive Editor DENNIS WHITTAM, Editor GARY P. JOYCE, Managing Editor MARIE TROTTA, Vice President, Production/Sales CLIFF CHIESA, Art Director, Production Manager
Pets Die at Barney Lane Fire The Stanley Fire Department responded to a house fire on Barney Lane.
BARBARA CONNOLLY: Advertising Sales BRYAN LOPEZ: Editorial Assistant Graphic Artists: LYNN SEDLER, GREG JONES
See story on page 16 COPYRIGHT 2021, THE FIRE NEWS INC., LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Virginia Task Force Assists at Florida Building Collapse VA-TF1’s lent their assistance in the recent Surfside Condo collapse in Florida. See story on page 18
Little Fork Chief Doug Monaco Virginia Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year See story on page 31
Obituaries Chesterfield’s Tyvaughn Eldridge Lawrenceville’s Tracey Powell Woodstock’s Tom W. Frazier See story on pages 34 & 35
PLUS: Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4 Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pages 23-30 Industry News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 37 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 38 Business Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 38
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Nine Editions Serving Long Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, 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, August/September 2021
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From the Editor’s Desk Dennis Whittam, Editor
Can You Handle the Challenging Call? This past month has presented the fire service with several calls that have challenged our first responders. The calls made me think about our new officers, firefighters and EMTs, who may find themselves involved with a serious call that they think they could handle. My question to you is, “Are you prepared to handle the challenging call?” Recently, a cemetery worker in my area was killed as he was working in a trench and the sidewall of the trench collapsed, burying the worker in 18 inches of dirt. As the first arriving unit, what would you and your crew do? Immediately, you should be thinking, “trench rescue.” Are you aware, trench walls can collapse in 1/10 of a second? When the walls collapse, the earth moves at approximately 40 mph. Guess what? You do not have a chance of getting out of its way. A single cubic foot of dirt weighs 100 pounds. A cubic yard weighs 3000 pounds. As firefighters, we must discipline ourselves to back off and wait for a technical rescue team to arrive to the scene. Sadly, the buried worker lost his life
and the scene quickly became a recovery effort. This month, there was a serious propane incident on Long Island. Two workers were refilling propane cylinders when something went wrong. The two workers were seriously burned and needed to be quickly transported to a burn unit. On Long Island, we are very lucky to have two state-of-the-art burn units. Nassau County has the Nassau University Medical Center and Suffolk County has the Burn Center at Stony Brook University Medical Center. Once you arrive on scene, would you know how to handle a seriously burned patient? I had one fire in my career that I still have thoughts about. It was one of those incidents that, when you close your eyes, you can visualize the patients uncontrollably shaking as their skin was falling off of their bodies. I was part of the ambulance crew that horrible night. Fortunately, our EMT was experienced and knew how to prepare the patient for transport to Stony Brook Medical Center. Every year, the Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center holds a recognition
day. Several of the doctors talk about the newest equipment and innovations, the nurses of the unit are honored, and checks are presented to the unit from fundraisers held by our junior groups and various firematic organization. My advice to everyone — go to this event! Finally, as firefighters, most of us feel confident that we can handle any job that comes our way. The truth is you may not be able to handle some calls as safely as you think. Please take the time to review the courses offered at your fire academy and enroll in Technical Rescue Courses and Rapid Intervention Classes. Take the time to investigate your Burn Center. Meet with the staff of well-qualified personnel and ask questions on handling a serious burn victim. Who knows, the person you save, could be a member of your own company. - Dennis
Page 6, Fire News, August/September 2021
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Boat Fire in Norfolk Recently, Norfolk E13, L13, M13, BC02 and R02 responded to a boat fire. On arrival, they found the single watercraft fully involved, but were able to quickly extinguish it before the fire burned to the water line. There were no injuries and the fuel tank remained intact. The fire marshals also responded to begin their investigation. - Photos courtesy of Norfolk Fire Rescue
Vacant Bank Fire on Marlowe Road On July 12, 2021, around 1600 hours, Richmond Fire Department and Chesterfield Fire and EMS responded to the 7000 block of Marlowe Road at the vacant Wells Fargo Bank for a structure fire. The caller reported they could see smoke coming from the roof and that someone was possibly inside. Fire units discovered heavy smoke coming from the roof and fire showing in the drive-through area from the single-story structure. Crews went into the rescue mode due to reports of people trapped inside. Crews forced entry and soon determined that a person made it out safely. Fire units got a good knock on the fire and then checked for extension. Crews found minimal fire had spread to an attic area. Units were able to get a quick knock down on it and keep it from spreading further. One firefighter suffered an injury on scene and received medical attention by Richmond Ambulance Association. - Fire News photos by Carter Killorn & Hayden Lear
Suffolk Fire & Rescue Respond to Garage Fire Suffolk Fire and Rescue responded to the scene of a residential garage fire on June 17, 2021, in the 700 block of Carolina Road. Emergency Communications was contacted at 0601. Battalion Chief William Kessinger arrived to a detached garage fully involved with multiple exposures to a residence, camper and multiple vehicles. The fire was contained to the garage but the camper and other vehicles sustained heat damage. The fire was marked under control at 0628. Responding units included Battalion 1, Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 4, Ladder 3, Rescue 1, Medic 1, EMS 1, and Safety 1. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Fire Marshal. - Submitted by Diana Klink
Suffolk Responds to Residential Structure Fire Suffolk Fire and Rescue units responded on June 23, 2021, to a residential structure fire in the 200 block of Lewis Avenue. Emergency Communications was contacted at 1035 and the first unit arrived in the South Suffolk neighborhood at 1040. Battalion Chief Demitri Wilson advised that first arriving units found heavy smoke showing from the single-story residence. The occupant had safely evacuated prior to the arrival of firefighters. The fire was called under control at 1053. The home sustained extensive fire damage. One adult was displaced and assisted by the American Red Cross. Responding units included Battalion 1; Engines 1, 3, and 4; Ladder 3; Safety 1; Medic 1; EMS1; Car 1; and FM 5, 6, and 7. - Submitted by Diana Klink
Page 8, Fire News, August/September 2021
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Compactor Fire Recently, Fort Lee fire crews responded to a fire in a compactor. - Photo courtesy of Fort Lee Fire & Emergency Services
Busy Night for Woodstock On the evening of July 3, 2021, the Woodstock Fire Department responded to two simultaneous fires, one being an outside fire on Interstate 81 that burned approximately 500-square feet and the second being a fully involved vehicle fire in town. - Submitted by Zachary Hottel
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Fire News, August/September 2021, Page 9
Page 10, Fire News, August/September 2021
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8 Displaced by Potomac Hills Drive Apartment Fire
Crews responded to a fire on Potomac Hills Drive on June 28, 2021. No one was home at the time of the fire (just after noontime) but two dogs were rescued. First-arriving crews found heavy fire from the Charlie and Delta sides of the fire building, and a second alarm was struck. There was heavy damage to two townhomes, and damage to two adjacent structures. One civilian was taken to the hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries. Eight people were displaced. The fire was determined to be accidental and caused by improperly discarded smoking materials. - Submitted by Katie C. Brady
Potomac Drive Blaze
Crews responded for a fire on Potomac Drive around midnight on July 8, 2021. First arriving crews found heavy fire from the Charlie side of the structure on all three levels. Eight people were displaced, and the cause of the blaze was under investigation. - Submitted by Katie C. Brady
Page 12, Fire News, August/September 2021
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Glenmeadow Court House Fire
On June 24, 2021, Chesterfield Fire and EMS responded to the 13200 block of Glenmeadow Court for a structure fire. The caller advised that their neighbors house had smoke coming from the roof and it didn’t appear anyone was home. Engine 205 arrived to find a two-story, wood frame, single-family dwelling with heavy smoke showing. Engine 205 quickly went into the offense mode and Engine 205 got an all-clear on the structure. The homeowner soon arrived and confirmed no one was inside. Units made a quick attack on the attic and got a fast knockdown on the fire. Crews were able to mark the incident under control within 30 minutes of arrival. Units were on scene for about three hours. - Fire News photos by Carter Killorn & Hayden Lear
Pets Die at Richmond House Fire
The Richmond Fire Department responded to the 3700 block of Stockton Street for a house fire in the late evening on June 20, 2021. Engine Company 22 arrived to heavy smoke showing, as Truck 8 arrived and started searches. While T8 conducted a search, they discovered two pets inside the home; both were pronounced at the scene. There were no other reported injuries to civilians or firefighters. - Fire News photos by Christian Davies
Page 14, Fire News, August/September 2021
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Vehicle Fire on I-81 Woodstock Fire Department Rescue Engine and Engine 12 assisted Toms Brook Fire with a MVA involving a vehicle on fire on Interstate 81 early on June 14, 2021. Crews extinguished a fully involved Jeep that was approximately 200 feet off the roadway, down a bank and on the other side of a fence line. - Submitted by Zachary Hottel
Albemarle County and Charlottesville Respond to Structure Fire
On June 30, 2021, at approximately 1803, career and volunteer units from Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR) and units from Charlottesville Fire Department (CFD) responded for a garage fire with exposures on Verona Court. Units arrived to heavy black smoke issuing from the soffits of a single-story detached garage. CFD Engine 1, was first in, followed by ACFR Engine 111. The garage door was cut and removed and crews entering reported high heat and smoke conditions. However, the fire was compartmentalized and did not spread to nearby buildings. Fire department units cleared the incident at 2045. The Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire to be accidental in nature and due to the failure of a lithium battery charging. - Submitted by Abbey Stumph
Lightning Strike Causes House Fire Chesterfield Fire and EMS responded to a structure fire at the 9000 block of Mission Hills Circle recently. The caller advised lighting had struck the home. Truck 207 arrived to heavy smoke showing. Crews operated in the offensive mode. Crews were able to have the bulk of the fire knocked down and the incident marked under control in less than an hour. Responding were E207, 219, 225, and 216, Truck 207, BC204 and 203, and SA201. - Fire News photo by Christian Davies
Commercial Fire Draws a Crowd On July 7, 2021, South Hill Volunteer Fire Department (Mecklenburg County) was special called to assist Brunswick County with a working commercial fire at GlenGery in Lawrenceville. South Hill Truck 7, Support 70, Unit 78, and Chief 7 all responded. On scene were multiple Brunswick County departments as well as Emporia-Greensville Fire Department (Greensville County). Initial reports from Dolphin Fire Department (Brunswick County) say that something in the grinding room caught a conveyor belt on fire causing the rest of the room to catch fire and spread to other materials. - Submitted by Zach Currin
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Fire News, August/September 2021, Page 15
Crawl Space Fire on Fox Chase Road On July 7, 2021, Chesterfield Fire and EMS responded to the 3100 block of Fox Chase Road for a structure fire. The caller reported that their crawl space was on fire and that they were putting water on it. The caller also advised that there was gasoline in the crawl space. Medic 216 arrived to find a single-story, wood frame, singlefamily dwelling with heavy smoke showing on the bravo side. Engine 216 pulled an attack line to the crawl space and Medic 216 took RIC. Battalion 204 took command. Engine 216 advised of an active fire in the crawl space and crews determined that smoke was coming up through the floor boards. At that time air utility was dispatched priority 3. Engine 224 arrived and took over RIC. Medic 216 assisted Engine 216. Truck 207 assisted with ventilation. The fire was able to be placed under control within an hour. All fire crews remained on scene for about an hour to assist with overhaul. - Fire News photo by Carter Killorn & Hayden Lear
Page 16, Fire News, August/September 2021
Norfolk Structure Fire
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On June 11, 2021, Norfolk C-Shift crews found themselves another hot job when they were called out to Benjamin Avenue for a structure fire. Engine 13, 14 and 16, L13, M16, R01, BC03, Car 5 and the FM Group found smoke and flames visible on arrival and moved in quickly to get the fire knocked down. Though there were no injuries, this incident left five residents and one pet displaced. Crews worked in warm temperatures and high humidity conditions. - Photos courtesy of Norfolk Fire Rescue
Barney Lane House Fire
Stanley Chief Terry A. Pettit reported the Stanley Fire Department responded at 2352 to a house fire on Barney Lane. Crews arrived to heavy smoke coming from the kitchen area. Even though the fire was contained to the kitchen, the house sustained significant damage. Two dogs and three cats died in the fire, which originated in electrical wiring around a hot water heater. Five Stanley units and 20 firefighters responded and had the fire under control in approximately 30 minutes but remained on the scene for about two hours. The Stanley Rescue Squad and the Page County Sheriff’s Department also assisted. - Submitted by Chief Terry A. Pettit
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Fire News, August/September 2021, Page 17
Family Displaced After Vehicle Strikes Residence The Suffolk Police Department and Suffolk Fire and Rescue were on the scene after a vehicle struck a residence in the 100 block of Stoney Ridge Avenue in the Estates of Scottsfield neighborhood. Upon preliminary investigation, it was determined that the passenger vehicle was traveling on Stoney Ridge Avenue when it left the roadway and struck the front entrance of the two-story residence. There were no injuries to the driver or the occupants of the residence, who were home at the time. Neighborhood Development Services staff also responded. Two adults and one child were displaced and were assisted by friends. The adult male driver was taken into custody. - Submitted by Diana Klink
MVA on Midlothian Tpke. On July 13, 2021, roughly around 1311, Chesterfield Fire and EMS responded to Midlothian Turnpike directly before Huguenot Springs for an MVA with overturn. The caller reported that a vehicle ran through the guard rail and was possibly overturned in the ditch. Engine 205 arrived to discover one vehicle not overturned, in the ditch, with moderate damage. Engine 205 made patient contact and determined they were working one green patient. At that time Engine 205 reduced Medic 204 to Priority 3 and Battalion Chief 203 put himself back in service per Engine 205’s report. Engine 205 worked a patient refusal for extremity injury on scene. - Fire News photo by Carter Killorn & Hayden Lear
Page 18, Fire News, August/September 2021
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Virginia Task Force Assists at Florida Building Collapse VA-TF1’s (Urban Search and Rescue Virginia Task Force 1, based in Fairfax County), three engineers at the Surfside building collapse in Florida, used their experience with collapsed buildings alongside other structural specialists, to help ensure operations were as safe as possible. - Photos courtesy of Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department
At Least He Had a Good View At approximately 1236 on July 3, 2021, the South Hill Volunteer Fire Department was called to an address in their first-due area for a subject trapped on a lift approximately 65 feet in the air. Truck 7 responded and safely removed the uninjured subject. - Submitted by Zach Currin
Richmond Water Rescue with 4 Successful Saves Richmond Fire Departments Water Rescue Team responded to the 7300 block of Riverside Drive at Pony Pasture for the report of four civilians stuck in the river. Boat-1 and Boat-2 launched at the Meadows boat landing and discovered two individuals stuck on a rock in the middle of the river, and two more individuals stuck on the shore on the opposite side of the river. - Fire News photo by Christian Davies
Busy Night in Richmond Recently, the Richmond Fire Department had a busy evening responding to multiple calls for service across the district. Two highlighted incidents were tree versus house. Crews responded to the 1400 block of Oakwood Avenue for the report of a building collapse. Engine 8 arrived and discovered a tree into a house but, fortunately, everyone was able to escape the home without injury. They were being assisted by Virginia Red Cross. The second incident, less than a mile away, was also a tree into a home. Engine 13 arrived to a tree through a house; the home was reported to be abandoned and no one was inside. - Fire News photo by Christian Davies
Page 22, Fire News, August/September 2021
Car vs. Truck MVA and Extrication
On July 2, 2021 at approximately 0830, Little Fork was dispatched for a report of a single-auto collision on Springs Road near the Baptist Church. Responding units were later advised that a second caller reported an entrapment and the collision involved a car and tractor trailer. Units arrived to find one person trapped in the car. The EMS crew provided care and the engine company removed two doors to free the driver. The patient was transported to Fauquier Hospital. Ambulance 9-1, Rescue Engine 9 and Chief 9 responded to this incident. We would like to thank the six volunteers who responded to this call, extricating, transporting, removing hazards and later directing traffic. - Photo courtesy of Little Fork Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co.
Chesterfield MVA
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Up Close & Personal
Members of the Little Fork Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company. - Photo courtesy of Little Fork Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co.
Firefighter Wayne Taylor has been with the Richmond Fire Department for over 41 years. He has been stationed at Company 10 for his entire career. - Fire News photo by Carter Killorn and Hayden Lear
Richmond Ambulance Association Lieutenant Escobar, working rehab on a recent structure fire. - Fire News photo by Carter Killorn and Hayden Lear
Recently, Chesterfield Fire and EMS responded to the intersection of Winterfield and West Salisbury Roads for an MVA. Engine 205 arrived to find a two-vehicle MVA with moderate damage. Engine 205 quickly took command and made patient contact. Engine 205 disclosed they were working one green patient and reduced Medic 7 to priority 3 and marked the incident under control. Medic 7 transported one patient to the hospital for extremity injuries. - Fire News photo by Carter Killorn & Hayden Lear
1 Fatality at I-85 MVA On July 4, 2021, South Hill Volunteer Fire Department, Southside Rescue Squad, Boydton Life Station and Virginia State Police responded to Interstate 85 southbound at the four-mile-marker for an MVA. Upon arrival of fire units, they found a vehicle down an embankment with three subjects still inside the vehicle. It was determined that one person was trapped and the assignment was upgraded to an extrication. The other two patients were ambulatory and were both transported to the local hospital for evaluations. Unfortunately, the subject who was entrapped was DOA and it was determined he passed away on initial impact of the accident. Company 7 units on scene included Engine 72, Engine 73, Support 70, Unit 79, and Chief 702. - Submitted by Zach Currin
A Chesterfield Fire Marshal after a recent structure fire. - Fire News photo by Carter Killorn & Hayden Lear
Firefighters from the Chesterfield Fire Department. - Fire News photo by Carter Killorn & Hayden Lear
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Training
Fire News, August/September 2021, Page 23
Swift Water Training
The Rappahannock River keeps the Stafford Swift Water Rescue every weekend through Labor Day as a rapid response asset. Team busy all summer. Their swift water teams have been training - Submitted by Katie C. Brady all spring and are now staffing at the Historic Port of Falmouth
Page 24, Fire News, August/September 2021
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Training
Swift Water Training for Richmond
Richmond Fire Department at a swift water rescue training drill, recently. - Fire News photos by Carter Killorn & Hayden Lear
Hi-Rise Ops Training
Recently, the Henrico Division of Fire drilled on high-rise operations. - Fire News photos by Christian Davies
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Fire News, August/September 2021, Page 25
Training
Fairfax HazMat Training
Recently, members of the Fairfax County Hazardous Materials Response Team have participated in continuing education training. Topic: drilling into a tanker and pumping it to offload fuel product from an overturned tanker. Make every day a training day! - Photos courtesy of Fairfax County Fire Rescue
Page 26, Fire News, August/September 2021
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Training
Powhatan Drills at Huguenot Recently, Powhatan firefighters drilled on vehicle fires at Huguenot’s Company 2. - Fire News photo by Carter Killorn and Hayden Lear
Water Supply Testing On July 9 2021, the Woodstock Fire Department conducted a rural water supply/drafting class utilizing the North Fork of the Shenandoah River to test its ability to successfully utilize this important water source for a fire. - Submitted by Zachary Hottel
‘Rappelling’ Training for Chesterfield Recruits Chesterfield Recruit School 62, training on rappelling. - Fire News photo by Carter Killorn & Hayden Lear
Rural Water Supply Course On July 10 and11, 2021, the Little Fork Fire and Rescue Company hosted a Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Fire Programs Rural Water Supply Course. This is the system utilized by rural departments where municipal water supplies are not available. All water is transported by tankers from ponds/creeks/rivers to large holding tanks at the fire scene. Theory, tactics, strategy, planning and several other topics were covered during the classroom session on Saturday. On Sunday, students practiced setting up a dump site and fill site. Tankers were utilized to shuttle water from the source to the incident grounds. Rural fire and EMS incidents are challenging to say the least. Alarm time, travel distance, accessibility, resources and other factors are critical for a positive outcome. Volunteers from across the County participated in the course. - Photo courtesy of Little Fork Fire & Rescue
Henrico Recruits Train Henrico recruits training recently. - Fire News photo by Carter Killorn & Hayden Lear
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Fire News, August/September 2021, Page 27
Patches
Hollymead Fire Rescue Station 12
VDFP’s Aid Increases to $34 Million for Firefighter Training and PPEs The Virginia Fire Services Board (VFSB), a Governor-appointed policy body that consists of 15 members from Virginia’s Fire Service, the insurance industry, municipal organizations, and citizen representatives; and the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) announced on July 12, 2021, a 5.45percent budget increase in the Fire Programs Fund. The increase totals $1.8 million to the Virginia Aid to Localities (ATL) funding program, which bumps up the total aid to $34 million for statewide distribution. ATL funding comes from the Virginia Fire Programs Fund, which is derived from one-percent of insurance premiums collected in the previous calendar year. Approximately 75 percent of the total fund goes directly to 323 counties, cities, and incorporated towns within the Commonwealth. Twenty-five percent goes to VDFP’s operational budget. VDFP administers the ATL program in conjunction with the Board. The current fiscal year (FY22) increases follow pivotal milestones for the Board. In 2020, VFSB pushed to increase ATL funding to support training initiatives, construction of fire training centers, firefighting equipment and protective gear. The Board’s request was made in response to increasing budget trends in Virginia’s Fire Service. During fiscal year 2021
(FY21), minimum ATL funding levels jumped from $10,000 to $15,000 and $20,000 to $30,000. This fiscal year, 152 Virginia localities will see an increase as they received above the minimum in FY21. The Board approved to allow the minimum funding levels to remain at the FY21 increases. “The Board saw a trend in the rising costs of insurance, particularly the types of insurance in which the one percent that goes to the Fire Programs Fund is derived — fire, miscellaneous property and casualty, marine, homeowners and farm owners insurance,” said VFSB Chair Scott Garber. “We made a strategic move in considering these increases to align with the rising costs in keeping fire departments operable.” “The increased funding allows us to assist Virginia’s Fire Service in growing their departments and personnel. In some cases, ATL funding increases budgetary choices for financially strapped fire departments,” said VDFP Acting Executive Director Garrett Dyer. “Our purpose is to assist where we can to help fire departments meet or exceed their service delivery goals.” Funding is available annually on July 1, the start of VDFP’s new fiscal year. Qualifying localities are required to submit annual reports and financial documentation to receive an allocation.
James City County Fire Department
Loudoun County Fire Department
Page 28, Fire News, August/September 2021
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Training
James Henrick Gets 2021 VCOS Training Officer Recognition Award Sponsored by Vector Solutions The International Association of Fire Chiefs’(IAFC) Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS), in partnership with Vector Solutions, the leading provider of computer-based training and operational management applications for public safety agencies, are proud to announce Volunteer Training Coordinator James Hedrick of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (Virginia) as the recipient of the 2021 VCOS Training Officer Recognition Award. Chief Norvin Collins, VCOS Board Member and Training Officer Recognition Award Committee Member, stated, “During the past year, all response agencies were challenged with meeting ongoing community demand, in addition to Covid-19. This demand put additional stressors on the training of our responders. The Award Committee and Vector Solutions were very pleased at the quality and number of submissions. The VCOS Board of Directors would like to offer their congratulations to this year’s recipient, James Hedrick.” Hedrick has been responsible for coordinating and developing all operational training for the volunteer members of the 12 partner volunteer fire departments which are part of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue. He has also been responsible for managing an adjunct instructor corps of more than 40 part-time instructors and scheduling all basic training classes including introductory training, EMT basic, Firefighter (I & II as a package), EVOC, and more. He is a retired career Battalion Chief from Fairfax County and has been able to leverage his experience as a command officer to train volunteers
sitting for the lieutenant’s exam and other leadership positions. When Covid19 started, things dramatically changed at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy. Hedrick immediately took several steps to adjust the training of volunteers to allow for the continuation of training including: • The move of all classes possible to Zoom. • Utilization of the Vector Solutions platform, formerly known as TargetSolutions, for testing. • Adjusting classes that required in-person
activity such as CPR by moving most of it to online learning and creating a drive-through process, minimizing exposure to all involved. • Created a modularized process for completing the state requirements for EMT. • Transferred many smaller evaluation tasks to the volunteer chiefs at the station level. • Moved forward with an online tabletbased training and testing process for EMT-B. Through his efforts, Fairfax County graduated more than 70 new EMTs, on-boarded more than 150 new members, and held monthly recertification training. “Jim’s impact on the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department has been immense; he is a consummate leader — promoting, developing and encouraging the next level of firefighters and leaders,” said Shawn Stokes, Chairman of the Fairfax County Volunteer Fire Commission. Fire Chief John S. Butler of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said, “The positive impact of Jim’s dedication and leadership is visible every day through the men and women, both career and volunteer, of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. He has propelled the department forward and allowed us to adapt through the most unforeseen of circumstances.” The award will be presented at the VCOS Annual Meeting at Fire-Rescue International in Charlotte, North Carolina on July 29. This year marks the eighth consecutive year Vector Solutions and the VCOS have partnered to present this award. - Submitted by Kara Schafer
Page 30, Fire News, August/September 2021
Training
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Woodstock at Fireworks Standby On July 4, 2021, the Woodstock Fire Department provided two standby crews for the Town of Woodstock’s Independence Day fireworks display. - Submitted by Zachary Hottel
Morel, Wetzel Graduate High School On May 22, 2021, the Woodstock Fire Department celebrated with Firefighters John Morel and Ryan Wetzel when the two graduated from Central High School. - Submitted by Zachary Hottel
7 Graduate From Academy On July 3, 2021, the Woodstock Fire Department celebrated with seven of its members who graduated from the Shenandoah County Fire Academy after completing their Firefighter I and II Certifications. - Submitted by Zachary Hottel
Wintergreen … Just in Case The Wintergreen Fire Department stands by on scene of a community 4th of July event. - Fire News photo by Carter Killorn & Hayden Lear
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Fire News, August/September 2021, Page 31
Little Fork Chief Doug Monaco Named Virginia Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year A firefighter for 48 years, Little Fork Chief Doug Monaco was presented the honor recently as part of the Governor’s Fire Service Awards. Virginia Department of Fire Programs Acting Director Garrett Dyer made the presentation with Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran. “Each year, we are honored to recognize Virginia’s dedicated fire professionals who go beyond the call of duty to protect their fellow Virginians and communities in times of great danger,” said Governor Ralph Northam in a statement. “This year’s award recipients have displayed remarkable tenacity and valor while navigating unprecedented challenges amid the Covid-19 pandemic. We are grateful to these brave men and women for their faithful service and sacrifice.” “That innovative spark is the foundation of the Governor’s Fire Service Awards and we are honored to recognize impressive levels of excellence with these awards,” Director Dyer said. Monaco retired as Captain from Prince William County Fire and Rescue after 32 years and is currently overseeing the long-anticipated expansion to the company’s tiny volunteer stationhouse in northern Culpeper County. “Chief Monaco has provided countless hours of exemplary leadership and personal time toward the foundation and success of the Little
Fork Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company in Culpeper County for the last 26 years,” Dyer said. In 2010, he saw the need for and founded a Large Animal Rescue Team, the state’s only allvolunteer team of its type, which responds around the state to help large animals in distress. “Although Little Fork Volunteer Company may be small, Chief Monaco has created an environment for his volunteer company to thrive with an astounding 88 current members and a 100 percent response rate for the last nine years,” Dyer said. “During his tenure as chief he has fostered a culture that encourages engagement and training for his members, which has allowed him to not only retain members, but grow exponentially.” Monaco leads by example and takes every chance to teach and educate his members so that they feel a part of his team, the acting director said. “We want to thank Chief Doug Monaco for his many years of service to ensure the success of Little Fork Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company. His hard work and dedication will serve the citizens of Culpeper for many years to come because of his effort,” Dyer said. The Governor’s Fire Service Awards were established in 2002 to formally recognize professional excellence and outstanding achieve-
George F. Will Remembered
The Woodstock Fire Department remembered George F. Will on the 77th anniversary of his passing. George is the only Woodstock Fire Department member to be killed while serving his country in the US Armed Forces. He died in action on July 30, 1944, while serving with the US Army in France. Will was an active member of our department, the company secretary, and a beloved member of the community. - Submitted by Zachary Hottel
ment in Virginia’s Fire Service, an acknowledgment that often goes unrecognized. The Virginia Department of Fire Programs, in partnership with the Virginia Fire Services Board, facilitates the awards. “Through the hardships of this past year these men and women have continuously worked to help their communities,” said Moran. “We are proud to honor these recipients for their commitment to ensuring the safety and protection to those in our Commonwealth.” - Courtesy of Virginia Department of Fire Programs & Little Fork Fire-Rescue Company
Page 32, Fire News, August/September 2021
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Covering for Chesterfield Recently, while Chesterfield Fire and EMS laid to rest Firefighter Recruit Tyvaughn Eldridge, various departments from the region came to backfill Chesterfieldstations. Departments including Hanover Fire and EMS, Goochland Fire-Rescue, Henrico Division
of Fire, and the Richmond City Fire Department assisted in the operation. Units from each department ran calls throughout the county. - Fire News photos by Christian Davies
Albemarle County Fire Rescue Welcomes New Firefighters Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR) is proud to introduce its newest class of firefighters. On June 24, 2021, 14 career Firefighter/EMTs from ACFR’s Recruit School 19 were sworn into service. During their 24 weeks of training, the recruits were certified as Firefighters and EMTs, and trained to respond to hazardous materials, vehicle rescue, and technical rescue incidents. In addition, they are now certified Car Seat Installation Technicians. “ACFR personnel are highly trained and motivated to provide the highest quality service to the residents of Albemarle,” said Chief Dan Eggleston. “As brand-new firefighters, this class is trained to serve as
functional members of the ACFR team, and we warmly welcome them to the family.” In 2020, ACFR began the implementation of an 18-month long staffing initiative to respond to the growing needs of the county while more efficiently utilizing personnel. To respond to those growing needs and fully implement the new staffing strategy, ACFR needed to expand its team of responders. Through a $1.9 million FEMA grant and the approved Fiscal Year 2021 Budget, the department has been hiring, training and placing into service a total of 22 new positions over the span of 18 months and three recruit schools. This is the third of those recruit schools and will be placed into service in August 2021. The new probationary firefighters began their assignments in ACFR stations on June 26, 2021, to complete their field training. Please welcome the newest class of firefighters: Stuart Dalton Colin Mayry Jordan Divine Maxwell Morgan Joshua Euhus Andre Miles-Redmond William Filippelli Eric Opoku Michael Karr Caleb Shetler Joshua King Marvin Tapia David Marshall Brett Turner - Submitted by Abbey Stumpf
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Obituary
LODD: Chesterfield’s Tyvaughn Eldridge
On July 10, 2021, family, friends and members of Chesterfield Fire and EMS mourned the loss of Firefighter Recruit Tyvaughn Eldridge, 26, of Richmond. Eldridge suffered a medical emergency during daily physical training on July 1, 2021. Services were held at Cedar Street Memorial Baptist Church in Richmond. He leaves cherished memories to his mother, Ragene’ Carter; father,
Thomas Eldridge; siblings, Malaki Carter and Samaria Carter-Long; grandparents, Karen B. Carter, John Carter, Jr. (Carolyn); the love of his life and college sweetheart, Kenya Gray; devoted aunts and a host of other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Henrico PAL. - Fire News photos by Carter Killorn, Hayden Lear and Christian Davies; Headshot courtesy of Chesterfield Fire & EMS
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Fire News, August/September 2021, Page 35
Obituaries
South Hill Raises Flag for Lawrenceville Member
Remembering Tom W. Frazier
On May 25, 2021, Woodstock Fire Department Truck 12 participated in a tribute to Tom W. Frazier. Tom died in the Line of Duty while serving with the Artesia Police Department in New Mexico, and was a life member of the Strasburg Fire Department and former member of the Woodstock Volunteer Rescue Squad. - Submitted by Zachary Hottel South Hill Volunteer Fire Department assisted Lawrenceville Volunteer Fire Department (Brunswick County) by flying the American Flag over the roadway and covering all alarms for the department as they laid to rest active member Tracy Powell. - Submitted by Zach Currin
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Looking Back McClean Chemical Cart - 1922 The McLean Volunteer Fire Department celebrated 100 years of dedicated service to the community this year. In the photo (left) some of the department’s first volunteers stand in front of a chemical cart in 1922. This was the department’s first piece of equipment. It was a two wheeled cart that carried a 20-gallon tank and could be pulled by a human effort, or towed by a vehicle to a fire. What a long way the fire service has come in 100 years! - Photo courtesy of Fairfax County Fire Rescue
McClean Ambulance -1935 The McClean Volunteer Fire Department had the first ambulance in Fairfax County. The ambulance was a 1931 Cadillac sedan, purchased in 1935, that was converted into an ambulance. - Photo courtesy of Fairfax County Fire Rescue
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Fire News, August/September 2021, Page 37
SUTPHEN CORPORATION TO BUILD NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN URBANA, OHIO WILL RETAIN EXISTING WORKFORCE AND ADD JOBS Sutphen Corporation, the nation’s largest family-owned and operated fire apparatus manufacturer with headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, announced plans to combine its three Urbana manufacturing and service sites in a new 160,000-square-foot facility to be constructed at State Route 55 and Edgewood Avenue in Urbana. With this plan, Sutphen will retain the three Urbana facilities’ 160 existing jobs and add 20 to 25 more positions at the new site. “We are extremely proud to continue our growth as a business while remaining in Ohio and specifically in Urbana,” said Sutphen Corporation President Drew Sutphen, a fourth-generation family member. “Having worked with the Urbana community for years, we are confident that it is the ideal place to facilitate expansion. Between its hardworking people and its business-friendly environment, we look forward to continuing our growth in Urbana for years to come.” Todd Winnenberg, general manager of the three Urbana operations, said, “It’s truly an exciting time to be a part of Sutphen Corporation. This move emphasizes the Sutphen family’s commitment to its employees by staying local and providing a great opportunity for area jobs.” The Champaign Economic Partnership (CEP), Sutphen leaders, and local, regional and state partners worked together to enable Sutphen to maintain and expand its operations and workforce in Champaign County, CEP Director Marcia Bailey said. Sutphen also considered a site in Pennsylvania and other locations in Ohio. “I am grateful for everything our partners have done to help make this project come together and allow Sutphen to continue serving our community, now and well into the future, with a tradition of quality manufacturing, rewarding employment opportunities, and strong prospects for continued growth,” Bailey said. Julie Sullivan, Executive Vice-President of Regional Development for the Dayton Development Coalition, said, “We and our partners at JobsOhio welcome Sutphen’s plans to expand their manufacturing operations in Urbana. An Ohio company in its fifth generation of family leadership, the fire apparatus they make here take a piece of this state’s compassionate spirit to first responders across the country, making sure critical life-saving equipment is safely produced in the U.S.” The new building will be built northeast of the intersection of State Route 55 and Edgewood Avenue, on 55 acres of land that will provide Sutphen ample room for further expansion in the future. Julie Sutphen Phelps, a fourth-generation family member, Vice-
President of Sutphen Corporation and President of Sutphen’s Hilliard, Ohio, facility, said, “This expansion allows our familyowned business to continue to grow and expand within Urbana and the fire industry as a whole. While we continue to grow, we know that our apparatus quality, our individualized customer experience and our dedication to our mission and values will not falter.” The new building is being designed to optimize workflow of fire apparatus manufacturing, from start to finish, and will combine the operations of Sutphen’s three current Urbana facilities — the Sutphen Service & Technical Division, 49 N. Ludlow Road, Urbana; the Sutphen Urbana Chassis Division, 1701 W. County Line Road., Urbana; and the Sutphen Urbana Pumper Division, 1653 W. County Line Road., Urbana. Ground will be broken in August or September and Sutphen officials anticipate moving into the new building in the fall of 2022. Urbana FD Awaiting New Sutphen Pumper Truck In addition to gaining a new Sutphen manufacturing facility, the local community will soon be served by a new Sutphen heavy-duty pumper truck, purchased by the City of Urbana to replace a nearly 20-year-old pumper that the Urbana Fire Department will keep for backup service. Urbana Fire Chief Dean Ortlieb said, “The quality of the Sutphen truck and the warranty and service agreement that Sutphen offered made it an easy decision. To be honest, no one came close to offering us what they did. And we are pleased to support local.” He said the truck will be delivered in August. Harry Sutphen, a fifth-generation family member and owner of Heritage Fire Equipment, the Urbana-area Sutphen fire apparatus dealer, said, “My dad, Dan Sutphen, has worked with Urbana-area fire departments since the 1990s. Today, he and I work together throughout the community and are excited to see how Sutphen’s new growth benefits the area.”
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