Sunday, May 12, 2013
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue will host educational activities and provide screenings on May 18.
The Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department will host a special outreach at Cub Run Recreation Center in Chantilly on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. EMS providers will have displays, educational materials for adults about cardiac and stroke. EMS will also provide blood pressure screenings and interact one-on-one with local residents. According to a county press release: This year’s theme is EMS: One Mission. One Team. The theme reflects that EMS providers don’t choose the field for pay, comfortable working conditions, or nine to five work hours; they have a true calling to help and serve others in their hour of need.
Friday, April 12, 2013
The lack of merit increases makes life harder for the department’s new talent, employees said Thursday night.
Fairfax County public safety employees advocated for better pay Thursday during the final public hearing on the county’s Fiscal Year 2014 budget plan. County Executive Ed Long’s budget proposal does not include pay increases for county employees, nor does it fund merit increases for public safety employees. Earlier in the week, county employees made their dissatisfaction heard – Thursday night, police officers and firefighters joined them. Chris Cochrane, president of the Fairfax Coalition of Police and a 25-year veteran of the force, said police had been happy to find merit increases restored in last year’s budget. But many were surprised and angered to find that they had been halted once again this year. “It is tough to consider that …
Thursday, April 11, 2013
One firefighter had to be air-lifted to the Washington Hospital Burn Center.
A fire reportedly caused by hot exhaust fumes has left one home destroyed, the family displaced, and one person in the hospital with serious burn injuries. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a house fire Wednesday at approximately 12:35 p.m. in the Fairfax Center area of Fairfax County. The single family home is located at 5105 Pheasant Ridge Road, just outside the Fairfax City limits, close to Centreville. According to Fairfax County authorities, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and fire coming from the garage area and rear of the two-story home upon arrival. Firefighters conducted "an aggressive exterior and interior fire attack, bringing the fire under control in approximately 45 minutes," according to a …
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Fairfax County firefighters put out the small fire in about five minutes.
Fairfax County firefighters quickly put out a small chimney fire that broke out at a Sully Station home late Wednesday night. The accidental fire started around 10:20 p.m. on Creek Branch Court and extended into the townhouse. Firefighters were able to put it out in about five minutes, said Battalion Chief Chuck Hawkins. They did have to remove some siding along the chimney to make sure the fire was out, Hawkins said. Firefighters from Centreville, West Centreville, Chantilly, Frying Pan and Fair Oaks stations, in addition to two battalion chiefs, EMS captains and a safety officer responded to the incident.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
The cause of the explosion is undetermined. No one was injured.
Update, March 4 8:12 a.m. The cause of the explosion "was determined to be accidental as a result of a small butane cylinder that was in close proximity to the rear burner of an electric stove that was left on," said Renee Stillwell, a public information officer with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Original post: The Fairfax County fire marshal is investigating a small explosion at Centreville apartment. Fairfax County firefighters responded to the explosion at the 14900 block of Rydell Road around 4 p.m. Saturday. No fire was inside, but the explosion blew out the sliding glass door. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but may be due to a gas grill. No one was injured and no one was home at the time …
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Bowers is currently fire chief of Montgomery County, Md.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors appointed Richard Bowers Jr. the county’s new fire chief Tuesday afternoon. Bowers will leave his current position as fire chief in Montgomery County, Md., which he has held since 2008. He has served in the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service for over 35 years. Bowers take over for Ronald Mastin, who plans to retire from the Fairfax County Fire Department on May 7. Bowers’ appointment is effective April 29. After his appointment, Bowers told Patch one of his priorities would be community outreach and fire prevention. “I think the most important thing is that I’m their fire chief,” he said, referring to Fairfax County residents. “We’re going to use every available means to get the word out …
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department offers tips to help residents avoid a fire this season.
Fire departments nationwide respond to about 250 home structure fires each year that involve Christmas trees, according to the National Fire Protection Association. And Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department crews don't want county residents to be among those fires that break out this holiday season. Crews recently distributed tips about Christmas tree safety to holiday tree lot vendors in the form of Christmas safety tags. Live trees don't cause fires, but they can easily catch fire due to candles, electrical problems or other heat sources. Here are the tips provided by the department: To print out a copy of the safety tag, visit the Fairfax County Emergency Information Blog.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.
Update: Neighbor Emily Berg wrote to Patch to say that the family's small medium-sized mixed dog, Buddy, perished in the fire. Original post: Firefighters from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responded to a mid-morning fire in Centreville Wednesday, the cause of which is still undetermined. The fire at 14407 Golden Oak Court started around 8:38 a.m. and was contained to the townhouse bedroom, said Battalion Chief Craig Buckley. "The small fire was brought under control in 10 minutes. No one was injured and we have investigators coming to determine the origin," Buckley said. Firefighters from stations 17, 38, 40 and 21 responded to the incident. No one was home at the time of the fire and no one was injured. No information…
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The house was a total loss.
Update: The house was a total loss, the Fire and Rescue Department announced Wednesday. Original post A fire at a vacant building off Lee Highway in Centreville lasted for several hours Tuesday evening and temporarily led to some traffic tangles for commuters and others on the road. The building, located at 14927 Lee Highway near White Post Road, was a vacant home that was in the midst of renovations by a local church. Fairfax County firefighters tentatively estimated damages at $20,000. The fire started around 6:40 p.m. As of 8 p.m., firefighters had put out most of the fire, but were expected to remain working for another hour or two. The fire apparently started in the middle of the structure, and firefighters knocked it down with a …
Thursday, September 6, 2012
The amount is the most that any firefighters have raised in the nation and in Fairfax County's history.
Fairfax County firefighters and paramedics raised a whopping $568,634.89 to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) over Labor Day Weekend during the annual Fill the Boot campaign. This year, the Fairfax County Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics - International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 2068 raised the most ever in its 58-year partnership with MDA, said IAFF Local 2068 Communications Director Joel Kobersteen. Local 2068 members raised the most money in the nation in 2012, said Kobersteen, who also coordinates the Fairfax County Labor Day Weekend Fill the Boot Campaign. “This is the third time in six years that we’ve been No. 1,” he said. In 2011, Local 2068 ranked third in the nation, with about $435,000 …
Mary S.
11:55 am on Saturday, April 13, 2013
I want to clarify my comment above that the salaries of the executives should be looked at. I am sure most of them are in the 6 figure category. Those of the police, firefighters AND teachers should be increased due to the many services they provide to the public. more ›