Strasburg – Strasburg Rescue Squad making strides
Nine months after reopening its doors, operations at the Strasburg Rescue Squad continue to improve, but talks on merging with the local fire department appear to have made little progress. Citing a number of problems at the squad — especially poor response times to medical calls — the Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors disbanded the agency in April 2009. At the time, the squad had been in service for 45 years.

Henrico – Lightning strike causes house fire in eastern Henrico
HENRICO, VA (WWBT) – A lightning strike is to blame for a house fire in eastern Henrico County. An elderly woman and her granddaughter were inside when smoke started filling the home on Old Williamsburg Road in Sandston. Fire officials say the alarm sounded at the fire station right as the lightning storm was passing over eastern Henrico. A different alarm going off inside the house saved the women’s lives.

Greenville – Greenville fire station to break ground Aug. 13
Groundbreaking for a proposed $1.05 million fire station just off U.S. 11 in Greenville is set to take place Aug. 13, according to the newly chartered Riverheads Volunteer Fire Department. Initial estimates expect the station, located at 49 Swartzel Shop Road, to field about 1,000 calls in its first year and serve roughly 3,400 households, according to county projections.

Fort Pickett – IMCOM officials note disturbing fire trends
Installation Management Command safety officials have noticed a disturbing trend in recent fires and are increasing their efforts in reducing the number and severity of preventable incidents. In 2009, IMCOM initiated an aggressive Fire Safety Campaign, focusing on fire safety awareness and education training, along with inspecting and ensuring smoke detectors’ operability in all Army structures to include family housing. The campaign was successful as the number of fires and property damage declined significantly.

Suffolk – City opens new fire station
It’s part fire station, part emergency operations center and part administrative complex. But on Tuesday, the new King’s Fork Public Safety Center was also a showcase for the pride that Suffolk has in its Department of Fire and Rescue.
Firefighters and paramedics mingled with city and state officials during a ceremony to mark the opening of the new 25,000-square-foot facility. There were smiles and congratulatory handshakes all around.

Richmond – Area rescue team practices in James River
Richmond Firefighters get out and train often. Some of this includes swift water training. I can recall occasions when they are training and have to go into rescue mode for the real thing…right there when they are training.

Roanoke County – Recent Rainfall Extinguishes Campfire Burning Ban in Roanoke County
August 6, 2010 (ROANOKE COUNTY) — The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office has lifted the campfire burning ban issued last month, but the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s (VDEQ) regional burning ban on open air burning remains in effect until October 1. A campfire should be contained to a 2′ x 2′ x 2′ area; this can be in ground, on ground, or in a free-standing pre-manufactured fireplace.

The recent rainfall received over the past week has improved the dry conditions in the County that previously worried fire officials causing a burning ban on campfires to be issued on July 6, 2010. The campfire ban was in addition to the previously issued VDEQ ban on all open air burning in place until October 1.

Several years ago, the VDEQ established the Western Virginia Emissions Control Area, which includes Roanoke County and town of Vinton, Botetourt County, Frederick County, Roanoke City, Salem City and Winchester City. Each year burning is prohibited in the Western Virginia Emissions Control Areas during the months of May, June, July, August and September. Campfires have been the only exception to the burning restriction.

Throughout the year, the Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office regulates all open burning and ensures County compliance with state agency burning regulations by requiring a permit for anyone in Roanoke County requesting to burn. Campfires are exempt from the burn permit process.