These are the Contributing Editors of VAFireNews.com.
Editor Rhett Fleitz
Drew Abel
Drew Abel began his firefighting career as a volunteer serving the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA. He worked as a paramedic and rescue technician for Ross/West View EMS-Rescue and as an instructor for the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy.
Drew moved to Virginia in 2007 to fulfill his dream of being a career firefighter and graduated from Roanoke Regional Fire Academy Recruit Class 10. He is currently assigned to Roanoke City Fire-EMS Station 2 on A shift.
Drew resides in SW Roanoke County with his wife Kim.
You can reach Drew via email at: rwvmedic422@hotmail.com
Kristopher Bageant
Check out the Apparatus Roster here
Kristopher Bageant has been keeping a roster of Virginia Fire and Rescue Apparatus for 16 years. Starting as a 14 year old in 1992 listening to the scanner jotting down which units responded to calls in Fairfax County, has lead to the wonderful Rosters on VaFireNews.com. Kristopher was a volunteer firefighter for Clear Brook VFD (Frederick County) and a volunteer Firefighter for Dale City VFD (Prince William County). In 2004, Kristopher and his brother Matt, got into photography and photographed every piece of apparatus in Frederick County and the Winchester City Area which lead to the start of Shenandoah Valley Fire. Today, Kristopher mostly focuses on the rosters and photography. Kristopher is also a dispatcher with 1st Responder Wireless News. Kristopher has 3 daughters, Ashleigh, Britney, Madison and a son, Kristopher Jr. He also has 3 step daughters, Destiny, Brittney and Alyssa. He and his fiancé, Belinda all reside in Buena Vista Virginia.
If you would like to contact Kristopher, Please email him at shenvalleyfire@gmail.com.
Jeremy Bennington
Jeremy Bennington is a Lieutenant with Roanoke Fire/EMS. Currently he is the Lieutenant on Ladder 13 assigned to C-Shift. He began his career with Roanoke City working at Station 9 in 1999. He has also been assigned to Stations10 and 5. Jeremy is a member of the Roanoke Heavy-Tactical Rescue Team and the Swift Water Rescue Team.
Jeremy began firefighting as a volunteer in 1992 for Kerr’s Creek Volunteer fire department in Rockbridge County. He later made the switch to the Lexington Fire Department.
In 1995, Jeremy was hired by the Bluffton Township Fire District in Bluffton South Carolina where he worked until making the move back to Virginia in 1999.
Jeremy resides in Botetourt County with his wife Amanda and their two children.
You may reach Jeremy by email at JBFYARESQ@yahoo.com.
James “Jamie” Blount
James “Jamie” Blount began his firefighting career in 1988 as a junior volunteer firefighter at the age of fourteen. Over the years, he proceeded to climb to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief of the Wythe Fire Company, where he currently oversees operations. In conjunction with serving as a Volunteer Firefighter, he also spent twelve years as a police officer. In 2006, James made the transition from police officer to career Firefighter/Medic with York County Fire and Life Safety. James is currently assigned to Station 2 “Tabb” B Shift.
James has spent a great deal of time attending classes and obtaining certifications in Fire, Haz-Mat, and EMS. This includes his most recent accomplishment, attaining the Fire Officer IV certification. James is currently completing his Bachelors of Science Degree and is planning to make application to the National Fire Academy, Executive Fire Officer Program.
James is a life long resident of Chesapeake, where he resides with his wife Alicia and their three sons Joey, Justin, and David.
You can reach Jamie at jblount@cox.net
Matt DeRosa
Matt DeRosa began his formal training as one of Fairfax County’s first student participants in the Explorer Program and was involved with the Falls Church HS Fire and EMS class in September 2004. Matt is continuing his training at the Fire Academy while being involved as a volunteer with the Greater Springfield VFD.
While not training at the Academy or volunteering with GSVFD, Matt is an active participant and on scene photographer of various events and happenings around Springfield and the surrounding area. In addition, Matt continues to educate the community by answering questions and concerns with proper procedures and advice on home safety.
You may contact Matt at ffxffirefter440@yahoo.com
Brad Dougherty
Brad is a twelve year student of the fire service. He began as a volunteer firefighter in 1996 at the age of 16. After high school, he became a career firefighter with the Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Services. Currently, Brad is a Lieutenant, assigned to a Squad Company, with the Fire and Emergency Services at the Naval Station Norfolk. Brad is also a member of IAFF Local F-25 and has served as a Union Steward. Brad holds various certifications in both the State of Virginia and Department of Defense Fire Certification System.
Shawn Dunstan
Shawn began his fire service career as a junior with Stafford VFD at the age of 12. Shawn still volunteers with Stafford VFD and is currently their Fire Chief. Shawn also volunteered at Roanoke EMS while attending the Jefferson College of Health Sciences. A month after graduating, Shawn was hired by the City of Fairfax Fire Department as a Firefighter/Paramedic. Shawn was promoted to Lieutenant in 2006.
Robert Kirby
Robert is the Director of Field Operations for Virginia Ambulance Service located in Lynchburg, Virginia. He has also been assigned to the Altavista EMS contract and the Campbell County EMS contract through Virginia Ambulance. He began his emergency services career as a volunteer with Bedford Life Saving Crew in 2004 and is currently a volunteer firefighter/emt with Boonsboro Volunteer Fire and Rescue.
Patrick Mackay
Read Patrick Mackay’s articles here
Patrick Mackay joined the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department in 2000. He quickly rose through the ranks from Junior Firefighter to Firefighter to Technician to Master Technician and he currently serves as a Lieutenant with the SVFD. Patrick was hired by Loudoun County Fire & Rescue Department in 2004 and served three years at South Riding Station 619 before leaving there to come to the City of Fairfax Fire Department in February of 2007.
Lucian Mirra
Lucian Mirra started his career with Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad in 2004 as a junior member. He is currently completing his final semester at Christopher Newport University where he completing his Bachelor’s degree in Government and Public Administration. He currently serves as a Sergeant and Medic at Isle of Wight Rescue Squad in Smithfield and is also a volunteer Firefighter/Medic in Albemarle County. He is also completing his NREMT-P and A.A.S. in Emergency Medical Services through the UVA/PVCC paramedic program partnership. Besides being a NREMT-I, he also holds certifications as a firefighter and in numerous technical rescue disciplines. He is looking forward to continuing his career in Fire/EMS. You may contact him at lucian.mirra@gmail.com or check out his blog at virginiaemt.blogspot.com
Steve Morris
Steve Morris is a Lieutenant with the City of Harrisonburg Fire Department where he is assigned to Engine 23. Steve has been with Harrisonbug since 1998. Prior to employment with Harrisonburg, Steve was employed as a firefighter/EMT with Rockingham County Fire & Rescue. Steve began with the Grottoes Volunteer Fire Department at the age of 16. Steve is active with Grottoes where he serves as Captain/Training Officer. Steve is employed as an adjunct instructor for the Department of Fire Programs. Steve is an active member of the Harrisonburg Professsional Firefighters Association Local 3221, where he served previously as President.
Steve holds multiple firefighting and EMS certifications. Steve is working toward a B.S. in Fire Science. Steve lives in the town of Grottoes with his wife Beth.
Email Steve at lt25hfd@verizon.net
Steve Powell
Steve Powell is a Lieutenant with the Rockingham County Department of Fire & Rescue and currently assigned to the Training Division. After graduating from high school he joined the Army and spent a few years with the 10 th Mountain Light Infantry Division. Prior to working for Rockingham County he worked for the Harrisonburg Rockingham ECC as a telecommunicator. He started with RCFR in 1999 and began as a volunteer in 1995. He is a member of the Special Operations Team where he serves as a rescue diver and swift water rescue technician; he also serves as the Commander of the RCFR Honor Guard.
Steve holds a variety of instructor certifications in fire, hazmat, and EMS. He is a member of the State Affiliate Faculty for the VA College of Emergency Physicians (VACEP) as an ITLS instructor as well as an ALS Coordinator in the CSEMS council.
He currently resides in Rockingham County with his wife Jolene and their four children.
Email Steve at: Rescuediver90@gmail
Shawn Roark
Shawn Roark began working with Vafirenews in the spring of 2007. Shawn has been lucky to meet so many of Virginia’s bravest throughout the past years. Shawn’s fire service career began in 1993 with the Abingdon Volunteer Fire Department.
Shawn then began his Career in the fire service in 2000. Shawn has served for the Roanoke Fire and EMS Department and currently with the City of Bristol Fire Department.
Shawn is assigned to Engine 2 and is a member of the Area 4 Technical Rescue team. Shawn is an Adjunct Fire Instructor with the Department of Fire Programs.
Shawn also maintains BristolFirefighters.com.
Shawn holds a Bachelors Degree in Management and Leadership from Virginia Intermont College and will be starting his masters degree in the fall of 2008.
Shawn is married to Melissa and has two daughters Hannah and Hayden. Shawn resides in Washington County Virginia
You may Contact Shawn at Sroark@firehousemail.com
Mike Sanders
Read Mike Sanders’ Apparatus Profiles here
Mike Sanders is a volunteer Firefighter/Driver-Pump Operator with the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department Stations 6 and 23 (Loudoun County).He has volunteered since 1999.
Mike’s interest in apparatus photography began as soon as Mike received his driver’s license.He was driving by the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department (Fairfax County) and saw a 1964 Maxim F engine sitting on the ramp.There was a camera in the car….and the rest is history.He enjoys photographing and documenting the apparatus history of fire and rescue departments across Virginia.
Mike has authored an apparatus history book on Loudoun County and co-authored an apparatus history book on the Fairfax County fire and rescue department.He contributes articles and photographs to The Virginia Fire News Magazine, Fire Apparatus Journal, and has contributed fire apparatus photographs to a variety of books and other publications.
Mike resides in Ashburn, Virginia with his wife and five sons and is employed in the insurance industry.
Chris Smith
Chris Smith joined the fire service in 1988 as a volunteer with the Falmouth V.F.D. Over the past 20 years he has served in every position within the department including five years as Chief. In 1996 he was hired by Fort Belvoir Fire Department in Fairfax where he served until he was hired by the Washington, D.C. Fire Department in 2000. While in the D.C. Fire Department he has worked at Engine Company 26, Truck Company 4, and is currently assigned to Rescue 1 in Chinatown. Chris is also the Division Chief of Special Operations in Stafford County. He holds numerous fire and rescue certifications through Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.. Email Chris at cssmith@falmouthfire.com.
Willie Wines Jr.
Captain Willie Wines Jr. has was hired by the Roanoke Fire Department (now Roanoke Fire-EMS Department) in 1991. He is currently the Captain at Station 9 C-Shift and assigned to Engine 9. He has worked at many stations in Roanoke and been promoted up through the ranks becoming Captain in 2001. Willie is a second generation firefighter after following in his father, Willie Wines Sr.’s footsteps.
Becky Robinette Wright
Becky Robinette Wright is a Fire/Rescue/EMS writer and photographer; she is based in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Her writing and photography have appeared in such publications as Fire Chief Magazine, Virginia Fire News Magazine, Virginia Firefighter Magazine, Commonwealth Chief Magazine, SIRENS (www.acfirerescue.org), Firehouse.com, FireEngineering.com, EMSResponder.com, Logbook (Virginia Department of Fire Programs Newsletter) and others. Her work can be found in numerous regular media publications such as The Times Dispatch, Chesterfield Observer, Progress-Index, Midlothian Exchange, Village News, Country Courier, The Village Mill, Mechanicsville Local, Tidewater Review, Henrico County Leader, The Patriot, Dinwiddie Monitor, Petersburg Monitor, Prince George Journal, Hopewell News and others. Her photos of a vehicle fully engulfed have been shown on a local NBC TV Station news broadcast, Photos of a vehicle crash incident have been shown on a local ABC TV Station broadcast.. Her work has appeared locally, nationally and internationally.
“I still write about other subjects from time to time,” Wright says, “but fire/rescue work is my passion.
This work is part of me, I don’t remember what I did before it took over my life. It called to me, I answered. I have never looked back. Firefighters and EMS personnel are some of the most caring, hard working, sacrificing, devoted people I have met on this earth. Their stories need to be told and the public needs to be educated in fire and life safety. It is my prayer that in my small way, my work accomplishes this. I am grateful for our Bravest and all that they do, whether it is a fire call, an EMS call or a public service call for a citizen who needs a helping hand…it doesn’t have to be a three alarm fire call to be important…all calls are important…the risk firefighters face in the line of duty is not based on the type or degree of the call but merely in light of the fact that they must travel treacherous roads and face whatever a call reveals itself to be. “
“Writing and photography, “Wright explains, “is my contribution to the cause and those who serve in it.”
