SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA (November 22, 2010) – The Suffolk Borough of Whaleyville welcomes back a key firefighting tool after a major overhaul. The Whaleyville Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD) is putting its Brush Truck Unit back into service.

Whaleyville VFD Chief Chuck Brothers says the truck was originally bought in 1993, and was in good shape mechanically. But Brothers says the technology onboard was “outdated”, and it was cheaper to give the vehicle an “extreme makeover” than to purchase a new one.

The new reconditioned Brush Truck

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Chief Mark Outlaw said, “The partnership between Suffolk Fire and Rescue and WVFD provides critical fire protection services to the borough and beyond. We’re pleased the Whaleyville VFD was able to upgrade a vital piece of firefighting equipment while saving money in doing so.” The truck’s reconditioning cost $20,000, while buying a new truck meant spending $100,000.

The vehicle was sand blasted and repainted. All the emergency equipment was stripped and replaced with up-to-date technology that matches today’s standards. The vehicle’s plumbing and pump systems were upgraded, allowing the water supply in the truck’s tank to last longer by using a process which makes Class A foam.

The Brush Truck before being refurbished.

Class A foam is a mechanically generated aggregation of bubbles having a lower density than water. The foam is made by introducing air into a mixture of water and foam concentrate. The bubbles adhere to the wildland fuels and gradually release the moisture they contain. The bubbly water absorbs heat more efficiently than water without bubbles.

The Brush Truck Unit responds to all brush fires in the Whaleyville Station 8 district, as well as any other needs throughout the southern end of Suffolk. The truck has given mutual aid to Gates County, North Carolina, most notably in February 2009. The Unit offers great flexibility on fire scenes as it can go where a fire truck cannot.

The Whaleyville VFD would like to thank Joe Asbell of Schadel Sheet Metal in Suffolk, and Jim Villers of Villers Vehicle Works in Windsor, Virginia, for donating their time and talents to seeing this project to completion.

About Whaleyville Volunteer Fire Department

Whaleyville Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD) was organized in 1946 out of community concern. Through joint sponsorship by the local Ruritan Club and Town Council, this organization was formed. WVFD was chartered on April 19, 1954, with 26 members present. On this date, the constitution was drawn and signed by L. F. Owens, President, and J. C. Russell, Secretary.

Today, the department has 21 members on roll with all members certified by the State of Virginia as Fire Fighter I status, or enrolled in a class to become certified. The role of WVFD has changed over the years, with the biggest change coming in the mid 1990’s. The department took steps to become State Certified to perform EMS duties, which is a large part of Emergency Service today. This duty was enhanced in 1999, when WVFD partnered with the City of Suffolk to bring in personnel 24/7 to better handle this objective using WVFD personnel to support the overall public safety program through the City of Suffolk Department of Fire and Rescue.

Mt. Jackson, Virginia – new color for their engine

Mt. Jackson purchased a used 1989 Pierce Lance from the Prince Frederick, Maryland VFD in 2008. It is equipped with a 1250 gpm pump and a 750 gallon water tank.

Last year, while having some body work done on the Pierce, department members made the decision to re-paint Engine 21 to match the colors of their newer 2009 International 4300/Horton ambulance. The end result is this interesting green and black Pierce.

Submitted by Amanda Draper

This is the first truck that the Ridgeway District Volunteer Fire Department put into service (located in Ridgeway, Va). The volunteers have worked hard over the past several years to restore this truck. The truck is a 1959 Ford F750 American La-France 500 Gallon Pumper.  It was restored as part of the departments 50th anniversary.  Most of the work was donated by local businesses and the volunteer firemen.  The restoration process has taken 4 years to complete.  Picture shown courtesy of Chief Brian Draper
More pictures available at www.ridgewayfire.com

Photo submitted

Manakin Squad 17 was purchased in 2006 to replace an aging medium duty squad  to help with the increased call load on I-64 & 288. Squad 17 is a 2006 Pierce Lance heavy duty rescue. It is powered by a Detroit Series 60 515hp and an Allison 5+1 EVS transmission. It features a 100 gallon Ansul CAFS system, 35KW generator, Willburt light tower, cascade system, and the Pierce XRT hydrolic system. It serves a variety of purposes such as vehicle rescue, truck company ops, water rescue, and mass casualty. Specialty tools include 41in speaders, rescue jacks, large complement of airbags and cribbing, 50in telescoping ram, and a tic.

Read more about Manakin VFD