An ambulance and firetruck hitch a ride from Crisfield, headed for their new home on Tangier Island. / PATRICIA HILDENBRAND/THE DAILY TIMES

Delmarvanow.com:

TANGIER ISLAND — The Tangier Volunteer Fire Department received a new ambulance along with the return of its 1990 pump truck that had been sent for repairs to Steve Cropper and Sons in Ocean City.

The equipment arrived by barge, with Steven Thomas Transportation of Crisfield providing transport to the tiny island in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay.

Continue reading… Ambulance makes way to Tangier | The Daily Times | delmarvanow.com.

EMPORIA KME PUMPER PRESS RELEASE

The Emporia Volunteer Fire Dept. serves the City of Emporia as well as the majority of rural Greensville County Virginia.  The city is located at the crossroads of southeastern Virginia with U.S. Highway 58 passing thru the locality from the east and west and I-95 / U.S. 301 from the north and south.  The volunteer fire department provides both fire suppression and extrication services for these major thoroughfares as well as the remainder of the city and county as well as mutual aid areas in neighboring Southampton, Sussex, and Brunswick counties.

To better serve this mission, the department has recently taken delivery of a new KME pumper tanker apparatus has some unique features to make the job easier for the volunteers. The KME Predator Panther Long Four Door custom cab and chassis drive train consist of a Cummins ISL 450 horsepower engine and an Allison EVS4000 series automatic transmission with heavy duty 1810 series drive line system.   The KME cab which is third party tested and certified to the latest ECE integrity and crash standards, is designed to be the safest and highest tested cab in the fire industry to date.  The seating provides for six firefighters with five SCBA seats and body fender compartments for up to eleven spare air cylinders.

The pumping system consist of a Waterous Model CSU 2250 GPM pump that is U.L. certified at 1750 GPM for years of use.  To provide intake water to the pump, there is a 6” intake on each side as well as at the front bumper area.  For maximizing the flow from the on board 1250 gallon water tank, there is a 4” high capacity tank to pump piping with electrically controlled Akron 4” ball valve.  Multiple front bumper, side, and rear discharges are provided as well as three vertically stacked 2” speedlays with pull-out hose packing trays for ease of reloading.  An Akron “Apollo Hi-Riser” deck gun is provided on the top side deck gun piping with a compliment of automatic and straight bore tip nozzles and a portable ground base.

To provide protection for the pump panel instrumentation and controls as well as to make cleaning the apparatus easier, both sides of the pump house are fully enclosed modules with ROM roll-up doors as the other side compartments on the body are.

The apparatus has a 1250 gallon water tank as well as a 40 gallon Class-A foam tank and a Class-B foam tank system.  The foam tanks will supply the Foam Pro Model 3012 high capacity A/B electronic injection foam system with foam concentrates from permitting the unit to have five preconnect discharges foam or water capable for general firefighting as well as on Class B hydrocarbon and polar solvent fuels.

A high output warning system is provided on the unit for ultimate protection while responding and while on the scene.  The Whelen LED upper and lower light bar system as well as an LED Rota-Ray light on the cab grille area provide maximum low current draw lighting.  As for audible alerting equipment, there is a Whelen electronic siren, Federal Q2B mechanical siren and Hadley “Emergency” air horns.

For enhanced scene illumination, there are two Fire Research Evolution 150 watt LED 12 volt “brow” lights mounted on the front roof area of the cab, a 9000 watt Wilburt light tower mounted on the cab roof, and four (4) 1500 watt semi-recessed flood lights in the sides of the primary hose bed.  For remote electrical operations, there is a Hannay 200 foot electric rewind booster reel with junction box.  The A.C. lighting on the vehicle is powered by way of a Harrison 15,000 watt hydraulic generator system.

Large firefighting items such as the ground ladders, pike poles, hard suction hoses are all stored within the body and hose bed area for ease of access as well as for added environmental protection.  The enclosed body compartments afford approximately 250 cubic feet of storage space.  The full width primary hose bed design affords storage for a minimum of 1500 feet of 5” supply line and 500 feet of 3” hose with a “hose bed to ground” dimension of only 91” for ease of access.

The apparatus is designed to be a “war wagon” in the fire department’s arsenal of fire apparatus and will soon be joined by a KME 2000 gallon elliptical tanker for added water support in the rural areas of the county.

An average of 13,400 high-rise building fires each year between 2003 and 2006 led to an average 62 deaths, 490 civilian injuries and $179 million in direct property damage in the United States alone, according to the most recent statistics from the National Fire Prevention Association.

Not only are these and other urban structural blazes dangerous, but they require significantly more personnel and equipment to extinguish than do other fires. Smeal Fire Apparatus Company believes firefighters who battle the most difficult fires deserve a truck with the capacity and power to effectively handle them. So they built the ultimate rescue and firefighting machine, capable of holding 1,000 pounds live load on its platform while pumping 1,000 gallons per minute.

Smeal’s 1000/1000 delivers unbeatable holding power with its 85-foot, mid-mounted, 5-section aerial ladder, making it incredibly efficient. Ready for the most challenging fire physics, the ladder boasts an 85’ vertical reach and a 81-foot reach at 0 degrees and has a -12 to +72 degree operational range.

This truck isn’t just adept at handling high-rise fires, however. The 1000/1000 is ready for whatever a city throws at it. With an overall length of about 45′ and travel height options from 10′-2” and 11′-6”, this platform maneuvers excellently in high-population areas.

“This proves once again that Smeal is committed to unparalleled quality, engineering and innovation. We’re proud to have produced this fire apparatus,” said Jeff Hunke, Smeal’s Vice President.

Based in Snyder, Nebraska, Smeal Fire Apparatus Company is known throughout the U.S. and Canada as the premier manufacturer of aerial ladders, platform aerials, urban interface, and pumpers. Since 1964, Smeal has been proud to be part of the fire and rescue industry, producing the finest apparatus available to get the job done safely and efficiently. For more information on Smeal Fire Apparatus, call (402) 568-2224 or visit Smeal.com.

The centerpiece for the second Halligan Bar & Grill was put in place today, before the new restaurant opens next month in West Broad Village. The 1967 Oren fire truck, which will have a full bar around it, was donated by Old Dominion Historical Fire Society

via Five-Alarm Delivery: Historic Firetruck Arrives as Centerpiece of New Restaurant | Downtown Short Pump.

“The Hampden-Sydney Vol. Fire Department took delivery of a 2011 Chevy Tahoe 4WD SSV on Tuesday, October 4th, 2011.

This week, when it is placed in service, the unit will assume the call sign of EMS 2-9 and will continue to serve the same duty as its predecessor, providing non-transport BLS EMS to a large portion of the southern half of Prince Edward County.

The vehicle was purchased from Criswell Chevrolet and the up-fitting was completed by Crenshaw Corp. in Richmond, VA.

This vehicle will serve as a badly needed replacement for the previous EMS 2-9, a 1988 Chevy K-5 Blazer.”

by Mike Sanders   mnsand@visuallink.com

A photograph apparatus roster of Loudoun County, Virginia. Most current apparatus are included as well as a variety of trucks no longer in service or now serving other departments. This gallery is a nice addition to the book “Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Apparatus History”, by Mike Sanders and published by Arcadia Publishing.

It is a digital photo apparatus roster from Loudoun – most in service units, recently left units, and serving at other fire departments outside of Loudoun.

Here is the link. Check it out

SUV Broadsides the Ambulance

A PATIENT DIED WHEN A HAMPTON, VIRGINIA, AMBULANCE was struck at an intersection by an SUV around 8 pm Saturday night.  The impact knocked the ambulance onto its side and left 7 people injured including 4 members of the Hampton Fire Department.

Photo from WAVY TV

Continue reading… Fatal Ambulance Crash in Virginia | Firegeezer.

Tazewell County R-1 was involved in an MVA with a small SUV. The engine was turning left into a crossover when they were hit by the SUV. There were no injuries. The engineer was charged with reckless driving.

Checkout this video of the newest additions to the Virginia Beach Fire Department Marine Team. Fireboat 6 has recently hit the waters as the latest addition to Virginia Beach FD’s Marine Team on August 25th.

The boat has twin 200 hp mercury motors and is 24′ feet long. It can carry 10 people. The boat has radar and side scanning sonar capabilities.

Fireboat 6 will assist with firefighting operations, rescues, recovery efforts, and marine firefighting operations.

Fireboat 12 also joins the fleet. Fireboat 12 is a 41′ UTB retired coast guard boat. Fireboat 12 is the fleets largest boat. Fireboat 12 was built in 1976.

Fireboat 6
2010 Metal Shark Relentless 24
Twin 200 hp outboard Mercury Engines
500 GPM pump with 500 GPM monitor
100 gallon fuel tank
200 foot tow line
Top speed of 52 mph and drafts 2 feet of water
Vertical clearance on the water is 9-1/2 feet
Vertical clearance on the trailer is 12-1/2 feet

by Mike Sanders   mnsand@visuallink.com

Any idea what Virginia department runs the longest ladder in terms of aerial or platform length?  The size of the aerial ladder on Virginia’s trucks/platforms come in a variety of sizes.  55′, 75′, 100′, 105′, 110′, and other sizes all make up ladder trucks across the Commonwealth.

Berryville, Virginia Truck 1, the 1984/1997 Emergency One Hurricane 135’ that was previously Truck 10 in Fairfax County. “Longest Stick In The Valley”.

In 1983, E-One began production of the StratoSpear 135 foot aerial ladder, which became the tallest ladder available in America.  It was a five-section ladder with a 200 pound tip load and at the time had the same jack spread as E-One’s 95 foot platform.  A pre-piped waterway was also available at the tip of the fourth fly section.

Fairfax County Truck 10 – a 1984 Emergency One Hurricane 135’. Photographed in 1987 at Bailey’s Cross Roads Station 10.

In 1984, E-One introduced its Hurricane custom chassis, which became popular with a wide variety of Virginia fire departments.  Also in 1984, Fairfax County purchased two 135′ rear mount ladder trucks which were built by E-One on the Hurricane chassis.  Both were built one after the other at the E-One plant, with one assigned E-One serial number 3520 and the other serial number 3521.  These two ladder trucks were assigned to areas with taller buildings in Fairfax County.  Serial number 3520 went to Truck 10 at the Bailey’s Cross Roads station and Truck 29 in Tyson’s Corner received serial number 3521.

Fairfax County Truck 29 from Tysons Corner. This 1984 Emergency One Hurricane 135’ was rebuilt in 1996 by Emergency One to include a four door cab. Truck 10 had a similar rehab. Photographed in 1996 at Fire Station 29 in Tysons Corner.

Some other information you might find interesting regarding Fairfax County’s two 135′:

• The two Fairfax County 135′ were the fourth and fifth 135 foot ladders built by E-One.
• Fairfax County was the only jurisdiction at the time to have two 135 foot ladders in service.
• The aerial’s were prepiped to the 110′ level and equipped with 1000gpm nozzles.
• Both trucks had unique windows in the cab roof above the driver and officer positions.  These windows allowed the officer and driver to view the upper floors when arriving on the scene.  The windows could also be covered with a panel to keep out sunlight.

Both Fairfax County ladder trucks went through an extensive rebuild to further their service life.  In 1996, Truck 29 was returned to E-One for work which included the addition of a four door cab.  In 1997, Truck 10 from Bailey’s Cross Roads had similar work completed.  Truck 29 was removed from service in Fairfax County around 2003.  I do not know where this truck ended up once leaving Fairfax County.

Schaumburg, Illinois Truck 1, a 1990 Emergency One Hush 135’ painted in the traditional black over red in the Chicago area. This ladder truck was later obtained by Namozine, Virginia. Photo courtesy of Bill Friedrich.

Truck 10, on the other hand, joined the apparatus roster of the John H. Enders Fire Company in Berryville, Virginia.  Fairfax County sold the 1984/1997 E-One Hurricane 135′ to Berryville in 2002, and today it continues to provide protection to Berryville and the surrounding Clarke County area.  As depicted on the front cab, it is definitely the “Longest Stick In The Valley”.

Namozine, Virginia in Dinwiddie County currently operates the old 1990 E-One 135’ from Schaumburg, IL and had it repainted to their department colors of red and white. Photographed in 2008 behind the Namozine fire station.

Across the country in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, Illinois a 1990 E-One Hush 135′ rear mount was delivered.  Painted in the traditional black over red that a variety of departments in the Chicago area had adopted (after the Chicago FD), this E-One ladder was assigned serial number 8006.  In approximately 2002, Schaumburg sold their 135′ ladder truck and it was obtained by the Namozine VFD located in Dinwiddie County, not far from Richmond.  The E-One was repainted in red and white and today serves as Truck 4 for Namozine.

So Berryville and Namozine take the honors.  I believe these two 135′ ladder trucks are the “longest” aerials in the state of Virginia.  Am I correct?  Please comment to this article or email me with additional information.

The Melfa Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company on Virginia’s Eastern Shore recently acquired the former Engine 10 from Williamsburg Fire Department. Melfa Fire Chief Randy Parker expects to place the engine in service later this month. EasternShoreFire.com has more details and pictures.

On August 5, 2011 the Portsmouth Fire Department took delivery of 11 new pieces of apparatus. They were on display at at the Portsmouth City Park.

Sean Doney was on hand to snap a few photos of the apparatus. The new deliveries include two Battalion Chief’s vehicles, Engine 2, Engine 4, Engine 7, Engine 10, and Quint 10 among other vehicles.

FireRescueTV.com crews were also on hand to video the new deliveries (video below the photos).

Tazewell County Fire & Rescue recently purchased this brand new squad. Squad 2 is built on a 2011 Cheverolet G3500. The truck was built by Custom Truck and Body Works in Woodbury, Georgia. Squad 2 is one of four ACLS ambulances operated by the department.

Information and photos submitted by Captain Seth Allison

The Melfa Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company recently acquired a new engine. Designated Engine 103, the unit is a 1989 Emergency One / Simon-Duplex that formerly served as Engine 10 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Engine 103 is equipped with a 1500 GPM pump, 500 gallon water tank, and carries 1000 feet of five inch LDH supply hose. The engine is powered by a 6V92 Detroit diesel and an Allison automatic transmission. Chief Randy Parker anticipates placing Engine 103 in service later this month.

Photo by David Allen
For more photos check out EasternShoreFire.com

Apparatus Profile – Fairfax County Station 15 – Chantilly

By Mike Sanders

The Chantilly Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1947 and prior to becoming an “official” station of Fairfax County, was sponsored by the Herndon Volunteer Fire Department.  Located just off of Route 50 in the Chantilly area and close to Washington Dulles International Airport, the original apparatus was painted red, followed by white, and then a return to red and white when volunteer operations were turned over to the county in 1971.

A handful of years after being established, Chantilly’s apparatus were painted white. This is an impressive 1951 Ford Big Job built by American and equipped with a 500/500.

Station 15 has always run an engine company and EMS unit (ambulance/medic).  Early engines purchased by the volunteers were built on commercial cabs, including International’s and a Ford Big Job.  Fairfax County has assigned a variety of engines to Chantilly, including an American LaFrance, Seagrave’s, Duplex/3D Metal, and E-Ones.  At one time, an E-One equipped with a 54’ Squrt was assigned as Engine 15.

Chantilly’s first ladder truck, a county owned 1964 Seagrave 85’ midship equipped with a 300 gpm pump and a 150 gallon water tank. This Seagrave was assigned to Station 15 in 1975.

In addition to the engine’s assigned to Station 15, brush trucks, specialty units, and also ladder trucks have been a part of the apparatus roster at Chantilly.  Ladder trucks first ran at Chantilly in 1975 when Fairfax County assigned a 1964 Seagrave 85’ midship as Truck 15.  Ladder truck operations ended at Chantilly in 1986 when Truck 15 was transferred to Station 21 (Fair Oaks).  However, in late 1989, Truck 15 was re-established, only to transfer yet again in 1995 when Truck 38 in West Centreville was established.

Today, Engine 415 is a 2010 Pierce Velocity 1250/750/40.

Today, Station 15 operates an engine company, medic unit, brush truck, a mass casualty support unit, and a gator unit.  Engine 15 is a newer 2010 Pierce Velocity equipped with a 1250gpm pump, 750 gallons of water, and 40 gallons of foam.  Fairfax County operates numerous Freightliner M2 monster medic units.  Medic 415 is a 2006 model built by American LaFrance (Medic Master).  Brush 415 is a 2003 Ford F350 equipped with a 250 gpm pump and carries 150 gallons of water.  Finally, Mass Casualty Support Unit 415 is a 2004 GMC/Mickey Truck Bodies.

Brush 415 – a 2003 Ford F350 equipped with a 250/150.

I found myself in Chantilly recently for work and had an opportunity to visit the station.  It has been a number of years since I have had that opportunity.  My thanks to the shift working on June 15^th for their time and effort moving the apparatus for photographs.

Mass Casualty Support Unit 415 is assigned this 2004 GMC/Mickey Truck Bodies.

Last week, Charlottesville Firefighters trained with the new Tower 10 at the Downtown Mall. CFD conducted several training exercises with its aerial ladder trucks.  These pictures are of CFD’s new Tower 10 at 5th St SE at the old Army Navy Store.  Firefighters are practicing their positioning skills and to better understand the challenges with building locations, trees and other obstacles.  More training will be conducted later today at the SNL building.  FYI, CFD conducts training on an average of 2 hours per day throughout the year with over 25,000 staff hours of training.

Submitted by Chief Charles Werner

The Sterling Volunteer Fire Department is selling their 2004 Pierce Pumper Tanker.

The unit boasts a Pierce Lance split tilt 6 man cab with side roll protection and independent front suspension (Tak 4), a Detroit diesel 470 hp, 1500 gpm Hale pump, and a 1250 poly tank. It is available now.

Click here or on the image for more information

Including price, contact info, mileage, and more photos

By Becky Robinette Wright

Engine 17’s crew were handling an emergency on Interstate 95 at the 63 mile marker on June 15 at 9:42 p.m. when the engine was struck from behind.

Gylua J. Mayer, 87 was driving a 1987 Chrysler Lebaron when he struck the rear of the fire engine and was injured, said Sgt. Thomas Molnar of Virginia State Police. No firefighters were on the engine at the time.

Engine 14 and Truck 14 along with the TSO and a battalion chief were dispatched for the extrication of the vehicle driver.

The driver was extricated, packaged and transported to VCU Medical center with minor injuries.

Personnel from Station 17 were using reserve Engine 220 at the time of the accident.

“There was significant damage to the engine,” said Captain Keith Chambers of Chesterfield Fire and EMS. “The engine will be out of service for some time.”

Mayer was wearing his seat belt, said Molnar. Mayer was charged with reckless driving.

Engine 17′s emergency lights were activated at the time of the crash.

News coverage here

VAFireNews.com Webteam note: From what we have heard, the engine that was hit was reserve engine 220 and sustained around $50,000 damage.

Yesterday, the Charlottesville Fire Department proudly displayed the American Flag form the top of its new Tower 10 at Fire Headquarters on Ridge Street.

Tower 10 was on display with the American Flag as a part of the Flag Day Celebration on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall adjacent to the Ntelos Wireless Pavilion.

Photos by Steve Dillon