Submitted by Pat Schoeffel

Sunday, June 20th 18 volunteer Firefighters from Powhatan County and Spotsylvania County completed a 16 hour Basic Pump Operations Class in Powhatan County. The class consisted of four hours of classroom and 12 hours of hands on training. The practical training consisted of pumping from a fire hydrant and drafting water from a lake. A big thanks to Lake Shawnee for allowing us to us their community lake to perform our relay pumping operations. After the class was over the firefighters were invited by the unofficial mayor of Lake Shawnee, Ken Davis to take a swim in the community lake. The firefighters did not have to be asked twice and in they went, which helped beat the mid 90 degree temps.

Submitted by Jeff Bailey

The Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department recently celebrated 59 years of service to the community at their annual awards dinner which was given to the Fire Department by the Auxiliary to the Fire Department on March 27th. The department responded to 517 emergency responses in 2009 and 195 non emergency; for a total of 712. Gordon Mackison was the top call runner with 291. The department logged 5,338 personnel hours and an additional 1,225 training hours for a total of 6,563 hours. J.D. Bailey was awarded the Training Award for 2009. Other awards that were given out at the dinner included; Joe Bailey the R.J. Bryce Award, Peppe Troilo, the Bunnie Jones Firefighter of the Year Award, Scott Yeiser; EMS Provider of the Year Award and Jeanne Jones was given the Auxiliary Member of the year award. The Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department is very thankful for the continued support of the community and will always do their best in providing Fire and Emergency Medical Services to the citizens of Culpeper County and the surrounding areas.

From Left to Right: Doris Myers; Treasurer of the Auxiliary presents a donation of $45,000 to Tony Troilo; President of the Fire Department as Barbara Leathers; President of the Auxiliary and David Myers; Chief of the Fire Department look on. The Auxiliary work very hard all year raising funds for the fire department by serving meals at numerous dinners, providing food at the weekly Bingo and the annual Fair, and by having their famous fried chicken dinners. The Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department is very lucky to have such a hard working group helping them to raising funds and support them.

This picture below comes from Mike Cocker. The photo is of Victoria Fire & Rescue Department. Victoria Fire & Rescue is located in Lunenburg County, a rural County located in South Central Virginia.

You can view their assortment of apparatus here.

Thanks for submitting to Around the Station. We hope to see more news in the future from Victoria Fire & Rescue!

You can visit Victoria Fire & Rescue Department on the web here.

The crew here at VAFireNews.com is trying to revamp the “Around the Station” column.

The column is simply pictures and maybe some information on your crew.

Send in your photos on the job, volunteering, cooking, training, or anything else “Around the Station”. We will post the pics and info in our column.

You can view other photos and past “Around the Station” bits here.

The example below is of my son at an event at his school. The engine behind him is Roanoke County/Botetourt County Wagon 12 (Read Mountain Fire & Rescue Department). Obviously he is not a firefighter…but you never know someday. He looks more like a hockey player with the missing teeth!

Send in your pics to editor@vafirenews.com.

Submitted byLt. Shawn L. Jones, PIO/Assistant Fire Marshal

Richmond, Va– Last night was the kick-off for radio station Y101 Food Drive benefiting the Central Virginia Foodbank. The opening night theme was a challenge between Police and Fire. I am please to report that it was the best opening night they have ever had. Police officers on the scene conceded defeat as Richmond firefighters and our supporters donated the most food for the evening. Since the challenge was so successful, the radio personalities have decided to keep the challenge going all week. That means anytime this week (November 16-20) people can make their donation to the Central Virginia Foodbank in favor of Police Officers or Firefighters. The radio station will be at the Kroger in Carytown, 24 hours a day until 1800 hours Friday night. You can listen to live broadcast at 100.9 from 1400-1800 hours and with live cut-aways every hour during other times. A big thank you goes out to the Richmond Fire Prevention staff, which spent the evening receiving donations, handing out fire safety brochures and talking with shoppers and participants. Richmond Quint 18C displayed their apparatus and talked with the shoppers and participants throughout the afternoon and evening. They also set the bar early in the afternoon by donating 75 pounds of food.

By Becky Robinette Wright

Hundreds of the members of the community and a some long distance visitors,too joined Bon Air Volunteer Fire Dept. and CFEMS career members in an open house on Oct. 11.

Visitors were treated to fire extinguisher demonstrations,tool displays,the opportunity to climb into ambulances and fire apparatus.

An information table on pet oxygen masks taught visitors the need for the specialized masks and how to help fire departments receive them.

The open house is annual event.

Attention Firefighters across the Commonwealth. We are bringing back “Around the Station” feature!!!

This feature is a very plain and simple idea that we had success with on the old site. All you have to do is send in a photograph of your crew at the station, training, on a call, or wherever and we will post it for all to see. Once we get some submissions, we will add this feature to the front page much like the Apparatus section is done.

Send in your photo and information today!

Email submissions to editor@vafirenews.com

October 18, 2008

Photos by Becky Robinette Wright

The Midlothian Volunteer Fire Department had an open house on October 18th. Midlothian VFD is Station 5 and located in Chesterfield County.

By Becky Robinette Wright

Hundreds attended Bon Air’s open house event on Oct. 12,2008.

One woman who was curious about turnout gear and kept asking questions was given a hands on experience.The visitor suddenly found firefighters “helping” her into full gear including SCBA.

Firefighters also took a moment for fun and learning when Buford Aerial Ladder Truck 9 was on scene at the event. The ladder was extended and firefighters couldn’t resist, they took turns climbing the runged Mt.Everest.

Children got to be “on the nozzle” and experience putting the wet stuff on the grass and trees.

Fire extinquisher demonstrations were given,life safety pamplets available and apparatus welcomed youngsters in its seats.

The open house is an annual event.

By Becky Robinette Wright

On Oct.5,2008,Enon Volunteer Fire Department hosted their annual open house.

Enon Volunteers were assisted by River’s Bend and Phillips.

Around 700 people attended,that includes over 170 children.172 children attended the fire prevention program.120 children and 40 adults visited the fire and life safety trailer.133 Children visited the 911 simulator.Ambulance 18 offered free BP checks.

$2,456.00 dollars of door prizes were given away to include fire escape ladders, extinguishers, CO detectors and smoke detectors along with many other items.

$2,500 dollars worth of fire Prevention material was picked up by children and adults.

Numerous people signed up for free home inspections.