Bedford Fire Department 2011 “No Illusion”. Video and Pictures taken from 2011.

Joint Fundraiser to Benefit F.D.N.Y. Rescue 2 Injured Firefighters Established by MN8-Foxfire, FireCritic.com and IronFiremen.com 

Cincinnati, OH, January 23, 2012— MN8-Foxfire, the developer of breakthrough illuminating products for firefighters, Lt. Rhett Fleitz of the Fire Critic blog (FireCritic.com) and Captain Willie Wines Jr. of the Wooden Ladders and Iron Firemen blog (IronFiremen.com) have teamed up to establish a joint fundraiser to support two injured firefighters with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Rescue 2. The fundraiser begins on Monday, January 23 and ends at midnight on Monday, January 30. During this time, MN8-Foxfire will donate 50 percent of all product sales through the company website to the FDNY Rescue 2 Mayday Fund. Opportunities for individuals to make donations without a product purchase will also be available through the MN8-Foxfire website at www.mn8products.com.

            On Monday, December 19, 2011, two firefighters from Rescue 2 suffered severe burns during a brownstone structure fire and were in critical condition upon hospital admittance. Both men face long recoveries. One is still hospitalized in critical condition and the other is now recovering at home under the care of a burn center outpatient program.

“We were devastated to hear about the fire involving the Brooklyn firefighters as we have a special connection with Rescue 2,” said Zachary Green, president of MN8-Foxfire. “I’d met and spent some time Captain Liam Flaherty (from Rescue 2) in San Diego last year. Then last fall, Willie, Rhett and I visited Rescue 2 and they welcomed us like we were part of their team.”

“We had great discussions over coffee with Captain Flaherty and his men at their kitchen table and even watched a hockey game with them while we were there,” said Wines.

            Fleitz, Wines and Green will travel to New York to personally present a check towards the FDNY Rescue 2 Mayday Fund during the first week of February. “There is such a sense of brotherhood among firefighters,” said Fleitz. “And when one of our brothers is in need, the firefighting community pulls together. We want to do all we can to help these men and their families.”

All Foxfire illuminating products are eligible for the 50 percent Rescue 2 Mayday fundraiser, including illuminating helmet bands, coating kits, grip wrap, tetrahedrons, equipment bands and t-shirts.

Visit MN8 FoxFire and purchase/donate to support the fund here

Read more about the fund raiser here:

• IronFiremen.com
• FireCritic.com
• MN8 FoxFire Blog
• Rescue 2 FDNY Official Web Site

About MN8-Foxfire

MN8-Foxfire is a firefighter owned company offering energy efficient and eco-friendly products utilizing breakthrough advanced illumination technology. MN8’s product offerings for the fire safety industry, marketed under the name Foxfire®, have earned a reputation for safety, high quality and performance-proven. This is readily apparent in Foxfire’s photoluminescent helmet bands, coating kits, grip wrap, equipment bands, helmet tetrahedrons and other products. Both the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and Cincinnati Innovates have recognized MN8-Foxfire for its efforts in developing technology that keeps firefighters safe. The company is headquartered in Wyoming, Ohio, a Cincinnati suburb. For more information, visit www.mn8products.com.

LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!

Yes folks, it is that time again to converge at the Roundhouse (Roanoke Civic Center) for the Annual Guns N Hoses Hockey game. The game is this Saturday, January 21st at 6pm.

Join Firefighters, Police Officers, Medics, First Responders, Friends, Family, and most importantly HOCKEY FANS as they watch the heated battle between the Guns and Hoses.

About Guns N Hoses:

Guns and Hoses is an annual charity ice hockey tournament played in Roanoke, Virginia, to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the official charity of the International Association of Firefighters. Last year alone, the I.A.F.F. raised more than $25 million for the MDA through events such as this.

Each year, local Roanoke-area firefighters (the “Hoses”) take on a team of local Roanoke-area police officers and law enforcement personnel (the “Guns”). During the last eight years, Roanoke’s Guns and Hoses has raised more than $81,000 for the MDA, and more than 20,000 people have attended the games.

• Check out Guns N Hoses online
• Catch up with Guns N Hoses Hockey on Facebook
• Read articles on VAFireNews.com about past Guns N Hoses games here

Richard BRIDE |   Visit Guest Book

William Sibistowicz |   Visit Guest Book

Timothy Schock of the Chesapeake Police Department's dive team takes part in a training session in January 2008. (Virginian-Pilot file photo)

From: State Police asked to investigate Chesapeake officer’s death | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com.

Chesapeake Police Chief Kelvin Wright has asked Virginia State Police to investigate the death of a police officer who died Tuesday during a dive training exercise.

“Their expertise in the area of underwater search and rescue will, I am confident, prove valuable to this effort and we greatly appreciate their willingness to assist,” Wright wrote in a news release this morning.

A veteran member of the Police Department’s dive team, Officer Timothy Schock, 41, died after struggling to breathe while submerged during a training exercise at Oak Grove Lake Park. The exercise was part of search-and-rescue training, according to the Police Department.

Continue Reading… State Police asked to investigate Chesapeake officer’s death | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com.

VVFD President Bob Zillian, left, stands with Sam Savia and Chief John Morrison after a ceremony in July honoring Savia's 70 years of service to the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department. They gifted Savia with a ceremonial axe and named the apparatus bay in his honor. Savia died Friday in Vienna at the age of 85. Credit: Lydia Russo

Read the entire story here: http://vienna.patch.com/articles/friends-remember-patriarch-of-fire-department-vienna#photo-8692741

For Sam Savia, the question was never ‘Why,’ it was always ‘what can I do and how?’

The lifetime Vienna resident was many things to many people, friends say: a 70-year volunteer with the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, a 50-year member of the Lions Club, a familiar face during little league games at Waters Field, an usher at St. Mark’s Catholic Church. A father, brother, husband and son.

Even when he long passed the age of retirement, the 85-year-old strolled to the fire department’s Sunday bingo game like clockwork, first to the coat closet to hang up his coat and then to his seat behind the cash register, helping run the department’s largest fundraiser week after week, year after year.

Read the entire story here: http://vienna.patch.com/articles/friends-remember-patriarch-of-fire-department-vienna#photo-8692741

Stafford VA – On November 9, 2011 Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department held a graduation ceremony at Stafford Senior High School for its sixth recruit academy. During the eighteen week academy the students successfully completed Firefighter I&II, EMT-B, Hazardous Material Operations, Mayday Firefighter Down, Vehicle Awareness and Operations and EVOC. The class graduated fourteen Firefighter-EMTs, who will begin working in the Emergency Operations Division on Monday November 14th. Ms. Marla Decker, Virginia Secretary of Public Safety was the guest speaker and the recruits were sworn in by Stafford Sheriff Charles Jett.

 Front Row L-R, P.Cibotti,S.Leone,T.LeClercq,J.Doyle,R.Angel,D.Paul,J.Ayers.

Back Row LR,D.Mechling,E.Depollo,S.Strain, T.Edwards, P.Noonan,N.Vossenberg,P.Richman

Mark L. Doyle, Executive Officer

Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department

Alan Scott Kinnison, 49, passed away at his home on Thursday, October 27, 2011, after a long, courageous battle with brain cancer. “Scott” was born in Celina, Ohio and was a resident of the Virginia Peninsula for the last 24 years. He was a firefighter/ paramedic with the York County Fire Dept. and retired as a LT in 2009, and was a ten year veteran of the US Air Force. He loved aviation and was a private pilot.

Scott was preceded in death by his father Melvin Kinnison.
He is survived by his wife Rebecca Kinnison; a son Adrian Kinnison of Columbus, Ohio; his mother Phyllis Frye of Cape Coral, FL; his step-mother Marilyn Kinnison of Urbana, Ohio; brothers Stuart Kinnison and his fiance Kimberly Nott, and Vince Schulze and his fiancé Medina Ponzo of Cape Coral, FL. He is also survived by his sisters Stephanie Line of Cape Coral, FL; Stacy Fligor and her husband Scott of Las Vegas, NV; his father-in-law James Wilson of Urbana, Ohio; a brother-in-law Dr. James M. Wilson and his wife Michelle of Ft. Mill, SC; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, November 3, 2011, in the chapel of Amory Funeral Home, Grafton with Rev. Clarence Hilling, Newport News Fire Chief, Retired, officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

The family would like to thank the Brothers and Sisters of the IAFF Local 2498, and the York County Fire Dept. for their special assistance during Scott’s final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the YCPFF Benevolent Fund, P.O. Box 1308, Yorktown, VA 23692.

Here is another example of firefighters and public safety personnel wearing pink for breast cancer awareness!

View more Virginia Firefighters wearing pink here

Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department members are wearing pink t-shirts to show support for those fighting breast cancers. All proceeds from sales of the shirts will be donated to “Susan G. Komen for the Cure”.

Wynn Locher
Stafford Professional Fire Fighters Local 4012

The City of Staunton Fire & Rescue has gone pink for October. The members of the department are wearing pink t-shirts the entire month. Pictured are the members of B-Shift with our 9-11 Memorial.

Lieutenant Perry Weller
Staunton Fire & Rescue

Portsmouth continues to wear pink shirts. Pictured below are of the ladies of the Portsmouth firefighters credit union located near station12. Also pictured below is a house fire where two firefighters were photographed wearing pink shirts.

The fire photos are from Portsmouth Battalion Chief Jim Hoffler

OWL Volunteer Fire Department Wears Pink Duty Shirts to Make a Statement against Breast Cancer

Woodbridge, VA October 9th, 2010 — OWL VFD, usually known for putting out fires and responding to 911 calls, put on pink tee shirts for the month of October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

During the Month of October all OWL VFD crews will switch from their normal dark blue shirts to pink tee shirts to show solidarity for those fighting breast cancer, those that have survived breast cancer or for loved ones lost to breast cancer. “Cancer has touched almost everyone’s life, including members of our own department. We want to remind them that they are not alone, that we care.” said Department Chief Jim McAllister. OWL VFD has a history of supporting cancer research with their annual St. Baldrick’s event that they hold every March to raise money for Children’s cancer research. “This is one more way we can give back and raise awareness.”

“I think wearing pink is great.  Breast Cancer is a devastating disease.” Said Captain Kurt Bolland.  “Those fighting for their lives are courageous and brave.  We want them to know they aren’t alone.”  OWL VFD crews will be wearing the pink tee shirts for the entire month of October.

OWL VFD is one the largest and busiest volunteer fire departments in the United States with over 300 active members. OWL VFD provides fire suppression, EMS care, and rescue services to 80,000 residents in our 27 square mile area through the operation of three fire stations. OWL volunteer firefighters and EMTs work the 6 pm to 6 am shift, five days a week, plus 24/7 holidays and weekends.
For more information on OWL VFD, visit www.owlvfd.org 

Roanoke County Fire Station #9 is wearing pink during October.

Check out more crews wearing pink here and submit yours today!

From left to right: D. Sizemore, D. Lacy, J. Yopp, J. Newman, T. Gray, C. Campbell.

QUANTICO, Va. – For the month of October, firefighters on base will wear pink shirts to help raise awareness for breast cancer. The firefighters brought up the idea of wearing the pink shirts last year, but weren’t able to get the shirts made in time.

“I really pressed the idea this year,” said Daniel Ruchka, a firefighter and emergency medical technician, here. “We passed the idea up our chain of command and we got approved in time to get the shirts ordered.

“Almost everyone I know has had someone who was a part of their lives affected by breast cancer,” said Ruchka. “I personally have been directly affected by it; that’s why I was pushing for us to wear the shirts.”

Continue reading… Quantico firefighters wear pink to raise awareness of breast cancer | InsideNova.

Credit: Pfc. Tabitha Bartley/Quantico Public Affairs Members of Quantico’s fire department will be sporting pink shirts this month in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Roanoke County Station 5 A-shift are wearing pink during October. Captain Dean Peroulas is 3rd from the right. He allowed us to post the picture.

A side note that VAFireNews.com editor Rhett Fleitz runs mutual & automatic aid with the crew from Roanoke County 5A.

Feel free to send in your pics to editor@VAFireNews.com!

View more firefighters wearing pink here

Roanoke County Station 5 A Shift

Submitted by Danny Clary

Fort Pickett firefighters sport pink shirts during the month of October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. This is A Shift. L-R front row Jason Krotzer and Jan Clarke, back row Jeramiah Fix, Edwin Foster, and Danny Clary.

HARRIS, Robert, Alexander “Bobby” Jr., 83, of Maidens, Va., passed away on August 30, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Willa Jean Hawk Harris; daughters, Betty Mattice and Patricia Wertz; his son, Bubba Harris (Andrea); his sister, Jean Harris McCuiston (Walter “Terry”); grandchildren, Stephanie Williams (Justin), Chris Wertz, Brent Mattice and Kasey Harris; great-grandchildren, Chase and Evan Williams; numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Bobby was a 33 year retired employee of Interbake Foods (AKA FFV Famous Foods of Virginia). Memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Elpis Christian Church, 2703 Elpis Church Rd, Maidens, Va. 23102. Family will receive friends after the service in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Goochland Co. #5 Fire & Rescue, P.O. Box 306, Goochland, Va. 23063.

Roanoke Fire-EMS is getting “Fired Up For a Cure” and we need your help! October is Fire Prevention Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month…..so our firefighters are stepping it up to help “extinguish” breast cancer! During October our firefighters will don pink uniform shirts to show our support for our community and remember those that have passed from breast cancer, those battling or those who have won the fight!

On Saturday, September 24th, we are hosting an event called “Fired Up For a Cure” sponsored by ServPro, Global Spectrum, K-92, Roanoke Parks & Recreation and Roanoke Fire-EMS to not only spotlight fire prevention, but to also celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness! The goal of this event is to prevent, educate and advocate about the importance of self breast exams, mammograms and also to remind citizens to practice their fire safety plans! The event will be held at the Roanoke Civic Center. A 5K & 10K run and a 5K Walk will start the day at 9am and exhibits will be open from 10:30am until 3pm.

We have a lot of great events in the planning stages such as:

• Roanoke Fire-EMS Fire Safety House & firetrucks!
• Free food!
• Zumba by Golds Gym, Electric Rd.
• Free ice skating from noon-3!
• Child Safety Seat Checks/ Safe Kids Display
• Roanoke Police Department Display
• Live DJ, kids activities, vendors, raffles & door prizes
• Chesapeake Fire Dept. “Pink Firetruck”
• Breast Cancer Awareness Displays, sign ups for mammograms, health screenings & much, much more!

Proceeds from the event will be donated to Every Woman’s Life and the American Cancer Society.

Right now we need runners to sign up or the running portion of the event might be cancelled! Runners can sign up online by going to: roanokeva.gov/playonline. Vendors are also welcome! For vendor information, please email firedupforacure@yahoo.com.

Check out the Fired Up For a Cure Facebook Page….Facebook.com/Fired

Up for a Cure.

On September 11th, firefighters from across the Commonwealth of Virginia will converge in Richmond for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.

If you have not registered, please do so here.

The event is limited to the first 343 firefighters who sign up.

I have climbed in two of these events, one at Firehouse Expo and another at Fire Rescue International. I will also be climbing on September 11th. Unfortunately, due to prior plans, I will be climbing at the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in Greenbelt, MD.

These events are a huge tribute to our 343 brothers who died on September 11, 2001. It was an honor to climb for them.

You can read about both of my climbs here and here.

If I could give you one word of advice it would be to hydrate. Do it in full turnout gear and remain hydrated.

Sign up here for the stair climb

Myself and Captain Willie Wines Jr. (IronFiremen.com) climb with Chiefs from across the Country in Atlanta at FRI