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This picture was sent to me of the Roanoke Metro Fire/EMS Department Station #11. If you didn’t know, in exchange for Engine 11′s (Garden City) response into the Mount Pleasant area of Roanoke County, Mount Pleasant Medic 62 runs calls into the Garden City area of Roanoke City. Apparently some of the guys were having fun with the fact that there has been an increased amount of mutual aid and automatic aid on top of having City guys working out of a County Station. There were rumors of a “Metro” Department even before the assistance among localities began.

Currently we have:

A Lieutenant and a Firefighter stationed at Clearbrook Station #7 on each shift riding on County Apparatus and responding to a first due territory which includes Roanoke City around the Electric Road/220 corridor.

Engine 4 runs automatic aid with Salem.

Engine 13 runs automatic aid with Roanoke County and Salem.

Engine 10 runs automatic aid to Roanoke County.

Engine 6 runs mutual aid into Vinton frequently.

Of course mutual aid has no bounds, any of the jurisdictions can ask for assistance at anytime and the firefighters are more than welcome to help.

The automatic aid calls have increased, and City units are frequently used to assist the outlying localities.

Of the mutual aid coming back into the City, it seems as though we use Medic 71 the most. Maybe someday there will be a “Metro Fire Department”.

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a structure fire on January 24, 2007 at 2220 Mountain View Terrace.

The call was received through the 9-1-1 Center at approximately 11:21 a.m. The response of four Engines, one Ladder truck, two Medic Units, one EMS Captain, one Investigation Unit, the Fire Marshal, the Assistant Fire Marshal, two Administrative Chiefs, the Education Information Specialist, the Administrative Support Supervisor, the Emergency Management Coordinator and one Battalion Chief for a total of 30 personnel responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, crews found heavy smoke coming from the structure.
Crews quickly entered the structure and extinguished the blaze.

There were two residents, one adult and one child, in the house when the fire started. They were rescued from the second story back porch of the house by a neighbor. They were both transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation. There were no injuries to Fire-EMS personnel.

The exact cause and origin of the fire are under investigation at this time. The residents were displaced from the home and are being assisted by Emergency Management. A damage estimate is not available at this time.

This home did have working smoke detectors – they helped to alert the resident to the fire. Roanoke Fire-EMS offers free smoke detectors and installation for City of Roanoke citizens. To schedule an appointment, call 853-5785.

This is an update to the fire that occurred on Wednesday, January 24,
2007 at 2220 Mountain View Terrace. The cause of the fire has been ruled accidental due to cooking. Damage estimates are still unavailable at this time.

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a structure fire on January 19, 2007 at 645 Albemarle Ave.

The call was received through the 9-1-1 Center at approximately 2:34 p.m. The response of four Engines, one Ladder truck, two Medic Units, one EMS Captain, one Investigation Unit, the Fire Marshal, the Assistant Fire Marshal, the Education Information Specialist and one Battalion Chief for a total of 28 personnel responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, crews found smoke and heavy flames coming from the back of the structure. Crews quickly entered the structure and extinguished the fire. Crews rescued a hamster from the home.

Everyone had escaped the home when fire crews arrived. Nine people, 6 adults and three children were displaced. They are being assisted by the Red Cross. There were no injuries to citizens or Fire-EMS personnel.

The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation. Damage estimates are unavailable at this time. The house has been condemned.

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a structure fire on January 15, 2007 at 902 Rockland Ave.

The call was received through the 9-1-1 Center at approximately 8:26 p.m. The response of three Engines, one Ladder truck, two Medic Units, one EMS Captain, one Investigation Unit and one Battalion Chief for a total of 19 personnel responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, crews found smoke emitting from the eaves of the structure. Crews quickly entered the structure and extinguished the fire.

There were two residents in the house when the fire started. They escaped without any injuries. There were no injuries to citizens or Fire-EMS personnel.

The fire started in the bedroom and was contained to the home. The house received smoke and heat damage. The cause of the fire was an overheated extension cord. Damage estimates are approximately $40,000.

Roanoke Fire-EMS encourages all Roanoke residents to practice fire safety steps every day. Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility and fire prevention precautions DO make a difference!

Roanoke Fire-EMS offers free smoke detectors and installation. To schedule an appointment, call 853-5785.

The Fire Prevention Division of the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department offers fireplace safety and/ or home fire safety inspections. City of Roanoke citizens can call 853-2795 to set up an appointment.

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a structure fire on January 17, 2007 at 3012 Yardley Dr.

The call was received through the 9-1-1 Center at approximately 10:22 a.m. The response of two Engines, one Ladder truck, one Medic Unit, one EMS Captain, one Administrative Chief, the Education Information Specialist, Emergency Management and two Battalion Chiefs for a total of 19 personnel responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, crews found smoke coming from the front door and the residents outside. Crews quickly gained entrance to the structure and extinguished the blaze that was found in the kitchen. A primary search was also conducted which was ruled all clear. Firefighters rescued a dog from inside of the house.

There were residents in the house when the fire started. Everyone had exited the building when Fire-EMS Crews arrived. There were no injuries to citizens or Fire-EMS personnel.

The fire started in the kitchen and was contained to the kitchen. The house also sustained smoke damage. The cause of the fire was cooking.

Seven residents, six adults and one child, were displaced by this fire. Emergency Management was contacted along with the Red Cross to assist the residents. Damage estimates are approximately $27,000.

This home did not have working smoke detectors. Roanoke Fire-EMS offers free smoke detectors and installations. To schedule your appointment, please call 853-5785.

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department has acquired an apartment complex for use in training up until demolition begins to replace the structures with a new complex. The Department has been able to use the complex for training on Rules Of Air Management (ROAM) training and Roof Ventilation Training. The training has been accomplished on duty, rotating crews from the various stations through the training on all three shifts. (Read More and see additional Photos at VAFireNews.com)

Over the life of this blog, through the Maurice Wiseman Project, Local 1132′s website, submitting pictures to Firehouse.com and VAFireNews.com, assisting journalists with the Roanoke Times, “Firefighting in Roanoke”, and future exploits I have enjoyed giving Roanoke Fire-EMS and the Roanoke Fire Fighters Association a face among departments across the Nation and reaching around the Globe. To get hits from Countries I have never heard of is really neat. It has been journey learning about the tools which help propel a website to a well read website. There are so many interesting products which can help get readership. The Blog has served as a medium for so many to learn what the Roanoke Firefighters are all about; the good and the bad. The publicity that the book alone has given us has been overwhelming. In the next month I will be at another book signing and Blue Ridge Public Television wants to do an interview on the book and the Maurice Wiseman Project. However, the response from my brothers of the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department has been the best. I really appreciate all the thanks I have received for putting the book together. Many of you would like to see a “sequel”. I can say that the possibility of doing a “Firefighting in Roanoke- the last 50 years” is pretty good. Just give me time to get some other things out of the way first. All you have to do is keep getting me photographs to copy and get back to you.

Today, a guy stopped by who you all might know. Battalion Chief Billy Obenchain stopped by to say hello to the guys at Station 13 and dropped off some interesting reading. Apparently he and another guy by the name of Shelor (sp?) put together a book on all the apparatus from the 1880′s to around 1980 as well as another book detailing key points in history from 1882-1982 about the Roanoke Fire Department. Much of the information I had already done the research for at the Library; looking through the microfiche of old newspapers. However, this was put together in chronological order and binded. It will be a great asset when I begin the complete history of the Department. Thanks Billy, it will be put to use. Of course, as with all the stuff I receive, it is property of the RFFA.

The thing that gets me is that we have so many great instructors, gurus of various fire/ems disciplines, and specialists who do not reach out to get their name recognized for the work they do and know in order to assist other firefighters. VentEnterSearch.com has contributing editors; you might be able to submit information to them. Firehouse.com has the nationally recognized firefighters who are common firehouse names. But there are other publications/websites that would be glad to publish your columns. WiththeCommand.com is a great site which looks for original content. VAFireNews.com has room for contributing editors, yes I know I have a personal stake in the site but the site has plenty of room for feature writers on training and the like. Just look at the previous post for more opportunities. All most of them are looking for is regular submissions.

Recently, the Roanoke Times had an article about seeking columnists for writing regular columns in the paper. I saw the article and thought about it for a minute. Wouldn’t it be cool to have a regular column in the paper which highlights the Roanoke Fire Department? The likeliness of them accepting that column is probably slim. However, what if the writer wrote about firefighting in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas. That is a concept which might work. Then I got a phone call from a Captain, he said I might do a good job with it. I explained that I might be a little to busy for a regular column. It would be neat. The idea is still up in the air.

It has also been told to me that the blog is probably pretty decent recruitment tool. I can say this; I get several emails a month about the department, when we are hiring, what the department is like, and what our department is all about. It is fun talking about the department with the prospective candidates. Some of them try to get hired, others I never hear from again. After all, it is just as hard to get this job as many other FD’s around.

Either way, the Blog will keep on ticking.

Roanoke Times story on the fire
The story was is on VAFireNews.com under “Hotshots”

Roanoke Firefighters respond to an Apartment Fire at the Maple Grove ApartmentsRoanoke Fire-EMS responded for a Building fire at 1133 Pilot Street NW. E13, L13, E9, E4, E5, L7, M10, M4, BC-2, and Salem Engine 2 responded for the reported fire. E13 advised of a heavy column of smoke which could be seen as they responded from Station 13 on Peters Creek Rd. Firefighters experienced heavy fire from two apartments which had spread to one other in the 4 unit apartment building. The Firefighters were able to contain the fire quickly and the primary and secondary searches were negative.

This was my first fire since joining the guys at Station 13. Last day we had a small fire at another apartment complex in NW, which was relatively small.

Unfortunately, 16 tenants were put out of their homes due to this fire. Luckily, there weren’t any serious injuries to any of the tenants or firefighters.

Engine 9′s crew stand in the burned out window casing. The guys are from left to right; Jon Dixon, Chris Franklin, Captain Willie Wines Jr., and Brad Glidden (from station 10). Lt. Richard Alley was pumping Engine 9.

Captain Wines told me a little story after the fire. Captain Wines was just recently moved from Station 14 to Station 9. He said that the first day on the job was at Station 9, being assigned to Ladder 9. His father, a retired firefighter who worked at Station 1, came to visit him on his first day of work. While his father was there L9 got a fire, the first one of his career. Fast forward 100 years or so to today, his father stopped by again. This time it was Willie’s second day back at Station 9. Ten minutes after his father got there, this fire was toned out. I thought it was a pretty good story.

Lynwood English from L13 and R. Caughey from E4 stand in the upstairs apartment window. This was their first fire.

On a personal note, this was my first fire since a fire at the Ferncliff Apartment fire 2 years ago. It was good to get back in the action. Once on scene, it was like I was never gone. We (E13) got the hydrant and brought the 5″ supply line. I helped hook it up to E9 and was able to get in and do some overhaul. It was a nice homecoming being back at Station 13. It is always a great fire when all the firefighters stay safe.

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a structure fire on December 31, 2006 at 4511 Williamson Rd., The Plaza Court Motel.

The call was received through the 9-1-1 Center at approximately 2:28 a.m. The response of three Engines, two Ladder trucks, three Medic Units, one EMS Captain, one Investigative Unit, and one Battalion Chief for a total of 24 personnel responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, crews found a fire in a back room of the motel. Crews quickly extinguished the blaze. The fire was contained to the room of origin. Rooms above and beside this room sustained smoke damage.

There were no injuries to civilians or Fire-EMS personnel. The Red Cross is assisting some of the occupants.

The cause and the origin of the fire are still under investigation.
Preliminary damage estimates are approximately $15,000.

I have been waiting to get some solid answers on exactly what is going on with Medic 7, the new ambulance in the City of Roanoke. Well actually it isn’t new, it is replacing the part-time/volunteer Medic 1. Below is how it will be staffed:

Effective January 1, 2007 @ 07:00 Medic 7 will be placed in-service at Fire-EMS station 3, all part-time personnel will now report to station 3 for assigned shifts and will staff medic 7. The hours will remain 07:00 – 19:00 Monday through Friday; REMS will staff MU101, MU102, or MU103 when volunteer staffing is available. If no volunteer ALS staffing is available, on-duty personnel will relieve the part-time staff on medic 7 for the remainder of the shift and will staff the unit on weekends. If on-duty staffing is not available to staff medic 7 when REMS is not in-service then part-time staffing will be utilized on nights and weekends to supplement the on-duty personnel.

The ambulance is brand new and was just delivered to Roanoke. It will be in service ASAP, in the meantime Medic 7 will be a reserve ambulance.

Here are the newly promoted officers of the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department. They are from left to right, 1st Lieutenant Toby Bedwell, Captain Matt Dewhirst, Lieutenant Scott Bradford, Lieutenant Breck Hudson, Lieutenant Chuck Sharp, 1st Lieutenant Doug Hurd, Lieutenant Tina O’Brien, Lieutenant Tom Gherman, Captain Mike Rose, Captain Tim Parry, 1st Lieutenant David Bocock, and 1st Lieutenant Brent Berry. The new officers will be assigned to their new stations in January. Thanks to Mike Overacker of RoanokeFirefighters.com for the picture.

A couple of announcements:

Firefighter of the Year award and Company Award Nominations are due by January 1st. Currently there have only been 3 nominations. The Company Awards are similar in nature to the Firefighter of the Year awards, however these are reserved for incidents and events where you cannot narrow the nomination to one or two firefighters. If you have any questions about the Firefighter of the Year award, and to submit a nomination, contact Tim Parry. If you have questions or would like to submit a nomination for a Company Award contact Teddy Adkins. Please submit a description of what the incident/event was and why you feel the firefighter(s) deserve the award. These are due by January 1st.

If you have not sent in your RSVP for the Banquet, the price goes up after tomorrow. Please be sure that we know you are planning on going. We need to have these numbers in order to get the best possible pricing at the Hotel. Rooms are available and we have blocked off 40 rooms, contact the Holiday Inn (formerly the Clarion) to reserve your room.

The “Firefighting in Roanoke” books have been selling great. We have about 100 of the 400 left on hand, contact me if you need to get one. Barnes and Noble has sold out, and is ordering more which should be in at the end of this week. If you would like a signed copy and are unable to catch up to me, there are signed copies at the Roanoke Antique Mall on 460 and at Rams Head Books at Towers Mall.

Now for the real issue for this post. Someone told me today that they were not going to participate in the flex spending offered by the City. For those of you who do not know, the City just revamped the flex spending accounts offered for health care and dependant care. There are a couple of perks, actually three that come to mind. The new benefits will be available through WageWorks.

1. The money comes out of your paycheck pretax.
2. The City matches the funds up to $130 a year for the health care account.
3. This City match is in effect a $130 a year raise.

That is the way I see it. I know that I will spend $260 this year on co-pays, prescriptions, and over-the-counter drugs. The program also covers glasses, contacts, and Lasik surgery among others. View the complete list here. You can use this account on yourself, your spouse, and your children whether or not they are on your insurance. I think you would have to be crazy not to enroll in this benefit. The only downside to the program is that you have to make sure you spend every penny before the year is up.

The moves are out. There are many changes among the stations.

Luckily, for me it was good news. I will be rejoining the ranks of the Red Fire Trucks and working at 13 on C-Shift. Prior to being promoted I was working at 13 on B-Shift and I was on C-Shift prior to that.

It seems as though, from the new assignments, several people might be asking “What did I do to get moved”. What do you think?

click to view the list

There are many posts which I have meant to upload. I have not had the time, so you will have to wait a little longer. There will be a post tomorrow on the Retirees Breakfast. I hope to incorporate pictures as well. The guys really had a great time.

The book has made it’s rounds to most stations by now. If you have not had the chance to get a copy yet, let me know and I will get one to you. We have sold around 150 copies so far. We have plenty left. The response to the book has been great.

This is a big week (this year) for the Fire-EMS Department. The moves will be listed, letting many firefighters know where they will be working in January. Many of them want to move, many don’t. Some have to due to promotions and the new recruits who might have been temporarily filling a hole until the new roster comes out.

Word has it that there are three internal applicants for the Chief’s position with Roanoke Fire-EMS; Acting Chief Hoback, Battalion Chief Roger Manuel; and a Captain which has been unconfirmed. I heard today that Chief Birch, Roanoke County Fire-EMS Chief, has applied for the position as well. But don’t hold me to it. The next year will certainly be interesting for the Department. Many changes are on the way.