Obituary from the Roanoke Times
Battalion Chief Bobbie Slayton remembered Fire-EMS Station No. 3 as one of the busiest of all the Roanoke stations.
“It was central in locations,” said Slayton, who had worked on and off at the station since 1965. “Some of the finest firefighters Roanoke had to offer have come through these doors, and the same ones have gone out.”
More than 150 firefighters gathered Sunday afternoon to share memories, laughs and celebrate the closing of the 98-year-old station on Sixth Street Southwest.
Roanoke Fire-EMS Lt. Rhett Fleitz said the Roanoke Fire Fighters Association just wanted to bring together former members of the station one last time.
“You never know what the city council is going to do; they could come and bulldoze it for all we know,” he said. “This has been a second home for so many guys in the department, and we just wanted them to come in and enjoy the tradition one last time.” Read More
I have to say that I really had a great time down at Fire Station 3 the other day. The food was great and the stories were better. Especially seeing Roadie Kelley slide down the pole, mind you he is around 70 years old. Special thanks to Chad Riddleberger, Nathan Foutz, and JJ Price for getting the event put together. Unfortunately, Chad was unable to attend due to an illness which put him in the hospital. I wish you a speedy recovery.
On another note:
The verdict is in. Ladder 1 will be moved to Fire Station 1. This isn’t a shock. The disturbing thing about the whole Station 1 mess is that they couldn’t come out and make a definite decision when they decided to continue with building the new station. Instead, firefighters have had to wait for a decision, one that finally came a mere week or two before the new station opens.
Engine 7 will be taken out of service and replaced with a Medic truck. Station 7 will change from an Engine 7 (4 firefighters, minimum of 3) and Ladder 7 (4 firefighters, minimum of 3) per shift to Medic 7 (2 Firefighters, one being ALS Certified) and Quint 7 (6 firefighters, minimum of 4) per shift. Meanwhile, we still have 6 firefighters (3 Lieutenants and 3 ALS firefighters) stationed at Clearbrook Station 7 in Roanoke County.
I may never fully understand why the City still allows giving free manpower to the County when we have such huge budgetary issues in the City that we have to take an Engine out of Service. It appears there is some deep rooted City Council/Board of Supervisors back scratching going on.
I have hit on this before, and I will continue to do so in the future. Let us look at what is going on in the Northside. The rumblings on the street is that Roanoke County needs to justify more firefighters so they have had Medic 10 start running second in to Hollins area. Justification? What does Roanoke County need justification for? There department should be twice the size it is right now. What the hell are they waiting for? Maybe they are waiting for the senseless deaths of citizens in fires and medical emergencies while waiting for second or third due coverage. Roanoke County is beyond the capability of relying on firefighters responding at home. They need to have full coverage on all of their apparatus all the time. They need to run their own calls and only rely on mutual aid for what it was designed for. Currently, it seems as though Roanoke City has become the first in agency in a large part of Roanoke County. This should not be accepted by Roanoke City Citizens nor Roanoke City Council.
Engine 13 alone ran 4 calls in the County yesterday. County units were only seen on one of the calls. Don’t get me wrong, I love running calls. I have two years of running nothing to make up for. However, I can see the writing on the walls when City units are in the County covering for them and something BAD happens in there first due. I guess we will have to explain away….
Am I the only one who sees the Clearbrook deal as the worst business venture the City has done in a long time. We provide mutual aid into the County, hell most of it is automatic aid. Yet, instead of them providing the same to us, we have to staff their stations with our people. That is a blatant waste of resources.
At the Virginia Tech shooting, what happened?
Being here in Roanoke and having connections with the Fire and EMS here and there I am hearing reports that a male found out his girlfriend was cheating on him so he went to kill the guy who was having the affair with his girlfriend. That was the shooting at 7am, the unidentified male and his roomate were shot. Then he waited around until his girlfriend had his first class. The gunman/boyfriend showed up at the class and killed his girlfriend and continued to shoot many in the classroom. The gunman finished by killing himself.
Again, this is just what I hear outside of conventional press. Do not hold me to it, nor ask where I got the information. You can find information on the shooting anywhere online like CNN.com or FoxNews.com.
There will be a lot of news coverage of this story. The word is that this might be the largest shooting spree and/or college shooting in U.S. History.
As a commenter has stated that I should not report rumors , the fact is that the news has covered the same information as I. It is an unfortunate event. Yes, I pray for the families of those involved and I hope that all of the injured have a speedy recovery. I hope also that the death toll stops at 33, as reported right now.
Prince William Firefighter LODD
A Prince William firefighter lost his life at a fire this morning in Woodbridge. The fire went to 3 alarms. I do not have much other information right now, and I have heard reports of a second firefighter dying on the way to the fire, but I have not confirmed it. If you have more information please let me know.
As for the rest of the State, we are experiencing high winds. Roanoke had a 3 alarm fire today, I will have pictures up soon.
More information later
If you have never made it to an event attended by a bunch of the retired firefighters, this would be a great opportunity. You think you know the history and tradition, well I have news for you, you don’t know anything until you listen to them. Those guys will tell you a story with such passion that you will think you were there yourself.
This wasn’t the original station 3. There was a station 3 at 4th and East, near where the main post office is now. When the department went fully paid, they renumbered it station 2. In 1909, they built a new station at Sixth and Rorer and numbered it 3. It has been there ever since.
Once the new Headquarters Station opens, we will lose the number 3. Engine 3 and Medic 3 will become Engine 1 and Medic 1. Once the new station, replacing station 10, on Williamson Road opens near Hershberger, they will renumber it station 3. Therefore Engine 10 and Medic 10 will become Engine 3 and Medic 3. At least that is what I am told.
So come on out on April 15th and celebrate the old station.
Good luck to the three of you. God Bless.
I know that comments may veer to saying that they left because of pay and benefits, then others will say that they didn’t and there is no basis for saying that members leave due to pay and benefits. The comments will go back and forth.
I will say this, maybe some leave for better paying departments, maybe some leave for other career options, others just don’t like the job. However, if the job here in Roanoke was a little more appetizing, maybe we wouldn’t lose so many to chasing other options.
Bones was hired on May 1, 1953 and retired June 26, 1983 after 30 years of service.
Pictured from left to right; Captain Daniel Ralph Sink, Lt. Blenky Greer, Lt. Everett Ray Walters, FF William Kopcial, FF Lawrence “Bones” Hylton, FF Warren “Floorboard” Hawley, and FF Donald Barbour. The men are pictured at Station 8 in 1957 during Roanoke’s Diamond Jubilee.
Several of the “Bluepatch” Firefighters have decided to organize the “The 1st Annual Bluepatch 1.5 mile Commemorative Dash” to relive the once popular task of running 1.5 miles to test the true fitness of firefighter candidates. Back in the day, firefighters had to run the 1.5 miles as well as do pull-ups, sit-ups, walk a balance beam, and other strenuous activities. The 1.5 miles had to be completed in 12 minutes.
The event location will be announced soon. If you have suggestions on a suitable track let Tim Jordan know at 13 B-shift. The event will be held on May 5th (Cinco da Mayo). Afterwards, for the ones left standing, there will be a social get-together at a local establishment (TBA).
If you are one of the firefighters who had to run the 1.5 miles and want to participate, let Tim Jordan know. Final eligibility will be determined by Captain Jay Ransome…Huh.
If you are a newer firefighter who didn’t have to run the 1.5 miles, you might be needed for medical standby.
The participants are not required to run the entire 1.5 miles and may finish the distance in whatever manner they deem necessary (no motorized vehicles allowed; i.e. hoverounds, powered wheelchairs, or mopeds).
Workers Comp. claims will not be honored for this event. However, if you are injured you will be allowed to go on light duty…maybe.
As soon as the Captain stepped upstairs for a minute, the guys were hard at work rigging up a turn of the century camera with the gunpowder flash, shroud, and pedestal.
When Captain Wines returned to the bay to see the prehistoric device set up in the bay, all of the guys enjoyed a good laugh.
Here is the picture of the “Camera”:
Firefighter James Gish is leaving the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department to go to work for the Virginia Beach Fire Department. What the hell is he thinking? The Beach, Bikinis, the largest Volunteer EMS Department in the World, Bikinis…and did I mention Bikinis. Damn, some people just don’t get it do they. He will learn eventually.
Actually, we wish you luck in your new Department Gish. We are sure you will enjoy it down there. It was good knowing you, we will see you around.
Gish is pictured on scene of the Radar Fire, he was driving Ladder 2.
Sorry I am a little late on this one.
Firefighter/EMT David Ploch resigned from the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department. His last day was Monday, February 6th from what I understand.
While I never worked directly with David, I did see him around and I can say that he had a profound respect for the job. David spent most of his 3 years or so at Station #1 and was recently moved to #6. Prior to coming to Roanoke, David was in the Military Special Forces.
His abrupt decision to leave the department is believed to be the result in a scheduling conflict over taking an upcoming EMT-I class.
Check out the website where you can download the latest edition in .pdf form.
Yet another article providing positive public relations. Last month, B-Shift was featured in the newspaper. C-Shift is next and might appear next month.
At Roanoke’s Fire Station No. 2, often where there’s smoke, there’s good eats.
By Lindsey Nair | 981-3343
Multimedia
* Watch a slideshow with audio
When the alarm sounded in the kitchen at 3:30 p.m., First Lt. Jim Cady was managing a boiling pot of potatoes, a pan of hissing sausages and a mess of cabbage.
The Roanoke firefighter hadn’t even started on his homemade bread yet.
“Whooooooop! Whooooooop! Engine No. 2, Engine No. 10, Engine No. 5,” a crackling voice began.
“That’s us,” said Cady, clamping down lids and switching off burners.
Wait. They didn’t call for the ladder truck. False alarm. (Read More)
It is always great to see Roanoke’s Firefighters in the news. Today, this article in the Roanoke Times featured Station #2 A-Shift. While I am sure the ribbing from the guys across the City has been fun, these types of articles help keep the firefighters in the Public’s eye and provides a positive look into what we are all about.
Be sure and watch the slideshow with audio – this offers a unique view into the kitchen at #2A.
Thanks Lindsey
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”.
I apologize if I left out any of the mutual/automatic aid that we assist with. These are just the ones on the top of my head.
Chief Obenchain and Jimmy Jennings stopped by #9 for lunch with the guys today. Captain Wines, FF Jeff Dudley, FF Jeff Proulx, and FF Ben Obaugh ate a hearty meal with Billy and Jimmy cooked up by FF Chris Franklin AKA “Chicken Hawk” AKA #9 C-Shift Chef. They feasted on a spread of cornbread and pinto beans. I am sure they shared some decent stories and solved many of the World’s problems.
If you get a chance to pick up a copy of the paper which was sent out yesterday it is worth reading. It is always good to see the firefighters in the paper. Thanks to the South Roanoke Circle for featuring the Roanoke Firefighters.
We have now entered a defining year in the history of Firefighting in Roanoke. Did you know that March marks the 125th Anniversary of the first Fire Official in Roanoke – a Fire Marshal who’s job description was to inspect the chimney flues. This year also marks the 100th Anniversary of Fire Station #1 opening in February. The most defining Anniversary this year might be the 100th year of a completely paid department. Many events which have defined our fine department many years before we even thought of working here. Since these significant dates, there are not many others. We might consider the Second Platoon in 1936, or the first Black Firefighter in 1965, or the Third Platoon in 1972, or maybe even the first Female in 1995. But really 1995 only counts if you are to disregard the history of Roanoke City EMS, and then the date would be earlier. Not prior to 1985 though. To be sure of the date would only take a moment. These are the significant dates that have molded our department. Then there are other dates like when the department doubled in size in 1911 from 3 to 6 stations. Maybe you would consider when we got our first motorized apparatus also in 1911. Maybe when we bought the 5? Oren Grey Ghosts in 1950? Or in 1991 when we bought 5 Grummans both of which were large investments by the City.
These are defining moments in the history of the Department. Most firefighters have defining moments in their careers. Like their first fire, or their first day on the job, or possibly when they were promoted, the various assignments they will experience in their careers, or the big fires which occur every couple of years.
2007 has promises of being a big year for the Roanoke Fire-EMS. We will see another Chief named, the 12th in history since Chief McFall on March 1, 1903. Battalion Chief Billy Obenchain will be replaced in February as well. The new Fire Station at Elm and Franklin will open sometime around March and Fire Station #3 will close down having been open since April 12, 1909 equalling 98 years of fire service and having been home to horses in its early years.
For the new recruits, some of this stuff may seem like not such a big deal. For the veterans of the department, they have seen Chiefs come and go. For me, having been in the department for almost 8 years this will be the first time seeing a new Chief. As for the Battalion Chiefs go, when I came in 1999, Assistant Chief Tartaglia, Battalion Chief Beckner, Battalion Chief Roger Manuel, Battalion Chief Ferris, and Battalion Chief Altman (I apologize if I am wrong on any of these) hadn’t attained the level of BC. It has been interesting watching the ranks get filled.
We will see more recruits hired in February and then some more in July from what I understand. There may be more retirements before 2007 is over as well.
As for your resident Blog Dawg, as Deano Scarpini (Dean Russell the head of the Dublin Fire Brigade Mafia) calls me, is concerned I will continue to keep the site running. 2007 brings me back into the mix of things after being somewhat retired on the ARFF crew. January 5th will be like the first day of work for me. I cannot wait to run calls and see my brothers on the street protecting the Citizens of Roanoke.
Happy New Year
Stay Safe and God Bless
- Rhett Fleitz
This picture was taken around 1994 by Maurice Wiseman in front of the Garden City Station 11. Gary was hired on February 3, 1986, his retire date will be February 1, 2007 giving him 21 years in the department. He worked his last day last week. From what I hear, he will be going to teach at a local school. Gary was most recently assigned as Captain at Station 3 on B Shift. I wish you a long and healthy retirement Gary.
Scott Graham, Clayton Martin, Brian Conner, Teddy Adkins, Werner VanDamme
and Vince Stover work through a problem in class. (above)
Chris Trussler, Dustin Campbell, Scott Alford, and Robert Perdue work as a team.(above)
Dale Barker, Phil Dillon, Alan Austin, Loren Thompson, Ellen Plaza,and Jeff Beckner work as a team. (above)
Thanks to Travis Collins for the pictures.
Todd Reighley, one of my brothers from recruit school, has decided to head out to the desert to fight fires and get paid 4 times our salary here during a war, in a hostile environment. Todd was hired in March of 1999 with recruit school 15. There aren’t many of us left from that class, and Todd will be welcomed back at the end of his year long tour, providing he wants to come back. Todd has been the Lt. on Ladder 7 for the past 3-4 years. Todd runs a blog The Life of Reighley, I am not sure if he plans on keeping it updated or not while he is gone. We wish Todd the best, and a safe 365 nights under the Iraqi skies. God Bless.
As most of you by now know, I am heading to Iraq as a civilian contract firefighter. I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you and that it has been a pleasure working w/ each and everyone of you. My last day on duty with our department is today Dec. 16th. I will be around however through the Christmas Holidays. I deploy to Houston TX Jan. 8th, for a week and then fly to Dubi Saudi Arabia the following Monday the 15th. I do not know what military base I will be working on until I am in Iraq and will be stationed overseas for 1 year. For those who wish to keep in touch with me my yahoo email address will remain in use. Merry Christmas to you and your families.
Todd Reighley
tareighley@yahoo.com
