Sterling Volunteer Fire Company

On Saturday January 28, at 1441 hrs., E18, Tower 11, A25 and Battalion 1 (Shank) were dispatched to 24 Howard Place for a dryer fire. Supplemental information was that the fire was confined to the dryer and the occupants were advised to evacuate. Tec 25 arrived on the scene first and reported smoke showing. Quint 18 arrived and confirmed heavy smoke showing from a townhouse. Chief 11 (Short) responded and called for the structural assignment which brought Quint 18, Quint 11, Engine 18, Wagon 18, Engine 439, Engine 23, Tower 11, Tec 25, & Ambulance 25-2.

Quint 18′s crew found and extinguished a working fire on Floor 1, Quadrant’s B & C. The fire was extinguished in 10 minutes. The fire is being investigated by the LCFR Fire Marshal’s office.

On Jan 21 the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company held our annual installation banquet. We would like to thank the following folks for helping us protect the citizens of Sterling:

From Leesburg Co 1:

Command 11
Chief Wayne Whetsell

Engine 18
OIC: LT Neiberger
D/O: MFF JC Blaylock
FF: Jim Cooke
FF: Troy Gittings

Tower 11
OIC: LT Mike McMurrer
D/O: Mike Bucy
FF: Richard Wolfe

From Purcellville Co 2:

Engine 11
AC Mike O’Brien
FF Jeff Pullen
FF Ted Rabbe
FF Matt Minnick
FF Jim Gutierrez

Crew 5 took advantage of a commercial structure made available to the department prior to demolition for some training. Evolutions covered hose line advancement, search and rescue, and a mayday: firefighter down scenario.

Crew 5 would like to thank Lt. Ketcham for getting us the building and Lt. Firmin for organizing the drill.

The truck crew makes entry and begins a primary search.

The engine crew advances a hose line into the structure.

Firefighters exit the structure after the mayday scenario.

Photos by: Capt Starling

The Sterling Volunteer Fire Company is proud to debut our new website. We hope the new site will allow us to keep things up to date and bring new content for our members and for the community we serve. If you have questions or comments, please contact us at webmaster@svfd.org

On Sunday January 15, at 1211 hrs., E18,E11,E23 and Tower 11, A25 and Battalion 1 (Shank) were dispatched to 22 Dudley Court for a kitchen fire. Upon arrival E-18 found heavy fire in the kitchen area of a single family home.  E-18′s crew extinguished the fire in about 5 minutes and assisted E-11 and TL-11 with overhaul.  Units were on scene for about 90 minutes.  Battalion 1 had command. The fire is being investigated by the LCFR Fire Marshal’s office.

Early Tuesday morning the engine and truck crew from FS 11 were dispatched for an automatic fire alarm at William Waters House right around the corner from the firehouse. Engine and Quint 11 arrived to find an audible alarm and the 2nd floor charged with smoke, and filled the box assignment bringing TL11, E18, E404, E23, and TL436. The fire was contained to a bookshelf by a sprinkler in a 2nd floor apartment. Units were held on scene mop up the extensive water damage to the fire apartment and units below. The cause of the fire was determined to be a candle. This is the 2nd night in a row that the crews from 11 had a fire within 30 seconds of the firehouse.

Crew 5 was dispatched for an auto accident with entrapment at Sterling Boulevard and Beech Road. Tower 11 marked on the scene with one vehicle on it’s roof, but no entrapment. Crew 5 stabilized the scene and helped the Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad treat and transport two patients.

Photos: Jeff Banman