Sterling Volunteer Fire Company

This past weekend, members of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company took part in a two day General Aviation Firefighting class held at the Leesburg Regional Airport. The class was instructed by Gary Craun, Operations Chief for the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport. Students were given hands-on training for “securing” specific items around an airport, to include planes, fuel trucks and aircraft hangers. Additionally, the class offered an in-depth approach to aircraft emergencies, initial response, aircraft safety and airport operations. In attendance from Sterling Fire were Kerri Smith, Rich Mann, Jes Harder, Greg Zebrowski, Lee Lichvar and John Bischoff.

April 19, 2009 – Crew 3 finished out their Sunday shift with yet another house fire. This unbelievable streak of a fire on each of the last four shifts for crew 3 continues.

This fire was located in the Countryside neighborhood. The fire appeared to start around the rear portion on a residence. Homeowners attempted to extinguish the fire using garden hoses but it crew too large, too quick. The fire spread to consume most of the original house and it damaged at least 4 neighboring houses to the sides and rear. Due to the number of houses involved, this call was upgraded to a second alarm.

The fire was quickly contained after the arrival of fire crews. The fire called for the use of some of the large hose streams to include the deck guns on the first arriving engine, aerial water from the ladder trucks and multiple large hand lines. Units from Sterling, Ashburn, Leesburg, Fairfax, and South Riding all responded to this incident.

There were no injuries and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

(Photo Credit: Tim Duckworth)

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At approximately 10:15pm Crew 4, staffing Engines 611 and 618 and Truck 611 were alerted, along with Engines 606, 623, and Truck 606 from Ashburn and Ambulance 15 from Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad for a house fire in Sterling Park. Assistant Chief 611 responded as the command officer, as did BC602. Volunteers from home also responded with Quint 611 and Rescue 615. Truck and Engine 611 arrived on scene to find smoke showing from a two story single family home. The Engine crew began an interior attack while the Truck crew began a search. A second line was pulled from Engine 611 and ladders were thrown to the structure. The fire was quickly knocked down and units began to check for extension and clean up.

Truck 611 (Quint 618) in front of the house

Engine 611 supplying two attack lines

Two hoses and two ladders

The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce honored 47 people at today’s Valor Awards, including five members of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company. For their actions on May 25th, 2008 fighting a house fire in Leesburg, Chief Jonathan Starling, Captain Keith Firmin, and Firefighter Corey Burke received Certificates of Valor. Captain Firmin and Firefighter Burke, along with Technician Bob Weber and Firefighter David Shaw, received a Unit Citation as Engine 618 for the same incident. More information about today’s ceremony can be found here.

April 14 – Just before 2:30am, about 8 hours after being dispatched for a house fire in Oak Grove, the volunteers staffing Engine 618 were alerted for a house fire in Ashburn. They joined Engines 606, 623, Truck 606, and Ambulance 6 from Ashburn, Engine and Truck 601 from Leesburg, and Battalion 602 from Loudoun County Fire and Rescue. Captain 606, Deputy Chief 611, and BC601 (DC618) also responded. Captain 606 arrived on the scene and reported smoke showing from the roof. Engine and Truck 606 began to extinguish the fire and search for victims. The fire was knocked down quickly and non-Ashburn units were released about 20 minutes after dispatch. During the call Engine 611 responded to a fire alarm in Ashburn.

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April 13 – Just after 6:30pm, as Crew 3 was continuing to check equipment after shift change Engines 611 and 618, Truck 611, along with Engines 404 (Fairfax County) and 623 (Ashburn), Truck 338 (Dulles Airport), Ambulance 15 (SVRS, and Battalion 601 (staffed by Deputy Chief 618) were alerted for a house in Oak Grove. Sterling’s Deputy Chief 611, Lt 611 (Safety Officer), and Captain 606 from Ashburn responded as well. The caller reported a house that appeared abandoned with smoke coming from it. Engine 404 arrived first and began an interior attack. Engine and Truck 611, DC611 and BC601 arrived next with Engine 611 establishing a water supply for Engine 404 and putting a backup line in service. Truck 611 began a search for victims and to locate any additional fire. DC611 established command, assigning BC611 as Division 1 and Capt 606 as Charlie Division. Engines 618 and 623 established a second water supply, then E618 assumed RIT duties and E623 reported to Charlie Division. Interior crews extinguished the fire and began overhaul, then the Fire Marshall began an investigation (all fires in Loudoun County are investigated by the FM’s office). The incident was stabilized in just under 20 minutes and units began to return to service. During this incident additional volunteers responded from home to staff Quint 611, making it available for any additional calls in the Sterling area, including an EMS call.

Safety Officer Lt. Ketcham

Sterling Volunteer Fire Company would like to thank members of the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department and Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company for providing fill-in crews on Wednesday 4/8/2009. AVFRD sent two engine companies and LVFC sent a truck crew to cover Sterling’s first due so that members of crew 4 could attend the memorial services for Curt Seiber. This arrangement was made with little notice and the willingness of AVFRD and LVFC to step up so quickly and eagerly is tremendously appreciated.

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Sterling Volunteer Fire Company Gold Life member Curt Seiber. Curt joined the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company in October of 1980 and obtained the rank of Sergeant. Curt struggled with cancer for many years and finally lost the fight on Saturday, April 4, 2009. He will be remembered as an aggressive go-getter on the fire scene and a gregarious jokester at the fire house. He was 49 years old.