Sterling Volunteer Fire Company

At 7:23pm on Sunday night Tanker 618 was alerted for a fire alarm activation in Great Falls Forest. The alarm company reported an activated smoke detector in the kitchen. During the response the alarm company called back reporting an additional detector in alarm. Upon arrival Tanker 618 discovered a light haze in the structure and called for a full house fire assignment. While Engine and Truck 611 from Sterling, Engines 439, 404 and Squad 439 from Fairfax, Engine 623 from Ashburn (LCFR), and Ambulance 625 from Sterling Rescue were being dispatched Tanker 618 was investigating further and gaining entry to the structure. Chief 611 and Battalion 401 from Fairfax also responded. Entry was gained and a quick investigation revealed that the smoke was caused by food left cooking on the stove. After determining there were no further hazards Tanker 618 asked Engine and Truck 611 to continue responding to assist with ventilation and placed all the other units in service.

Just before dinner on Saturday evening Engine 611 and Tanker 618, along with Ambulance 615 and Battalion Chief 601, were alerted for a truck fire. Captain 611 responded as a command officer. Callers reported that a large truck was on fire behind a locked gate. Captain 611 asked that Truck 611 be added to assist with gaining access to the site. Engine 611 arrived and reported that access had been gained and that they would be attacking the fire with a 2 1/2″ hose line. Tanker 618 arrived and established a water supply and pulled a second hose line to help protect trucks parked nearby. Crews knocked down the fire and began extensive overhaul, which required the emptying of the truck to check for hidden fire.

Photos by: David Short

The crew from Engine 611 attacks the fire

The crew from Engine 618 protects nearby trucks

On Friday, August 21 the career staff from station 11 had the opportunity to attend training in Fairfax County. The members of SVFC staffed Engine and Truck 611 during the day. The crews spent the day running calls, including fire alarms, EMS calls, and a car fire. They were also able to watch America’s 9/11 Ride as they passed through the area. Toward the end of the day there was an auto accident with entrapment at Countryside Boulevard and Route 7, which was handled by career staff from station 18 in Cascades and the Rescue and EMS units from SVRS. During this incident there was a second accident, also on Route 7, with a patient pinned. Engine 611 and Rescue Squad 439 from Fairfax were dispatched. Engine 611 arrived on the scene and was able to quickly free the patient and transfer them to a waiting ambulance.

Update: More information about the training is available here.

August 21: Shortly after 1:00 a.m., Crew 3 was called out for a possible townhouse fire to the rear of an address in the Sterling South Townhouses. Being very close to Fire Station 11, the first units arrived quickly and established that the fire was only the back fence to an end townhouse unit. The response was downgraded and the fire extinguished by the crew from Engine 611.

The cause of the fire is unknown and currently under investigation by the Loudoun County Fire Marshalls office.

At approximately 7:30 pm on Monday, Tanker 618 was dispatched for a possible brush fire near the boat ramp at Algonkian Regional Park. While Tanker 618 was responding LCFR communications began receiving additional phone calls reporting that the fire was approximately 1 mile down river and may be on an island in the middle of the Potomac River. Units were directed to respond to the end of Seneca Road near the Fairfax County Line. Based on the additional information, the Officer on Tanker 618 requested SERV 611 (for it’s off-road brush firefighting equipment) and units from Fairfax County (Engine 439 and Brush 439) to assist. Captain 611 also responded as the on-duty command officer.

Units arrived in the area and began trying to locate the fire. Callers were continuing to report that the fire was along the shoreline near the golf course. After a lengthy search, units located two large piles of brush actively burning. One pile was located on the shoreline and the other was on the opposite side of a large and swiftly moving creek. Firefighters were forced to use hand tools, portable tanks of water, and 5 gallon buckets to suppress the fire since no firefighting apparatus could get close enough.

Captain 611 established “Lowes Island Command” and began assessing what resources would be needed to completely extinguish the fire. The decision was made to request a fire and rescue boat to assist in accessing the remainder of the fire. Swiftwater 412 and 412-Bravo from Fairfax County (Great Falls) were dispatched to assist. These boats are designed to operate in the shallow and unpredictable conditions of the Potomac River. Their crews were able to reach the fire and extinguish it by using the tried and true bucket brigade technique. Personnel filled buckets with water from the river and soaked the burning leaves, trees, and brush. Once the fire was extinguished all personnel returned to service.

Assistance was also received from the Grounds Director for the Golf Course, who provided his services as a guide and the use of a number of golf carts to move personnel and equipment around the course. Crews operated for approximately 3 and a half hours fighting this stubborn and deep seated fire.

Just before 5:30am on Wednesday Engines 611 and 623, and Ambulance 615 and Medic 623 were alerted for an auto accident on Route 28 near Sterling Boulevard. Two assignments were dispatched because Route 28 is a limited access highway. It was initially reported that there were four cars involved. While units were responding Virginia State Police advised that there was a person trapped, so Rescue 615 and Chief 611 were dispatched. Rescue 615 and Truck 611, which also responded to assist with manpower, were staffed by mixed crews of SVFC volunteers and LCFR career staff. Engine 623 arrived and confirmed that there was someone still trapped in the vehicle and established command. A total of 5 patients were found and command requested two additional Basic Life Support and one additional Advanced Life Support units, bringing two more units from Sterling and one more from Ashburn. They also pre-alerted a helicopter in anticipation of flying one of the patients. Crews continued to treat patients as the extrication continued. Aircare 3 arrived shortly after extrication to transport one patient while the remaining patients were treated on the scene or transported by ground to the appropriate medical facilities.

Twitter users can follow Loudoun Fire and see some of the incidents handled by the Loudoun County Fire & Rescue system. Recent Tweets from LoudounFire:

You can also follow LCFRVolunteers and keep up with what Loudoun’s volunteer fire and rescue members are doing.