Sterling Volunteer Fire Company

Just before 7pm on Saturday, December 26th Engine companies 618, 611, and TowerLadder 611 from Sterling, Engines 439, 404, and Rescue Squad 439 from Fairfax, Ambulance 625 from Sterling Rescue, Captain 611 from Sterling and Battalion Chief 602 from Loudoun County Fire and Rescue were dispatched for a house fire in Engine 618′s first due area. Quint 618, running as an engine, was first on scene and reported no smoke or fire visible from the outside. Due to the long driveway Quint 618 laid out a supply line from the end of the driveway and advised TowerLadder 611 to park their unit on the main road and use the aerial ladder on the quint if it was needed. Quint 618 then reported a working kitchen fire and advised they were beginning fire attack with an 1 3/4″ line. Engine 439 established the water supply for Quint 618, while Rescue 439 began searching the structure to make sure there were no victims inside. Engine 611 proceeded down the driveway to provide additional water to the Quint and to take in a backup hose line. TowerLadder 611 began ventilation and Engine 404 set up RIT. The fire was quickly knocked down and crews began overhaul and to check for extension. The scene was turned over to the Fire Marshall’s office for investigation.

Engine 611 and Quint 618 on the scene

(Dec 20) As the Sterling area is digging out from some extraordinary snow falls this weekend, we would would like to remind everyone to remember to dig out your nearest fire hydrant as well as your sidewalk and driveway. Hydrants can be easily buried by plow trucks and nobody wants to watch the fire department shovel snow to find a hyrdant when there is a real fire emergency.

On a related note, a hydrant was damaged during road clearing operations on Sunday morning. The broken hydrant sprayed water more than 50 feet into the air and sent a deluge of mud and water down Cascades Parkway. Members of Crew 3 responded and shut off the broken hydrant and turned the scene over to Loudoun County Sanitation Authority.

(Photo Credit: Ken Krohn)

From FEMA/Ready.gov and the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company:

The first recommendation when a snow storm takes place is to stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.

However if you do have to go out, the American Automobile Association (AAA) recommends the following when driving in snow:

* Maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season.
* Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
* Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly. The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
* Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
* Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
* Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.
* Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
* Keep an emergency supply kit in your car. It should include the following items:
o Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
o Flashlight and extra batteries
o Snow shovel and other snow removal equipment
o Windshield scraper and small broom
o Necessary medication
o Matches, water and snack food
o Extra hats, socks and mittens
o Emergency flares
o Booster cables and fluorescent distress flag
o First aid kit with pocket knife
o Tow chain and rope
o Rock salt to melt ice, sand to improve traction and blankets to keep you warm.

· Ensure the following have recently been checked by a mechanic:

o Anti-freeze levels
o Battery and ignition system
o Brakes
o Exhaust systems
o Fuel and air filters
o Heater and defroster
o Lights and flashing hazard lights
o Oil
o Thermostat
o Windshield wiper equipment

Regardless of where you live, visit www.Ready.gov to find preparedness ideas that can be used throughout the year.

On Monday, December 7th, at the monthly General Membership meeting the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company elected the following officers:

Chief: Mickey Buchanan
President: David Short
Vice President: Mark Featherstone
Treasurer: Becca Young
Secretary: Andy Gode

Board of Directors at large members:
Berl Jones
Bill Graham
Marvin Miller
Patrick Todd

The members of the company look forward to the year ahead under their leadership, and also thank those members who served in 2009.

Antietam Fire Apparatus has posted a series of photos of our new 2009 KME Predator, Engine 618, HERE. The company continues to train on the new engine and make final adjustments and tool installation. We hope to have it serving the public in a few weeks.

Just after 5:30pm on a snowy Saturday evening Engines 611, 623, 404, and 606, Quint 618, TowerLadders 611 and 606, Ambulance 615, Captain 611, Battalion 601, EMS 601, and Safety Officer 600 were alerted for an apartment fire in Sterling Park near fire station 11. Truck 606, Tech Support 625, Serv 618, Battalion 603, Battalion 401, Assistant Chief 615, Chief 611, and Canteen 611 also responded. Engine 611 arrived on the scene almost immediately and reported smoke showing from the second floor. They soon confirmed a working kitchen fire and began to extinguish the fire while Quint 618 began searching for victims. The fire was quickly extinguished and crews then made sure it hadn’t extended beyond the kitchen area, while other crews continued to search surrounding apartments and ventilate smoke. EMS crews began working to find shelter for those who were displaced. Units from two counties, both career and volunteer, were once again able to work together and get the job done safely.