RESCUE 411 C-SHIFT RECEIVES GOLD MEDAL OF VALOR Thursday, March 13, 2008 - On Thursday March 13th, 2008 members of Rescue Squad 411 C shift where presented with the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Gold Medal for Valor. The gold medal is the highest award given by the chamber for acts involving extreme personal risk, above and beyond the call of duty and has only been awarded 5 times in the 30 year history of the awards program. The honors were presented for actions on May 27th 2007 involving the rescue of a trapped Fire Fighter at 6065 Estates Dr in the Franconia area of the county. Lieutenant Danny Urps, Master Technician John Linhart, Fire Fighter (now Technician) Bill Ward and Master Technician Joseph Swift, along with shift mates, families and friends attended the ceremonies at the Hilton McLean Tyson Corner with a small gathering afterward at the Urps residence. The recipients want all to know what an honor this award is, their gratitude to the chamber and thanks to all involved.

ACCIDENT ON THE OUTER LOOP RESULTS IN FLY OUT Friday, July 11, 2008 - B Shift - At 13:47 hrs units from company 11 and the City of Alexandria were dispatched for an accident reported with one trapped. Company 11 units arrived on scene with the operator of the motorcycle down. E411 (Capt Mason ) assumned command while the crew from M411 and E207 treated the pt. R411 controlled the leaking fluid's from the car and motorcycle. R411 was reasigned as the LZ piece and established a safe zone on the beltway for Fairfax one to land. The pt was packaged and  loaded into Fairfax one and transported to Fairfax trauma hospital. Units cleard at  14:41hrs units on scene E411,E207,R411,M411,M205, FFX1

APARTMENT FIRE BOX 0943 Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - A Shift Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to an apartment fire in the Hybla Valley area of Fairfax County. The apartment is located at 7807 Belford Drive.  E409,E424 and TL424 were dispatched for an odor of smoke in the apartment building and while en- route PSCC upgraded the assignment to a building fire. E409 (Capt Hall) arrived on scene with smoke showing from the third floor and roof area. E409 stretched an 1 3/4 line to apartment 301 and found fire in the kitchen with possible extension into the attic and apartment 302. E424 established command and water suppy for E409 while other first alarm units conducted searches, laddered, vented and stretched additional lines into the building. A second alarm was requested bringing approximately 60 firefighter to the scene. The fire was brought under control in 20 minutes with minor extension and all searches were negative.There were 21 adults and 14 children displaced as a result of this fire. The red cross is assisting the families.  Damage is estamated at $30,000 dollars. According to the investagators, the fire was accidental. The fire was caused by flammable vapors from a aerosol insect product to close to a pilot light on a gas stove. 1st Alarm: E409,424,411,463,TL424,T411,R411,M409,EMS406,EMS405,BFC406,BFC463 2nd Alarm: E205,465,419,TL405,M424,LA437,CAN422,EMS407,BFC405,DFCOA

RESCUE AND MEDIC ASSIST CITY UNITS Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - A Shift - At 1943hrs R411,M411,BC406were dispatch with E201,E204,M205,BC211 for a accident reported trapped  at South Washington St and Jefferson st. E201 arrived and  set up commard and request Rescue206 as a second Rescue.

NEW RESCUES FOR R411,R418,R439 Saturday, July 5, 2008 - The county has purchased 3 new Rescues assignments will be R411,R418 and R439 2008 Pierce Velocity chassis 515 Horse Power Series 60 Detroit 250gpm Pump 200 gallon water tank Rescue 418 and Rescue 439 2000 EONE and Rescue 411 2001 EONE Rescues will go into reserve status.

CREWS RECOGNIZED FOR SAVING ONE OF THERE OWN Monday, June 30, 2008 - C Shift - Fire Chief Ronald L. Mastin recognized the crew from Fire Station 11/C for their quick response in helping Lieutenant Danny Urps during a medical emergency in June of last year. Lt Urps suffered a heart attack while running at work and personnel found him in cardiac arrest. Quick actions by personnel are credited with saving his life. Presented with a Unit Citation are Master Technician Joesph Swift(retired), Technician Carl Drew, Technician Ronald Franklin. Presented with a Life Saving Award are Lieutenant Kenneth Wildman, Technician Randall Schwartz, Technician William Ward, Firefighter Richard Fossom and Master Technician Kevin Coen

RESCUE AND ENGINE ASSIST ON ACCIDENT WITH ENTRAPMENT Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - B Shift - At 1944 hrs units from the 5th Battalion were dispatched for an auto accident in the 3600 blk of Franconia Rd. E405 arrived with a 2 car T-bone accident with the driver of one vehicle trapped and requested the box be filled for an accident with entrapment.E411 and R411 were working another accident not far from E405 location and cleared adding to E405 call. R411 arrived on scene and removed both doors and the Bpost on the drivers side while E411 assisted with traffic control. The pt was removed from the vehicle and transported to the hospital by M206

- A Shift - Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a house fire at approximately 1:20 a.m., Friday, May 23, 2008, in the Franconia area of Fairfax County. The single-family home is located at 6427 Telegraph Road. Firefighters encountered fire on the first floor, and heavy smoke from the front of the one-story home upon arrival. Firefighters brought the fire under control in approximately 10 minutes. One adult male was located during the primary search in the living room and removed by R411. The pt was transported to the Washington Hospital Burn Center for non life-threatening injuries, and one adult female was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Two adults have been displaced. Damage is estimated at $10,000. According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental. Improper disposal of smoking materials caused the fire.

RESCUE AND TRUCK ON TOWNHOUSE FIRE BOX 5130 Saturday, May 10, 2008 - C Shift - At 21:53 hrs Rescue and Truck 411 were dispatched to 319 South Alfred St box 5130 for a town house fire. City units were on scene of a two story town house with smoke showing from side Adam. As the City units went to work Rescue 411 set up for R.I.T. as Truck 411 assisted in laddering side Charlie. Crews made quick work of the fire in the bedroom on the top floor and company 11 units were reassigned to assist E204 with salvage. Command released company 11 at 22:45

MASTER TECHNICIAN KEVIN COEN PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT Thursday, May 8, 2008 - C Shift - Master Technician Kevin Coen has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Kevin's new assignment will be in the Communications section starting date of May 10th. Kevin was assigned as the Truck driver on C-Shift in February 2005 his last day with C Shift was May 8th. Previously he was the Engine Driver at Fire Station 9 in the Mount Vernon section of the county. Good luck in your new position and we look forward to working with you in the future and remember you are always welcome on the HIGHWAY.

ENGINE, TRUCK, RESCUE AND MEDIC ON TOWNHOUSE FIRE BOX 3703 Monday, April 28, 2008 - B Shift -Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a house fire, Monday, April 28, 2008, at approximately 5:40 p.m. in the Kingstowne area of Fairfax County. The townhouse is located at 5325 Larochelle Court. Medic 411 was in the area prior to dispatch and arrived on scene first reporting fire and smoke from the front of the two-story townhouse upon arrival. Firefighters brought the fire under control in approximately 10 minutes. The fire originated in a second floor bedroom. Four adults have been displaced. There were no injuries. Damage is estimated at $100,000. According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental. A drop light left too close to combustibles in a closet started the fire.

MASTER TECHNICIAN JOE SWIFT RETIRES AFTER 28 YEARS Saturday, April 26, 2008 - After 28 years with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Master Technician Joe Swift has retired. Joe started his fire department career as a volunteer at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department in 1976. In 1980 he was hired by the county and was assigned to fire station 27. During his career he has been promoted several times up to the rank of Master Technician assigned to Fire Station 11/C. He also spent a 2 year assignment as the Deputy Fire Chief's Aid. He worked at stations 27,26,34,01 and 11. Joe is very dedicated to training the rookies at any station he worked at passing on his knowledge and experiences. On his last day he was training the rookie on knots until 24:00 hrs. Joe has also received several accommodations including a Gold Medal for Valor the Departments highest award for Valor. Joe will be missed on THE HIGHWAY and by his shift. On 4/26/08 over 100 of Joe's coworkers, friends and family celebrated his career with a great meal and lots of stories. There was every one from a retired Chief to rookies with less than one year on the job. Enjoy your retirement Joe and REMEMBER YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME ON THE HIGHWAY.

APARTMENT FIRE BOX 2400 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - C Shift - At 05:40 hrs units from the 6th Battalion and Fort Belvior Fd were dispatched to 8422 Richmond Highway for the reported apartment fire. E424(Capt Clark) arrived on scene with smoke showing from the stairwell on side Adam. E424 laid out from Buckman Rd and Richmond Highway. As E424 stretched an 1 3/4 line TL424 entered for the primary search finding fire in the kitchen in an apartment on floor 2. E424 knocked down the fire while TL424 removed one elderly woman to M424.E409 picked up 24's water and stretched the back up line. Command (BFC406) assigned additional first alarm units to search the remainder of the apartment building, and ordered a line above the fire to check for extension. Searching crews assisted several occupants out of the structure. Crews found no extension above and with the secondary search negative command held E424,E409,TL424 releasing the rest of the first alarm assignment.

FIRST DUE HOUSE FIRE Monday, April 14, 2008 - A Shift - At 22:12 hrs units from the 6th Battalion and Alexandria City Fire Department were dispatched to 7316 Fairchild for the reported house fire. R411 arrived on scene and reported smoke showing from the front door. T411 arrived at the same time and took a position on side Adam. With E411 responding from the far end of the first due the Rescue officer decided to stretch their front 1 3/4 line finding fire in the kitchen knocking it down. T411 vented and preformed the primary search (negative). E409 laid out from a hydrant and stretched an 1 3/4 to back up the Rescue. BFC406 had the command and assigned the rest of the first alarm units to check for extension and overhaul. M409 transported 2 civilians with minor burns to the burn center.

FIRE SHOWING IN BOX 2400 Sunday, April 13, 2008 - C Shift - At 18:44 hrs units from the 6th Battalion and Fort Belvior FD were dispatched to 8743 Richmond Highway for the reported apartment fire. E424 arrived on scene with smoke and fire showing from a second floor balcony. E424 stretched a 1 3/4 line to the second floor knocking down the fire in the apartment and balcony utility room. E409 arrived and picked up 24's water stretching the back up line. TL424 preformed the primary search on the second floor while the operator laddered the building and vented. As units arrived Command (BFC406) assigned personnel to the floor above to perform searches and check for extension. With no extension found and all searches negative command held E424,E409,TL424 for overhaul releasing all others.