So far in the month of August, Eng. Co. 1 has been called to many calls, varying from medical calls, to numerous structure fires. Starting off the fires was an attached garage fire located on Wakefield Street in the neighborhood of Bluff Point. Eng. Co. 1 and Eng. Co. 4 both responded, bringing Tanker 1, Truck 1, Engine 15,  Engine 4, and Tanker 4. Once on scene, Chief 1 took command and had crews extinguish the fire, which was mainly located on the Delta side of the attached garage. Once crews went in to pull ceiling, they found there was small amounts of fire located in the ceiling. Crews quickly extinguished the fire before it could escalate. Chief 1 remained on scene awaiting the arrival of a state investigator. Several members from Eng. Co. 1 and a few from Eng. Co. 2 staffed Eng Co.1 during the national jet ski races which were held on the Potomac River, during their 3 day stay at the firehouse, crews had a fairly quiet shift during the entire event and the nights in between, though there was a handful of calls just before the event kicked off that Friday night, one of which included a car accident at the intersection of Route 205 and Colonial Avenue. On August 16Th, at around 21:20 hours, Eng. Co. 1 and Eng. Co.4 were dispatched for smoke in the area of the laundromat in the Food Lion shopping center on 700 McKinney Blvd. Tanker 1 quickly responded, and once on scene, Capt. 1 took command and reported heavy smoke showing from the building. On this report, Capt. 1 requested Truck 28 from NDW Co. 28. Truck 1, Wagon 4, Engine 4, and Tanker 4 soon arrived on scene and brought manpower to the Scene. Crews from Co.1(Truck 1), Co. 28(Truck 28) and co. 4 soon ascended to the roof to check for extension and to vent if needed. Other crews from Co. 1 and Co. 4 went inside to extinguish the fire. Once the fire was put out, the building was vented and overhaul was completed. Capt. 1 remained on scene until a state investigator arrived. On August 18Th, around 20:30 hours, Eng. Co. 1 and Eng. Co. 4 were toned out for a single family house fire with smoke showing on Jefferson Street. Tanker 1 quickly responded to the call. Once on scene, Chief 1b assumed command and had crews pull a line and enter the structure, crews quickly knocked down the fire, while other crews just arriving on scene, helped ventilate the structure. Once all smoke was cleared from the residence, crews cleaned up and headed back to the station. On Monday, August 23rd, at around 18:10 hours, Eng. Co. 1 and Eng. Co. 4 were toned out for a garage fire just down the street from Eng. Co. 1 on Colonial Ave. Tanker 1 responded and arrived within seconds, followed by Truck 1 not long after. Soon after, Engine 4 and Tanker 4 arrive on scene and staged at Eng. Co. 1 .On scene, Chief 1 took command and advised it was a small house located behind another house that was actually on fire. Crews went in with a handline and put out the fire. After putting the fire out inside, Capt. 1 realized that there was still fire located outside on Delta side of the structure, Capt. 1 removed some fencing to gain better access to the fire. The fire was quickly extinguished and crews checked for extension and began to overhaul the structure. Crews cleaned up and returned in service after working about one and a half hours on scene. An hour or so after the previous fire call, Eng. Co. 1 and Eng. Co. 4 were notified of a residential fire alarm on Shore Drive in Westmoreland Shores. With members still at the station from the previous call, Tanker 1, Truck 1, and Engine 15 responded within seconds of being dispatched. Units from Eng. Co. 4 responded soon after. While en route to the call, dispatch advised that the resident had left a pot on the stove and there was only smoke from it, no fire. Tanker 1 and Eng. Co. 4 went in service, leaving Engine 15 and Truck 1 to remain on scene for ventilation. Engine 15 and Truck 1 returned in service within minutes. Around 00:00 hours, Eng. Co. 1 was requested to respond for report of a single vehicle accident involving a car and a tree. Engine 15 responded to the scene and Chief 1 confirmed that no occupants were located in the vehicle. Crews scanned the area for a driver, but found none. While en route back to the station, the driver was located and evaluated. The patient refused treatment and all units went back in service.

Crews at Eng. Co. 1 were kept busy on Monday, running 2 motor vehicle accidents, 1 small brush fire, a tree onto a power line, and several medical calls. The day started off at around 14:20 hours, with a single vehicle accident at the intersection of Euclid St. and Roosevelt Ave. The driver had run the stop sign and lodged their car into the ditch on the opposite side of the road. The driver had no serious injuries and was transported to Mary Washington Hospital for further treatment. Then, at around 15:40 hours, Engine Company 1 was requested for a tree limb that had fallen onto a power line and had caught fire. Crews quickly responded, bringing Brush 1, Tanker 1, and MSU 1. Crews put out small hot spots on the ground while waiting for power company crews to arrive. The tree was removed from the power lines and all units were placed back in service per Chief 1. A little while later into the night, Engine Co. 1 was called out for a small grass fire in the area of Bluff Point, Brush 1 quickly responded and located the fire. The area was wet down and Brush 1 went back in service. Only about an hour after the previous call, Engine Co. 1 and Rescue Station 1 were toned out for a single vehicle accident on Route 205. Crews were already at the building, getting the Engine out within seconds, the Utility was soon to follow. One patient was found in the car, uninjured,. Crews waited for the towing company to arrive and cleaned up the scene. Units returned back in service in about an hour from when they had arrived on scene.

Fireboat 1 recieved the Judges Award for the Annual Boat Parade held every year after the Potomac River Festival Parade.

The 59th annual Potomac River Festival Fire and Rescue Parade will be held on Friday, June 11, 2010 parade begins at 7:30PM. So please come out and enjoy the parade with the members at CBVFD. Also if you wish to sign up for the parade you can download the application from the downloads page
 

The Colonial Beach Vol. Fire Dept. held the 4th Annual Spring Rockfish Tournament, on April 24th, 2010. Many people enjoyed the nice weather and a fun time fishing.

On Tuesday, March 23rd, tones dropped at around 14:00 hrs. for a gas tank explosion at the Espresso Station coffee shop on Washington Ave. Tanker 1, Engine 15, and Utility 1 quickly responded . On scene, Chief 1 assumed command and had Tanker 1 establish a water supply. The crews found an underground storage tank that was previously used when the building was a gas station, blown out of the ground and to the side. No serious fire was found. Class B foam was flowed into and around the tank to prevent any secondary incidents. Unfortunately, there was one fatality from the explosion.

On Saturday, March 13th, the Firefighter 2 class that is being held at Co. 1 practiced using air bags and making cribbing to raise and stabilize a vehicle. The students got to practice on our retired Ladder Truck and Marine Support Unit.

On Saturday, March 6th, Engine Co. 1 received new bay doors to replace the older metal doors that were previously in place. The installation took up the entire day and the door installers were worn out by the end of the day, but by the end of the night, the station was given a completely new look.

All Westmoreland County/ Colonial Beach citizens are reminded that during the period between February 15th and April 30th of each year, open burning may only take place between the hours of 4:00 PM and 12:00 midnight.

Per the VA Dept. of Forestry Burn Law 10.1-1142
A. It shall be unlawful to set fire to any woods, brush, logs, leaves, grass, debris or other inflammable material upon such land unless all reasonable care and precaution has been taken by having cut and piled or carefully cleared around the material to prevent the spread of such fire to lands other than those owned or leased by him. This also applies to any employee of any such owner or lessee of said land.

B. Except as provided in subsection C, during the period February 15 through April 30 of each year, even though the precautions required by the foregoing subsection have been taken, it shall be unlawful in any county, city or portion thereof organized for forest fire control under the direction of the State Forester, to set fire to any brush, leaves, grass, debris or field containing dry grass or other inflammable material capable of spreading fire, located in or within 300 feet of any woodland, brushland or field containing dry grass or other inflammable material, except between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.

For further information please refer to the website link below:
Va Dept. of Forestry FAQ regarding the burn laws-
http://www.dof.virginia.gov/website/faqs-burning.shtml

Thanks,
Fire Chief J. Jett III
CBVFD
 

At around 14:15, Engine Company 1, 4 , and Rescue Station 1 were toned out for a grease fire at McDonald's fast food restaurant. Truck 1 and a Medic unit quickly responded with crews. Following them came Engine 15 with a crew. Wagon 4 also responded with a crew to the incident. Once on scene, Chief 1B took command and notified that smoke was showing and all occupants were out of the structure. He then requested NDW Truck 28 to the scene. Crews from Truck 1 and Engine 15 went in with a hand line and extinguishers and quickly knocked down the fire. Crews from Wagon 4 checked the roof and interior for any extension and adequate ventilation. Smoke was removed from the structure and all units were placed in service. Thanks to all units for a quick response and help on scene. Thanks to NDW Truck 28 for mutual aid.

On January 23, while on their way back from a funeral procession in Stafford County, Truck 1 came on a car on fire on the side of Rt. 3 in King George County. Crews pulled a hand line to the car and quickly extinguished the blaze. Shortly after, King George's Engine 11 marked on scene to help with the incident. Thanks to King George Co. 1 for their quick response.

It is with deep regret that we inform the community of Colonial Beach of the passing of Charles N. Robertson, Chaplain of the Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department. 

Further details will be provided as they become available.

Our condolences are with the Robertson family, our family at CBVFD, and with the many brothers on and off the job who knew Charlie and experienced first hand what a great guy he was.

There is a link that gives information about the funeral and service

At 17:24 , Engine Company 1, Engine Company 4, and Rescue Station 1 were toned out for a structure fire on Holly Vista Drive in Westmoreland Shores. Wagon 4, Tanker 4, Response 4, and Car 4 quickly responded with a total of 13 personnel. Soon after, Engine 15, Tanker 1, and Utility 1 responded with a total of 11 personnel. Once on Scene, Chief 1 requested a tanker from Engine Company 2. The fire was mostly contained to the garage area, where it was quickly extinguished, placing minimal damage on the house. Thanks to all companies that responded and helped with the incident.

CBVFD held a Firefighter 1 test on November 30. Each participant put in many hours and worked very hard. Good luck to each participant on your written test! 

At 13:52, Engine Company 1 and Rescue Station 1 were toned out for a 2 car MVA at the intersection of Ridge Rd.(Rt. 205) and Longfield Rd. A Firefighter 1 class was being held during the time of this incident, so there was already a crew at the station, ready to respond. Engine 15 quickly responded with a crew of 5. Once on scene, the crews found a car that apparently t-boned another vehicle traveling down Ridge Rd. Though the vehicles were badly damaged, all occupants were out of the cars, and had some minor injuries. Thanks to all units for a quick response and a job well done.