divPublished in the PURCELLVILLE GAZETTE AUGUST 8 2015 Edition divpBy Bill EgglestonppThis is my inaugural article for Firefighters Corner. As an associate member of the Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company I was asked to serve as the Public Information Officer for your hometown firemen by our President Brad Quin. I accepted and will try to represent the Company as best I can and also try to maintain the informational and entertaining work previously done by David Colby who has moved on to his dream retirement home in Arkansas.ppIll start off with the last two months run history. During June our volunteer firefighters responded to 71 calls. In July 63 calls were answered. Statistics kept by the FEMA suggest that the average occurrence of calls on a monthly basis is relatively constant. There is a slight increase in calls during July and December perhaps due to the Fourth of July and winter holidays. But please also know that almost half of all residential fires are due to cooking and we respond to those calls all year. Annually we also typically address fireworks barbeques and even lightning strikes in the summer some of which unfortunately lead to brush fires. In the colder months its heating issues or seasonal lighting and decorations which are often troublesome. So please remember that fire never takes a vacation and be vigilant about your safety at all timesppIt was a particularly busy first week in June for us. On Wednesday June 3 we responded to an alarm of a fully involved nearby barn. Fire departments from Philomont Purcellville Hamilton Leesburg Round Hill and Lovettsville all responded with manpower and apparatus. Crews worked deep into the night to make sure the fire was put out and no other structures or areas were put in harms way. Three days later on Saturday June 6 we responded to another fire alarm outside of our normal response area to downtown Leesburg which saw dozens of firefighters from several stations from the east and west ends of the county battling a fire in the historic downtown area. Caulkins Jewelers the Leesburg Diner and other structures were damaged. Brad Quin later had the honor of accepting a Unit Citation from the Leesburg Town Council for the excellent work fighting the fire on behalf of the entire company.ppThe week of July 17 saw our brand new tower ladder begin fabrication by Pierce Manufacturing Inc. in Appleton WI. Thats about 30 miles SW of Green Bay. The new apparatus will replace a similar piece in our stable which was manufactured in 2002. The new tower will have more modern and updated capabilities and should provide more reliable service to calls where access to difficult spaces is needed. This equipment will provide a safe working platform for fire fighting and rescue situations where a rescued person could be lowered to the ground rather than have them climb down the ladder. It also frees up another firefighter from having to guide the rescued person down a dangerous ladder. The tower ladder is a mainstay and a unique capability in the arsenal of equipment supporting the western part of Loudoun County and other mutually supported jurisdictions.ppWe previously conducted one trip to the Pierce plant for engineering and design discussions and have two more planned for post paint and final acceptance. These will lead up to a delivery this fall when they will drive the 900 miles and hand over the keys to our awaiting hands. I will follow and report progress as it occurs and certainly provide ample warning so that the community can share in the acceptance celebration event. As our Fire Chief Bob Dryden said the tower ladder belongs to and supports the community.ppIt is with great pride and personal envy that I wish to announce that our volunteer rolls increased by three with the graduation from Loudoun Countys Firefighter training program. Caleb Blank Thomas Comer and Charlie Grim received their graduation certificates on Thursday July 30 at the National Conference Center. This ceremony culminated five months of rigorous physical and educational achievement where they learned the exciting skills needed to safely and effectively serve the Purcellville community as volunteer firemen. We are always looking for additional members both male and female so if you have a similar desire please contact us.ppOur Open House remains scheduled for Sunday Oct 4. Just show up after noon to see all of our firefighting equipment and take a tour of ambulances police cars and other equipment plus well have activities for the kids demonstrations food and refreshments. This is usually a well-attended event and weather permitting a great chance for volunteer firefighters and community members to mingle in a social rather than emergency situation.ppAnd to end on a sweet note the final Sundaes-on-Saturday will be August 29th. Come by for free ice cream sundaes meet your local volunteer fire fighters and visit the station between 6pm and 8pm.nbspp
Firefighters Corner
