Newsletter

VAN FIRE WITH EXPLOSION ON HEIGHTVIEW DRIVE

Wednesday, March 20, 2013  1153hrs- Bedford Communications alerted Company 1 to 1055 Heightview Drive for a reported van on fire. Wagon 1 (with four) responded at 1155hrs and while en route, learned from BedCom that the van was carrying acetylene, oxygen, and argon gases. W-1 arrived to find a cargo van well involved with apparent damage from an explosion that, according to the vans owner, happened just moments before the Wagon's arrival. W-1's nozzle man and backup stretched the trashline from the bumper and made a quick knock down to extinguish the fire. Rescue 1 (with six) arrived and assisted briefly before returning to service. The fire was marked under control at 1205hrs. Total Company 1 personnel: 14.

W-1's nozzleman and backup masking up.	An explosion from argon gas peeled the       roof back.
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WORKING FIRE: CENTRAL VA PALLET COMPANY

Wednesday, March 20, 2013  0437hrs- Bedford Communications alerted Companies 1 (Bedford-1st due) and 5 (Forest-2nd due & RIT) to the 2300 block of Centerville Road for multiple reports of several buildings on fire. Wagon 1 (with three) arrived at 0447hrs to find one 40x75 wood frame Central VA Pallet Comany building with heavy fire throughout. With an extensive amount of fuel load in and surrounding the building, command (Chief 1) assigned Wagon 1 and Ladder 1 (with five) to hose lines protecting nearby exposures on sides bravo and delta. Command requested a tanker task force which added Tankers 2 (Big Island) and 9 (Montvale). With no interior operations underway, command assigned Rescue 5 to a third hose line in order to prevent fire spread on the Charlie side.  A spot fire involving close to an acre of brush and woodline was handled by DC-5 and personnel from Pumper 5. The fire was marked under control at 0526hrs. Units operating: W-1, L-1, T-1, P-5, R-5, T-5, T-2, T-9, B-9, Medic 1, Medic 14-1, and County 10. Total Company 1 personnel: 13.

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RESCUE 1 OPERATES ON SOUTHSIDE FIRE

Sunday, March 17, 2013  10hrs- Bedford Communications alerted Companies 7 (Huddleston-1st due), 10 (Saunders-2nd due), and 1 (Bedford-RIT) to 8357 Leesville Road for a reported structure fire. Assistant Chief 7 arrived to find heavy fire showing from the rear addition of a 1 1/2 story wood private dwelling and established command. Rescue 1 (with four) followed by chase vehicle Utility 1 (with two) responded and at the request of command assumed Fire Attack Group 2 once on scene. With all hands working, Rescue 5 was added to the assignment to fill the RIT assignment. While operating on the interior FF Stacey "Cookie" Wills located a cat and removed it to safety. Fire in the area of origin was knocked down quickly but extension into the attic and behind knee walls caused lengthy overhaul. Units operating: E7, E7A, R1, T7, E10, B8-3, T8, R8, W-8, Medic 14-8, and Medic 7-4. Total Company 1 personnel: 13.

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MULTIPLE COMPANIES OPERATE ON FIRST DUE BRUSH FIRE

Saturday, March 16, 2013  1420hrs- Bedford Communications alerted Company 1 to the 1800 block of Robertson Road for reports of approximately three acres burning. Brush 1 (with two) arrived to find several acres of broom sage burning and immediately requested additional brush trucks from the second due company. Deputy Chief Cunningham established command and reported five acres burning with 20' flames threatening several structures. A dozer was requested to cut in a line around the fire as well as the third due company for structural protection. Crews operated for over three hours before bringing the fire under control. Units operating: B-1, B-1A, W-1, P-1, T-1, B-8, B-82, B-13, B-13A, County 10, 1401, 1402, and Tractor 14. Total Company 1 personnel: 14.

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RESCUE 1 RUNS HOUSE FIRE IN HUDDLESTON

Sunday, February 24, 2013  1300hrs- Bedford Communications alerted Companies 7 (Huddleston), 10 (Saunders-2nd due), and 1 (Bedford-RIT) to 1822 Echo Forest Way for a reported house on fire. Company 7 units arrived to find a two-story wood frame private dwelling fully involved with extension into a vehicle and nearby woods. Rescue 1 (with six) arrived and provided needed manpower to control fire spread fueled by high winds. Units from Companies 7, 10, 1, 8, DOF, and Campbell County 17 operated for almost three hours before clearing. Total Company 1 personnel: 13.

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LADDER AND WAGON ASSIST ON SOUTHSIDE FIRE

Wednesday, February 20, 2013  0758hrs- Bedford Communications alerted Companies 8 (Moneta-1st due), 10 (Saunders-2nd due), and 1 (Bedford-RIT) to 2514 Isle of Pines Drive for a reported house on fire. Tanker 8 was first to arrive to find a single-story wood frame private dwelling fully involved. Engine 10 arrived next and secured a water supply from a nearby hydrant.  Ladder 1 (with six) arrived just before E-10 laid in and took the address for aerial operations. After firefighters removed all salvagable items from the basement Ladder 1 went into operation as an elevated master stream per command. The fire was marked under control at 0904hs. Units operating: T-8, E-10, L-1, W-1, T-7, W-13, R-13, Medic 14-13, County 10, and Medic 8-3. Total Company 1 personnel on scene: 11.  (Staffing at firehouse while units operated at Isle of Pines Drive: 5.)  

Photo courtesy of Chris Hancock.
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BFD FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE DOG FROM ICEY POND

Saturday, January 26, 2013  1257hrs- The Bedford Fire Department was dispatched to 2173 Cifax Road for the report of a dog stranded in the middle of an icey pond. Rescue 1 (with four) arrived to find the dog approximately 150' from the shoreline and its owner attempting to use a john boat to reach the dog. Once firefighters talked the owner into returning to the safety of land, 1st Lt. Jason Overstreet and Firefighter Stacey Wills entered the icey pond wearing Mustang Icesuits. The dog had been rescued and brought to safety at 1422hrs. Total Company 1 personnel: 8.

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RESCUE 1 RUNS VEHICLE OVER TWENTY FOOT EMBANKMENT

Friday, January 25, 2013  1326hrs- Bedford Communications alerted Company 8, Squad 8, and Special Opertaions Command units to the 1500 block of Stewartsville Road for reports of a MVC with a vehicle down a twenty foot embankment. Rescue 1 (with six SOC members) responded at 1328hrs and arrived to find the same with Chief 8 in command. After securing a chain to the vehicle; R-1 members stabilized the vehicle with ResQjacks and removed the drivers door with hydraulic tools. The driver was then packaged onto a LSB, placed into a stokes basket, and brought up to street level with a 4:1 haul system. Rescue 1 returned to service at 1500hrs.  

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WORKING FIRE: 1092 ORIOLE COURT

Friday, January 25, 2013  0627hrs- Bedford Communications alerted Companies 8 (Moneta-1st due), 7 (Huddleston-2nd due), and 1 (Bedford-RIT) to 1092 Oriole Court for reports of a house on fire. Medic 14-8 was first to arrive to find fire through the roof a single-story wood frame private dwelling. With no response from the second due company, Wagon 1 (with four) responded as the second due engine and requested Rescue 13 be added to fill the RIT assignment. Wagon 1 and Rescue 1 (with six) operated for two hours before taking up. Units operating: W8-2, W-1, T-8, R-1, R-13, County 10, Medic 14-8, and Medic 14-13. Total Company 1 personnel: 13.  

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MVA WITH ENTRAPMENT: 9600 BLK BIG ISLAND HWY

Wednesday, January 23, 2013  1428hrs- The BFD responded into its second due response area today for a head-on motor vehicle accident reported in the 9000blk of Big Island Highway. Wagon 1 (with three) responded at 1429hrs and arrived at 1440hrs to find a head-on collision between a school bus and pickup truck with heavy damage to both. W-1 stretched a trash line for protection while Rescue 1 (with five) stabilized the truck and began extrication which included removal of both sides, the roof, and a dash roll. The critically injured driver was extricated and transported to the LZ that Brush 1A (with two) established in a nearby field. Centra One (medivac) transported the single patient to Roanoke Memorial Hospital. All units returned to service at 1550hrs. Total Company 1 personnel: 14.  

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