WAGON, TOWER, AND BATTALION GO TO WORK IN LAKE JACKSON

July 24, 2007 – At 1801 hours, as Wagon and Tower 501 were returning from an inside gas leak in Co. 511's area, mutual box 07-37 was transmitted for 10433 Labrador Loop, in Lake Jackson. As Prince William County Fire Communications was providing supplemental information regarding a possible explosion at that box location, a large column of smoke could be seen in the sky from across the City. Wagon 507 arrived on scene a reported heavy fire showing. Tower 501, not far behind, arrived and took a position on side A, while Wagon 501 arrived 3rd due and picked up Engine 516's secondary line. At the Tower's request, command confirmed with the occupant that all residents had been accounted for outside of the structure. The crew from the Tower Ladder threw several ground ladders and made entry to the home by forcing the front door. Inside they were met with intense smoke conditions on the first floor. At the same time, as the crew from Wagon 507 was getting a line on the fire on the exterior of side A, Wagon 501 pulled a secondary line and made entry through side C, extinguishing the fire in the living room. Having completed a quick primary of the first floor and ventilating along the way, the Tower's crew made the second floor. With the stairwell right next to the fully involved garage and heavy fire in the attic, conditions on the second floor were completely intolerable. The Tower's crew informed command of this, backed out of the home, and began venting the second floor from ground ladders. At that point command ordered an evacuation of the building so that Wagon 507 and Tower 501 could place their master streams in service. The crew the Tower operated both ladder pipes for about 10 minuets before the bulk of the fire was knocked down. Crews then reentered the structure to complete overhaul. Tower 501 completed the primary search and, along with two members from company 507, located two dogs, both were unfortunately deceased. Battalion 581 (Asst. Chief Campbell) had Division C. Wagon 501 was released at 2005 hours while the Tower headed home at 2107. An excellent effort on the part of all companies on the fireground brought this fire quickly under control without injury and further loss of the home.

DRIVER AVOIDS SERIOUS INJURY AFTER HEAD ON CRASH

July 23, 2007 – On the way home from two previous runs, Wagon 501 came across a personal injury accident down from the intersection of Grant Ave and Sudley Road. The accident involved a single vehicle that had left the roadway, plowed through a small patch of woods, and came to rest after striking a large tree at a decent rate of speed, just shy of an occupied house. The Wagon's crew evaluated the patient who, remarkably, was not complaining of any injuries, aside from some discomfort from the airbag dust. Patient care was transferred to the Medic Unit which arrived a few minuets later. The Wagon went ready within 20 minutes.

FIRE COMPANY SALUTES SHORTY VETTER AFTER 75 YEARS OF SERVICE

July 21, 2007 – Today members from the Manassas Volunteer Fire Company, the Mayor of the City of Manassas, Mr. Douglas Waldron, Senator Colgan, and the community came together to honor Shorty Vetter's 75 years of volunteer service. Mr. Vetter joined the Fire Company in 1932 straight out of High school. In his past 75 years he served as Fire Chief and President, following in the footsteps of his father, Arthur Vetter, who had also served as Fire Chief. His brother Stewart also served the Fire Company as Chief and President. In addition to honors given to Mr. Vetter from the Fire Company, he was presented with awards from Senator Wolfe and the Governor of the State of Virginia. The Company would like to express our deepest gratitude for all of the heart, sweat, and tears Mr. Vetter has put into the Company and congratulate him on reaching this milestone of service.

WAGON 501 BACK ON THE ROAD TO MANASSAS PARK

July 20, 2007 – At 2100 hours this evening, mutual box 89-00 was transmitted for fire in a house at 296 Mosby Court, in Manassas Park, bringing Wagon 501 as the third due Engine Company. Wagon 509 arrived a reported a working fire on the second floor involving a closet and part of the master bedroom. Wagon 501 arrived, established a secondary water supply, and was ordered to assume the duties of the truck company, which was still a ways out. Wagon 509, backed up by Wagon 508 put a quick knock on the fire while Wagon 501 completed the primary search, ventilated and cut the utilities. Assistant Chief 508 (Deem) had the command. Wagon 501 cleared the scene and headed back to the City at 2150 hours.

Box Alarm: W509, E508, W501, E516, Q509, T525, R504, C508, AC508

Photos courtesy of Yorkshire VFD.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST VIDEO FROM MANASSASFIRE.COM

July 15, 2007 – As promised the boys at Hookers and Hose Productions, a video production company owned and operated by one of our members, Mike Lesnick, has come out with yet another video spotlighting Manassas Fire. The Company Membership is proud to share with you a glimpse into the life of a Manassas City Volunteer. Check back every month or so as we should have a new compilation video for you to enjoy. You can see all of our videos by clicking on the "Fireground" button in the side menu and selecting "videos". We appreciate your interest and positive comments about our videos. 

IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED.... TRY TRY AGAIN

July 14, 2007 – Well, the Wagon and Tower were back at it again in the Park this morning. At  0256 hours, mutual box 89-00 was transmitted once again for 117 Kent Drive. Before crews left the house they new they were going to a fire. As they arrived fire was showing from side C of the home, just as it was 10 days ago on July 4th. The Wagon pulled a second line to the first floor and assisted Wagon 509 with extinguishing the fire there. The Tower opened up both the basement and first floor, performed a search with Wagon 508, and ventilated. The fire was quickly knocked down and units from the City went ready at 0403 hours. Asst Chief 508 (Deem) had the command.

TOWER REMOVES ONE IN FRONT OF GEORGETOWN SOUTH

July 13, 2007 – A 0434 hours this morning, Wagon and Tower 501, along with Battalion 581 were alerted for a personal injury accident with one overturned in front of 9820 Grant Avenue. Crews arrived to find just that, with the occupant trapped in the vehicle. The Tower quickly went to work stabilizing the car while the Wagon deployed the trash line. With the struts in place and the vehicle stable, crews removed the roof and quickly had the patient quickly and turned over to Medic 501 to be evaluated. Battalion 581 (Capt. Lausch) had the command. Units went ready at 0517 hours.

ANOTHER LARGE BRUSH FIRE: THIS TIME IN THE 1ST DUE

July 08, 2007 – After being up all night and answering close to a call an hour throughout the day, the engine company was alerted at 1714 hours for a brush fire in the area of Godwin Drive and the railroad tracks. Wagon and Attack 501, and Battalion 581 responded on the run. The Wagon arrived with the corrected address of Central Park Drive near the deadend. From the get-go it was apparent crews have their work cut out for them. With very limited access, the Wagon took a position on Central Park, while the Officer went to investigate. Crews were met with a large volume of fire consuming everything from railroad ties to the 50 foot tall pine trees. Wagon 501 stretched the 300 and extended it another 150 to gain initial access to the area. Special calls would be made bringing numerous Prince William County and Manassas Park mutual aid companies to the fireground before the fire could be brought under control. The train tracks were shut down allowing brush trucks to keep the fire from jumping the across. Special thanks to all the mutual aid companies for their assistance. Battalion 581 (Lt. Stern) had the Central Park command and crews returned to service at 1937.

Inital Local Alarm: W501, X501, BC581

1st Special Call: W525, X507, BX507

2nd Special Call: W516, BX516, BX525, BC504

3rd Special Call: W509, M509, R501

HEAVY FIRE AGAIN IN MANASSAS PARK: THIS TIME FROM MULTIPLE TOWNHOMES

July 08, 2007 – Just after 0100 hours, a Manassas Park Police Officer on patrol came over Park Fire Dispatch and advised he was on the scene of a townhouse fire with multiple units involved. Before the dispatcher could even set the box up, the Wagon and Tower were half way to the 200 block of Kirby Street, in the City of Manassas Park. Wagon 501 responded as the 3rd due engine company on mutual box 89-01 while Tower 501 responded as the 1st due truck. Wagon 501 arrived and secured the water supply for Quint 509 while Tower 501 arrived and set up shop on side A. Units went on the scene with heavy fire in a total of 4 units. Upon arrival Wagon 509 made a strong push into the original fire building while the Tower arrived and split up as the chauffer made his way to the roof and began a trench cut while the inside crew joined up with Wagon 509. With conditions almost intolerable, the Tower crew pushed pass the hose line in a desperate attempt to search for possible victims. At the same time, Wagon 501 stretched into the exposure as the fire was taking hold of the rear and attic area of the involved townhomes. After about five minutes it was evident that interior hand lines were going be no match for the gas fed volume of fire that the crews were facing. It was at this time that command ordered an emergency evacuation of the structure and all crews withdrew. Ladder pipes from the Tower and Quint 509 were placed into service and Prince William County units stretched hand lines to the rear and the fire began to darken down. Crews were then once again able to reenter the structures and finish up.  An outstanding, aggressive effort by all companies on the fireground kept this fire to four units and not twelve. Quint 509 (Lt. Oliver) held the command until the arrival of Chief 508 (Griffith). Units from Co. 1 operated till 6am before returning to service.

CREWS FIND AN AUTO ON MANORVIEW PLACE

July 06, 2007 – At 1636 hours, Engine Company 501 was alerted for an auto fire at 10513 Manorview Place, in the Hastings section of the City. Battalion 581 (Lt. Rose) was in the area and arrived quickly, filling the box for a vehicle against a building. Wagon 501 (Capt. Rohs) and Tower 501 (Fireman Halman) arrived to find an auto which was beginning to extend to the house. The crew from Wagon 501 quickly placed a line and service and put a knock on the fire while the Tower checked for extension and placed a fan at the front door. The box was returned after it was determined the fire didn't make it into the house. Melted siding ended up being the only damage to the home. The scene was turned over to FM582 and the Engine and Tower cleared a little after 1700.

FIRE SHOWING FROM MANASSAS PARK HOME

July 04, 2007 – At 2341 hours, mutual box 89-00 was sounded for the house on fire at 117 Kent Drive. Wagon 501 (Lt. Rose) responded 3rd due on the box. As Wagon 501 was coming into the neighborhood, Wagon 509 (Lt. Oliver) went on the scene with fire showing from the rear of a 1 story frame. Wagon 501 arrived, secured a secondary water supply, and advanced the 300 and a rack down the block. Wagon and Medic 509, and Wagon 501 made entry together. Inside they found heavy smoke conditions and fire in the kitchen area. Wagon 501 was quickly redirected to the rear by Wagon 509, where they, and the crew from Medic 509, extinguished fire on the exterior of the home, which was were the bulk of the fire was. They then assisted Wagon 509 and Truck 511 with mopping up the inside and checking for extension. The fire originated in the basement and extended to the first floor and attic. Wagon 508 and Truck 511 handled the searches and ventilation. Wagon 509 had the command. Wagon 501 cleared shortly after 0100.

4th OF JULY IN OLD TOWN

July 04, 2007 – This Independence Day, the City of Manassas celebrated with the largest fireworks display in Northern Virginia, costing $50,000 and lasting 18 minutes. The festival started at 4 pm around the Train Depot and Harris Pavilion with live music, great food, family carnival, and arts and crafts. Crowds were estimated to be over 60,000 and thankfully the rains stopped well short of the fireworks display. The Governor of Virginia even stopped by to judge the apple pie baking contest. As usual, Manassas Volunteers maintained multiple crews all day, handling several holiday related calls, aside from the normal runs as well as the large brush fire in Co. 25’s area. As dusk settled in, the Wagon, Foam Engine, Tower, and Attack Units came together at Osborn High School, which is where the fireworks were being launched from, to stand by during the show. As usual, the brilliant display put on by the City went off without a hitch.

WAGON AND ATTACK ON LARGE BRUSH FIRE IN THE COUNTY

July 04, 2007 – At 1624 hours, Wagon and Attack 501 were special called on mutual box 25-37 for a large brush fire in the 9800 block of Shallow Creek Loop. Units arrived to find a considerable and rapidly moving brush fire that was beginning to threaten a nearby apartment complex. On arrival, Wagon 501 hit a hydrant and supplied Wagon 525 while the crew went to work protecting the exposures. Attack 501 worked on the perimeter along with Brush 504 and Wagon 511. Units operated for nearly an hour and a half before returning to service. PWC Battalion 501 (Deem) had the command.

Photos courtesy of T. Wright, member of Co. 511. SJVFD.org.

ONE OVERTURNED ON GODWIN DRIVE

July 02, 2007 – At 0238 hours, the engine company was sent out for a personal injury accident with one possibly overturned in the area of Hastings Drive and Godwin Drive. They arrived to find a single vehicle on its roof in the woods, facing the road. The roof had nearly completely collapsed down to the doors. Crews found some blood in the vehicle but after an exhaustive search, no victim. The cops ran the vehicles tags, which came back to an address down the street. There they found the driver. The patient was assessed by the Medic Unit and the Engine went in service at 0250 hours.