WE'RE BACK

June 29, 2007 – The Manassas Volunteer Fire Company would like to apologize for the temporary suspension of our website. We decided it was in our best interest to do so while a discussion took place regarding how the company could control the content from our site, and prevent it from being used without our permission by unsanctioned parties in a manner which represents the company in a poor light. Unfortunately, a video was made from clips taken from our website without our permission. This video specifically affected our relations with a neighboring department. However, all issues have been resolved and the site is back up, unchanged.

You can expect to see more photos, newer videos and constant updates, in addition to an online store for patch and shirt sales. We also intend to redo our links page so, if you'd like your link added, please email the webmaster. Finally, we would like to send our appreciation out to the hundreds of folks who emailed us expressing their concern and displeasure for the sites removal, and to the thousands who overtime have expressed their interest and fondness for our website. Especially our brothers in Europe and Central and South America. We can't always make out everything in some of your emails but, the company appreciates your thoughts and kind words. The Fire Chief, Line Officers, Board of Directors, and men and women of The Manassas Volunteer Fire Company support the site and are proud to represent our company and our actions to the world. So, again, thank you and enjoy our site.

FIRST DUE AGAIN, THIS TIME A ROOM OFF IN THE SOUTH

June 27, 2007 – Just after lunch today the 81-13 box was sounded for a house at 9705 Pickett Lane, in Georgetown South. As Engine 501 was laying out, Tower 501 arrived on the scene and reported smoke showing from a two story brick row. The Tower's Officer and Barman quickly made their way into the home and began a search. Joined by the Engine Co., crews found a room off behind a closed door on the second floor. The fire was quickly knocked down just as the first mutual aid company was arriving. The Tower opened up and completed their search, which was negative. The occupants were located at a neighbors home. The box was cut back to Co. 1 units and Wagon 9, who secured the water and backed up the Engine. The room was unoccupied and was being used to store clothes. No extension was found. Company 1 remained on the scene for just over an hour, clearing at 1354.

Photos by Chris Shafer, Future MVFC Fireman.

SMALL APPLIANCE FIRE SMOKES UP THE HOSPITAL

June 21, 2007 – At 0542, Engine 501 went out for a fire alarm at 8650 Sudley Road, the Prince William Hospital. They arrived to find a moderate smoke condition in the lobby and requested the Tower. The Engine Company found a toaster oven that had caught fire and extended to the surrounding area. Crews opened up the wall and used two fans to remove the smoke. Both companies went ready at 0613.

ANOTHER ROOM OFF IN THE FIRST DUE: 4th FIRE IN 24 HOURS

June 20, 2007 – After totaling runs in the double digits and taking in three fires on Tuesday, crews from the City were right back at it again Wednesday evening. At 2037, City Fire Communications transmitted box alarm 81-14 for 9210 Massie Street. Engine 501 (Lt. Rose), Wagon 501(Chief Holman), Tower 501, (FF Flanagan), and The "A" Chief (Campbell) were quickly on the street with 13 volunteers. As the units were in route, communications advised they were receiving multiple calls reporting fire coming from a bedroom window. Engine 501 arrived quickly with smoke showing from the roof on side A of the two story apartment house. After a closer look, a good fire could be seen through the window of apartment 104. While the Engine Officer was reporting his size-up, the line and layout men were kicking in the front door and advancing their line. Inside they were met with a living room off and quickly knocked the fire down. Rescue 501 arrived next and handled the primary search while the Wagon and Tower went to work opening up and working on secondary searches. Wagons 507 and 509 covered the back up lines and the exposures. Chief 501A had the command. Units cleared the scene around 2200.

HAZMAT UNIT RUNS I95 FOR A FUEL SPILL

June 20, 2007 – Just around dinner time tonight, a Hazmat Taskforce Alarm was sounded on mutual box 02-50 for a major fuel spill on Interstate I-95 northbound at exit 160A. Crews arrived to find a tractor trailer leaking fuel. Hazmat Support supplied a large amount of absorbant and went ready an hour and a half later at 2007.

THIRD FIRE OF THE DAY, THIS TIME 2 ALARMS IN THE COUNTY

June 19, 2007 – As the units were trying to pick up from the previous first due fire, Prince William County Fire Communications began receiving calls reporting multiple townhouses on fire in the 14200 block of Newbern Loop, located  in the Gainesville section of the county. At 2237 hours, second alarm was sounded over box 04-03 bringing Engine 501 (Lt. Rose) as the 3rd due engine company and the Tower (Chief Holman) as the first due truck. Upon arrival the Engine and Tower were met with heavy fire going in close to six townhouses. Command ordered Engine 501 to secure another water supply and cover the rear. They  aid out 400 feet of supply line, positioned between two houses, and placed two handlines in service in the rear, while the Tower crew quickly placed several ground ladders to the front and rear and assisted the Engine. Manassas units operated for over three hours before returning to the City. As a side note, Wagon 501 (Asst. Chief Campbell) also responded on the run. A special call for three additional engines companies was made above the second alarm thus bringing the Wagon to the scene. They operated in the RIT group and preformed various tasks. Assistant Chief 508 (Deem) had the command, Assistant Chief 511 (Ackerman) had operations. Numerous other command officers made up the various sectors. Units from Manassas fire cleared at 0142 hours.

ANOTHER FIRE, THIS TIME A FIRST DUE APARTMENT

June 19, 2007 – Units from the City were back at it just after 2130 hours when box 81-04 was transmitted for fire in the apartment building at 9554 Cannonner Court. Responding with two engines (Lt. Rose, FF K. Ellis), the Tower (Chief Holman) and Battalion (Capt. Ellis), units arrived with nothing showing from the front. As the crew from Engine 501 made there into the building they were met with heavy smoke and a fire in apartment 101. The crew from Engine 501 made quick work of a kitchen while the Tower searched, opened up, and handled the large amount of smoke throughout the building. Several residents were sheltered in place rather than brought down ground ladders as the fire was knocked rather quickly. Battalion 581 had the command. Units cleared at 2236 hours.

WAGON HANDLES AN AUTO WHILE THE ENGINE OPERATES IN THE 11 BOX

June 19, 2007 – At 1546 hours, while the Engine was operating on mutual box 11-12, the Tower crew hopped over to the Wagon and took in an auto fire in front of 8809 Centreville Road.  The Wagon found a well involved vehicle and made quick work of it. They went ready at 1605 hours.

ENGINE GOES TO WORK ON MUTUAL BOX 11-12

June 19, 2007 – With the first real hot days of the summer upon us, the action started early and went all night. Just before 1500 hours, mutual box 11-12 was struck for the report of a rowhouse fire in the 7500 block of Quail Run Lane, in the Sudley Manor section of Prince William County. Engine 501 (Capt. Rohs) responded 2nd due on the box with five men. As units started to come up on the air, PWC Fire Communications gave a supplement of fire in a vacant townhome at a corrected address of 10312 Trundle Place. Engine 501 arrived just behind units from Co.11 with heavy fire showing from the second floor of a three level end of the row unit. Engine 501 quickly stretched a second line from Engine 511 and the two crews made entry together. With Engine 511 putting a knock on the second floor, Engine 501 made their way to the third floor. With no visibility and high heat the crew quickly realized they had more on fire than just the second floor. Trying to search and vent as they went, crews discovered heavy fire consuming the rear of the townhome and taking control of the attic. Engine 501, by themselves, quickly began to hook ceiling with a bar and flat head axe. One of the crew ran out and grabbed two hooks to assist in tearing down the ceiling. With it completely opened up, the Engine got ahead of the fire and completely knocked the attic down. Engine 501 cleared around 1615.

CREWS FIND A MATTRESS IN NOKESVILLE HOUSE

June 15, 2007 – At 1945 hours, just after the Friday night crew finished up dinner, mutual box 25-09 was transmitted for fire in the home at 9721 Granary Place. Crews arrived to find a mattress on fire on the second floor. The Engine checked for extension and with none found, went ready at 2021 hours.

ENGINE FIRST IN ON COUNTY BUILDING FIRE

June 12, 2007 – As some serious storms set in over the City of Manassas, the Engine Company was kept busy running back and forth between runs in the County. At 1924 hours, mutual box 11-11 was transmitted for 8304 Bethlehem Road. Even through the heavy downpour, a large column could be scene in the distance. Engine 501 arrived first to find a 50x20 detached garage well involved. They quickly put the 250 of two inch in service and began extinguishing the fire. The garage was knocked down swiftly without extending to the nearby home. Engine 501 went ready at 2124.

HAZMAT TASKFORCE SOUNDED IN SUDLEY

June 10, 2007 – At 2144 hours, Engine 511 was sent out on an investigation for something that had fallen out of the back of a truck and was possibly smoking in the intersection of Sudley Manor Drive and Ashton Avenue. At 2151 hours, the call was upgraded to a Hazmat Taskforce Alarm on mutual box 11-11, bringing Hazmat and Decon 501, and Battalion 581 from the City. Engine 511 confirmed that there were multiple containers emitting a cloud in the road way. With The assistance of the County cops, Company 511 isolated the area. Two Level B entry teams were formed from the members of Hazmat Support 501 and 506. One team made entry into the hot zone with a crew of two and attempted to neutralize the substance. The second crew acted as a rescue team and rotated with the initial crew as needed. Decon 501 and Hazmat Support 516 assisted with dressing entry teams and other support activities. Crews made entry and identified the product to be up to 4 gallons of 31% muriatic acid.  They applied two, five gallon pales of soda ash to the spill and mixed it up until PH readings were neutral. A total of 4 20-minute entries were required to neutralize the acid. Units from the City went ready at 0023 hours.

Photos courtesy of Co. 511, www.sjvfd.org

WHO'S GONNA STOCK THE SODA MACHINES NOW???

June 01, 2007 – Today was the last official day on the job for Wagon Master James McCommack. He officially retired with 25 years of proud service to the Citizens of the City of Manassas. Wagon Master McCommack began his firefighting career in 1970 and was hired by the City of Manassas In 1982. Jim was honored by a large group of his fellow firefighters this evening at a party held at the Manassas City Tavern. On a side note, Kevin Shafer has been assigned the duties of changing light bulbs and stocking the soda machine in Jim's absence. Jim, thank you for your dedicated service, enjoy your retirement, we'll see ya around.