2 MVC's In Just Over 7 Hours

March 21 2008 - The first of two MVC's was received at 0544 hours with the report of a vehicle off the road down an embankment. Units arrived on scene at 0552 to find a car off the road in a field approx 25 feet off the road. Captain Whorley checked the vehicle and around the vehicle with no one to be found it appeared that whom ever went off the road attempted to get back on the road with no success.

The second MVC was received at 1218 hrs and was reported to be down an embankment approx 50 feet overturned. Assistant Chief Brown arrived on scene at 1225 to find a single vehicle off the road in the middle of a field approx 50 feet off the road with the occupant still in the vehicle complaining of left ankle pain. Due to the mechanism of injury the pt was fully packaged and was transported to Lynchburg General by EMS.

Report Submitted By #219

MVC With Entrapment

March 20 2008 - At 0036 hrs Company 2 received a call for a MVC vehicle on its side with entrapment. Units arrived on scene at 0045 to find a Jeep Liberty off the road in a yard on its side with the occupant still inside, the female occupant was not complaining of any injuries however she could not get out of the vehicle. Units stabilized the vehicle for safety and extracted the victim out of the rear hatch of the vehicle. The occupant denied injury and was released by EMS. With no hazards and the vehicle out of the road all Company 2 units were back in service just after 0130.

Report Submitted By #219

Accident Leaves Company 2 Seeing...... RED?

February 10 2008 - While responding to a call on Schrechum Hollow Road for a reported brush fire near a residence, Brush 2 encountered one of the many 60 mph gusts that plagued the county this weekend.  Brush 2 was blown out of the road and struck a bank. Brush 2 drove out of the ditch and continued on to the scene.  After many hours of fighting the very active, and wind blown fire, Brush 2 returned to service.  After the truck returned to the house we discovered the rig had an unusual "lean".  Inspection of the truck resulted in finding a possibly bent frame.  For safety reasons, the rig was taken out of service immediately.  This left Company 2, and all of its wild land areas in its first due, in two counties (Bedford & Amherst) without a brush truck.  The following day the word got out around the county that Company 2 was without a brush truck.  Chief 8 (J. Calhoun) decided his company would do something about this.  Chief Calhoun called Chief B. Konen and offered us one of their brush trucks, Brush 8-3.  Chief Calhoun is fortunate that his company operates a 3 rig fleet of brush trucks, and was in the position to spare one.  Chief Calhoun told Chief Konen that we could use the truck for as long as it takes to have ours repaired, or replaced.  Asst. Chief Brown went to Company 8 and picked up the rig.  They went over the operations of the pump and its similarities to our brush truck.  Asst. Chief Brown brought the rig to Company 2 and went over the pump system with many other members of our company.

As some of you will recall, this is the second time in 3 months another Bedford County Fire Company came to our aid.  On December 1st 2007 Wagon 2 was taken out of service due to the transmission needing to be replaced.  When Company 1 learned of this Deputy Chief Musgrove called and offered Pumper 1 to us.  This is another shining example of how all agencies within Bedford County Fire & Rescue system work together.  A thank you goes out to Chief Calhoun, his officers and members for allowing us to use their rig during this fire season.  Without there generosity it is unknown how many acres of property could have been lost in the next few months.  To the guys at Company 1 and Company 8, the door of assistance is a rotating door.  If you guys need anything at all, we are only a call away.

Report Submitted By #224

Another Message From Company 2

February 14 2008 - Please be aware that on February 15th the statewide burn ban goes into effect. Fires are only allowed from 4:00 pm until 12:00 am. At 12:00 am the fire must be completely extinguished and the fire MUST be attended during the entire time it is burning. It is also requested that a courtesy call be made to the Bedford Communications Center to make them aware of the fire. This is to prevent the fire company be called out in the event a passerby sees the smoke and/or fire and calls 911. Pleases also note the weather before burning. Low humidity and high winds will intensify fires at a fast pace. If the fire burns property other than your own, you could be liable for that property, not to mention criminally charged.

Report Submitted By #224

Message From Company 2

February 13 2008 - During the past extended weekend Company 2, like all other Bedford County Fire Companies ran basically non stop. Our first call came in around 1400 hours on Saturday afternoon for a smoke scare. The rigs did not get a good rest until Brush 8-3 (on loan from Co. 8, Moneta). came to a rest in Station 2 at 1900 hours on Tuesday afternoon. During that time Company 2 ran 12 calls. These calls were as close and Waugh Switch Road, and as far away as Montvale. Due to the wide area the calls covered we had the opportunity to work with numerous fire companies. Not only were these fire companies from Bedford County, but also Amherst County, Campbell County, Botetourt County, Rockbridge County and Lynchburg City. This shows how each company, though separate all come together as one. During the 24 hours on Sunday, Feb. 12th 2008 there were 49 different fire calls throughout Bedford County alone. A special thank you goes out to each volunteer who assisted in fighting these fires. Also thank you to the numerous people who kept all of our volunteers well feed and hydrated on each call we answered.

Report Submitted By #224

Back To Montvale Again

February 13 2008 - At 0600 hours Pumper 2 rolled out of the station again to go support the fires in Montvale. Pumper 2 kept trucks full of water as well as did some more structural protection. Pumper 2 arrived back at the station around 1700 hours.

Report Submitted By #224

30 Acre Brush Fire on Screechum Hollow Road

February 13 2008 - At approx. 1330 hours while units were operating at the fire on Peters Creek Road members went to Piedmont Fleet in Lynchburg to pick up Tanker 2 that had been repaired. While still in Lynchburg Co. 1 (Bedford), Co. 5 Forest and Sq. 1 were dispatched to the area of roaring Run Road for a brush fire. Brush 2 and Tanker 2 responded per the request of command to assist. While in route another call came in for a brush fire near a residence on Screechum Hollow Road. Brush 2 and tanker 2 were redirected to this fire. Tanker 2 arrived first on scene. Captain B. Cocke passed the command and reported that the fire was approx. 5 acres in size in a field, and the wind was blowing it directly towards a residence. Brush 2 arrived shortly thereafter and began knocking down the fast paced fire. After the arrival of other apparatus from 2 different companies the fire was able to be significantly slowed down. After a very lengthy mop up, units cleared the scene at approx. 1900 hours units were able to be returned to service. This call involved units from Co. 2, Co.5 (Forest), Co. 3 (Boonsboro), and Sq. 6 (Goode).

Apparatus on scene; B2, T2, T2a, B5a, T5, B3, T3, and Med. 6

Report Submitted By #224

Back To Montvale

February 12 2008 - At 0600 Sunday morning Pumper 2 Command 2 returned to Montvale to assist with structural protection and ran several calls on the south side due to the extremely bad weather conditions. Pumper 2 and Command 2 returned to Big Island at around 2100 hours.

Report Submitted By #224

Fire On The Mountain In Montvale, Part II

February 11 2008 - At approx. 1600 hours Company 9 and Squad 9 (Montvale) were dispatched to the area of Day Creek Road for the report of a large amount of smoke in the area. Upon arrival of Brush 9, Chief 9 (S. Hawkins) advised dispatch that the fire was approx. 5 acres in size and moving quickly up a steep slope. Chief 9 passed the command and asked that Co. 13 (Stewartsville), Co.19 (Shady Grove) and the Bedford County Department of Fire & Rescue Wildland Division be added to the run. After no response from Co. 19, Co. 1 (Bedford), Co. 8 (Moneta) and Botetourt County Co. 1 were added to the call. Upon the arrival of Brush 1, 138 (FF W. Crumpacker) took the command. Shortly thereafter Command requested that Co. 12 (Hardy) and Co. 2 (Big Island be added to the run as well. Co. 2 staffed Utility 2 with 2 ATV's and Command 2 with Chief 2 (B. Konen). After arriving and a briefing was conducted at the Camp Jaycee site. It was decided that due to the steep terrain Utility 2 and the 2 ATV's could return to service. Chief Konen and Captain B. Cocke were attached to Brush 1 and assigned with patrolling the Blue Ridge Parkway to ensure the fire did not jump the roadway. At approx. 0530 hours Chief Konen and Captain Cocke arrived back in Big Island. At last report the fire was nearly 1800 acres and 90% contained.

Report Submitted By #224

Living Room Fire with One Entrapped

January 28 2008 - Company 2 responded to a report of a living room fire with the occupant unable to get out of the residence.  Deputy Chief Frank Branch responded directly to the scene due to the possibility of one entrapped.  He arrived on scene to find a women in a wheelchair on the B side porch.  She was unable to make it any further out of the house.  Fire was showing from the C side and moving quickly.  He proceeded to carry the lady out of the house and up the driveway to safety then returned to get her wheelchair before Wagon 2 arrived on scene.  The occupant was transported to the hospital.  Units then proceeded to extinguish the fire in a defensive operation for a lengthy overhaul.  Units operation on scene were Wagon 2, Tanker 2, Tanker 2A, Utility 2, Wagon 3, Tanker 5, Brush 3, Rescue 1, Rescue 3, Rescue 5, and Medic 2.

Report Submitted By #229

Chimney Fire

MVC

January 3 2008 - At approximately 1005 hrs Company 2 was dispatched for a MVC involving a semi-truck and trailer with unknown pi on Elon Road in Amherst County.  Pumper 2 arrived on scene to find a semi-truck and trailer hauling logs on its side with no entrapment, minor injury, and a fuel leak.  EMS attended to the injured party and command Deputy Chief Branch directed his crew to control the fuel leak.  Units contained the leak to the accident site by using petroleum absorbent (hi-dry) to spread on the approximately 20 gallon fuel leak.  Traffic control was handled by VDOT and units were back in the house by 1127 hrs.  Units operating on scene were Pumper 2, Crash 2, Medic 2-3, Amherst 900 (Director Roakes)

Report Submitted By #219

Technical Rescue For Major Tractor Trailer Accident

December 3 2007 - At 1745 hours Bedford Communications alerted Company 2, Squad 2, and Special Operations Command for a tractor trailer wreck. Dispatch advised that the accident was in the area of the dumpster on Lee Jackson Highway (Rt. 501) and the rig had gone well over 10 feet over the bank. While Company 2 units were in route a special call was made to add Company 3 & Squad 3 (Boonsboro) due to the location, and utilization of R3. Upon the arrival of Pumper 2, command (Capt. B. Cocke) confirmed the information from dispatch and added that the rig was at least 100 feet over the bank, near the bottom of a ravine, upside down, and only feet from a creek. This ravine was directly between Lee Jackson Highway and Rocky Mountain Road. Command assigned R3, CR2, U2, B3, M2-2, & M3-3 to stage on Rocky Mountain Road, R1, U1, TAC1, C5, C8, were assigned to Lee Jackson Highway with P2. SOC2 (Task Force Leader M. Coleman) was assigned Operations Sector. After command consulted with R1's officer, AC1 K. Musgrove it was confirmed that the easiest and safest way to remove the patient was to bring him up the steep cliff on the Lee Jackson Highway side. R1 personnel went to work under the direction of Rig Master FF G. Fulton and haul team leader Capt. B. Creasy. After EMS providers assessed the patient, it was determined that a medevac was needed to transport the patient. P1 (on loan to Co. 2 from Co. 1), and B2 were tasked with setting up a landing zone on Lee Jackson Highway in front of Dudley's Country Store. The patient was then packaged into the stokes basket, IV lines started, and then brought back up the cliff. The patient was then loaded into an awaiting ambulance and transported to Virginia State Police's Med Flight III. This operation, though lengthy and difficult worked very smoothly. The hours and hours of technical training by all agencies involved showed as the operation went flawlessly. A special thanks goes to the Bedford Communications Center who was once again very professional and assisted command quickly and accurately. Also, thanks to the Big Island area V-DOT Headquarters who responded quickly to aide in everything that was asked of them.

While on the scene of this incident Squad 2 had another call for a female on Walker Road. Due to all available Squad 2's members being committed on this large scale incident, Command redirected B2, EMT-E level to respond to this call. Co. 2 also staffed a Sq. 2 medic truck and responded to the scene.

Units operating on scene: P2. P1, B2, U2, R3, B3, R1, U1, TAC1, C5, C8, M2-2, M2-3, CR2, M3-3, Med Flight III, VASP, and VDOT.

Report Submitted By #224

2008 Election of Officers

December 3 2007 - Tonight the company had its annual elections for the following year. The elections were close which indicates we have several very qualified people in our company. The election results were;  CHIEF: Burke Konen,  DEPUTY CHIEF: Frank Branch,   ASSISTANT CHIEF: Danny Brown,   CAPTAIN: Brandon Cocke,   2nd CAPTAIN: Larry Whorley,   LEUTENTANT: Jimmy Childress,   2nd LEUTENANT: Bailey Branch,   PRESIDENT: Gary Tomlinson,   VICE PRESIDENT: Larry Whorley,   SECRETARY: Samantha Flowers,   TREASURER: Tony Ware,   COMMUNICATIONS: Bailey Branch,   CHAPLAIN: Jimmy Childress. We would like to thank Chief Ray Goff for his two years of excellent service as Fire Chief. We also wish good luck to all of the 2008 elected officers.

Report Submitted By #224

Santa Makes Pit Stop In Big Island!

December 2 2007 - It was time once again for the annual Big Island Christmas Parade. Members of Company 2 gathered at the station at 0800 hours. We meet there to finish preparing the station and apparatus for all of the folks who were going to be arriving in hours to watch the parade. We also had two very special guests to prepare for, Mr. & Mrs. Santa Clause. Santa routinely arrives via his trusty sleigh and reindeer, and then rides in the parade on Wagon 2. However, due to the recent mechanical problems with Wagon 2, Santa agreed to ride on Utility 2 this year. Just prior to the parade the skies opened up and the rain came down. We consulted with Santa as to whether he wanted to postpone the parade until the following weekend, but he would not hear anything of it. Santa insisted that all of the neighborhood children came to see him today, and rain or shine he was not going to let them down. When all of the fire and rescue apparatus learned that Santa wanted to continue with the parade, every piece of apparatus layed on the air horns, wailed on the Federal Q's, and hit the electric sirens. WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A PARADE! And showing the Christmas spirit, the community was still out in full force (wearing rain jackets and sitting under tents of course) to see Santa arrive.  Santa and Mrs. Clause even took time to come inside the firehouse after the parade to visit with all of the children, which each child also received a special gift from Santa as well. After Santa saw and talked with every child there, he hopped back in the Utility truck and was taken back to his sleigh. He then flew off back to the North Pole to help the elves finish making all of the toys for all of the good little boys and girls. A thank you goes out to Santa and Mrs. Claus, and all of the entries in this year’s parade. Without each of you, the parade would not be such a hit every year. We also want to thank the Big Island Vol. Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary for providing the meal and trophies that were presented after the parade. We also hope that each and every one of you has a Great Christmas, and please remember "the reason for the season".

Report Submitted By #224

A Red Fire Truck Residing At Company 2?

December 1 2007 - Shortly after arriving back at the station from the Bedford Parade, there was discussion going around the house about recent problems with Wagon 2. Dep. Chief B. Konen and Capt. B. Cocke decided to take the truck for a little ride to see if they could diagnose the problem. Only a few miles from the station the problem let itself be known again. And as Dep. Chief B. Konen put it "it sounded like a midget was in the transmission with a hack saw". The apparatus was limped back to the station obviously wounded. While coming back to station discussion was going on over the radio about what to do. Wagon 2 is a main line pumper, and is often used on roads where its much larger brother, Pumper 2 can not access. Fortunately, our brothers at Company 1 (Bedford FD) over heard this conversation. Without any hesitation they contacted Lt. D. Brown and told him that Pumper 1 (4 man custom cab engine) was available if needed. Dep. Chief 1 (K. Musgrove) and Asst. Chief 1 (W. Crumpacker) went as far as to even deliver the Pumper to our station while we waited on the wrecker. After the Wagon arrived at the shop, we learned that the transmission had completely gone out and would have to be replaced. Pumper 1 will remain in our house until Wagon 2 returns to service. A very special thank you from everyone at Company 2 goes to Company 1 for allowing us to use their apparatus. This is a true example of our County wide brothers looking out for each other

Report Submitted By #224

Bedford Christmas Parade

December 1 2007 - This morning the Bedford Main Street held there annual Christmas Parade through Centertown Bedford.  Dep. Chief B. Konen, Capt. B. Cocke, and FF B. Branch washed and decorated Pumper 2 to attend the parade. The members of Company 2 are always ready to help spread the Christmas Joy in any way that we can. Thanks again to the members of Bedford Main Street for once again putting on a great parade.

Report Submitted By #224

MVC on the Parkway

November 11 2007 - Company 2 received a early morning alarm for a MVC.  Units arrived on scene to find a pick up over an approximate 40 foot embankment.  Units gained access to the patient and provided care and packaged the patient while the Special Operations Team set up a 4:1 haul back system to pull the stokes basket up the embankment.  The patient had been there since approximately 1730 hours the previous evening.  The decision was made by EMS personel to med evac the patient to the hospital due to the amount of time the patient had been there.  Units established a landing zone at Petites Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  All units were in service at 0801hrs.  Units operating on the scene were Pumper 2, Brush 2, Utility 2, Medic 2-2, Medic 2-3, Crash

2, Rescue 1 and Fire Rescue 3.

Report Submitted By #219

Structure Fire

Lightning Strike + Radio Systems Down = Mess

June 19 2007 - At approx 2341 Assistant Chief 2 noticed his radio in CC Scan and contacted the E-911 center to inquire on this, while on the phone he was advised that Company 2 had a call for lightning that had struck a residence. Assistant Chief 2 got on the phone and rounded up personnel to respond for the call. The radio system being down to a severe storm passing through the area. Units arrived on scene to find where the lightning had struck the residence in the cinder block foundation but luckily there was no extension. Command on scene operating with a cell phone to contact dispatch disregarded all incoming units. All units were back in service at 0030.

Report Submitted By #219

Fire at the Plant

June 19 2007 - At approx 1438 Company 2, Company 3, Company 1 (RIT), Squad 2 were dispatched to Georgia Pacific number 1 paper machine for fire in the dryer heads. Units arrived on scene to find the incipient fire brigade hard at work on the fire. After an extensive investigation it was found that one of the dryer head bearings had overheated and caused the fire. Units operated on scene for approx 45 minutes checking for extension with nothing being found units were back in service around 1530 hrs.

Report Submitted By #219

Another Appalachian Trail Call

June 17 2007 - At 1950 hrs Bedford Communications alerted Co. 2 and Sq.2 to a call on the Appalachian Trail for a male subject who had fallen off of a cliff striking his head on the rocks below.  Upon our arrival we learned that Rockbridge County Co. 2 and Sq. 3 (Glasgow Fire & Glasgow Life Saving Crew) were already on the scene.  With a mutual aide agreement with Amherst County Fire & Rescue Monelison Rescue Squad and Amherst Life Saving Crew were also automatically dispatched.  A Sq.2 EMT-B went onto the trails with Glasgow Fire & Rescue.  Co.2 established a boat crew utilizing the SOC Bravo boat (boat 2).  Upon the arrival of Sq.2's EMT she advised command of her findings. She stated the male subject had fallen approx. 20 feet from a cliff landing head first on the rocks below. He had several large lacerations to the back of his head and did loose consciousness. At this point Carilion Life Guard 10 was requested and landed across from the fire station at the old Big Island school field. While carrying out this patient another patient walked up to Medic 2-1 reporting he had also fallen and was injured. M2-1 transported this patient by ground to Lynchburg General ER. After removing this first patient from the SOC Bravo boat he was loaded into an awaiting Amherst Life Saving Crew EMT-I staffed medic truck, Rescue 5. After loading the patient into Life Guard 10 all units returned to service at 2103 hours.  Fire apparatus on scene: B2, U2, SOC Boat, Glasgow C2 & L2.  EMS apparatus on scene: M2-1, R2, CR2, EMS Boat, Glasgow M3, Amherst R5, Monelison M50, Life Guard 10.

Report Submitted By #224

Fire at the Powerhouse

June 8 2007 - While returning to service from the earlier call at the Paper mill a still alarm was received for a small fire in the Power house area of the paper mill.  Pumper 2 was enroute in less than a minute and was disregarded prior to arrival by Assistant Chief 2 he arrived on scene to find a plastic bag on the belt smoldering and it was handled by the incipient fire brigade of the plant.

Report Submitted By #219

Rubbish Fire on the Landfill

June 8 2007 - Shortly before 0800 Company 2 received a call for smoldering hot spots on the landfill at Georgia Pacific. Units arrived to find Fly Ash and some plastics smoldering on the landfill that came from a boiler at the plant due to an outage. Units utilized a medium expansion foam nozzle and 10 gallons of pyro-cool to snuff out the smoldering pile of ash. Units responding Engine 2, Tanker 2a, Utility 2, Squad 2.

Report Submitted By #219

Two Honda Foreman's Added to the Fleet

June 5 2007 - Today the ATV committee took delivery of our two new Honda Foreman 500 ATV's.  We purchased these using a bidding process that included every ATV dealer within 50 miles of Big Island.  We are proud to announce that Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg was the low bidder.  There four wheelers will be utilized for our numerous ATV calls, brush fires, and other calls where a regular vehicle cannot go.  We would like to thank Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg for their cooperation and generosity during the bidding process. Click here to see pics.

Report Submitted By #224

MVA

May 21 2007 - At 1604 hrs Company 2 received a call for a traffic crash (hit and run) with the request of traffic control from Captain 5 (Campbell County EMS) units arrived on scene and after an investigation found the occupant of the vehicle remaining on scene complaining of shoulder pain and per command EMS responded to check out the occupant.  The vehicle belonging to the victim was out of the road and due to the suspect leaving behind the bumper to his vehicle and a oil trail fire units secured the scene until the arrival of the Virginia State Police.  After the arrival of VASP Brush 2 assisted the State Police in going to the residence of the suspect due to the road not being accessible by his patrol car.  Brush 2 and the trooper returned with the suspect in custody.  At this time the wrecker had arrived and moved the vehicle.  Units responding Brush 2, Command 2, Squad 2.  Units returned to service just before 1800 hrs.

Report Submitted By #219