Manakin Fire-Rescue

288 Bridge Rescue

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:48:35 +0000

On Monday, April 16 Goochland dispatchers began to receive reports that a man had jumped from the 288 bridge over the James River. Manakin units including Squad 17, Engine 11, Brush 19 and Boat 1 responded to the scene and began a search for the victim. Medflight was airborne in the area already and also came to assist. Shortly after units arrived on scene, the man was located on the shore near the bridge. ALS 1 and Medflight were able to reach him and begin emergency medical care before transporting the victim to VCU Hospital.

Strategies and Tactics Class

admin — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:41:29 +0000

On March 3rd and 4th, Manakin and Centerville firefighters took the National Fire Academy’s Strategies and Tactics for the Initial Company Officer (STICO). This class is geared towards experienced members who may be in command of significant incidents. It provides more in depth instruction in forming a proper rescue and extinguishment plan, including apparatus placement, hose placement, ventilation, water supply, salvage, and overhaul. This critical training was provided free to the members through the generous support of our citizens.

Structure Fire Caps a Busy Evening

admin — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:50:47 +0000

An eerily quiet day gave way to a busy night on Wednesday for the members of Manakin Fire-Rescue. The evening began with Truck 1 responding to a relatively routine chimney fire in Oilville. As this incident was brought under control, however, Goochland communications dispatched a residential structure fire in Hadensville. Engine 61 arrived on scene to find “heavy smoke showing” from the residence. The crew deployed a handline and entered the house attempting to locate the fire. Truck 1 due to position from the chimney fire in Oilville, arrived shortly thereafter as the second truck. Engine 61′s crew located a fire in the attic and knocked down the fire. Firefighting efforts were hampered by heavy rains which resulted in deep, thick mud around the house. Truck 1′s crew was sent inside to check for extension and relieve the engine crew on the hose. One firefighter was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries (he is expected to return to service in the next few weeks). Damage to the house was confined to the attic area. During all of this, Goochland communications dispatched units to a vehicle fire in Crozier. Manakin’s Tanker 16 and Engine 11 responded with Engine 21 from Crozier, who arrived first and extinguished the fire while Tanker 16 supplied water. Both fires are under investigation.

Membership Awards 2011

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:59:37 +0000

The Eva Henley Rescue Member of the Year and Howard Henley Fire Member of the Year are new annual awards given to the two members who have exemplified Eva’s and Howard’s dedication to the rescue squad and fire company respectively. Mrs. Henley was one of the founders of the rescue squad and in the early years would answer nearly every call that came in, day or night. Retired Chief Howard Henley served in many capacities throughout his volunteer career. Though he was one of the original members of the company, he is largely responsible for the progressive attitude we strive for today. This year the Eva Henley award was presented to Marcus Jones and the Howard Henley award was given to J.P. Mcguire.

Since joining, Marcus has been the epitome of a team player. As a rescue driver, he is constantly willing to help fill in holes in the schedule, volunteers for holiday shifts, and trade shifts with fellow members. His calm demeanor and forward-thinking on emergency scenes commands respect. He is attentive to detail with equipment checks and has caught several problems before they became significant issues.

J.P. is a highly committed, eager young firefighter. He can always be found at the station fixing something, cleaning equipment, or training. His work ethic and dedication are examples for others. Indeed, he has helped many new members get up to speed quickly. He is also an avid recruiter, and we have been lucky to gain several great members from his efforts.

Santa Runs!

admin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:18:33 +0000

We are glad to announce that on Monday, December 19th Santa will be visiting the neighborhoods in our district. Listen out for sirens and come out to say hello. Signs will be out in the neighborhoods this week, but if you’d like more information, please contact (804) 784-3277 or visit our Facebook Page for the most up to date information. We look forward to seeing you!

Structure Fire

admin — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 16:44:10 +0000

On June 4th, members responded to a report of a structure fire in Crozier. The homeowner advised Goochland Communications that her bedroom was on fire and that all occupants were out of the house. E21 arrived first on scene to find smoke coming from the house. Crews quickly forced entry to the front door and advanced a hose to the 2nd floor, while E11 began the primary search. The fire was quickly extinguished and firefighters started opening up the structure for overhaul. S17 was assigned RIT and rotated into overhaul. Due to a fast and strong response, fire damage was confined to the one bedroom with extension into a walk in closet and bathroom, though smoke damage occurred through out the house.

Medic 10 Responds to Bus Accident/Mass Casualty

admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 01:10:39 +0000

Manakin Fire-Rescue’s Medic 10, along with A33 and Car 3, were called to Caroline County for a mass casualty incident early in the morning on May 31. Over 50 passengers on a bus traveling along I-95 were injured after the bus went off of the roadway. The injured were transported to 11 different hospitals at the direction of mass casualty medical control at VCU Medical Center. More information can be found on the Times Dispatch website. Here

Extrication Demo at The Farm Bureau!

admin — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 00:36:15 +0000

On Friday, April 29th, 2011, members from Manakin Fire-Rescue traveled to the West Creek office of Virginia Farm Bureau to demonstrate vehicle extrication and pre-hospital patient care for the company’s employees. Company one units Engine 11 and Squad 17 “cut” the vehicle in order to simulate patient extrication. A10, with the help of LifeEvac(medevac helicopter), simulated pre-hospital traumatic injury protocol. See below for select pictures from the event, and navigate over to our Facebook page for the full album!

Truck 1 Update

admin — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 18:48:08 +0000

We have long needed an elevated platform to help protect the medium-rise commercial structures in West Creek, a future hospital, and some very large houses. A nearby ladder truck can also help lower ISO ratings and decrease insurance premiums. Fortunately for us, the generosity of our citizens and sound fiscal management by our leadership allowed the company to remain in good financial condition during the recession. Many departments around the country have not been as fortunate, however, and demand for fire apparatus fell to very low levels. Of course, with the low demand came some excellent deals.

One in particular presented itself. A 1984 Pierce Arrow fitted with a 100 foot LTI platform. While older, the vehicle had been perfectly maintained and had only 18,000 miles and 3,000 hours. The town which owned it had already put a new ladder in service and had no place to keep the truck. A price was negotiated to only a fraction of what it would have cost a few years ago. In January, the truck was driven by Manakin members from Kansas to its new home.

Since then, members have been refurbishing, relettering, and updating the unit. We’ve also begun training. Truck 1 should be in service, ready to answer calls, in the summer of 2011.

None of this would have been possible without the hard work of John Waechter, Lt. Billy McGuire, Jeff Moore, Matt Stainback, JP McGuire, and countless other members.

Firefighters Battle Quickly Moving 300 Acre Fire

admin — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:24:36 +0000

On Saturday, February 19th, amid strong winds and low humidity, a “red flag” warning was issued by the state for the possibility of dangerous wildfires. It would be a arduous day for our firefighters. Manakin units Engine 11, Engine 12, and Brush 19 were dispatched along with Crozier’s to Cardwell Road for a large brush fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found between 5 and 10 acres ablaze, with fire spreading at an alarming rate. It quickly became apparent that this fire would require major effort to extinguish. State Forestry bulldozers and mutual aid from Henrico, Powhatan, and Chesterfield were called to assist the 50+ Goochland firefighters on scene. While fire crews frantically defended homes in the area, fire lines were dug. In several areas the fire and wind was so intense that burning material would cross the fire lines and ignite new areas. In the end, no occupied structures were lost, but over 300 acres were burned. In addition to this, several other small fires ignited in the area, including one in the western end of the county which destroyed an abandoned house.

Chief Mackay described it as a “career day” which will not soon be forgotten, and indeed, most members on scene said they have never seen fire move so fast and violently. Firefithers were on scene for over 9 hours and returned several times to extinguish hotspots.