Sterling Volunteer Fire Company

At 5:30 on Monday morning, just before shift change, Engine 611, Quint and Assistant Chief 618, along with Engine and Rescue Squad 439 (North Point), Engine 404 (Herndon) from Fairfax, Engine 622 (Ashburn), Ambulance 615-1 (SVRS), and Battalion Chief 603 (LCFR) were alerted for a house fire in Sterling Park. Tower 611 responded with a combination of career staff arriving and for their 6am shift and volunteers from home. Battalion Chief 601 and Safety Officer 600 added on to the call. Quint 618 arrived on scene and reported smoke showing from the roof of a single family home. A search was conducted to ensure that all occupants were out of the home and to locate the fire. Arriving engine companies began to extinguish fire in the attic. Units worked together to ensure that the fire was out and that everybody was safe. The scene was then turned over to the Fire Marshal’s office for investigation.

Just before 4am on Saturday morning Engine 618 and Captain 611, along with Medic and Tech Support 625 (SVRS) and Rescue Squad 439 (Fairfax – Reston), were alerted for an auto accident with entrapment. Engine 618 arrived on scene to find a car on it’s side with the occupant still inside. Captain 611 arrived soon after and assumed command. Engine 618 evaluated the patient and began preparations for extrication. TS 625 arrived and assisted Engine 618 with extricating the patient, who was then evaluated by Medic 625. Command was terminated after 10 minutes and units returned to service.

On Sunday, April 29th members of the SVFC traveled to Pipetown, state-of-the-art training facility at Washington Gas’s Operations Center in Springfield, VA. Pipetown is used by Washington Gas to train field operators, line supervisors and emergency responders in a live, controlled, environment. Crews from Sterling learned how to safely respond and mitigate a variety of emergencies they may face in Sterling when dealing with natural gas.

On Tuesday, April 17th around 7:30pm Engines, Tower, and Captain 611, Engine and Safety Officer 618, and units from Ashburn were dispatched for a house fire in Countryside. About 10 minutes later, after clearing that call, Engine, Tower and Captain 611, Safety Officer 618, along with Engines 404 (Herndon), 698 (from station 623, Moorefield), and 303 (Dulles Airport), Towers 436 (Frying Pan) and 606 (Ashburn), Ambulance 615-2 (Sterling Rescue), and Battalion Chief 603 (LCFR) were dispatched for a structure fire near the border between Sterling and Herndon. Engine 611 arrived on scene to find a fire in an auto body shop. Engine 611 began to extinguish the fire while Captain 611 established command. After a quick search of the structure Tower 611 headed to the roof to make sure the fire hadn’t spread there. Arriving units, including Quint 611 (staffed with come from home volunteers) assisted with water supply, salvage, and making sure that the fire was completely extinguished. While units were still on the scene units from Ashburn, Leesburg, and Fairfax were dispatched for another structure fire in Sterling.

The Buffalo Wild Wings on Colorado Drive (near Wegmans) has partnered with the SVFC to serve the Sterling community. Every Monday night, from 5-8pm, a portion of the proceeds will be given to the SVFC. Members of the SVFC will be there as well (if available) so stop by, say hello, take your picture with a fire engine or firefighter, get something to eat, and have a good time. Buffalo Wild Wings is located at 21980 Colorado Drive Dulles, VA 20166 (click for map/directions).

The Sterling Volunteer Fire Company reminds you to “spring forward” one hour at 2:00AM on Sunday morning. We also encourage you to use this as a reminder to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and CO detectors, and test that they operate properly with the new batteries. If the device is 10 years old you should consider replacing it.

This is also a good time to review your fire evacuation plans. Does everybody know at least two ways out of every room, particularly bedrooms, in your home? Do you have a designated meeting place?

For many years Loudoun County Fire & Rescue have planned to purchase a dedicated tanker to station in Sterling. With both Broad Run Farms and Richland Acres, along with areas to the east around Great Falls, and a lot of the west end of the county not having hydrants for water supply a new tanker will be a great asset to Sterling and the county. Final testing and inspection is underway at the manufacturer and LCFR and SVFC members are learning or reviewing skills necessary to safely and efficiently use the tanker to protect the public. Look for it to be in the area soon, and don’t be surprised to see it in the west end of Loudoun County where tankers are used on a daily basis when more resources are needed out there.

The SVFC offers a ride along program for non-members. This is typically for those interested in joining the company, but sometimes friends, family, and other interested parties take advantage of the program as well. Recently the friend of one of our members rode along with Engine 611. You can read about his experience and see his photos by clicking HERE. If you’re interested in finding out more about the SVFC, scheduling a ride along, or interested in joining please contact us at membership@sterlingfire.org