Local firefighter’s invention may go into mass production

The Hopewell News
John Nicol’s invention is a very simple-looking implement — it resembles a shovel, but with a flat metal hook at the end rather than a shovel blade. You wouldn’t need it in your garage, and what you would use it for isn’t immediately apparent. But Nicol’s coworkers have found it to be very useful; it’s become standard issue equipment in the city of Hopewell, and may even go into mass production.

After fake news briefing, FEMA gets new public affairs chief – CNN.com

After fake news briefing, FEMA gets new public affairs chief – CNN.com
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has hired a new director of public affairs to replace the official who was in charge during a fake news conference in October.

Jonathan Thompson, most recently a deputy assistant defense secretary for public affairs, strategy and operations, will be FEMA’s new director of external affairs, FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison said in a recent memo to employees.

Thompson has 20 years of experience in managing communications for private companies and government agencies.

Fire truck slams into corner market in Newport News

WAVY TV 10 – News, Weather, Traffic, Sports for Hampton Roads, Virginia – North Eastern North Carolina – Fire truck slams into corner market in Newport News
A web of wires was tangled in the air. Bricks were scattered in the street. Two vehicles damaged; one of them nearly swallowed by a building. Thats how the scene looked Wednesday morning at Leons Market in Newport News. A fire truck slammed into the building after a crash.

The fire engine was responding to an emergency call when he tried to avoid hitting an SUV, a fire official told WAVY.com. A police spokesperson said the SUVs driver could face charges for failing to yield to the emergency vehicle.

Spirits dampened, not destroyed at Portsmouth church

Spirits dampened, not destroyed at Portsmouth church | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com
It was a blaze that tore into the work and dreams of many.

Members of Zion Baptist Church cried as they recalled a rich history that dates to 1865.

Olde Towne merchants gathered across the street, looking at the ruins of Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery. The renovated 1924 building was both home and livelihood for Joe and Alison Elder.

City leaders promised longtime efforts of downtown revitalization would not be slowed .

Stove Fire Ignites Pantops Restaurant

NBC 29: Count on Us – Stove Fire Ignites Pantops Restaurant
Eyewitnesses called NBC29 late Wednesday afternoon about a fire at the foot of Pantops Mountain. They say flames were rolling out of the back of a restaurant in the Food Lion shopping center.

Fatal House Fire in Fluvanna County

NBC 29: Count on Us – Fatal House Fire in Fluvanna County
An fire claimed the life of an elderly Fluvanna County man early Wednesday afternoon. Three rescue crews responded to the scene called into 9-1-1 by construction workers as the passed a home on Hockwood Way in Kents Store.

When firefighters got to the home, they say smoke was unstoppable. The house was already partially collapsed and engulfed by flames.

Partnership brings 24-hour EMS coverage

The Daily Times – www.delmarvanow.com – Salisbury, Md.
The Town of Chincoteague, in partnership with the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, is pleased to announce the successful launch of its 24-hour EMS program.

Under the program, the town staffs the Chincoteague fire station with an advanced life support (ALS) provider around the clock, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Fireman Charged

News from the Alleghany Highlands
Two area firefighters have been arrested and charged with arson in connection with a series of fires in Alleghany and Botetourt counties.

Nicholas S. Brackenridge, 21, of Clifton Forge, and Christopher “Scotty” Boyd, 19, of Iron Gate, have been charged with arson to a building and conspiracy to commit arson. Both men were arrested Tuesday.

The two men will face additional charges when an Alleghany County Circuit Court grand jury convenes in January, Commonwealth’s Attorney Ed Stein said.

Brackenridge is a member of the Clifton Forge Fire Department and Boyd is a member of the Iron Gate Fire Department. The two men assisted in efforts to fight the fires after they were set.

Firefighters battling large church fire in Portsmouth

Firefighters battling large church fire in Portsmouth | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com
A church fire on Green Street that sent clouds of smoke billowing over the downtown area and could be seen for miles earlier this morning is continuing to burn and has heavily damaged or destroyed adjacent buildings.

Accident At Fancy Hill

The News-Gazette, Lexington, VA
A 1999 Silverado pickup track that was wrecked in a single-vehicle accident on Interstate 81 just north of the Fancy Hill exit Wednesday morning is removed from the scene by a Natural Bridge Exxon station truck. Virginia State Police Trooper M.E. Embrey said the driver of the vehicle, Aureliano Villagomez of Mt. Airy, N.C., fell asleep while traveling north.

Two families displaced in separate fires Wednesday

Danville Register Bee | Two families displaced in separate fires Wednesday
Pamela Johnson brought her children’s Christmas presents into the house Tuesday to wrap for the holiday and had others that were already wrapped stored in a closet.

Within an hour on Wednesday morning, however, a fire at the house she rented at 853 Piney Forest Road had destroyed all the presents and everything else in the house.

Firefighters battling large church fire in Portsmouth

Firefighters battling large church fire in Portsmouth | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com
A church fire on Green Street that sent clouds of smoke billowing over the downtown area and could be seen for miles earlier this morning is continuing to burn and has heavily damaged or destroyed adjacent buildings.

At 7 a.m., the fire at Zion Baptist Church still was burning and at least some of the building had caved in.

Students could fight fires, get place to live

Students could fight fires, get place to live – Roanoke.com
BLACKSBURG — When it’s built, Chief Keith Bolte hopes a new fire station planned for the town’s south end will not only be a place to store pumper and ladder trucks, but also will eventually help attract more volunteer firefighters.

The new station is planned for a spot on the Virginia Tech/Montgomery Executive Airport grounds at Airport Road and Hubbard Street and could be ready to store fire equipment sometime next year, if enough money comes through.

Rural Retreat man killed in crash

Rural Retreat man killed in crash – SWVAToday.com
A Rural Retreat man died Wednesday morning in a two-vehicle crash in Atkins, police said.
According to Virginia State Police Sgt. M.T. Conroy, Everette Lee Blevins, 80, died after crashing his 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier into a Mac truck on U.S. 11 just north of Virginia 686.
Conroy said Blevins’ vehicle crossed the center line and hit the truck at approximately 9:40 a.m.
The crash remains under investigation.

In Hanover, Santa prefers fire trucks over sleighs

Welcome To The Hanover Herald-Progress
Today, each of the department’s 16 fire stations conducts Santa Runs throughout its coverage area.

As Santa Claus himself is a busy man this time of year, firefighters take turns donning the red suit and filling in for the jolly old fellow. Often, taking on the role so fills these volunteers with the Christmas spirit that for all intents and purposes, for that evening, they truly become Santa Claus.

Fire damages Old Executive Building

Fire damages Old Executive Building – Examiner.com
WASHINGTON (Map, News) – A fire broke out in the Old Executive Building on the White House grounds Wednesday, damaging sections of the vice president’s offices and forcing top security officials to scramble for safety.

The blaze originated on the second floor at about 9:30 a.m., in an electrical closet or telephone bank in the second floor, a White House spokeswoman said. Vice President Dick Cheney was in the West Wing with President Bush and not in the building when the fire started.

Two volunteer firefighters charged with string of arsons

WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Two volunteer firefighters charged with string of arsons
After an investigation that’s been going on more than a year, two volunteer firefighters have been charged with setting six fires in the Iron Gate and Clifton Forge area plus two in Botetourt County.

Nicholas Brackenridge, who is 21 and a member of the Clifton Forge Volunteer Fire Department, and Christopher “Scotty” Boyd, who is 19 and of the Iron Gate Volunteer Fire Department, are charged with arson and conspiracy to commit arson.

911 baby is healthy

911 baby is healthy – Roanoke.com
Hannah Wanner is the very definition of a precocious child.

Back on March 21, two weeks ahead of her due date, she caught her mother off guard by deciding it was time to be born.

For Lorna Wanner, this was child No. 4, and there had been no complications during her pregnancy so it had the potential to be a pretty routine birth.

History of Enders fire company told in pictures

The Winchester Star
BERRYVILLE— “I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time,” said Timmy Weir.

“This” is a pictorial history of the John H. Enders Volunteer Fire and Rescue Co.

Enders was Clarke County’s first, and for a long time, its only volunteer fire company, dating back to 1884.

Weir can only count 30 years as a volunteer firefighter with Enders, although his family has been in Clarke County since the early 1800s. But he tapped into the memories of many of the older members to gather his facts for the book.

Firehouse reincarnated as Richmond mini-mall

Firehouse reincarnated as Richmond mini-mall – News – inRich.com
A boarded-up Richmond firehouse that was a blight on the neighborhood has been restored to reflect the once-vibrant Highland Park district.

The one-story stucco-and-brick building was home to Engine Company No. 15. An 18-month renovation has transformed it into a mini-mall seen as a catalyst for commercial revitalization in the neighborhood.

Fendall Ave. fire displaces 7 people

Fendall Ave. fire displaces 7 people – News – inRich.com
Seven people were displaced after a two-alarm fire yesterday morning at a home in the 2800 block of Fendall Avenue in Richmond.

Firefighters who responded to the 7:10 a.m. call rescued two people from the front-porch roof and three from the rear-porch roof of the house. The residents heard the smoke alarms but could not use the stairs to get out. Some managed to jump to the roof of the porches, Fire Department Lt. Michael Oprandy said.

President Bush honors 2 local firefighters with Medal of Valor

President Bush honors 2 local firefighters with Medal of Valor | NBC12 | Virginia News
Two local firefighters were honored for their heroism by President Bush yesterday.

David Loving of the Richmond Fire Dept. joined the president in the oval office to receive the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor.

Loving helped to rescue a man from a burning crashed vehicle on I-95 in August of 2005.

Early morning fire in Roanoke Co. sends firefighter to hospital

WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Early morning fire in Roanoke Co. sends firefighter to hospital
Firefighters spent the early morning hours battling a house fire in Roanoke County.

Crews were called to the 2700 block of Gordon Brook Drive shortly before midnight. A woman and her two grown sons live in the house and escaped unharmed. The family is displaced and the Red Cross is assisting them.

Laundromat Explosion Victim Dies

Laundromat Explosion Victim Dies – Local News Story – WXII Winston-Salem
FRIES, Va. — An explosion that ripped through a Laundromat and damaged a neighboring fire department in Fries, Va., Monday evening has killed one of the victims.

Iva Martin, 78, died Tuesday morning at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, police said.

Firefighters said a vehicle driven by Julia Miller crashed into a propane tank near a restaurant, causing a leak. Soon after, a pilot light at the nearby laundry facility ignited the propane, starting numerous fires including a neighboring fire station.

200 escape fire in Norfolk

200 escape fire in Norfolk — dailypress.com
NORFOLK – A second-alarm fire in a former Bank of America building at the 3300 block on Princess Anne Road resulted in $25,000 in damage Sunday, but 200 people inside the building escaped with only one minor injury.

Justice Dept. reviewing Portsmouth police, fire dept. hiring

ARTICLE: Justice Dept. reviewing Portsmouth police, fire dept. hiring (The Virginian-Pilot – HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com)
PORTSMOUTH

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether the city’s police and fire departments discriminate against black employees in this predominantly minority city, making Portsmouth the third locality in South Hampton Roads to become the subject of a civil-rights inquiry.

Both departments have tried over the years to increase the number of black and minority hires and those selected for promotions, a former union president and city leaders said Thursday.

Fire rips through Windsor mobile home

Fire rips through Windsor mobile home — dailypress.com
WINDSOR – A blaze broke out in a Windsor mobile home today, rending it unlivable, Windsor police Chief Robert Porti said.

Firefighters were called to the Matthews Drive residence around 8:15 a.m. No one was at home, but firefighters used oxygen to revive a cat, Porti said.

The fire gutted a bedroom, where the flames probably broke out, and the rest of the home suffered heavy smoke damage. State police fire investigators believe Christmas lights that were left on when no one was at home may have caused the fire, Porti said.

Apartment building fire in Suffolk forces evacuation of 37

ARTICLE: Apartment building fire in Suffolk forces evacuation of 37 (The Virginian-Pilot – HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com)
A fire in an apartment building Monday night forced the evacuation of 37 residents.

One person suffered a cut hand and a pet bird died, but no other injuries were reported, said Capt. Jim Judkins of Suffolk Fire and Rescue.