WAGON FINDS FULLY INVOLVED CAMPER IN LAKE JACKSON

December 27, 2007 – At 2041 hours, Wagon 501 responded on the mutual box to 10621 Dumfries Road for a truck fire. On arrival the Wagon found a large camper well involved. The crew deployed the bumper line and made quick work of the fire. The Wagon was supplied by Tanker 507. Both crews worked extensively to overhaul the camper and the Wagon remained on scene until 2205 hours to assist the County FM.

WAGON AND CHIEF ON FATAL FIRE IN THE COUNTY

December 27, 2007 – At 0109 hours mutual box 11-51 was transmitted for a house fire at 11234 Balls Ford Road bringing Wagon 501 second due and Chief 501. Crews arrived to find a well involved abandoned house. While Wagon 501 picked up Wagon 511’s line, the crew deployed a line and began extinguishing fire. Inside crews located the remains of a man who was pronounced dead. According to the Manassas Journal Messenger, a second man was found in the 10700 block of Coverstone Drive about 20 minutes after police and firefighters first responded to the fire. The man suffered burns throughout his body, which police said he sustained in the fire on Balls Ford Road. He was flown to an area hospital where he is being treated for serious injuries, officials said. Police and fire officials are still investigating the suspicious death, subsequent fire, and involvement of the second victim. The Wagon and Chief cleared the scene at 0311 hours.

TOWER REMOVES TWO FROM OVERTURNED VEHICLE

December 26, 2007 – At 1433 hours, the Rescue Local was transmitted for a personal injury accident with people trapped on Sudley Road at the intersection of Plantation Lane bringing Wagon, Tower, and Chief 501. Companies arrived to find a two vehicle accident with one on its side. Inside the overturned SUV were two trapped patients. While the Crash and Tower crews stabilized the vehicle, a member from the Wagon climbed inside to attended to the patients. The Tower's crew removed the glass and with the help of the Crash, removed the roof. Both patients were quickly removed and transported to the hospital which was just a block down the street. Company 1 fire units cleared the scene within a half an hour.

PEDESTRIAN STRUCK AND KILLED IN THE CITY

December 24, 2007 – At 1825 hours this evening, Attack and Chief 501 responded to the 8600 block of Liberia Avenue, between Portner and Mathis avenues for a pedestrian struck. Chief 501, in the area, arrived on scene immediately to find a male patient unconscious in the roadway. Assisted by an off-duty Arlington County fireman, Chief 501 assessed the patient who was suffering from serious head trauma. A helicopter was requested. Engine 508 was assigned to handle the LZ at Parkside middle school. As Attack and Medic 501 worked on the patient, his condition worsened and was he was quickly transported to the local hospital in cardiac arrest. At the hospital he was pronounced dead. According to the Manassas Journal Messenger, the patient was attempting to cross the road when he walked into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Rescue 508 remained on the scene to assist the cops with lighting during the investigation. City police are still investigating the accident and no charges have been filed at this time. Attack 501 was later called back to wash down the scene.

THE KITCHEN IS GETTING CLOSER TO BEING COMPLETE

December 21, 2007 – With Kevin's injury healed, crews spent the week putting down the floor, painting, and installing fixtures and cabinets. Finally the kitchen is starting to take shape. In addition to the kitchen, crews have laid down floor in the adjacent computer and watch rooms, placed a fresh coat of paint on the walls and put up some trim that will match the kitchen. The bunkroom bathroom is also almost complete. Repairs to the bathroom include a new water heater, new plumbing and fixtures, and the expansion of the shower facilities.

ENGINE 501 BRINGS SANTA TO CITY NEIGHBORHOODS

December 20, 2007 – The Manassas Volunteer Fire Companies “Santa Claus Run” was a great success again this year with a lot of positive feedback from City residents. The annual Santa runs have been an annual tradition of the MVFC for many, many years. Volunteers headed out in the Engine on multiple days to neighborhoods throughout the City with Santa and his bag of goodies. Children had a chance to meet Santa, give him their wish lists, and even pose for a quick family picture. The firefighters really enjoy bringing a little bit of happiness to the young and young-at-heart of Manassas.

TOWER RELEASES TWO FROM INDUSTRIAL ELEVATOR AT MICRON

December 16, 2007 – At 0941 hours, Tower 501 was dispatched on the local for a stalled elevator at the Micron facility located in the 9600 block of Godwin Drive. They arrived to find two workers trapped in an industrial elevator. Using the Amkus spreader, they pried the door open, chocked it with 4x4s, and dropped an attic ladder in to remove the two men. The Tower was ready in about twenty minutes.

CREWS FIND AN AUTO ON LIBERIA AVENUE

December 13, 2007 – As the Engine was at Glory Day's in the 9500 block of Liberia Avenue waiting on food, a man walked up them and calmly said, "I'm sorry to bother you guys, I see you ordering food and all, but there's a car on fire in the parking lot." They found a small fire in the engine compartment of a pickup truck in the parking lot. The fire was quickly knocked down and the Engine left the scene with the FM about 20 minutes later.

KITCHEN RENOVATIONS CLAIM ITS FIRST CASUALTY

December 09, 2007 – Renovation of the kitchen is well under way. Today crews began putting up the drywall. We also suffered our first casualty of the renovation. Kevin Franzello (AKA Builder Bob) mistook is fat Italian thumb for a stud and shot it with the nail gun. Luckily it only hit meat. Being the good sport that he is, Kevin posed for a picture that I'm sure will be incorporated into some type of award at this years banquet. As Kevin took a ride to the hospital, the rest of the crew finished up the work for the day.

ANOTHER FIRE AT THE CITY GENERATION PLANT

December 07, 2007 – At 2144 hours a box alarm was transmitted for a fire in the City Generation Plant located at 9898 Godwin Drive bringing Engine, Tower, Hazmat, and Chief 501. On arrival crews found a flash fire that occurred after a mechanical failure of one of the diesel engines. Crews extinguished the remaining fire, overhauled the engine and surrounding area, and contained the chemical hazards. Units left the scene with FM 583 and went ready at 2321 hours.

ENGINE FINDS ONE OVERTURNED WITH A FLYOUT

December 06, 2007 – At 1411 hours Engine, Tower, and Chief 501 responded on the personal injury accident with the report of people trapped on the Prince William County Parkway at University Blvd. Engine 501 arrived first to find a single vehicle on its side and the driver laying in a nearby field after being ejected. As this call was in the county and as more of their units began to arrive, Engine 501 broke free to set up an LZ. Tower 501 was placed in service as there was no need for extrication. The helo landed without incident and the patient was flown to a local trauma center with serious injuries.

DAVE FINDS FREZZA'S COSTUME

December 04, 2007 – You may not know it but Fireman Frezza is the tactical medic for the City of Manassas Police Department (AKA SWAT Team water boy). As usual on a slow day you can guarantee some type of mischief will occur. While Frez was tied up putting in his dentures, Dave rummaged through frez's locker and came across his SWAT DOC outfit. Dave made his way around the station handing out band aides, ace bandages, cups of water and that-a-boys. He also kept asking if he could hold the gun for a minute but was repeatedly told no.

62 ANNUAL MANASSAS CHRISTMAS PARADE

December 01, 2007 – Today members participated in the 62nd annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade. Crowds in the thousands gathered early in the morning cold throughout Old Town to stake a front row seat for the celebration. This year the parade featured colorful floats built around the theme, “A Tropical Christmas”, local celebrities, live performances, marching bands, equestrians, animated characters, giant balloons, Santa himself, and, of course, Engine, Tower, Hazmat, and Chief 501! The volunteers of the Manassas Vol. Fire Company are always proud to participate in this great City tradition.