Santa Train

2000

Santa Train is set to run through Fort Blackmore on 21Nov09 about 10:00am-11:00am. Everyone try to be civil to each other, and remember why we have Christmas. Christmas represents the birth of the Lord Jesus who came to earth as a child, who became a man, Who came to take away the sins of the world. Those that believe that He is the risen Savior, and confess their sins to God, will meet Him in the air not too long from now. Everyone come out and have fun at the Santa Train. And bring some Good Will. [Chaplain Jim]

Scott Co Firefighter Association

Upcoming SCFA meetings: [Assocation meets on the 1st Thursday of each month at 1930 hrs [7:30pm] on a rotating site basis]

December 2009.....Weber City Fire Dept.
January 2010.......Fort Blackmore Fire Dept.
February 2010......Duffield F&R Sta. 1
March 2010..........Dungannon Fire Dept.
April 2010............Gate City Fire Dept.
May 2010.............Hiltons Fire Dept.
June 2010............Nickelsville Fire Dept.
July 2010............Weber City Fire Dept.
August 2010.........Fort Blackmore Fire Dept.
September 2010....Duffield F&R Sta. 1
October 2010........Dungannon Fire Dept.
November 2010....Gate City Fire Dept.
December 2010.....Hiltons Fire Dept.

First Responders Needed at Fort Blackmore

Volunteer EMS-First Responders and EMTs are needed at Fort Blackmore Fire Department. Training provided through VA Dept of Emergency Services. Certification involves 40 hrs+ of classroom and practical training. CPR-AED training is covered first. A written test is given followed by Practicals. Practicals for First Responders include CPR/AED and Trauma. First Responder candidates will be sent to class, usually at MECC in Big Stone Gap, VA. Or, Volunteer Firefighters can also opt for the EMT class, and be certified in Virginia as an Emergency Medical Technician. These EMT classes are often taught at Scott Co Life Saving Crew in Gate City.

Our Department runs a non-transport ambulance fully equipped to Virginia Dept of Health and VDES standards. Volunteers are needed to help respond to trauma and medical calls within the Fort Blackmore Fire District.

Please Volunteer today. You must be 18 years of age or older, hold a current VA driver's licence, and have a good background check through the Virginia State Police.

Contact the Chief at 276-995-2035 and leave a message. Or you can email us at fbvfd@mounet.com . We also hold board meetings on the 2nd Monday of each month at 1900 [7pm] . Our address is 11181 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Fort Blackmore.

Elections

Elections for 2010 will be held the 2nd Monday in December at 1900 hrs at Fort Blackmore Fire Department. Board members and Firefighters are urged to attend. Interested civilians in the Department's District are invited to attend. Volunteers are always needed, no matter what their abilities or talents. Volunteer firefighters go through a 90 day period before they are voted on by the Board and general Firefighters. Training is provided through the Department towards Firefighter general knowledge, driver training and certification, first aid, CPR, AED, motor vehicle extrication basics, water supply, Engine/Tanker basic knowledge, and other topics.

Come be a volunteer with Scott County's Bravest: Duffield Fire and Rescue, Dungannon Fire Dept., Gate City Fire Dept., Hiltons Fire Dept., Nickelsville Fire Dept., Nickelsville Rescue, Weber City Fire Department, Fort Blackmore Fire Dept., and Scott Co Life Saving Crew.

Christmas Party and Parades

Christmas Dinner:
The Annual Christmas Party for FBVFD will be held on the 19th of December at 1800 hours. Turkey will be deep fried and a spiral ham will be consumed, also!! If you wish to be part of the 'chinese' christmas gift exchange, bring a wrapped gift (worth a minimum of $10.00) to be exchanged as each Firefighter/Guest draws lots.

Parades:
Gate City Christmas Parade will be 05Dec09 at {?} time. {Subject to GCHS Football Playoff picture]
Nickelsville Christmas Parade will be held : TBA
Dungannon Christmas Parade will be held 21Nov09 at 1800 hrs.

Fire Standby

FBVFD Firefighters stood by the the Station during the children's night out on 31OCT09. Firefighters from the Department handed out candy to 58 children. Last year we had less than that, but in some previous years we have had over ninety come and visit us. We hope all the children stay safe, wear their seat belts in the car, plan for emergencies with their parents/guardians, and remember their promise as Cadet Firefighters to never play with matches or lighters.

EVOC Instructor

Fort Blackmore Fire Dept now has an EVOC Instructor. Plans are to have a state EVOC class at the department. Currently, the Firefighters would be certified "lifetime" through the VDFP EVOC class certification. Fort Firefighters also supplement their driving skills with the VFIS Emergency Vehicle Driver Training program. However, it has come to our attention that once again the Virginia Department of Fire Programs may not certify the EVDT program through VFIS Insurance, causing the Deparment to make sure all of their Firefighters were certified under the Virginia Department of Fire Programs Emergency Vehicle Operators Course.

Engine 701

Engine 701 is finally paid off, thanks to the efforts of Scott Co Board of Supervisors and the citizens of Scott County, VA. We no longer owe on any vehicles.

Firefighter I

Firefighter I candiates at Fort Blackmore Fire Dept receive their certifications through ProBoards and Virginia Department of Fire Programs. Congratulations to Assist. Ch. Jason Perry and 1st Capt. Eric Ross for sticking with the plan and seeing it out to the end. Jason had a particularly hard time trying to get his certifications back from Richmond, but finally got it. The Department thanks them for their time and effort in learning basic firefighting techniqes and applying them to the real world rural fire department.

Aerial Class Held

Aerial Operator class was held at GCVFD in October. Aerial candidates learned stabilization, placement, aerial safety, and aerial maintenance. Practicals were held the last day. Scenarios included rescue from 2nd floor Middle School window, Roof work, Roof rescue. Instructors from Roanoke taught the class. Fort Blackmore sent 1 student, Gate City sent approx 5, Abingdon sent 2, Hiltons FD sent 3, Duffield sent 3, Bristol VA FD sent 4 students. [these nrs are approx.]

Nominations for Line Officer - Nov09

2010 Nominations for FBVFD Line Officers, held Nov09 meeting:
Chief
[1] Eric Ross
[2] Jim Currier
Assistant Chief
[1] Jason Perry
[2] Roger Brickey
1st Capt
[1] Eric Ross
[2] Jim Currier
2nd Capt
[1] Donnie Saul
Lieutennant
[1] Lynn Brickey
[2] ShortyWilliams
Elections to be held 2nd Monday in December, 2009 ar 1900 hrs.

2009 Line Officers

The 2009 Line Offers for Fort Blackmore Fire Dept are:
Chief . . . . . . . . . . Jim Currier
Assistant Chief . Jason Perry
1st Captain . . . . Eric Ross
2nd Captain . . . . D-Ray Saul
LT . . . . . . . . . . . . Shorty Williams
Rescue SGT . . . . Chief Officer until further notice

Fort Blackmore Fire Department Web Site

Fort Blackmore Fire Department's website can be viewed at www.fortblackmorefire.com . Information can be sent for posting on the sight at fbvfd@mounet.com .

HazMat Class

Hazardous Materials [HazMat] Class will be held in mid-March at Gate City Fire Dept. The class is still open and there are some student spots still available. It will be a 32 hr/2 weekend class built into the Firefighter I schedule. The FFI class is continuing at Duffield Primary School. Any firefighter that wishes to take the HazMat class can still sign up for it at the VA Dept of Fire Programs web site www.vafire.com .

E911 Appreciation

Christmas Gift Cards

The Christmas Gift Cards received by 911 Dispatchers was a great hit. They were very appreciative, and conveyed their pleasure to me. The 911 Dispatchers and Staff wished to thank the Association for the very kind gifts that the Scott County Firefighters Association gave to them for Christmas, 2008.

QRP Field Day

QRP Field Day is 07Feb09 SAT. This is a low-power ham radio Field Day conducted by Amature Radio men and women and kids throughout the world. Be listening for KJ4ADV Jim on 7.285 Mhz QRP SSB Calling Frequency, and 7.040 Mhz CW Call Frequency in the 40 Meter Band. He'll be trying to contact other QRPers throughout the world. If the weather doesn't get too bad he's going to try and make some contacts from High Knob, VA. 73.

VA Dept of Forestry Firefighter I at Fort

VA Dept of Forestry conducted a VDoF Firefighter I class at Fort Blackmore Fire Department on 02Feb09 at 1900. The class included Fire Behavior, Fuels, Fire Triangle, Tools, etc. A video on Fire Shelters was viewed and the Firefighters practiced deploying a Fire Shelter out between the Engine 701[a] and Tanker 706 at the Station. Thanks to 2500 who conducted the class; your effort on our behalf is much appreciated. Thanks also to the 6 Firefighters with our Department that stayed for the whole class.

Firefighter I - VDFP

Firefighter I began 30Jan09, SAT, at 0800 in Duffield. The 100+ hours of instruction will be held each SAT and SUN. The Lead Instructor is the Department Chief from GCFD. Fort Blackmore sent 2 Firefighters to attend the class, who should be graduating in April. The written test and practicals will be followed the next day with live fire instruction at the Coeburn Burn Building. Make-ups may be held, time-date-place TBA.

VA Forestry FF I - Ground Operations Class

Fort Blackmore Fire Department will have a Virginia Forestry class on 1st Monday night in February, 2009, at 1900. All members and non-members are urged to attend. The class will consist of VA DofF Firefighter I Ground Operations. It will last approximately 2-3 hours. Training in fire tent deployment and use may also be incorporated into the training, time permitting.

Fire Fighter I

Fire Fighter I through VDFP to be held at Gate City Fire Department. First meeting is the weekend of 15Jan09. Three [3] firefighters are currently signed up to participate. Approximately 100 hours of classroom and handson; class to include HazMat Awareness and Healthcare Professional CPR through AHA. Contact the Chief for further information.