Wanted: Firefighters

I am posting this in the Broadlands Community Issues area of this board since it is an issue directly affecting everyone in Ashburn, including Broadlands.

As some of you may have discerned by my previous posts, I am a volunteer firefighter here in Ashburn. I’m one of about a dozen or so members of AVFRD that call Broadlands home. I'm 32, have a wife and two very young children, and work my butt off as a DoD sales rep for Symantec. I travel often for work and have many other hobbies and responsibilities (hence the "brewer" handle) that keep me ridiculously busy.

So, why am I telling you all of this? I guess I am trying to give you an idea of who your volunteer firefighters are. We have guys (and girls) from 17 to well into their 50s. We have dentists, real estate agents, IT staff, construction workers, students and even a trainer for the Redskins. All Ashburn residents, all folks who have demanding lives and still find time to volunteer in their community as firefighters.

So what's my point? Construction has begun on a new fire station (FS 22) in Landsdowne. This will be an Ashburn fire station housing Ashburn equipment and staffed by a portion of Ashburn members. This means we need more firefighters, more EMS, and more admin members to manage it all and we are now accepting new members. Station 22 is scheduled to open toward the end of next year and we need to start training new firefighters NOW. Ashburn will become the first town in Loudoun to have three fire stations.

So what's in it for you? Well, I can only tell you why I joined. I grew up in NJ in an average neighborhood. Watched my Dad change the oil and work on the car on the weekends while my Mom made dinner and took care of me and my brothers. I was a Boy Scout who ultimately achieved Eagle Scout and learned that communities don’t just take care of themselves. After putting in years of working on my career I finally got to a place where I could take a breath and start working on other areas of my life. I'd spent too much time in an office cube and wanted to do something physically demanding, something that directly made a difference in my community, and something that would set an example for my children. Being a firefighter fit all those bills. Of course there are other tangible benefits like education and training, car tax relief, and even a pension. But for me, I'll take the comradery of the fire house and the fact that when people ask my 3 years boy what his daddy does, take a guess what he tells them. (I don’t think he even has any idea what a sales guy is)

Ashburn was built on the concept of “Neighbors helping Neighbors” and in today’s uncertain times, now is when we need to rely on those concepts more than ever.

Many people on this board donate their time to various functions throughout the community. It may be with their church, the Scouts, or even this HOA, but if you’re looking for something a little more intense, something where your going to get dirty, I invite you to learn more about Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.

So what do you do next? That’s up to you. You can PM me, visit http://www.ashburnfirerescue.org/ for more information, or even just drop by the fire house any night to find out more.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Brewer

 

PM Sent

 

I would like to reach a larger audience with this information. May I reprint this in the November issue of the newsletter?

 

Of course, it would be much appricated.

Thank You.

Brewer.

 

i will also include this letter on my website- thanks for all that you do for our community safety and I know your letter will be a CALL TO ARMS!

 

Yes, they always need help!
I went to their EMT training years ago while my hubby was getting his masters degree - both at night and our kids were in elementary school. I ran duty crew as a voulnteer for two years on Sunday nights and for things like when the circus came to town. I had to leave when my mom 's ALS progressed to the point that I had to stay overnight with her.

The volunteers all have other jobs. My hubby started the explorer post there as a way to reach out to older teens. These are some of the best people you'll ever meet and worthy of your time.

 

As the best friend of Jimmy (James) Chernega I endorse this message!

Brandon

 

Where in Lansdowne will Station 22 be located?

 

In the vicinity of the hospital, accross from the Sun bank. We are on schedule to open in 9 month. NOW is when we need more people so we have time to get them trained up.

Brewer

 

All,
I am personally going through the process of becoming a volunteer firefighter as we speak with the Ashburn company. If you have any questions about the process I am current going through, feel free to ping me at any time.

 

Skyler or Brewer, what's the time commitment for being a volunteer? Also, when are you going to have another open house?

 

The next open house isn’t until the spring but we have recruitment meetings for those that are interested fairly often. As for the commitments, once your through training and other EMS pre-requisites, you are only required to run once a week, 6pm to 6am (yes, we sleep at the house) and every 5th Saturday. Obviously we all have events, etc come up so we occasionally switch shifts to compensate if you cant make your regular shift.

PM me and I'll drop you my cell. If you want I can give you the whole layout from day you start to the day your an operation fire fighter.

Regards -

Brewer

 

For all that are interested or even considering this opportunity - I probably should mention that the next round of training actually begins next week Tuesday. This is the intro classes that we run a couple times of the year that will prepare you for Fire School in February. You'll learn the history of AVFRD, learn CPR and other county pre-requisites, and have your fire fighting gear issued to you. By mid December you'll be able to ride on the engines as probationary members (also known as Red Hats) from that point till you finish Fire School in the spring. Also, keep in mind, once you finish fire school you will posses the same Virginia fire certifications that all other Fire Fighters (paid or volunteer) have. This classes recruits will be some of the first to occupy Fire Station 22 in Lansdowne.

Brewer

 

There is a meeting tonight at the firehouse if anyone is interested in attending.

 

How long will the meeting last until?

 

Guys, keep me posted on the next prospective member meeting. Not sure if I can meet the weekly commitment due to work, but you never know.

 

Hey all -

If your interested in finding out more about joining up and helping to staff the new station, I will be at the nature center for santa pics this Friday and Saturday along with an fire engine to occupy the kids while they wait.

Brewer

 

Isn't there a Pancake Breakfast at the station too this weekend?

 

Yup, should be.

Brewer

 

Just one more reminder, I will have an engine tonight and tomorrow at the nature center during the Santa pics. Stop on by for some conversation, to occupy the kids a little, or to talk about how you could become a volunteer.

Thanks -
Brewer