Many of you know that along with FireCritic.com and some other web sites, I was the creator of VAFireNews.com. The site began in 2006 when I realized that there wasn’t any site of its form in Virginia. For the past 6 years, I have updated the site regularly with Fire and EMS news from across the State.
I am no longer the editor/owner of VAFireNews.com. I will be focusing my attention to making a bigger and better FireCritic.com!
Taylor Goodman has purchased the site from me and is now in control.
The site’s new editor, Taylor Goodman, is a veteran firefighter and is proud to be assuming control of the site. Taylor’s employed as a lieutenant with the Henrico County Division of Fire, and serves as the Assistant Chief of the Huguenot Volunteer Fire Department in Powhatan County. He’s an avid fire service photographer, and has a vast knowledge of fire & EMS throughout all corners of Virginia. His network of friends and co-workers will help him bring VAFireNews.com to new heights in the end of 2012 and into the new year.
The best news is that I didn’t really have to look for the right guy to purchase the web site. I simply put a bug in a couple guys ears and the next time I bumped into Taylor, he said he was interested. I knew right away, after seeing his interest, that he was the right person to hand the site off to. I couldn’t be more pleased with the turn of events.
To be quite honest, Taylor is probably a better fit for the role than I ever was. Taylor is very well connected within Virginia’s Fire Service…I am not as much. Sure, I know people all over the Country, but Taylor is deep seeded in the vast network within the State. That is a realm that I was never able to crack. What that means for the readers is that Taylor should be able to share much more news and information with everyone.
I feel certain that it will not take long for Taylor to get the site back up to its peak back in 2010. Since 2010, there has been a decrease in attention to VAFireNews.com. This was in part due to me focusing my attention to FireCritic.com.
If you are in Virginia, be sure to congratulate Taylor on his new role. Also be sure to submit news, information, events, photos, and video to him at editor@vafirenews.com!
The Gore VFD needs help. They need a tanker. You can help by sharing on Facebook and Twitter. Either share this post, or share the original post on VAFireNews.comthat already has 226+ “likes” on Facebook! Bloggers can help by posting this on their blogs too!
On February 13th of this year, the Gore Volunteer Fire Department suffered a tragic loss. Firefighter Zachary Whitacre was killed, In the Line of Duty, during a single vehicle wreck. The Gore VFD is rebuilding. Not only did they lose a bright young firefighter, they also lost their tanker. A tanker they rely on for water supply in their area.
They are looking for help. They are seeking a tanker to be donated to their fire department. There have been many offers of used tankers for sale, but they simply do not have the funds to purchase. Not even a used tanker.
If you know of any department willing to donate a tanker, or someone willing to fund the purchase of a tanker please contact them.
Gore VFD is in desperate need of a Tanker…help them out by sharing this with anyone and everyone!
The Gore Volunteer Fire Department of Frederick County, Virginia suffered a tragic loss back in February when Station 14 member Zachary Taylor “Zach” Whitacre passed away in a line of duty death as a result of an accident. The department wishes to express its thanks and gratitude to all departments for the support they have received since Zach passed away.
As a result of this accident, the department’s “Tanker 14”, a 1,500 gallon tanker, was totaled and the Gore members are utilizing their current 1994 Pierce with a 1,000 gallon water tank as their primary suppression unit. The Gore Volunteer Fire Department is in desperate need of a used tanker.
Based on their first due response area, a tanker truck carrying 1,500 – 1,800 gallons of water is needed. Since the department would have to utilize the tanker as a backup to their engine, a 1,000 gallon per minute pump (or 750 gallon per minute) is also preferred.
If your department is selling or willing to donate your tanker truck to the Gore community, please contact Assistant Chief Kevin Yost at Fire Station 14. The phone number to contact is (540) 858-2811. If you prefer email, contact the editor of VAFireNews.com at editor@vafirenews.com and I will forward the message.
This past weekend was one helluva good time. I clocked out from the computer on my 4 day break (for the most part) and headed skiing with the family. I haven’t been skiing for around 15 years. It was my children’s first time on the slopes, and the first time skiing with my wife. We had a blast. If I had more time, I would have swung in to the McGaheysville VFD located just down the road from Massanutten Resort where we were staying. Already this year, I have family or fire service trips scheduled for Nashville, Gatlinburg, Columbus x2, South Dakota, Aruba, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Chicago, DC, Denver, and New Jersey. Let me know if you want to meet up and I will tell you when I will be in town!
Today’s shoutout goes to some close friends of mine. The guys behind ELAFFHQ.comhave emboddied the grassroots effort of creating a fire service community…backwards. Not that there is anything wrong with that! I found it interesting how they created a Facebook Page (albiet a joke at first), then a Twitter account, and finally ended it with a blog of their own. The truest tell of their ability is that they have been able to keep it going for 2 years now. I don’t know the exact timeframe, but most guys pack it up way before 2 years…These guys are still going strong!
Where is Chuck Norris when you need him? Word is that she was talking on the phone about something she was reading on FireCritic.com! Found on the net, not sure if it is a real photo or not.
Their latest post “A New Frontier” talks about getting to 1500 “likes” on their Facebook page and then they are going to start giving away swag. Click here, click “like”, and sit back and see if you win!
FireProductReview.com - Firefighter Product Reviews is online. Right now, we are still working out the glitches and getting all of the previous reviews online. Next, we have a dozen new reviews to complete and publish. The new site allows readers to rate and comment on the products as well! Check it out now: FireProductReview.com
Two Virginia LODD’s – For those of you who don’t know it, I also run VAFireNews.com. This past week, we have had two Line of Duty Deaths.
Can anyone tell me what this "FD" mark is next to the front door. The photo was taken in Florida.
Quick Takes on STATter911.com – Dave Statter always has a pile of news saved up for his Quick Takes he publishes on Monday. Read all the latest news here.
Brotherhood Cuts – We are open for business. This is a very cool event that is kicking off on March 10th in North Carolina. Read more about it here. Brotherhood Cuts is an initiative to support the National Firefighters Endowment. Myself and Willie Wines Jr. are looking forward to more events in the future!
Speaking of National Firefighters Endowment…The first sweepstakes winner from The National Firefighters Endowment is Dan Shuck, firefighter at Williamston Fire Dept. He won a Bail-out bag. Connect with the Endowment on Facebook to see when the next sweepstakes will be!
Leatherhead 109 - Remember when the new buzz going around the Internet was all about better ways to do the job? Better tactics, little nuggets, the tips and tricks. That wasn’t all that long ago. I remember one of the websites that I really took a liking to was “Fire Nuggets”…continue reading Fire Service Writing and Blogging: We were on a roll…
On The Lamb Productions - My cousin died in 9/11 and in his honor I created a super hero called Fireman. A young firefighter with soul of a viking warrior in him. It’s a great story. I just released the first issue last week and I’m looking to sell thousands to bring an awareness of the men and woman that sacrifice their lives for everyone. The first responders. There will be 8 issues in this series and all are filled with suspense and drama. Oh and action.
Legislative Appeal for EMS LODD Benefits – Danny was a paramedic, a cop, and a firefighter. If Danny had been working as a law enforcement officer, his family would have been covered. If Danny had been working as a firefighter, his family would have been covered. Danny died in the line of duty, and the federal government denied his family the Public Safety Officer Benefit to his wife & two children because his employer, Bensalem Rescue Squad, is a non-profit. Read my post here
FireGeezer - MORE THAN 100 MONMOUTH COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS were called to a commercial blaze in downtown Long Branch, New Jersey, Monday mid-day. A large and difficult-to-control fire ripped through a 3-story apartment building and several adjoining businesses. via Fire Geezer – The Digital Dayroom – Firefighting Blog.
FireRescue1.com -Medics’ alleged mistakes in Chicago girl’s death likely to cost $1.75M — Chicago taxpayers will likely spend $1.75 million to compensate the family of a 13-year-old girl who died of bronchial asthma in 2002 after a string of alleged mistakes made by Chicago Fire Department paramedics. via Medics’ alleged mistakes in Chicago girl’s death likely to cost $1.75M.
Have you seen the show “Moonshiners” on the Discovery Channel yet?
There is also quite a discussion going on over at VAFireNews.com where the original post about the show was published. Check it out here.
Did you know that the lead character, Tim Smith, is also a Fire Chief? That is right. He is the Fire Chief of the Climax Volunteer Fire Department in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. That is about an hour from where I live.
From what I have seen on Facebook, it seems as though there are many people who think that Tim is running some huge illegal moonshine operation and was dumb enough to invite cameras behind the scenes…and then invite the cops as well. That isn’t the case at all. The show is about moonshining, the history, tradition, heritage, and everything else.
I originally put together a short article on VAFireNews.com titled “Virginia Fire Chief Finds Fame on Discovery Channel’s New Show Moonshiners“. I have known about the department due to my role as editor of VAFireNews.com, but have never visited the department. Most recently, I saw their new tanker at the funeral for two Rocky Mount, VA LODD’s last year (Franklin County). The link above also has related local news coverage of the show and Tim.
Tim’s wife Shelby is also a member of the department and his son JT hopes to become a junior firefighter in the future. JT is also a big part of the show Moonshiners.
Franklin County, Virginia is known as the Moonshine Capital of the World. That is where I get my moonshine from!
As far as I can tell, it seems as though there is a huge misunderstanding which comes from the drama of the television show and what is really happening. While I didn’t bug Tim with a bunch of questions I probably know the answers to already, I will offer this:
“Nobody in the whole series was actually making any liquor, we wouldn’t allow that. If we knew somebody was making liquor they would have been in the next episode in handcuffs,” said Jesse Tate.
After writing the article on VAFireNews.com, I received a phone call from Tim.
Tim can’t disclose everything or answer every question because he is under contractual obligation with the Discovery Channel. However, I was able to ask some questions and get some answers.
Tim Smith has been the Fire Chief for Climax since 2004. He was just re-elected in November of this year. He is a mechanic, maintenance man to be exact, by trade and that is what pays the bills. He works 60 hours a week. His role at the fire department is voluntary. Tim also spent 6 years in the United States Army.
Tim tells me that the show “Moonshiners” is entertainment. The show, like all the other shows on tv, is meant to attract and audience. The show is made up of real people and maybe some added drama. The show was actually filmed a year ago in Pittsylvania, Virginia. Tim would like this to say …Most of the show was filmed in Pittsylvania County, Virginia He is an expert on the heritage of moonshine and its production.
He assures me the show is not about Police or the Fire Department it is about moonshining with a storyline.
Chief Tim Smith is in the center of the picture surrounded by other members of the Climax VFD. Picture courtesy of the Climax VFD.
However, he also tells me he has a keen belief that the shows prosperity could potentially benefit his fire department. For example, the Climax VFD is in dire need of an ambulance and/or 1st responder vehicle. The previous ambulance they had was donated by the Alta Vista Rescue Squad (also in Virginia). The engine blew a head gasket while sitting in the apparatus bay. They had the truck repaired only to have the engine lock up on them soon after. The fix would have cost the department around $9000, money they simply don’t have so they had to give the truck to the repair shop.
He told me they have applied for a grant of up to $20,000 to potentially buy a used unit, but they have not received word on the approval of the grant yet.
In the meantime, they have re-purposed their brush truck as a 1st responder vehicle and have gotten the applicable State EMS licenses for the vehicle.
The show Moonshiners is a 6 episode series on the Discovery Channel. Currently, there are no plans of a second season. However, with 3.2 million viewers you just never know!
Tim assures me that the community reaction to the show has been very positive.
As for the cynics, Tim adds “Maybe the same questions would be asked if a fire chief was found growing marijuana in the state of California. Is it Legal or Il-legal, to do that on a tv show? Example: Weed Wars.”
Captain Willie Wines Jr. and I are planning on heading down to visit with Chief Tim Smith and other members of the Climax VFD in the near future.
Check out this raw video from Bedford, Virginia. The firefighter with the helmet camera slips down the attic fold down stairs and continues down the basement stairs to the basement floor.
He was then found and assisted out of the house.
The fire occurred on February 10th. The helmet camera video was uploaded yesterday. Below the helmet camera footage is some news video from the fire when it occurred.
Bedford Communications alerted Companies 7 (Huddleston-1st due), 8 (Moneta-2nd due), and 1 (Bedford-RIT) to 2548 Bethesda Drive for a report of smoke coming from the eves of a private dwelling. Ladder 1 (with six) responded to fill the RIT assignment but once on scene quickly went to work as the Search Group and Vent Group because of a lack of manpower. Division 1 located and extinguished fire in the walls on the first floor and requested that command assign an attic division to check for extension above.
Some of the reviews in the works are: Boots: Lion Marshall 14″ fire boots and the Book: The Cavalry is coming by John Broyles. I am also waiting to hear back from two more products and awaiting my brand new Black Diamond X2 fire boots to review. Review the terms for product reviews by The Fire Critic here. Check out all of the product reviews here.
FireMom offers her thoughts on Ohio Senate Bill 5 - Quoted: “As a fire family, I staunchly oppose Senate Bill 5 (SB5; bill text here) which aims to remove collective bargaining from unions. Every time I think of this bill, sponsored by Senator Shannon Jones (R – Springboro), I get this mix of angry anxiety in the pit of my stomach. It’s not just the security of my husband’s job and thus our livelihood on the line. It’s the safety of the citizens of Ohio.”
Here is another video where I ask you to find something wrong. The operation seems to run pretty well. I admit I have never used CAFS and don’t have a clue about the pros and cons. My department does not use it and probably never will. The video is from Weatherford,TX Fire Department. Apparently it is tires burning in the bed of the truck.
After the video…take a scroll down a little further for a picture of a Fire Chief putting out a fire. Notice anything different from the video to the picture? These are obviously two different operations from two different sides of the U.S.
Here is a great pic of a Fire Chief doing work! Unfortunately this pic is from my home state of Virginia. Proud…no not quite. I realize I could catch some flack for this…it will be worth it. WE LEAD BY EXAMPLE! click the pic for the story.
On Friday we buried two Brother Firefighters from the Rocky Mount Fire Department in Virginia. Almost simultaneously, firefighters were burying two more fallen brothers in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Firefighters, Police Officers, Sheriffs Deputies, and other Public Safety Personnel from across Virginia and other States came to Rocky Mount to give our Brothers a final farewell.
The funerals for Chief Posey Dillon and Firefighter Danny Altice were a fitting tribute for the two men who had devoted most of their lives to public service.
This story has kept me busy that past few days. Another one of the web sites I run is VAFireNews.com. The State Fire News web site has kept up on all the news following the deadly crash between Rocky Mount Wagon 1A and an SUV.
There are plenty of issues related to this crash which can be debated and reported later.
Right now, we have two brothers to bury. We have friends to comfort. We have families to console. We have a 97 year old Volunteer Fire Department which has never had a LODD to help out.
Follow the following links to the story, obituaries, and details of the accident and our fallen brothers.
The best news is that I didn’t really have to look for the right guy to purchase the web site. I simply put a bug in a couple guys ears and the next time I bumped into Taylor, he said he was interested. I knew right away, after seeing his interest, that he was the right person to hand the site off to. I couldn’t be more pleased with the turn of events.
This story has kept me busy that past few days. Another one of the web sites I run is 
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