Seven volunteers from AVFRD participated in an emergency preparedness drill conducted by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority on May 8. The volunteers staffed two ambulances and a fire engine and helped triage and transport the approximately 130 mock patients. The exercise simulated an aircraft accident at Dulles International Airport and tested emergency response and operations.

AVFRD was out and about in the community this weekend. Volunteers helped kick off the Ashburn Village 10K, 5K, and 1 Mile Fun Run on April 25. Proceeds from the race benefit AVFRD. We thank the Sports Pavilion for organizing the event and the estimated 600-plus runners who participated.

Later that day, volunteers participated in a safety day with Golden Pond School. Kids had the opportunity to practice stop, drop and roll, call 911, hand washing, and bike safety. They were also able to tour an ambulance, fire engine, and sheriff's car, along with other activities.

AVFRD EMS crews were also on hand at the Second Annual Earthday@Loudoun Family Festival in the Broadlands on Sunday and at the Winwood Children's Center Mommy Mixer in Lansdowne on Saturday.

AVFRD had the distinct honor of leading the Dulles Little League Parade on April 17. Teams from the league marched behind Reserve Engine 6 from St. Theresa's Catholic Church to Greg Crittenden Park. During the Opening Day Ceremony, DLL presented AVFRD President Carl Cowan with an appreciation plaque. In addition to all the activities offered by the league at its festival, kids were given the opportunity to climb on the fire engine and handle a fire hose hooked up to a hydrant.

Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department (AVFRD) thanks the hundreds and hundreds of people who came out and celebrated the Lansdowne Safety Center "Grand Opening" & Ice Cream Social on April 10. Although the station has been functional since August 2009 (1,307 emergency calls in the first 6 months), this was an opportunity for the public to visit and explore. The station is staffed by Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue and Loudoun County career personnel.

AVFRD members served as tour guides, pointing out the technical aspects of the facility. Our younger visitors were able to try on pint-size fire jackets and complete a fire safety obstacle course, while kids of all ages loved checking out the fire engine and ambulance.  Being a true Safety Center, representatives from the Loudoun County Fire Marshal and Sheriff's offices were present and available for discussion.

Haagen Dazs ice cream, cookies & giveaways from Sandy Spring Bank added to the festivities.

In his Ask the Chief sessions, AVFRD Chief Dan Cohn pointed out, "This station expands our service to the Lansdowne community. Our emergency crews can now get to this area faster."

The event was sponsored in part by three area businesses: Sandy Spring Bank, Lansdowne Haagen Dazs, and Harris Teeter.

Just after 5:30 pm on Sunday April 12 units from Ashburn where dispatched to Vermillion Drive in Leesburg for the house fire. First arriving marked on the scene of a two-story single family dwelling with heavy fire conditions from the rear. An initial interior attack was made but unit were forced out due to deteriorating conditions and command advised defensive operations only. Units were on scene for approximately four hours mopping up. One adult, a teenager and a family pet were home at the time of the fire and all escaped without injury.

Engine and Truck 6 ran an additional 3 box alarms before 11pm.

Seventeen volunteer firefighters from AVFRD traveled to Arcola on Saturday, April 10, and participated in a live training burn with Arcola Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department. The departments deliberately set a house on fire so they could practice fire fighting skills, including pump operations, hose handling, search, and ventilation. Each crew was assigned a specific task to practice during each evolution. The teams completed nine evolutions throughout the day. AVFRD volunteers served as safety officers, igniters, command officers, and firefighters during the drill.

The house used was scheduled for demolition and donated to the fire department for the training exercise. After training was completed, the house was allowed to burn to the ground.

AVFRD thanks John H. Enders Fire Company & Rescue Squad from Berryville for the use of its tanker for the day. We also thank Arcola for their hospitality and look forward our training exercise scheduled for next weekend

On Monday, April 5th, engine and truck 6 along with engine 23 were dispatched to Whitford Sq for the oven fire. Upon arrival units had heavy smoke in the breezeway and multiple residents evacuating their apartments. Once entry into apartment 102 was gain a fire in the kitchen was discovered. The truck crew searched, ventilated, laddered multiple floors and forced entry into the exposure apartment room, while the engine stretched their line and knocked the fire. Units overhauled and went in service shortly after.

Saturday April 3rd at 2116 units were dispatched for a house fire in Lansdowne. Units were advised there was a large fire in the garage. RE606, running out of station 22, marked on scene within 2 minutes with heavy smoke on side B and took command. The engine crew quickly took care of a small fire in the garage while the crew from Truck 606 threw ladders, removed a garage door and vented the house. No extension was found and command held the assignment with RE606 and T606.

Approximately at 530 this morning Engines 6, 22 and Tower 6 were dispatched to Countryside in sterling for a reported townhouse fire. Tanker 18 marked on-scene with fire through the roof from a middle of the row townhouse. Engine 22 layed out from a 2nd hydrant and picked up 18 supply line. The crew from 22 pulled a line to the 2nd floor of the townhouse prior to engine 18 giving them first knock on the fire. The engine crew from 6 arrived 3rd and placed a line in-service and cleared b1 and d1 exposures. Companies from 6 and 22 remained on-scene to help with overhaul and checking for extension.

On February 1, Liberty Mutual Insurance presented a $10,000 grant to the Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department to help carry out safety-related programs and community educational outreach. Through the BeFireSmart Safety Pledge Program, Liberty Mutual gave people the chance to earn $10,000 grants for their local fire departments by taking on online quiz at www.BeFireSmart.com to test fire safety knowledge. 400 fire departments across the country participated. The ten departments with the greatest number of people completing the quiz on their behalf each won a grant. AVFRD was the only volunteer department to win. We thank our family, friends, and the community for their support and commitment to fire education.

On January 15, AVFRD also received a FootPRINT Fund for $1,000 from Allegra Print & Imaging in Chantilly. The program awarded print and graphic design services to 11 non-profit organizations in Loudoun County.