“thoughts from fire chief steven r. cover...“thoughts from fire chief steven r. cover “...

MISSION STATEMENTThe Virginia Beach Fire Department is a customer service organization partnering with

communities, members, citizens, and visitors to foster the feeling of safety any place, any time, through planning, mitigation, response, and restoration.

On the “JOB”

Virginia Beach Fire Department

“Thoughts from Fire Chief Steven R. Cover “

On the “JOB” January - March 2012 On the “JOB”

Virginia Beach Fire Department

As I write this article, we have worked our way through 2011 and we are embarking on 2012. Looking back on 2011, I am extremely proud of all the accomplishments this department achieved. Every member of the VBFD contributes to our successes and every member should take pride in the fact that we are a world class organization!

In 2011, we went through the reaccreditation process and were not only successful, but we were lauded as a gold standard, by the Center for Public Safety Excellence, for working on our response times. Great work by Battalion Chief Barakey and the entire team, along with our ECCS partners. The VBFD recruited, hired, and began training two classes of fire recruits for the first time in recent memory. Again, great

work by Susan Salafranca, the Training staff, and all who served on the interview panels and assisted in the testing processes. Our Life Safety Education staff continues to deliver programs to our citizens that touch thousands of school children and the elderly. By the way, Stryker and Buckets did a great job with the first annual chili cook-off. Our CERT Program continues to grow and educate our citizens under the watchful eye of Cookie Ketcham. Our Fire Investigation staff was honored by the Anti-Defamation League in Washington, D.C., for their work on the Landstown High School case. Additionally, we added Pepé to our Investigation staff and he is making a difference. The Fire Inspectors conducted 8,478 inspections over the course of the year, keeping our businesses and gathering spots safe. Our Resource Management staff continues to turn out widgets and ensure we have the equipment and supplies necessary to operate. Battalion Chief Tim Riley continues to do a great job telling our story, utilizing technology to expand our fan base.

Operationally, our department responded to over 32,000 emergency calls for service in 2011. Two of our firefighters were awarded the Governor’s Heroism Award for a rescue involving an infant in the fall of 2010. I know Billy and Hope are tired of us talking about it, but we are proud of them and they will be the first to tell you that it was a team effort. We expanded the training and coverage of our Marine Program as we placed boats in-service in Company 6 and Company 12’s areas. Our Marine Team was instrumental in the rescue of a teenager who was caught in a boat propeller in the Chesapeake Bay over the summer. This incident was difficult, to say the least, and a life was saved as a result of training and cooperation among responders. The organization prepared for and stood tall during Hurricane Irene in August. As usual, the Fire Department filled any gaps required and the Emergency Management Office led the city-wide effort. Whether two-alarm incidents, vehicle accidents, technical rescues, or heart attacks call, this department answered the calls with competence and compassion.

I know that we will be challenged in 2012 with everything from difficult fire and extrication incidents to the economy and having to continue to provide a world class service in spite of shrinking resources. I would ask every member of this department to continue to concentrate on the simple ideals that serve us well. Stay focused on delivering the best service possible every time we go out the door, no matter the type of call. Continue to train as if your life depends on it - it builds the competence that sets us apart. Embrace firefighter safety and wellness; our citizens and your fellow firefighters depend on your ability to operate in extreme conditions. Be tolerant of one another and our public; strive to get along and support each other. Finally, do not waste our resources that the public trusts us to use in carrying out our mission.

I wish a safe, happy, and prosperous new year for every member of the department, your families, and your friends!

On the “JOB” Page �

Operations - Deputy Chief William “Randy” Journigan, Sr.“Random Thoughts from Chief J”

As we end 2011, we can reflect on our past successes and look forward to the next. We have had numerous members move on to new chapters in their lives by retiring from our department. We saw members of all ranks, up through District Chief, leave and shift gears by offering their services in other areas of the fire service - one even becoming an Interim Fire Chief with hopes of becoming a permanent Fire Chief.

With retirements came the retiree’s replacements as new recruits. However, instead of the traditional recruit school, we reintroduced the concept of a certified recruit school, as well as the traditional one. Our Training staff did a wonderful job of preparing the “certified” recruits for life in the Virginia Beach Fire Department. In speaking with Captain Keyes, he indicated that the 12-week class was the right amount of time to ensure the “certifieds” proved their worth and learned what was expected of a VBFD firefighter. Getting them in the field, now, will be a welcomed relief to Operations’ already taxed staffing challenges.

Once again, we delivered stellar service to our citizens by answering over 30,000 calls for service. Not surprising is that most of them were for emergency medical responses - service that requires direct contact with our citizens. This contact is direct human to human interaction where the affect of quality customer service is instantly measured. Whether it’s a heart attack patient or a citizen needing a lift assist, the manner and attitude in which you deliver the service is what sets us apart from the rest.

So what’s our outlook for next year? Your leadership is working diligently for you in preparation for the upcoming year. Budgets are being prepared to ensure that you continue to have the best equipment and supplies possible, while ensuring we have the staffing necessary to accomplish our mission. We will continue to build upon the recommendations from our recent accreditation process and strategic planning. We will look at our response times, effective response forces, and the method in which we deliver our services. Taking a holistic approach, we plan to develop and reshape the department in a manner that will serve the community for years to come.

During this next year, the department will see two new fire stations under construction. The design/build teams for the Chesapeake and Town Center Stations have been selected and construction is slated to start in late spring. Also, preparations are underway for developing a design/build proposal for the Blackwater Station. Finally, we will continue to review individual station project needs and support the projects as funding allows.

Along those lines we can look forward to placing a new ladder company in-service once the Town Center Station is completed – hopefully, in July of 2013. To do so the Apparatus Committee will need to review specifications and order a new ladder truck within the next several months. We will also be placing the new Fire Boat 12 in-service sometime in January. The 41 footer donated by the Coast Guard and rehabilitated by Automotive Services, along with the help of our members from Station 12, will provide an enhanced capability of fire fighting from a waterborne platform at the Oceanfront area. While the current Fire Boat 12 is performing well, the new, bigger one offers a more stable platform and has the feel of a real fire boat!

As the adage goes, “out with the old and in with the new,” the opportunity for promotion is upon us. The department will see promotions for two new District Chiefs, two Battalion Chiefs, and several more Captains in the very near future. We can also expect more opportunities for promotion as the year progresses. We will start another recruit school in order to keep the vacancy rate to acceptable levels. Since the validation study is behind us, we are back on track with our hiring processes and should see the vacancy rate stabilize, which, thankfully, helps the departmental staffing requirements.

The new year promises to keep us focused on our mission and should bring forth many opportunities to excel in our administration, management, and service delivery. As long as we stay the course and provide the best possible service to our customers, we will persevere in our goals and set the bar for others to emulate.

On the “JOB”Page �

Battalion 1 Submitted by: Battalion Chief Amy J. Valdez

On November 22, 2011, after several months of “dry-dock” work by personnel from the City Garage Marine and Fire Pump Shops, “new” Fire Boat 12 was placed in the water at the City’s Dredge Operations Facility. The 1976 41’ USCG Utility Boat was delivered by crane, while on-duty A-shift personnel assisted with the operation and initial in water start-up procedures. Members at Company 12 have all completed an intensive three week hands-on training program at the United States Coast Guard Training Facility in Yorktown, VA. VBFD Marine members learned basic operations for the 41’ vessel, including routine and emergency maintenance and underway operations. They also completed extensive navigation and towing evolutions. Crews at Company 12 will now begin training on their new vessel over the next few months before completing the transition from the current 26’ Grady White to the ‘new’ 41’ UTB.

Be on the lookout for the upcoming dedication ceremony announcement, as well as the new Company 12 logo and patch. Lastly, all Company 12 personnel would like to extend a BIG thank you to the backfill companies who have helped us facilitate both past and future training evolutions. We are grateful.


Submitted by: Retired Captain Rik KelloggBattalion 1

After 31 years of service Captain Rik Kellogg says “Goodbye” and is retiring in a way only Rik could do. Just a simple goodbye.

“I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a fireman. The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one; but we who know the work which the fireman has to do believe that his is a noble calling. Our proudest

moment is to save lives. Under the impulse of such thoughts, the nobility of the occupation thrills us and stimulates us to

deeds of daring, even of supreme sacrifice.” ~ Chief Edward F. Croker, FDNY


Submitted by MFF Robert MontanerBattalion 2

A friendly reminder - flush the hydrant! See the attached picture of what came out of the hydrant behind Company 9 one morning during morning check off. It’s a common practice at the 9 House for the drivers on all three shifts to hook to the hydrant and flow water as part of the check off on the engine’s pump. That particular hydrant is used regularly, but is still flushed prior to hooking up to the intake. This day was no exception; however, after draining the front suction hose, a large amount of crushed rocks were discovered on both ends of the hose. Some of the rocks were the size of golf balls. The rocks may be attributed to the extensive Witchduck Road Project, where a number of hydrants in that area are affected. Rocks and debris may inevitably make it to and through the intake strainer under these circumstances. This served as just another reminder of the importance of flushing the hydrant.

On December 29, Battalion 3, E09, L09, E10, E19, and E16 were dispatched to a residential fire at 1102 Tall Oak Drive in the Timberlake area. E09 arrived on scene first and reported heavy fire showing from the rear of a two-story house. All occupants were reported to be out of the

structure. E09 wrapped a hydrant and laid in. A working fire was transmitted to Battalion 3. E09 and L09 crew entered the structure with an 1 3/4” attack line. E19 picked up the water supply and took a second attack line to side ‘C’ for an exterior attack. Battalion 3 assumed command upon arrival and ordered all crews to exit the structure due to deteriorating conditions. Moments later, a flashover occurred on the first floor. 2 1/2” attack lines were placed in service to attack the fire from side ‘A’ and to protect the exposure on side ‘D’. The other 2 1/2” line was utilized by E19 and E16’s crews to knock down the exterior fire on the side ‘C’ to prevent extension into the roof and attic. L09 set up the aerial for master streams, if needed. Once the bulk of the fire was under control, E09 and L09 crew re-entered the structure to attack the fire that remained on both floors. A partial floor collapse was reported on the second floor by L09. Two pet dogs died in the fire, which was believed to have started in the kitchen.

On November 30, E09 responded to the scene of a two-story house fire at 4482 Hialeah Drive. Upon arrival, E09 crew noticed smoke inside the home from outside through the window blinds. E09-A, Captain Donahue, requested a full structural response. The homeowner arrived on scene at that moment and reported that her handicapped husband was still inside. An attack line was pulled to the front door. Smoke conditions, with low visibility, were encountered upon entry of the home. E09 discovered the handicapped occupant, conscious, but disoriented, on the first floor towards the rear of the house. He was confined to a motorized wheelchair and assisted to the outside of the house by E09 crew and turned over to EMS. E09 crew returned inside the house with the attack line and discovered two separate fires in the house. The first fire was encountered in the kitchen, where a stovetop burner was found to be left on with no cooking materials on it. Oddly enough, the other fire was discovered in

a downstairs bathroom closet. The fires were immediately extinguished and Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) was utilized by L09 to clear the smoke from the structure. As of this writing, the cause of the fire is still undetermined.

On December 26, Battalion 2, E09, L09, E07, E02, L02, and FSQ10 responded to a reported townhouse fire at 206 Harrier Street, Northridge Subdivision, in Company 9’s area. E09 arrived on the scene first and reported flames showing on the exterior side ‘C’ of one of the middle townhouses and extended to the second floor exterior. It was unknown if there were any occupants inside. A 1 3/4” attack line was advanced through the ‘D’ exposure, unit 208, allowing E09 crew to gain access to the rear of unit 206, which was on fire. A water supply was established with the help of E07’s driver. After the fire was knocked down, E09 backed the line out and advanced it up the stairs of unit 206 for a primary search and to extinguish any fire that extended to the interior. E07’s crew continued to wet down the exterior of side ‘C’ with the second attack line. The townhouse was unoccupied due to renovations in progress. There was no obvious cause for the fire; however, it was known to have started on the outside of the structure. Investigator Putz arrived and determined the fire started in a junction box located directly behind the heat pump.


Battalion 3 Submitted by: Captain Gary Umphlett

Winter is now upon us and here are some winter tips for drivers. When temperatures drop into the 20’s or below, standby for the ice at the pump panel! Remember, when you get all set up, take some time to try and tighten up those leaks if you can. There have been many times in my career that a little leak at the pump panel turns things a little icy. Safety is a big issue (slip hazards). What I liked to do was carry a 5-gallon bucket of sand, which I got from the Euclid Yard, to my favorite fueling spot. That bucket of sand bailed me out many times - whether I threw handfuls of sand around the pump panel or I used it to get the truck moving again during a snow or ice event. I would throw some on top of both tires and some in front or back, whichever way I needed to go - it worked. I tried salt, which just made it worse by making it watery and slick and that’s what I did not want. If you have nothing else, salt is better than nothing; however, it takes much more salt than sand and makes a mess in the compartment.

Remember, if you wash the truck try washing it during the middle of the day when the sun is out. Have you ever tried rolling up a compartment door that is a solid sheet of ice due to a morning wash event?

Remember to turn that Jake Brake OFF during snow and ice events and drive real slow and steady - stay focused and plan for 8 to 10 times of lead time to control that fire truck on slippery roads.

Welcome our newest members of the Vbfd

Left to Right - Todd Mitchell, Michael Jurgens, Jeremy Beaumont, Jeffrey Rusak, Michael Smith, Wesley Hazlett, Sean Millard, John Carver, James Todd, Jr., Noel Garo, Scott Slaven

and Sean Liebold.


Fires Around the City


Every night at dinner my Mom would have bread and butter on the table. Not the fancy breads or soft butters available today, but slices of Wonder Bread and a stick of butter. My Dad, a hard working blue collar worker born and raised in the Bronx, would butter a piece of bread for everyone sitting at the table. The serving of this simple staple every night at our dinner table became routine and, as with most routines, it had the potential to be taken lightly or for granted.

“Bread and butter” is also a commonly used phrase that the fire service utilizes when describing residential fires. The majority of our work takes place in the residential environment – single family dwellings, townhouses, and apartments. In essence this is where we, members of VBFD, earn our living – serving the citizens where they spend the majority of their time – in the comfort of their homes. The expression, “bread and butter” may also give one the impression that something may be simple or straightforward.

Serving as a reminder that simple may not be the case are the statistics that show there is a constant and continued tragic loss of firefighter and civilian lives at residential fires.

We find ourselves operating at “bread and butter” incidents so often that the incidents have the potential to become routine, especially when operations go well. A strength associated with a routine, such as operating on residential fires is that the constant exposure allows for the continued development and the fine tuning of fundamental fire fighting concepts. Consistency of practice, such as apparatus positioning, size-up, good communications, water supply, and making tactical decisions are just a few of those fire fighting concepts that can benefit from the constant exposure. On the opposite side, a significant weakness that can result from a routine is the potential for us to develop various levels of boredom or complacency. Fire ground complacency can lead to underestimating the situation and serve as a great distracter to fire ground safety. If we allow ourselves to become complacent on the routine incidents, such as an odor of something burning, electrical short, kitchen fire, or room and content fire, we can potentially set ourselves up to be caught off guard. Keeping in mind that every “bread and butter” incident, to some degree, is unique to itself should be a reminder of the importance to peak our level of awareness.

The variety of old and new residential construction found in our City offers us that uniqueness and provides plenty of challenges for us to react to on the fire ground. Some of the challenges include changes in structural support systems, structural integrity, structural anatomy, larger homes, open floor plans, and an increase in synthetic fuel loads. Each one of these concepts serves as a basis for us to avoid complacency and the importance of recognizing the higher risks they represent. Most common is the increase of synthetic fuel loads that result in an accelerated fire growth rate and intensity, which is described as extreme fire behavior. Coupling extreme fire behavior with larger homes, lightweight construction, unprotected open floor plans, limited means of access (particularly the rear of the structure), multiple stories, higher density (more civilians), and similar exposures will result in fires taking a greater hold of the structure, thus requiring higher fire flow rates.

Earning our living at “bread and butter” operations has taken on newer challenges. Similar to my dad buttering the bread at dinner, which was the easy part for him - the hard part was the work required to provide the simple staple at the dinner table. The same holds true for us. The challenging aspect for us at times is to remain vigilant and to recognize the constant changes in our “bread and butter” operations. Increasing the awareness of our work environment and understanding how fast unexpected events may occur on residential operations is paramount for our continued success in our operations.

“Bread and Butter” - submitted by Acting District Chief Dennis Keane


Battalion 4

Company 5 On November 25, 2011, Engine 5 responded to 1934 Cranborne Court for a report of a multi-family fire. Engine 5 arrived on scene to find a two-story middle of the row townhome with smoke and fire showing from the C side. Engine 5 laid in and stretched an attack line to the front door. A quick knock down was made by the crews from Engine 5 and Engine 18. Engine 3, Ladder 16, Ladder 21, and Fire Squad 3’s crew also went to work searching the structure and doing overhaul. Company 5 would also like to say goodbye to Marquel Davis on A-Shift, who was transferred to Engine 2, A Shift. Good luck at the deuce Marquel. Company 5, A Shift, would also like to welcome Bart Gamboni from Engine 8, A Shift. Company 6 Company 6 would like to welcome Probationary Firefighter Mike Smith to A Shift. Company 13 Company 13, A Shift, would like to say good luck to Clarence Osborn as he moves to Ladder 8, A Shift, and welcome aboard Probationary Firefighter Scott Slaven. Company 17Company 17 would like to say good luck to Joe Polozzi as he returns to Ladder 16, A Shift, and welcome aboard their rookie, Wesley Hazlett. Company 21 Company 21 would like to welcome a probationary firefighter to all three shifts:Jeremy Beaumont to Engine 21, A Shift, Jeffrey Rusak to Engine 21, B Shift, and Mike Jurgens to Engine 21, C Shift. On November 26, 2011, at 1652 hours, Engine 21 and Ladder 21 were first due to a working fire at 1916 Shady Lane. First arriving units could see the glow and the column as they made the turn onto London Bridge Road. Due to the large volume of fire, crews were forced to originally go defensive and later switched to an interior attack to knock down the remainder of the fire.

Submitted By: Captain James Branch

Marine Team members from Stations 1 and 6 attended the October 3-21, 2011, USCG BM A-UTB 41 School in Yorktown, Virginia. Master Firefighter N. White (left), Captain J. Branch (center), and Firefighter D. Hennet (right) pose for a picture near the Coleman Bridge on the York River. Practical training was provided in seamanship, piloting and navigation, engineering casualty control, visual distress signals, pyrotechnics, towing, and rescue procedures.

On the “JOB”

Well, another year has come and gone, along with the 2011 resolutions; however, for many of us, those resolutions were gone long before the end of 2011. So with the beginning of 2012, it gives all of us the opportunity to begin new resolutions that we can begin to break prior to the end of 2012. Seriously, the beginning of a new year does provide us all an opportunity to work with a new slate and to try and improve in areas where we each feel we are a bit deficient. I sent out a video, via email, a couple of weeks ago that was produced by the Chicago Fire Department in which their members spoke about some of the tragedies they had experienced. The purpose of the video was to remind their firefighters that they need to be safe in their actions responding to and on the scene of all emergency incidents – the need to always wear your seatbelt, to always wear your SCBA in hazardous environments, and to put on and wear all of your personal protective equipment properly at every incident. I hope

everyone took the time to view this video (if not let me know and I will re-send it to you) and noted the needless pain, both physical and emotional, that many of their members still carry with them today. The point of the video was that the pain incurred by many did not have to occur if only they had heeded the safety warnings provided or utilized the safety and protective equipment provided to them. We all know we live and work in a very dangerous profession; however, we do have the ability and can certainly reduce the dangers we may face, if we simply heed the safety measures put in place to protect us. The act of “buckling up” when we are riding in our apparatus is such an easy act to complete. Let’s face it, it requires such minimal effort to ensure every firefighter goes home at the end of the shift and does not become a victim of an unnecessary death. Our Fire Training staff has drilled into our recruits, since at least 2000 when Captain Southall was the lead of our recruit training, the importance of donning your personal protective gear. For every member who has been hired since that time you can probably recall the number of times you participated in the “front porch drill.” What was the purpose of that drill? To ensure you were properly donning all of your equipment prior to entering a hazardous environment. We all know that if one of us enters a hazardous environment and is not fully protected and gets injured, the focus then turns to our injured member and there is less focus and fewer resources to address the incident we were initially called to mitigate.

So the beginning of 2012 provides us the opportunity to review how we can be better at what we do. The Virginia Beach Fire Department has had a long history of being “safety conscious.” We have had a Safety Officer since 1988 and were one of the first fire departments to have a dedicated Safety Officer whose primary responsibility was to look out for the safety of our personnel on and off emergency incidents. Remember, your equipment was not provided to make it more inconvenient for you to do your job, but to make it safer for you and your fellow crew members so everyone is able to live long healthy lives and go home safely to their loved ones. We now have 12 new members in the field working with us and we will have another 29 going to the field in May. It is our responsibility to instill these safety measures and traditions into these new members - anything less would be a failure on all of us. This is your opportunity to continue molding these new members into well trained, knowledgeable, aggressive, and safety conscious firefighters - attributes which epitomize a Virginia Beach Firefighter. Let’s all have a safe and prosperous 2012!!

Services - Deputy Chief Terrence “TJ” McAndrews“Another New Year, Another Opportunity to Improve ”

On the “JOB”

What is VBFA 2011? Submitted by: Captain John Keyes

Virginia Beach Fire Academy (VBFA) 2011 is the name given to our department’s first “certified school” in over ten years. VBFA 2011 entered the academy on October 17, 2011, and will graduate on January 6, 2012. By the time you read this, the members of VBFA 2011, will be operating in the field and, hopefully, you will be as impressed with their abilities as the Fire Academy staff has been.

The eligibility requirements for the certified positions were a minimum of two years of career fire fighting experience, not to include training time, as a Virginia Firefighter Level 2 and be a minimum of Virginia EMT-Enhanced. Our department received approximately 1500 applications and through an exhaustive process that involved over three weeks of interviews and hundreds of background checks - NO LOTTERY, 15 certified individuals were invited to attend the Virginia Beach Fire Academy.

Our department is a nationally recognized department with a reputation for excellence and in order for our newest members to be accepted into this family, they would be required to demonstrate the ability and the desire to maintain the same high standards of those who had gone before them.

Just like academy classes before them, VBFA 2011 adopted a class motto of their own choosing, “The Experiment.” The groundwork for a successful academy had been prepared by the outstanding work of previous academy staffs, but VBFA 2011 would be the first certified class to complete an entire “fire school.”

An academy of this duration and intensity had never been required of certified hires in the past. Every basic skill required of a firefighter was retaught and retested. VBFA 2011 completed a full SCBA week, Fire Streams Week, five live burn evolutions, and every practical skill station normally associated with a “full academy.” Nothing was assumed, every skill was critically evaluated in order to ensure the standard was maintained. VBFA 2011 consisted of 12 grueling weeks and one long day of physical and academic challenges that would have tested the mettle of any firefighter. Without a doubt, the 12 graduating members of VBFA 2011 have proven themselves worthy of the title, Virginia Beach Firefighter. If you get the opportunity, ask them about the retiree lunch, shift day, or Chief Riley’s social media presentation.

Lastly, I would like to thank all of the Field Training Instructors who participated in making VBFA 2011 such a safe and successful academy.

On the “JOB” Page 1�

Jessa Johnson & Virginia RogersFire Human Resources

Jessa and Virginia are your department Payroll and Leave Specialists (PALS). They are the ones who make sure you are paid on time and correctly and that your leave is properly managed. In addition, they are responsible for many other things within the Fire HR Department. Here is a breakdown of the items they handle and who is the

Criminal Administrative Charge and Conviction PolicyBy: District Chief Travis Halstead

The City of Virginia Beach expects its members to uphold the highest standards of conduct and requires all members to obey all laws and maintain the public’s trust. To help accomplish this, PPM 6.02A was adopted in September 1999 and revised in September of 2010, as a means to hold its members accountable and to take appropriate action when departments have been notified that a member has been “charged with, convicted of, plead guilty to, or had a judicial finding, e.g. a deferred finding, entered for any criminal or administrative offense.”

There are four definitions listed in the policy that Fire Department members should understand as it relates to their employment:

• Barrier Crime – something that would prohibit the department from hiring an applicant or continuing the employment of a member. In the case of those members holding EMS certification, Section 12VAC5-31-910 of the Virginia Administrative Code lists approximately 13 restrictions that would not allow you to maintain your EMS certification or not allow you to drive a licensed EMS vehicle, putting a member in a position of not meeting their conditions of employment.• Conviction – a conviction by a judge or a plea of guilty, and/or a judicial finding, where sufficient evidence exists to convict, a finding of noncompliance by an administrative hearing officer, or a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect.• Charge and Conviction Panel – made up representatives of Human Resources, Police, City Attorney’s Office, and the affected department.• Criminal Offense - shall include any felony, or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, criminal sexual assault, violence (including domestic assault), driving under the influence, reckless driving, and/or any applicable barrier crime.

To ensure that this policy is followed, all members are required to notify their immediate supervisor within 72 hours of the criminal charge or legal detainment. Supervisors are required to inform their chain of command of the incident. It will be the Personnel and Development District Chief’s responsibility to notify the Department of Human Resources and to schedule the member’s case for a hearing with the Charge and Conviction Panel.

What happens at the Charge and Conviction Panel? Each case is reviewed by the members to determine the following:

1. Employee’s current job duties.2. Was the notification to the supervisor made in the proper time period?3. Is the employee’s continued presence on the job a threat or danger to the workplace or to the public?4. Does the charge/conviction relate to the work performed or the position performed by the employee?5. Does the charge/conviction harm the City’s interest?6. Does the charge/conviction preclude the employee from coverage under the City’s Public Employee Dishonesty Coverage?7. Is the conviction a barrier crime?8. Panel recommendation on continued employment (to be confirmed by the City Manager).

On the “JOB”Page 1�

Jessa Johnson & Virginia RogersFire Human Resources

Jessa and Virginia are your department Payroll and Leave Specialists (PALS). They are the ones who make sure you are paid on time and correctly and that your leave is properly managed. In addition, they are responsible for many other things within the Fire HR Department. Here is a breakdown of the items they handle and who is the

During the first hearing (charge) the department may recommend to the panel a restricted duty assignment. A restricted duty assignment is given to a department member on a case by case basis and considers the items listed above in addition to the position that the offending member holds with the department and their specific job duties. The department is not obligated to make a restricted duty assignment available to the offending member. The department can make a recommendation to the panel that is consistent with the provisions of the Criminal and Administrative Charge and Conviction Policy.

Once there has been a finding consistent with the definition of “conviction” or if the member is found not guilty, the panel will make a recommendation to the City Manager on the member’s future employment. There are two important items that all members need to know. First is that upon the first finding of guilt, the panel will reconvene and make a recommendation to the City Manager. The City of Virginia Beach does not wait until any appeals are exhausted. Therefore, a member may be terminated if convicted of any of the listed charges, if the conviction supports the questions asked by the panel. It is usually a barrier crime that forces the panel to make a recommendation for termination.

Second, even if the member maintains their employment, the department may discipline the member for violating the department’s rules. It is each department member’s responsibility to ensure that they have read and understand the rules of the department and that they comply with those rules. As Fire Department employees, we are held to a higher standard and should maintain conduct that is above reproach. For uniform members, it is also a matter of our relying on the trust of the public to perform our jobs. The public trusts us to roam through their homes unescorted to locate fires, obtain medicines or to get medical history info on a family member. We must never diminish that level of trust from those we serve. Finally, I am sure that you are curious about what the top offenses are that the Criminal Charge and Conviction Panel deals with from members of the Fire Department. They are DUI and Reckless Driving. I know this was a “pet peeve” of Retired Chief Jarvis and many of you were tired of his “harping” on this topic, but the VBFD has lost some very good firefighters as a result of this issue and I can assure you Chief Cover would be ecstatic if the VBFD never lost another Firefighter as result of a driving infraction!!

Also, obey the posted speed limit as there are none of us who can control how fast you travel when you are by yourself.

I hope this answers some of the questions that you have about the Criminal Charge and Conviction Panel. If you think of anything I may have missed, please call me at 385-1095 or email me at [email protected].

Criminal Administrative Charge and Conviction PolicyBy: District Chief Travis Halstead


Well, the concept of entering the “1st Annual (if there is such a thing) ‘Battle for the Bowl’ Chili Cook-off” with the chefs of Farm Fresh SEEMED like a good idea, at first!! And then the word “chefs” kept ringing in our heads! “Buckets the Safety Clown” said that we should give it a try!! We passed the idea on to the coordinators of the competition and were very pleased to find out that we could enter...officially!!

Anyway, Buckets came up with a recipe and, originally, we were told to make three gallons...THREE GALLONS??...of chili. So we (Buckets and Stryker) went to Farm Fresh to obtain the ingredients for the mouth-watering, spicy-tasting, chili that we would use!! That night, Buckets separated the ingredients into equal shares because the only way were we going to make three gallons...THREE GALLONS??...was to cook it in three crock pots...at different locations!! Then we find out on Friday that they only wanted one gallon...ONE GALLON!! We went ahead and made the original amount of chili, seeing’s how we already had the ingredients. We ended up with FOUR GALLONS of chili. Gee, I never thought “store-bought chili” would stretch that far...ONLY KIDDING, CLEON!!

We each prepared our concoctions and set them in crock pots to cook overnight for 8-10 hours. Do you know how hard it is to SLEEP with that aroma running through the house?? On the day of the competition, we met at Station 2 to keep our creations warm. Do you also know how hard it is to find an electrical outlet in the kitchen of Station 2 when they’re also being used for a “Breakfast with Santa”?? But that’s okay...we found some!!

We eventually took our crock pots over to the Haygood Farm Fresh for the start of the cook-off. We even remarked that this looked like it was going to be FUN...and it was!! We “clowned around” with the other entrants, including the Farm Fresh chefs!! We think we even caught them messing with the crock pots that were warming behind the counter...JUST KIDDING!!

The tasting part of the competition started. We were the third entry (out of twelve) to be tried!! The judges asked questions about most of the competition, on both sides, about what was in their chili...but they didn’t ask us anything! Was it THAT BAD?? Was there something missing?? Oh well, we were in it for the fun!! With the tasting part completed, the tallying of the scores commenced!! Second by second...minute by minute!! The waiting was killing us!! How much longer was this going to take?? And then...The announcements came...

In first place was the chef from the Ghent Farm Fresh in Norfolk...In second place was the chili entry from Buckets and Stryker......and in third pl...WAIT A MINUTE!! SECOND PLACE WENT TO BUCKETS AND STRYKER?? HEY...THAT’S US!! YIPPEE!! As we accepted our trophy, graciously, we wanted to thank the academy (judges) for this award......oh, and in third place was another chef from Farm Fresh (I just don’t remember which one)...our heads were still reeling from the trophy...oh...and it looked so BEAUTIFUL!!

We took our win (and our trophy) and left with our heads held high for doing a great job (or so the public said when they tasted our chili after the judging). The trophy has now been placed, front and center, in the display case at the Fire and EMS Training Center...next time you’re in, check it out!!

It seemed that everyone enjoyed their time and the chili of our competitors. We’re looking forward to bettering ourselves next year (if clowns are still allowed in the store)!!

Buckets and Stryker want to thank the following:

Haygood Farm Fresh for the ingredients and display space

Station 2 “A” Shift for allowing us to use their kitchen

“Bob” Anderson for coordinating our entry

2nd Place??By: “Stryker the Safety Clown”


Giving Back to the CommunityBy: Volunteer Battalion Chief Wayne Richardson

Members of the Oceana Volunteer Fire Dept. and the career staff at VBFD Company 8 made Christmas deliverys of food and gifts to 2 deserving families this past Christmas Eve. Each family had two young

children, allowing them the means to experience the joys of the holiday season.

OTHER ACTION IN VBFA 2011/TRFA 136


2011 VBFD Fitness Assessment Results Submitted by: HERB WEST

Well, the year is over and it’s time to look at statistics to see how we measure up “fitness” wise. The VBFD conducted 337 assessments in 2011. The number of assessments was down from 2010 by 56 participants, which could be caused by the change in scheduling and the loss of assessment dates while we were assessing the recruits. Looking at the results, we see that of the 337 assessments there were 21 scoring below average. The below average score is 6% of the total assessed - much better than 2010, which was 13%. There is a caveat to these results. Since the assessment was changed to the third edition of the WFI in 2011 and we lost our normative data in 2010 and had to adapt new norms, we must assume that this had some affect on the assessment and the assessment results. The results do show 7% improvement and I would like to think that some of this is due to better physical training and a better attitude toward the assessment. The institutionalization of the Peer Training Program in June, hopefully, had a positive effect on the department’s fitness program.

A review of the statistics for the assessment shows that in the cardiovascular fitness test, hand grip test, and the vertical jump test the department scored above average. The VBFD scored average on the arm strength test, sit and reach test (flexibility), plank test (core strength), pushups (upper body muscular endurance), and leg muscle strength. The only test that the Department scored below average in was the percent body fat, having an average percent body fat of 25.6. We have consistently fallen below average in previous years, but this year’s was lower than the previous two years. We hit the 25% mark, which is the point where our health is affected and we have a greater chance of getting health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer. We need to improve this measure!

One note that I want to make is that the statistics are based on the general population, not a population of firefighters. If you believe that the job of being a firefighter has greater physical demands than other professions, then the natural conclusion is that we should score in the above average category on our assessments. We need to move toward improving our fitness levels to above average.

How do we improve to the above average level? We have already started with the institutionalization of the Peer Training Program. The program is to provide fitness training and information at the station level. All those firefighters who score below average on their assessments are required to work with a Peer Trainer for three months and then they are reassessed. The program is not only for those firefighters with a below average assessment, but is for anyone who wishes to improve their health and fitness. You can contact any Peer Trainer or me to get help. Peer Trainers are also charged with providing the latest health and fitness information to the stations.

What is our greatest challenge? I think that when we look at the 2011 VBFD results, it becomes obvious that nutrition and weight loss are where we need to put our greatest effort. Therefore, this year the major goal of the Peer Trainers and I will be to promote nutrition and weight loss programs to the VBFD at the station level.

How can you improve your fitness and health? Get regular exercise using the time allotted during your shift hours. Pursue a nutritionally well balanced diet and weight loss program if needed. If you want to improve on your assessment, train on the measures tested. Do pushups to the metronome, use the treadmill at increasing speeds and elevations, while monitoring your heart rate. Do squats and box jumps to improve your vertical jump and do heavy curls to improve your arm strength. Do dead lifts and squats to improve leg strength, stretch regularly for flexibility, and do exercises, such as tennis ball squeezes for grip. Remember to be safe - if you do not know how to set up a workout or do an exercise, contact a Peer Trainer and get help.

I would also like to recognize the “VBFD Fittest” - the members of the department who scored in the well above average ranking, which means they were in the 80% or above range. These individuals received a certificate and a t-shirt. The VBFD fittest members are Christine Barakey, Craig Brown, Tim Byrne, Derek Eason, Joshua Goyet, Vance Richmond, and Reggie Wilkes. If you would like to see all the statistics for 2011, e-mail me and I will send them to you.


FROM THE LAND OF WIDGETSSUBMITTED BY: BATTALION CHIEF HEDLEY AUSTIN

As 2012 begins, the Widgeteers of Resource Management are busy finding new ways to serve you more effectively. During November/December 2011, Ladder 9-C (Captain Hill and Firefighters Schoepke and Midkiff) turned some heads with the MSA/Cairns 1010 traditional helmets (with Defender Visor). They, along with Instructors Craig Brown and Paul Roenker, have been putting the helmets, and especially the visor assemblies, through its paces. Chief Cover and the Senior Staff will review our recommendations regarding any change in style, color, or model of future helmets. Until a decision is made, it might be a wise move to hold off on purchasing any new personal helmets.

Two events took place this past week that got me thinking about the word “passion,” found on pages 1310-1311 of my dad’s 10 ½ pound Webster’s 20th Century Dictionary (2nd Edition, unabridged), sitting on my desk. Some of the positive words describe passion as “…the power of receiving or being affected by outside influences. Intense emotional drive, the object of any strong desire…zeal…”

The first event was Rik Kellogg turning in his PPE and FD clothing at Resource Management less than two weeks ago. Rik was a practical example of what it meant to be passionate - for his career, for the safety of his firefighters, and for always representing the VBFD in a positive way, even if it made others uncomfortable. I consider myself fortunate to have worked with and learned from a National Firefighter of the Year recipient. Secondly, while at the Certified Firefighter graduation Friday night, I wondered which of the 12 firefighters in this class would have the passion needed to take Rik’s place. One of you? All of you?

Lastly, the holidays affect us in many different ways. On Saturday, November 19, 2011, the Austin’s lost a beloved member of their family, Peaches T. (The) Dog, whose brother, Hudson (aka Moose), helped to teach VBFD Firefighters how to provide CPR to dogs. Peaches T. Dog, a yellow lab/shepherd mix, came from the Virginia Beach SPCA and was a loyal friend for almost 12 years. Peaches loved to ride in the truck with her head sticking out the window and to rub up against Debbie just to watch her have to pick the yellow hairs off her clothes. Peaches T. Dog will be forever missed. I know many members of the department have lost their beloved pets and this is a tribute to all of our four-legged friends.


A Senior Moment with the Senior Man Submitted By: Captain Dan Fentress

It’s hard to believe that 2011 is history and as they say, you can put this one in the books. I sure hope that everyone had a great year and that the holidays were very joyful for all. As I look back and reminisce about this past year and begin to look toward 2012, I must say how blessed and thankful I am to still be a part of the VBFD after all these years.

My senior moment this quarter has me thinking of the New Year 2012, when we get to welcome into the field some of our newest firefighters from Recruit Class 2011. It’s been a few years since our last recruit class hit the street and became a part of the VBFD family. I hope that each one from that last class has felt that the effort it took to be in the VBFD was worth it. I know that looking back for me, many years ago, I was very glad that I made the effort to be a part of the VBFD.

The first of the new recruit class will be in the field early January and will have had up to nine years experience from other fire departments. My question to all of you would be how will each new member feel about the VBFD after they have been welcomed to their new assignments? After some time with their assigned shift, will they be glad to have made the effort to leave their department to come to this one? Or will the welcome make one feel that maybe they should have stayed where they were? That to me is pretty important to the new folks leaving other fire departments to come to this one.

For as long as I can remember, and ya’ll know my memory is a little light these days, I still have a love for this job. It began the first time I put on the VBFD uniform and started my first shift at the old Company 11. I was, and still am, very proud to be part of this department. I also hope each one of you have that same, or similar, feeling you had back when you put your VBFD uniform on for the very first time. You might not feel it now because of all those things that seem to get in the way. There is so much stuff these days that gets in the way and overshadows that special proud feeling of long ago. But I hope it is still there for you. Although, some of you might not realize it until you stop for a moment and remember when. I’m asking everyone to stop for a moment, after reading this, and search back to that very first day. Whatever you do during your career, please don’t lose that first day on the job feeling. Think of that when you welcome the new guys.

Let’s make 2012 a great year and clear out some of the stuff that’s not doing anybody any good. A good way to get some of that stuff cleared out is to do a little WOD. That stuff will be sweated out and you will feel much better. For those of you, who do not know what WOD means, try a little cross fit (Work Out of the Day). I highly recommend it when you can. It has helped this old guy quite a bit. Remember, a little common sense goes a long way.

2011 SERVICE AWARDS - HIP, HIP, HOORAY!!5 M. Maher 10 W. Ashley 15 M. Hiltibran5 S. Cookie Ketchum 10 J. Barakey 15 M. Kaliher5 A. Arocho 10 R. Bierwirth 15 J. Michael5 K. Crow 10 D. Briggs 15 T. Payne5 R. Acosta 10 J. Burns 15 A. Valdez5 K. Bosiljevac 10 W. Dortch 20 D. Buettner5 T. Byrne 10 M. Gonzalez, III 20 J. Taylor5 J. Fentress 10 D. Jones 25 V. Journigan5 C. Gerstein 10 R. Montaner 25 P. Pureza5 M, Gonano 10 J. Nabors 30 G. Crichton5 J. Hale 10 M. Newsome 30 W. Duncan5 D. Hennett 10 F. Plasencia 30 D. Fama5 G. Libby 10 W. Roestenberg 30 J. Harvey5 B. Simpson 10 J. Smith 30 H. Hill5 C. Springs 10 K. Spudis 30 R. Kellogg5 M. Stith 10 S. Weiler 30 J. Todd, Sr.5 M. Walker 10 N. Williams 30 D. Wade5 R. Wall 15 C. Arney 35 S. Poyner5 R, Williams 15 W. Bailey 35 R. Marchand

15 G. Burnett 35 E. Rollins15 R. Darden15 R. Grosse


TOTAL RUNS BY UNIT (Primary & Assists - (Calendar Year 2011) - Provided by Cathy Morse

UNIT Fire Incidents EMS Incidents Other Incidents Totals

100 Series 300 -343; 661 All Other Codes

Battalion 1 156 95 952 1,203

Battalion 2 207 113 1,084 1,404

Battalion 3 258 107 988 1,353

Battalion 4 90 59 363 512

Battalion 5 0 0 2 2

Battalion 6 1 0 4 5

Battalion 7 6 2 6 14






Engine 1 74 55 564 1,193

Engine 2 181 1,458 1,481 3,120

Engine 3 167 940 613 1,720

Engine 4 115 617 703 1,435

Engine 5 91 518 655 1,264

Engine 6 32 202 99 333

Engine 7 207 1,269 989 2,465

Engine 8 147 954 1,042 2,143

Engine 9 267 1,361 1,438 3,066

Engine 10 155 1,748 952 2,855

Engine 11 158 829 1,160 2,147

Engine 12 110 822 756 1,688

Engine 13 22 98 71 191

Engine 14 132 763 1,047 1,942

Engine 16 191 1,211 1,085 2,487

Engine 17 19 162 204 385

Engine 18 201 1,693 1,096 2,990

Engine 19 176 1,107 1,182 2,465

Engine 20 82 505 441 1,028

Engine 21 112 624 772 1,508

Squad 3 229 260 625 1,114

Squad 10 204 374 570 1,148

Ladder 1 37 134 288 459

Ladder 2 144 376 937 1,457

Ladder 8 119 229 837 1,185

Ladder 9 251 353 1,027 1,631

Ladder 11 92 125 717 934

Ladder 16 183 385 800 1,368

Ladder 21 87 199 585 871

Tanker 5 26 16 129 171

Tanker 6 33 11 63 107

Fire Boat 1 1 36 46 83

Fire Boat 6 0 5 4 9

Fire Boat 12 2 63 76 141

On the “JOB”

Birthdays

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH1/1 M. Riley 2/1 W. Duncan, W. Raftery 3/3 M. Marchbank

1/5 R. Acosta, M. Hundley 2/3 R. John 3/4 C. Barakey, S. Beauchaine,A. Valdez

1/7 J. Moss 2/4 S. Land, S. Salafranca 3/5 A. Fam

1/8 J. Coston, C. HinckleE. Landgrover

2/5 G. Hughes 3/6 N. White

1/9 K. Arnold, W. Davis 2/6 M. Crowell 3/11 J. Wakeman

1/12 K. Spudis, S. Weiler 3/12 T. Byrne, R. Irizarry,C. Stockhowe

1/14 M. Brown, D. GloverS. Graham, B. Phillips,

L. Zimba

2/7 S. Abshire, M. BrashearM. Kaliher

3/13 J. Branch, A. HauertJ. Keyes

1/15 W. Reynolds 2/9 J. Brennaman, J. McIvor,J. Wood

3/15 M. Gifford

1/16 S. Hall 2/11 A. Mack 3/16 J. Journigan, S. Lesinski

1/18 B. Moore, M. Painter, 2/12 F. Hendricks 3/18 J. Csenar

1/19 J. Woolard 2/14 K. Newton, S. Prentice 3/19 R. Valentine

1/20 R. Snyder 2/15 F. Fulgham 3/20 N. Williams

1/22 V. Barrera, W. Godwin 2/19 J. Creamer 3/25 M. Pittman

1/23 J. Lyons 2/20 R. Boone 3/26 R. Cooper

1/24 D. Fama, L. Porter, T. Tassone

2/21 K. Gordon, M. Newsome,W. West

3/29 W. Joyner

1/25 D. Compton, M. Mayo 2/22 B. Gamboni 3/30 A. Elmore

1/26 S. Crossan, J. Grandison, Jr. 2/23 J. Goyet 3/31 L. Gurley

1/28 B. Sidwell 2/24 C. Springs

1/29 T. McAndrews, B. Oeschner 2/25 G. Burnett, M. Spruill

1/30 A. Scott, M. Szymanski 2/27 S. Shook

1/31 D. Deggs

TOTAL RUNS BY UNIT (Primary & Assists - (Calendar Year 2011) - Provided by Cathy Morse

UNIT Fire Incidents EMS Incidents Other Incidents Totals

100 Series 300 -343; 661 All Other Codes

Zodiac 1 0 36 29 65

Zodiac 2 0 5 4 9

Zodiac 3 0 0 1 1

Hazmat 1 4 1 13 18

Tech 1 0 1 2 3

Safety 1 132 211 116 461

Support 8 71 1 22 94

Engine 30 0 2 7 9

Engine 33 7 7 19 33

Engine 35 3 3 6 12

Engine 36 1 0 0 1

Engine 37 0 4 12 16

Engine 38 1 3 10 14

Totals 5,026 20.667 26.706 52,399

“thoughts from fire chief steven r. cover...“thoughts from fire chief steven r. cover “...

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