Two Escape Cooking Fire

On Monday, January 10th, 2010 at 1643 hours Quint 22, Quint 17, Quint 20, Quint 23, Rescue 3, Safety 2 and Battalion Chief 3 were called to 2918 Bertram Road for the reported kitchen on fire. Q-22 arrived on scene with fire showing from the B/C corner of a masonry-constructed rancher. Q-22 established command of the incident and launched an aggressive interior attack. Q-17 arrived shortly after securing a second hydrant and laid into the scene and performed Truck Operations as Q-20 was assigned the Rapid Intervention Team. Q-23 assisted with interior operations. Two people were at home when the fire started and were able to escape the fire without injury.

The working fire was declared bring in E-13, Q-24, Air Light 5 and BC-4. The fire was marked under control at 1704 hours. The fire was ruled accidental. The Red Cross was called to assist four people from this incident.

Two Escape Late Night Fire in Richmond

At 11:20 p.m. Richmond Fire units were alerted to a house fire at the intersection of 2nd Ave and Pulaski. Q15 arrived on scene in less than 2 minutes and reported heavy fire showing from side-A on the second floor of a two story wood frame structure. Q-15 and Q-14 launched an aggressive interior attack as Quint 5 performed truck company operations and Engine 6 was established as the Rapid Intervention Team. Rescue 2 performed a search of the house. Battalion 1 arrived on scene and assumed command of the incident.

Battalion 2, Q-16, E-11, and Air Light 11 was added to the working fire assignment. Heavy fire forced crews to evacuate the structure and begin defensive operations. The fire was marked under control at 12:06 a.m. Crews remained on scene unit 3:00 a.m.

The Red Cross was called in to assist the family. The fire is ruled accidental, electrical in nature.

Early Morning Fire Claims A Life

On November 20th at 0703 hours, Quint 14, Quint 15, Engine 5, Engine 6, Rescue 2, Safety 2 and BC 1 were called to the 1900 block of Rose Ave for the reported house fire with a person trapped. Phone calls poured into the Emergency Communications Division claiming that an elderly man was inside the house. Quint 14 arrived on location with heavy fire showing from Division 2 of a 2 story wood-frame structure. Command was passed to the next incoming company as Quit 14’s crew entered the structure to search for the victim. The victim was removed from the structure where he was pronounced dead. Engine 5’s crew performed Truck Company Operations as Quint 15 assisted with fire attack. Rescue 2 arrived on scene and conducted a search of the house. The working fire was declared bringing Quints 16 and 10 to the scene. Conditions deteriorated forcing the evacuation of firefighters from the structure. Once all personnel were out, defensive operations begin. The fire was marked under control at 0752 hours. Fire investigators remained on scene until 1330 hours, and ruled the incident accidental in nature.

Richmond Fire Promotes Six to Battalion Chief

On November 4th 2010, the City of Richmond promoted Captain Robert Baumgardner, Jr, Captain John Harkness, Captain Clarence Lewis, III, Captain Orlando Morris, Captain Christine Richardson, and Captain Tina Watkins to the rank of Battalion Chief. This is the first time in the department's 152-year history that two women have been promoted to the Battalion Chief rank. "This has been a year of history making within the Richmond Fire Department," said Mayor Jones referring also to the 60th Anniversary of the first African America firefighters hired into the department and in the Commonwealth.

"The promotion of six Captains at the same time is unprecedented for our department," said Fire Chief Robert Creecy. "Honoring this group as they assume their responsibility in this mission critical role is an historic and very proud time for our organization."

Female Trapped Under Vehicle

On October 21st, at 1222 hours Quint 25, Rescue 2, and BC 2 were dispatched to the Martin’s Grocery store at 3000 Stony Point Road for the female trapped under a vehicle. Q-25 arrived on scene and confirmed that an elderly female was trapped under a 4 door SUV. Units used cribbing to stabilize the car as airbags were used to lift the car off the elderly female. Within 25 minutes of the call the female was removed and placed in the back of a waiting Richmond Ambulance Authority unit. The female was alert and oriented during the entire operation. The female was transported to a level one trauma center. Units cleared around 1330 hours.

Early Morning Accident Sends Two to the Hospital

At 0851 hours this morning Richmond Fire was dispatched to the intersection of 41st and Forest Hill Ave for a two car accident. E-20 arrived on location to find a two car accident with two patients complaining of injuries. Both patients were transported to an area hospital by Richmond Ambulance Authority. Units remained on scene until 0930.

Early Morning Fire Ruled Accidental

On October 6 at 0826 hours Q-18, Q-12, Q-10, Q-19, R-2, BC-2 and Safety 2 were dispatched to 20 S. Nansemond Street for a reported building fire. Q-18 arrived on scene within 3 minutes and reported a 2 story office building with moderate smoke showing from the roof. Q-18 established a water supply and began an aggressive offensive attack. Q-10 Ladder the C side of the office building as Q-12 assisted with fire attack. Q-19 was assigned as the Rapid Intervention Team as R-2 performed a quick search of the fire involved building. Once the incident was declared a working fire Q-6, Q-5 and BC-1 was added to the assignment those units checked the other two businesses with in the strip mall complex. The fire was contained to the original unit but another business did receive minor smoke damage. The fire was marked under control at 0901 hours. The fire was ruled accidental, electrical in nature.