The City Of Lexington Fire And Rescue was dispatched for a vehicle into a structure with natural gas leaking due to a broken gas meter. This involved a vehicle that was accidentally driven through a closed overhead garage door and then partway through the rear wall of the structure.  In the process it did substantial damage to the garage, the main electrical panel, and knocked off the natural gas meter located behind the garage wall.  After finally controlling the natural gas flow we found high readings of gas inside the house.  Ventilation was begun and the electricity to the house was disconnected to eliminate some of the ignition sources.  Great job by everyone on this call to recognize the potential severity of the incident and to operate with the utmost of safety.

Have you ever thought about becoming a firefighter?  Have you ever considered what goes on in the world of Fire and Rescue? Have you ever pondered these questions, how old do I have to be to join a volunteer fire department; what do I have to do to become a member; do I have to be trained before I can join? These are a few questions that volunteer firefighters hear from people who want to become members but, who aren't sure how to join.

Qualifications of being a Junior Firefighter are minimal. You must be at least 16 years of age.  You must have parental consent. You don't have to have prior training to become a member. The fire department will train you; that’s what a Junior Program is designed to accomplish.

All you need to bring with you is positive interest, your dedication and some time to give back to your community. The City Of Lexington has a ride-along program.  The ride-along program affords the opportunity for people to climb aboard a fire truck and ambulance. Our program allows interested people get a feel for what goes on in the world of the fire department.  One has the opportunity to test if the fire department is something they would like to pursue.

The City Of Lexington Fire Department is a combination crew. “Combination” means that the Department has volunteer and career personnel.  The LFD was established in 1796. Not only is the fire department rich with a great and proud history, it also provides a very rewarding community service.

Members of the Department are able to experience and perform jobs that most people can only dream of doing. Becoming a member allows one to take training that will advance your skills as a firefighter, and as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). People join a fire department with different personal goals. Some desire to be an EMT only; some people prefer to become a firefighter.  While others desire to cross-train and fulfill both job goals.  The Lexington Fire Department allows you to choose what you want to do as fire department personnel.

Becoming a volunteer is a great way to network within the department and with other organizations. Fire departments are a close community, a brotherhood, a home away from home. When you become a volunteer, you interact with your fellow firefighters and grow to know one another. You forge bonds that will last your lifetime.  You share your stories and experiences with each other.  You teach one another skills to better you as firefighter, and learn life-lessons together.

Being a volunteer will give you many opportunities.  Many firefighters have begun their quest as Junior Firefighters within a volunteer agency.  Their interests and experiences evolve into a career and they become paid for a job that they love. First being a volunteer allows you to learn the basic fire fighting and EMS skills. Evolving your quest into a career service allow you to have a fast-paced and rewarding profession.  The fire service provides career and personal rewards that few other professions will offer.

 

If you are interested in becoming a fire department volunteer, please feel free to stop by to visit any local fire station.  You may also contact Lt. Jarrett Harlow by email, Jarrett.harlow@lexingtonfire.org or telephone the fire station at 540-463-3210.  Please visit the LFD website at www.lexingtonfire.org

Please take a few minutes and watch the video link below!

Crew respond to the Monster Museum this afternoon for a structure fire. Command arrived on scene and marked it a working incident. Firefighters battled the HOT fire for some time due to the old construction of the building. Crews are still on scene checking for remaining fire.

The County of Rockbridge has issued a County Wide Burn Ban EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY as announced by Emergency Services Coordinator Robert Foresman Thursday afaternoon, April 12th. NO open air fires are permitted until further notice.

In addition, The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests have issued closure orders, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, for areas surrounding the Easter Complex Wildfires. Maps and locations can be found at the Forest Website http://prdp2fs.ess.usda.gov/detail/gwj/news-events/?cid=STELPRDB5363131.

Crews from Rockbridge County along with outside Counties are still battling the wild land fire. Crews are working around the clock to try and bring the fire under control. The winds today were not as bad as the past few days had been but, the dry conditions and slight winds still made it difficult to bring this fire under control.  As these men and women continue at containing and putting out this blaze, it is important to keep them in your prayers as this is VERY dangerous work.

Firefighter/Medic

The City of Lexington is currently accepting applications for Firefighter/Medic. The job description and application are available on-line and must be returned to City of Lexington, Human Resource Office, 300 East Washington Street, Lexington, VA 24450 by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, 2012. Salary Range: $32,884 - $39,089.

Requirements for position of Firefighter/Medic
*Firefighter I (Firefighter II preferred)
*EMT-I or P
*Hazardous Materials Operations
*Driver Pump Operator (preferred)
*High School Diploma or GED
*Valid Current Drivers License with good driving record
*Ability to pass Background check satisfactorily
*Ability to pass required physical examination
*Current CPR
*EVOC

The City of Lexington Fire-Rescue has a new RIDE!!! A BIG thanks to the Lexington Police for letting the Fire Department have one of their retired police cars. The department put their own twist on the car by painting it RED and adding some lettering on the sides and rear. Firefighters will be using this car to go back and forth to classes and use as a response vehicle.  Special thanks to the Vo-Tech students at Rockbridge County High School for all of their work to make the car look so great.  This cooperative effort provides a cost effective way to extend the life of vehicles and enhance the delivery of emergency services.

While this weekend is the time to change your clocks ahead one hour it is also the time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.  Every six months you should remember to change these batteries and test the alarms by pushing the test button.  If no alarm sounds be sure to replace the unit with a new detector.  Detectors that are over 10 years old are recommended to be replaced also.  Monthly you should test all detectors and vacum dust from around the outside.

Lexington firefighters Matthew Spencer and James Schindler celebrated Dr.Seuss's Birthday by reading books to the children at the Yellow Brick Road Preschool. A big thanks goes out to the two firefighters for reading to the kids!

WDBJ7 was in town yesterday afternoon to get a quick interview with the City Of Lexington Fire & Rescue. Chief Kirby talked to WDBJ7 about how Firefighters prepare for storms involving bad weather like we received yesterday afternoon. While the reporters were at the station taking a look at how they prepare for storms they received a call for a motor vehicle accident. WDBJ7 tagged along with firefighters to experience how we handle a motor vehicle accident in bad weather.