hazardous materials

Reducing Occupational Cancer Risk After a Fire

Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department

It is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month! Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is committed to reducing occupational cancer risk. After fire incidents, firefighters go through a gross decontamination. Gear is then bagged and transported back to the fire station in an outside compartment or the fire hose bed of an engine. It is then picked up by the Logistics/Gear Center truck for transport to the gear cleaning center. Once clean, the gear is returned to the appropriate fire station by the logistics truck.

It is also recommended that crews shower and wash twice as soon as possible upon their return to the fire station from the fire scene.

Carbon Monoxide: A Colorless and Odorless Killer

Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized. Take a moment to learn more about CO and how to protect you and your loved ones. 

CO combines with hemoglobin in our blood and robs the blood of the oxygen our body needs. Early symptoms of exposure are similar to the flu and include headache, fatigue, nausea, and confused thinking (so victims cannot think clearly enough to get assistance). Without treatment, the victim will lose consciousness, and if no help is given will lose their life.

CO is produced by combustion. Common causes are:

  • Defective gas or oil furnaces and water heaters
  • Cracked chimney flues
  • Indoor use of charcoal grills
  • Use of a gas oven or range to warm a room
  • Running a car in an enclosed area such as a garage
  • Running of a portable generator inside, or too close to, the home
  • Closing the fireplace damper before the fire is completely out

CO poisoning is preventable. Actions you should take to protect your family are:

  • Each year you should have a qualified technician inspect your gas furnace and appliances.
  • Never allow your car to run in an enclosed area, especially if it is a garage attached to your house.
  • Make sure your fireplace is in good repair and do not close the damper before the fire is out.
  • Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent.
  • Install CO alarms to give your family a warning if CO is building up in your house.

CO alarms should be located on every floor and mounted according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If the alarm goes off, everyone should get out of the house at once and call the fire department by dialing 911 from a neighbor’s house. Do not ventilate your house by opening doors and windows. When the fire department personnel arrive, they will obtain CO readings in different areas of your home to determine the source of the CO.

Another very important point to remember is that you still need a working smoke alarm in every bedroom and on every level of your home!

Carbon monoxide (CO) Poisoning Fact Sheet – Select a Language:

Co Alarms

Community Connect Helps Us to Help You!

Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department

Community Connect is a free, secure, and easy to use platform that allows residents and/or business owners to share critical information about their home or business that will aid FCFRD firefighters and paramedics during an emergency.

Any information you provide through Community Connect is completely voluntary and based on what you are comfortable sharing. The platform has made it easy for you to know what may be important by organizing your secure portal into buckets of information you can enter.

Data that you provide Community Connect is secure and is used only for the purpose of better serving you during emergency situations. Your information is never used for any other purpose.

For accessible information, to learn more about Community Connect and register: https://www.communityconnect.io/info/va-fairfax-county

Creating a Pathway to Career Growth and Success

Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department

By: Battalion Chief Rocco Alvaro
Professional Development Section – FCFRD Training Division

Recently, the Professional Development Section hosted a Career Pathways Open House at the Fire and Rescue Training Academy. The open house provided an opportunity for all department personnel to explore career options within the fire and rescue department.

Numerous department resources and staff were available to answer questions, provide mentorship, and share the many experiences that make our department among the very best. This non-traditional event allowed our newest recruits, along with our most tenured personnel, to meet face-to-face, conduct research, explore numerous internal careers, and network with staff from all bureaus, groups, and department services.

This two-day event was a tremendous success that fostered new connections, promoted numerous internal opportunities, and created future pathways toward career success. Participants included:

Employee Sections

  • Communications Section
  • Driver Training Unit – Field Training
  • Fire Marshal’s Office – Fire Prevention
  • Hazardous Materials Section
  • Technical Rescue Section
  • Urban Search & Rescue Team
  • Virginia Commonwealth University – Paramedic Program
  • Fire Chief’s Equity and Inclusion Council

Employee Services/Support

  • Chaplains
  • High School Explorer’s Program
  • FIRST Team – Fire & Rescue Support Team
  • Health & Wellness Section
  • Honor Guard
  • High School Cadet Program
  • Peer Support Team
  • Public Information Office
  • Professional Development Section
  • Recruitment Section

Employee Groups

  • Asian Firefighters Association
  • Fairfax Women’s Association
  • Fairfax Hispanic Firefighters
  • LGBTQ Firefighters
  • Fairfax County Professional Firefighters & Paramedics – Local 2068
  • Progressive Firefighters

Colleges & Universities

  • American Public University
  • National University
  • Columbia Southern University
  • Tidewater Community College

We are Hiring! Join our Team of Tactical Athletes!

Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department

We Are Hiring! No experience? No problem! Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department trains YOU! Join our team of world class, tactical athletes who respond to complex fire, medical, hazardous materials, and technical rescue emergencies. There is no off-season for our firefighters and paramedics! Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department focuses on fitness and wellness training throughout your career and into retirement.

Have a desire to help others? Have what it takes? For more info and to apply: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire-ems/recruitment

Know someone who might be interested? Please share!

Driver Training Unit Conducts Foam for Drivers Class

Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department

By: Battalion Chief Rodney S. Vaughan
Field Training
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department Training Division

Recently, the Driver Training Unit (DTU), of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) Training Division, completed the first “Foam for Drivers” class. This class was led by Master Technician Shawn Rappach, Station 26, Edsall Road, B-Shift, and Lieutenant’s Martin and Bartman of the DTU.

This was a class most would suggest was long overdue. For many years, FCFRD personnel could not train with real foam due to EPA regulations as it related to the compounds that make up the foam concentrate. FCFRD has purchased the newly formulated “Green” foam concentrate that is allowable for training – and environmentally friendly.

In addition, firefighters have always been taught how to apply foam, and fire officers how to decide when to use it. Yet, it is the driver/operator who everyone relies on to set up, and pump foam, using the on-board systems and/or portable foam eductors. For our civilian readers, an eductor is a device that uses the Venturi principle to introduce foam concentrate into the water stream. A mission critical skill to configure the required equipment to produce a quality foam product on the fireground!

Thus, the need for this class geared specifically to FCFRD firefighters who are engine driver qualified. The first two classes have been completed. There are more planned in the coming months. 

Girls Fire and Rescue Academy Summer Camp Accepting Applications

Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is excited to announce its Girls Fire and Rescue Academy summer camp, which will take place June 21 -24, 2022. The Academy is open to female students who will be in grades 7 – 12 in the upcoming 2022 – 2023 school year. Participants must be a Fairfax County resident.

Academy participants will take part in a four-day program full of fun-filled experiences, physical training, classes and Fire/EMS simulations. They will also have an opportunity to visit a Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Station to experience the everyday life of a Firefighter/EMT/Paramedic. Campers will have a chance to ask questions and interact with the on-duty crew.

The program is completely free of charge. The Academy will be limited to 24 applicants, so apply today! To apply, please click on the link below and follow the instructions.

All applications must be received by close of business on Friday, May 20, 2022.

For more information, and to register, please see below.

Girls Fire & Rescue Academy 2022 Application Packet

Lieutenant Kim Receives Fire Safety Commendation Award

Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department

On Thursday, Mr. Bill Collier of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) – Colonel William Grayson Chapter, stopped by Fire Station 40, Fairfax Center, A-Shift to honor Lieutenant Jason Kim with the SAR Fire Safety Commendation Award. Lieutenant Kim’s proud family and shift mates were in attendance for the presentation.

Lieutenant Kim is a newly promoted officer who goes out of his way to learn more about his new position. As a relief officer in the 7th Battalion, his assignments range from rural Clifton to urban Fair Oaks. Wherever he is, Lieutenant Kim explores, asks questions, and sets expectation for his crew. He is also a member of the Hazardous Materials Response Team and is training to ride in command of the Hazardous Materials Unit at Station 40. As a paramedic, Lieutenant Kim is a true all-hazards officer, and takes all his roles very seriously, to include being a mentor to newer members.

Congratulations to Lieutenant Jason Kim! Thank you, SAR, for your continued support of the FCFRD firefighters and paramedics!

Carbon Monoxide: A Colorless and Odorless Killer

Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized. Take a moment to learn more about CO and how to protect you and your loved ones. 

CO combines with hemoglobin in our blood and robs the blood of the oxygen our body needs. Early symptoms of exposure are similar to the flu and include headache, fatigue, nausea, and confused thinking (so victims cannot think clearly enough to get assistance). Without treatment, the victim will lose consciousness, and if no help is given will lose their life.

CO is produced by combustion. Common causes are:

  • Defective gas or oil furnaces and water heaters
  • Cracked chimney flues
  • Indoor use of charcoal grills
  • Use of a gas oven or range to warm a room
  • Running a car in an enclosed area such as a garage
  • Running of a portable generator inside, or too close to, the home
  • Closing the fireplace damper before the fire is completely out

CO poisoning is preventable. Actions you should take to protect your family are:

  • Each year you should have a qualified technician inspect your gas furnace and appliances.
  • Never allow your car to run in an enclosed area, especially if it is a garage attached to your house.
  • Make sure your fireplace is in good repair and do not close the damper before the fire is out.
  • Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent.
  • Install CO alarms to give your family a warning if CO is building up in your house.

CO alarms should be located on every floor and mounted according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If the alarm goes off, everyone should get out of the house at once and call the fire department by dialing 911 from a neighbor’s house. Do not ventilate your house by opening doors and windows. When the fire department personnel arrive, they will obtain CO readings in different areas of your home to determine the source of the CO.

Another very important point to remember is that you still need a working smoke alarm in every bedroom and on every level of your home!

Carbon monoxide (CO) Poisoning Fact Sheet – Select a Language:

Co Alarms

We Are Hiring! Join Our Team of Tactical Athletes!

Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department

We are hiring for upcoming experienced and non-experienced recruit classes! Join our team of tactical athletes who respond to complex fire and medical emergencies at a moment’s notice. There is no off-season for our firefighters and paramedics! Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department focuses on fitness and wellness training throughout your career and into retirement.

Do you know an aspiring firefighter/paramedic/EMT? Please share the link and video to make them aware!

Are you an experienced firefighter/paramedic/EMT seeking a department with a variety of career paths, career development and career advancement opportunities? A fire and rescue department that recognizes your prior experience and will train you in a shorter recruit school? Click on the link below to learn more and speak with a recruiter.

More info: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire-ems/recruitment