News

Annual awards banquet was held on Saturday January 28, 2012.

 TOP CALL RUNNERS
Matt Wilmer - 340 incidents
Jamie Wilmer - 298 incidents
Ben Wilmer - 268 incidents
Chase Groah - 248 incidents
Kelly Snyder - 240 incidents
Pam Whorley - 193 incidents
Steve Wilmer - 192 incidents
Gary Smith - 179 incidents
Kris Whitesell - 175 incidents
Patrick Snyder - 129 incidents
Colby Sheets - 129 incidents

LINE OFFICERS CHOICE AWARD:
Matt Wilmer & Chase Groah

CALL of the Year
April 30, 2011 Incident Number 1100134

Dispatched at 00:29 to the 3900 blk of N. Lee Hwy for a MVC with entrapment. Arrived to find 4 patients with 1 entrapped. Air Care 5 and Life Guard 10 flew the patients.

Engine 74 Ren Scott
Ben Wilmer (Incident Command)
Jamie Wilmer
Pam Whorley
Aaron Bryant

Engine 71 Matt Wilmer
Kris Whitesell
Patrick Snyder
Colby Snyder

Response 73 Bill Nicely
Chase Groah

Stand by Steve Wilmer

TRAINING AWARDS:
Chase Groah - 459 hours
Colby Sheets - 327 hours
Ben Wilmer - 192 hours
Gary Smith - 188 hours
Aaron Bryant - 182 hours
Katie Ruffin - 164 hours
Richie Shull - 146 hours
Nathan Holliday - 142 hours
Jamie Wilmer - 91 hours
Kelly Snyder - 91 hours
Pam Whorley - 89 hours
Kris Whitesell - 63 hours

FUNDRAISING:
Kelly Snyder and Jamie Wilmer 97%
Steve Wilmer 88%
Patrick Snyder 79%
Matt Wilmer 64%
Pam Whorley & Chase Groah 61%

FIREFIGHTER of the YEAR:
Matt Wilmer & Chase Groah

Congratulations to everyone!

January 11, 2012

4 of our members have started Firefighter 1, a 150 hour class. They are Katie Ruffin, Gary Smith, Aaron Bryant, & Michael Clements. Good luck to all 4!

January 10, 2012

Congratulations to Chase Groah for passing May Day Firefighter Down, a 16 hour class and to Kris Whitesell for passing ICS-400, a 16 hour class

January 9, 2012

December 2011 Report

The department had a total of 38 incidents: 

Seventeen emergency medical calls, eleven vehicle wrecks, two structure fires, two smoke scares, one chimney fire, one vehicle fire, one 1 farm tractor fire, one gas leak,  tree in road, and one service call

Matt Wilmer had the most calls with 28.  Most calls happened on Thursday.  The average response time from dispatch to on scene was 10 minutes and 52 seconds.

The fire department would like to remind everyone to please have your reflective address posted so it can be seen. Anyone needing additional information or wanting to order a reflective sign, please call 540.377.5988, 540.460.6327 or 540.460.7033.

The department offers fire extinguisher training to business in the community. We also offer CPR and First-Aid classes.

 The department’s meeting room and carnival grounds are available to the public to rent for events.  Please contact Kelly at 540.460.7033 for details.

We are conducting a recycling fundraiser.  The only thing you have to do is donate your used cell phones, inkjets, laptop/notebook computers, ipods, digital cameras and digital video cameras.  Your items may be tax deductible.  All proceeds go the fire department.

Members Needed!  There is more than just running calls.  Give it a try and see if it’s for you! Call 540.460.6327 or visit our website at www.southriverfire.com

December 12, 2011

Winners from our money raffle are:

#1 prize - $1,000.00 Ronnie Davis of Raphine
#2 prize - $750.00 Lenoard Pennington of Lexington
#3 prize - $500.00 Zachary Snyder of Fairfield
#4 prize - $250.00 Candy McCormick of Fairfield

November 14, 2011

Reminder of our shooting match on November 27th at Dogwood Court. Starts at 5:00PM!

November 14, 2011

Congratulations to Ronnie Campbell for winning the South River supervisor and to Chris Blalock for winning the sheriff election!

November 13, 2011

Don't forget about our money raffle. Visit our fundraising page for info or call 540 377-5988.

November 1, 2011

Congratulations to Katie Ruffin for passing Emergency Vehicle Operators Course, a 16 hour class

October 15, 2011

Congratulations to Chase Groah for passing Firefighter II, a 44 hour class.

October 10, 2011

Congratulations to Chase Groah for passing ICS-300, a 24 hour class

October 2, 2011

Our annual fund drive has started. Please mail in your donation.

September 19, 2011

Congratulations to Chase Groah, Brandon Newell, and Gary Smith for passing Farm Machinery Safety & Extrication, a 16 hour class

September 12, 2011

Congratulations to Chase Groah for taking a job with the City of Lexington as a firefighter

August 20, 2011

Congratulations to Richie Shull & Gary Smith for passing EMT Basic, a 120 hour class

July 5, 2011

Congratulations to Chase Groah for passing Basic Pump Operations, a 16 hour class

June 30, 2011

Congratulations to Chase Groah, Colby Sheets, & Aaron Bryant for passing EMT Basic, a 120 hour class

May 31, 2011

Congratulations to Chase Groah & Gary Smith for passing EVOC, a 16 hour class

May 20, 2011

Congratulations to Jamie Wilmer, Pam Whorley & Kelly Snyder for passing Fire Officer 2, a 32 hour class.

April 20, 2011

Congratulations to Jamie Wilmer, Kelly Snyder, & Pam Whorley for passing Fire Instructor II, a 32 hour class.

April 20, 2011

Congratulations to Colby Sheets for passing Firefighter 1, a 150 hour class.

April 4, 2011

Our annual elections of Officers was held tonight.

Fire Chief - Ben Wilmer

1st Assistant Fire Chief - Steven Maddox

President - Jamie Wilmer

Vice President - Colby Sheets

Secretary - Kelly Snyder

Treasurer - Pam Whorley

Assistant Treasurer - Steve Wilmer

Chaplain - Leo Clemmer

APPOINTED OFFICERS

2nd Assistant Fire Chief - Jamie Wilmer

Captain - Pam Whorley

Lieutenant - Kris Whitesell

OTHER APPOINTED POSITIONS

Director at Large - Steven Maddox

EMS Coordinator - Pam Whorley

Assistant EMS Coordinator - Jamie Wilmer

March 24, 2011

Congratulations to Colby & Chase for passing Hazardous Materials Operations, a 32 hour class!

March 7, 2011

Colby, Chase, Brandon, & Aaron have started EMT basic class. The class is two nights a week. They test in June. Good luck guys!

February 23, 2011

Congratulations to Matt & Chase for completing Crew Leader, a 32 hour class!

January 23, 2011

Our annual awards banquet and dinner was held last night at the fire house.

Service pens: Pam Whorley - 10 years

                    Steven Maddox - 15 years

                    Chris Cales - 15 years

                    Bill Nicely - 30 years

Incident of the Year went to a MVC on I-81 at the 201 mile marker south bound, on August 15, 2010.

Line Officer's choice award went to Matt Wilmer & Kelly Snyder.

Training award:

1st place - Brandon Newell 330 hours of training

2nd place - Kelly Snyder 208 hours of training

Most incidents answered: 1st - 7th

1st - Jamie Wilmer - 282 incidents

2nd - Ben Wilmer - 272 incidents

3rd - Matt Wilmer - 254 incidents

4th - Kelly Snyder - 200 incidents

5th - Steve Wilmer - 197 incidents

6th - Pam Whorley - 171 incidents

7th - Colby Sheets - 146 incidents

Top 5 in fund raising:

Kelly Snyder - 90%

Jamie Wilmer - 83%

Steve Wilmer - 76%

Patrick Snyder - 73%

Matt Wilmer - 66%

Fire member of the year went to Matt Wilmer.

The department thanks everyone for their hard work, and support in 2010!

January 10, 2011

We are pleased to announce that we have been awarded a grant from the Virginia Department of Health to purchase communications equipment. We were awarded $1,112.00. Thanks to Captain Pam Whorley for writing the grant.

January 3, 2011

The department would like to welcome new member Aaron Bryant.

July 19, 2010

Wee Baby Miss

Winner:           Laila Thomas

1^st:                   Caylaih Chandler

2^nd:                   Madison Tomlin

3^rd:                   Kamyn Allen

Wee Baby Chief

Winner:           Colton Knight

Baby Miss

Winner:           Lilyan Thomas

1^st:                   Emma Hall

2^nd:                   Hailey Wade

3^rd:                   Courtney Conner

Baby Chief

Winner:           Luke Sayre

1^st:                   Zachary Snyder

2^nd:                   William Wilmer

Little Miss

Winner:           Aspen Bahhur

1^st:                   Jaici Moore

2^nd:                   Hadleigh Martin

3^rd:                   Brooke Wilmer

Petite Miss

Winner:           Kelsey McCown

1^st:                   Taylor Wade

2^nd:                   Tristan Whorley

Pre-Teen

Winner:           Charity Smith

1^st:                   Logan Whorley

2^nd:                   Caroline Fitzgerald

Junior Miss

Winner:           Sierra Clark

Honorary Miss

Kelsee Grant

SOUTH RIVER DISTRICT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

56^th ANNUAL CARNIVAL

PRIZE WINNERS

1st $750 Cash - Lee Hi Travel Plaza – J. D. Clemmer of Lexington

2nd $250 Cash - White's Truck Stop – Fred Weeks of Rockbridge Baths

3rd 50 Cal Rifle w/ Scope - Augusta Co-Op – Terry Swisher of Fairfield

4th $250 Cash - Kelly Swink Body Shop – Doris Womeldorf of Lexington

5th 22 Marlin w/Scope - J.H Shooters – Cherry Grove Farm of Fairfield

6th $250 Cash - Fairfield Square – Mary Staton of Fairfield

7th TV - Goad's Body Shop – M. Moyers

8th Husky Chain Saw - Fitgerald Lumber – Cherry Grove Farm of Fairfield

9th Makita Recipro Saw - Spencer Home Center – Vickie Floyd of Buena Vista

10th $200 Cash - Wayne's Auction Service – E. O. Huffman of Fairfield

11th $200 Savings Bond - Bank of Botetourt, Fairfield – Mike Flint of Raphine

12th Bushnell Binoculars – Rockbridge Farmer's Co-Op – Martha Rowsey of Fairfield

13th $100 Cash - Timber Ridge Auto Center – Jim Davis

14th $100 Cash - T.L.B. Trucking & Excavating – Kelly Watkins of Fairfield

15th $100 Cash - Garland Fitzgerald Excavating – Cherry Grove Farm of Fairfield

16th New Holland Baler ($175 Value) - Augusta Equipment – Dianne West of Lexington

17th $100 Cash - Josh Bates Trucking – Steven Newell of Roanoke

18th $100 Cash - R. R. Fencing – Diane Crawford

19th $100 Cash - Steven Maddox Lime & Fertilizer Hauling – Joyce Broughman of Fairfield

20th $100 Cash - Thomas Riley Hauling – William Wilmer of Fairfield

21st $100 Cash - McClung's Excavating – Betty Carwell of Fairfield

22nd $100 Cash - Blue Ridge Moose Lodge – Lib Runkle of Raphine

23rd $100 Cash - Reese Water Hauling – Bobby Berkstresser of Lexington

24th $100 Cash - Wayne's Auto Repair & Towing – Bobby Berkstresser of Lexington

25th $100 Cash - Fairfield Texaco – Brittany Floyd of Buena Vista

26th $100 Cash - Fairfield Farm Service (Paul Chittum) – Ronnie Davis of Raphine

27th Gas Grill - Dixie Gas & Oil – Adam Runkle of Raphine

28 th $100 savings Account – Community Bank – Mitch Drawbond

Tickets compliments of Bobby Berkstresser, Lee Hi Truck Plaza

July 19, 2010

Parade winners

Best Appearing Fire Company – Kerrs Creek VFD

Best Appearing Rural Fire Apparatus – Raphine VFC

Second Best Appearing Rural Fire Apparatus – Walkers Creek VFD

Best Appearing Custom Fire Apparatus – Middlebrook VFD

Best Appearing Tanker (1800 gallons or larger) – Effinger VFD

Best Appearing City Fire Apparatus – Buena Vista VFD

Best Appearing Brush Truck – Millboro VFD

Oldest Appearing Fire Apparatus – Weyers Cave VFC

Best Appearing Aerial Apparatus – Glasgow VFD

Fire Apparatus Coming Longest Distance – Weyers Cave VFC

Best Appearing Rescue Squad – Effinger

Second Best Appearing Rescue Squad – Buena Vista

Rescue Squad Coming Longest Distance - Effinger

Best Appearing Heavy Rescue (Fire or Rescue) – Buena Vista (Swift Water)

Best Appearing Antique Vehicle – Ronnie Lockridge

Second Best Appearing Antique Vehicle – Hillbilly Shine

Best Appearing Antique Tractor – Richard Smith

Second Best Appearing Antique Tractor – John Houser

Best Appearing 4-WD – Ronnie Lockridge

Second Best Appearing 4-WD – Ronald Harvey

Judges Choice (All Entries) – 1944 Trustworthy – Larry Hinkle

Best Appearing Float – Bank of Botetourt

Second Best Appearing Float – Wooden Spoon

Best Appearing Boy Scout Troop – Pack 94

The South River District Volunteer Fire Department was awarded $73,625 from the 2008 FEMA Fire Act Grant.  The money will be used for 2 rapid intervention kits (RIT), 2 firefighter locating systems, exhaust system for the firehouse and a stand by station generator.  

RIT kits are important tools for providing a means of rescuing a down firefighter or for providing guidance when retracing your path under conditions of limited visibility.

The fire fighter locating system would be beneficial if our members ever became lost or entrapped in a building. The fire fighter locating system utilizes Pulse ultrasound technology.  

An exhaust system is a feasible method to eliminate all diesel exhaust from the Firehouse.  Being a department that is equipped with two engines, one tanker, one brush truck and a response truck there is a lot of exhaust that is left behind in our bay when we receive a call.  The system is designed to connect to any motor vehicle tailpipe and provide virtually 100% effective capture.

We currently do not have a back-up generator. Our station is used as a shelter during natural and manmade disasters. It would be imperative to have a generator to ensure power during times of need. The generator will be powered by LP gas.

Thanks to Firefighter / EMT Kelly Snyder for writing the grant!

The South River District Volunteer Fire Department relies on donations from you to help run our day to day operations, and continue to buy state of the art equipment to be there when you call. We are a non-profit organization so make your tax exempt donation today.