It takes a lot to be an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician.) Hours & hours of class room time, home study, clinical hours in the emergency department and practice, practice, practice. On Thursday, July 16, the entire fire rescue community recognized Carl Cowan from AVFRD, as the top honor graduate from the Spring EMT class. He was commended for his consistent enthusiasm and commitment to learning new skills. A total of 96 graduates from the Spring firefighter and EMT class were recognized and thanked for their service. Seventeen (17) members of AVFRD attended & successfully completed the FF 1 and/or II class and nine (9) from AVFRD were part of the 29 EMT class. Carl has been a member of AVFRD for the past 8 years, and is a qualified firefighter, a duty crew sergeant, Engine and Tower driver/pump operator. You can always find Carl at the grill, flipping pancakes or cooking eggs on Pancake breakfast Sunday. He also serves as Vice President of the Department- no small administrative responsibility. When asked why he chose to seek the additional credentials, Carl in his usual modest manner said it is just something I have always wanted to do, since I first joined. Ashburn is just a little safer tonight as Carl and the 8 other EMT graduates from AVFRD hit the streets. Thank you all and well done !!

May 21 just before 19:30 Engine and Truck 606 where alerted to respond to company 1's area for a reported structure fire. The second alarm was sounded before any units even made it on the scene. First arriving companies marked on scene with heavy smoke coming from a commercial occupancy. Due to the amount of fire command ordered defensive operations only. It took crews approximately one hour to get a knock on the fire.

The Loudoun County Emergency Communications Center received a 9-1-1 report at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 10, 2009 for a house fire on Mitchell Court in Ashburn.

First arriving emergency personnel encountered heavy fire throughout the residence, prompting a second alarm to be dispatched. An exterior, defensive attack was used to knock the fire down before crews could enter to extinguish hot spots. Fire-rescue crews from Moorefield, Ashburn, Sterling, Arcola, Leesburg and South Riding responded to the incident. Three surrounding residences sustained minor damage to the exterior siding due to radiant heat.

Sunday April 19 at approximately 8:25 units from station 6 and 23 were alerted to respond to 22 McPherson Circle in company 18's areas for the house fire. First arriving units marked on scene with heavy fire from the charlie side and the attic area. Command immediately requested the second alarm assignment due to the exposure problems on the bravo, charlie and delta sides. With the amount of fire and rapidly deteriorating conditions of the home command advised exterior operations only. Tower 6 took the first truck position on side A, while Wagon 6 and Engine 23 assisted other units with getting a knock on the fire and protecting adjacent exposures. Crews worked on scene for approximately 3 hours before returning to service.

Around 02:15 units from Ashburn and surrounding departments were dispatched for a reported house fire on Birdsnest Place in Ashburn Village. First units arrived on scene to find a two story single family with smoke showing. The truck crew made entry locating the fire in the garage, while wagon 6 advanced an 1 ¾ handline through side A into the reported fire area. Crews made quick work of the fire and command (Kidwell) held it with Ashburn units for mop up.

At approximately 2215 hrs on April 14, Engines 6 and 23, Truck 6 and Rescue Chief 6 were dispatched for the reported house fire in Sterling Park. Arriving on the Scene Ashburn units established a secondary water supply and streched a backup line to side A while the second company from Ashburn established RIT. The truck company assisted in opening up and overhaul for the duration of the incident. Units returned to Ashburn after operating on scene for approximately an hour.

Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue has taken the title of busiest department in Loudoun County for 2008. The numbers are a combined total between station 6 and station 23. 21.5% of all Fire and Rescue emergencies were handled by Ashburn.

Fire: 1996
EMS: 4893
Other: 124
Total: 6889
Percent: 21.5%

On 4/5 just before midnight Engine and Ambulance 23 were alerted to the PI on Loudoun County Parkway at Barrister St. While en-route dispatch advised responding units of possible entrapment and upgraded the assignment. This brought Medic 6, Rescue Engine 9 and the on call Battalion Chief. Ambulance 23 arrived first, while returning from 9's first due, to find one off the road and one in the intersection. A total of 6 patients were involved. Engine 23 arrived on scene and took command. Upon Medic 6's arrival and evaluation by both ambulance crews Command advised of 2 ALS patients and 1 BLS patient. One additional ALS unit was added while crews worked to free 2 patients in both vehicles. Engine 23 freed one patient using the battery powered Hurst tool, while the driver from 23 assisted Rescue Engine 9's crew to lift the dash of the second vehicle. 3 patients were transported to Lansdowne Hospital Center. Units returned shortly after.

On Monday 03/30 Loudoun dropped the tones for the reported oven fire in the 6 box, bringing Engines 6 and 23, Truck 6, Medic 6, ARC 6, and Battalion Chief 2. Reserve Engine 6 went on scene with nothing showing and established command. The crew quickly pulled there line, and made entry with the Truck crew. Upon investigation of the oven Command found the fire had spread from the oven and requested the rest of the box assignment. This brought Engines 1 and 18 and Truck 1. Upon their arrival Engine 23 took side C and stretched a line through the rear of the house. Within 10 minutes all floors were laddered, the aerial was in place and the Engine and Truck crews from 6 had a knock on the fire and had overhauled and checked for extension. Units went ready within 45 minutes.

At approximately 5:40 hours on Tuesday morning units from station 6 and 23 were alerted to respond to route 267 for vehicle accident with entrapment. Engine 23 arrived on scene to find a single vehicle on its side with heavy damage and one needing extrication. Crews went to work providing patient care, stabilizing the vehicle and removing the roof. The patient was extricated and flown to a local trauma unit.

Units: E23, RE6, T6, Trauma 6, Medic 23, ARC6, BC601, SO601