Come to a Volunteer Information Session!
Follow the link below, or click in the section above, to find out how to fill out an Information Request Form
The Sterling Volunteer Fire Company is always looking for new members to help staff our fire trucks and/or perform administrative functions around the station. No experience necessary and all training is FREE.
The SVFC relies on the the community for financial support. Our biggest fund raiser is our annual mailing in the fall, but we always welcome your financial support at any time. We also hold other fund raising events throughout the year. Find out about those in the Community Events section at the bottom of the page.
As summer draws to a close and children start heading back to school (Loudoun students start on Thursday, Aug 23rd), family life can get pretty hectic. It's important to remember – and share with your children – some key tips that will help keep them safe and healthy throughout the school year.
September 19th, 11:44 am
Congratulations to the SVFC members who graduated last night!
Loudoun County Volunteer Fire-Rescue
Last night at Cornerstone Chapel Loudoun County Fire and Rescue recognized 125 graduates from 13 of our 15 volunteer companies and LCFR employees.
Students were recognized for accomplishing certification as a Firefighter I-II, EMT, Advanced EMT, or Paramedic.
We were honored to have Loudoun County BOS Chair Randall, Loudoun County Administrator Tim Hemstreet, Lcps ACL-MATA principal Tinnel Priddy, LCCFRS Officers, support members and many family & friends of our graduates in attendance.
Well done Loudoun County Combination Fire Rescue System!
September 18th, 1:31 pm
2018 Fund Drive Letters are out!
Each year the SVFC sends out letters to all of the residents we serve to tell you more about our organization and to ask for your support. The 2018 letters have begun to arrive in your mailbox. Please be on the lookout for them. However, you don't have to wait to get your letter to support us. You can do so at any time via sterlingfire.org/donate
Also, you can see (and download, and share, and even print) the 2018 fund drive letter via sterlingfire.org/letter
September 17th, 1:51 pm
We're likely to see high water throughout the area. Keep out of the water and keep out of trouble. (This means your vehicle too!)
September 15th, 9:10 pm
Senator Barbara Favola and Delegate Kathleen Murphy present Virginia Senate Joint Resolution 244 to SVFC President Andy Gode commending the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company for their 50+ years of dedicated service. Complete text of Virginia Senate Joint Resolution Follow;
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 244
Commending the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company.
Agreed to by the Senate, January 12, 2017
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 20, 2017
WHEREAS, the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company celebrated 50 years of providing emergency services to the residents of Loudoun County in 2016; and
WHEREAS, the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company, formerly known as the Sterling Park Volunteer Fire Company, was chartered on August 16, 1966; and
WHEREAS, as part of the Loudoun County Combined Fire-Rescue System, the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company has a call area of approximately 25 square miles and provides fire suppression services to over 90,000 residents, including those in Sterling, Great Falls Forest, Broad Run Farms, Countryside, Sugarland Run, and Cascades; and
WHEREAS, the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company is based out of three fire stations and responds to more than 4,200 calls annually, making it one of the busiest volunteer fire companies in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, the well-trained members of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company respond to a vast variety of situations using four fire engines, three ladder trucks, two special emergency response vehicles, and two command units; and
WHEREAS, the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company routinely assists surrounding counties with fire suppression support and has provided assistance during national emergencies, such as the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and New York City, and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; and
WHEREAS, members of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company are constantly honing their skills, spending countless hours training to maintain certifications in firefighting, emergency medical services, and technical rescue; and
WHEREAS, the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company Honor Guard represents positively the company and Loudoun County at events across the Commonwealth and the country; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company embody the selflessness, bravery, integrity, and commitment to safety displayed by fire fighters and first responders throughout the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company on 50 years of protecting the lives and property of those who not only live in but also visit Loudoun County; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to David Short, Chief of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the company's outstanding service to the community, the Commonwealth, and the country.
September 14th, 2:49 pm
Fire Prevention week is coming October 7th- October 13th. This weekend is a great time to go through your fire escape plan and practice some fire drills to make sure you are ready in the event of a fire.
#FirePreventionWeek
www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/FPW/Safety-tip-sheets/FPW18EscapePlanningTips.ashx
nfpa.org
September 13th, 12:43 pm
Today's #TBT is from 2001's Parade and SterlingFest. Come and see us at SterlingFest 2018! in a few more weeks.
September 12th, 8:47 am
You're running out of time.
Ready
The effects of Hurricane #Florence will start on the coast late tomorrow into Thursday morning. Now is the time to finish your preparations:
✅ Double check your emergency supplies. You should have enough food, water, supplies, and medication to last for a LEAST several days.
✅ Know where you will go if you have to evacuate. Follow local officials and leave immediately if told to do so.
✅ Know what to do in case of flooding, which can happen far inland. ready.gov/floods
✅ Discuss your communication plan with family members. During disasters, text or use social media instead of calling because phone lines are often overloaded.
September 12th, 8:31 am
Rollover for Crew 4
Early on Saturday morning Engine 611, along with Rescue and Medic 615 from Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad, and EMS601, Safety Officer 601, and Battalion Chief 601 from Loudoun County Fire and Rescue were alerted for a rollover accident in Sterling. Units arrived on scene to find a vehicle on its roof with the driver still inside. Initial assessment determined that the driver was uninjured. Once this was confirmed the decision was made to simply open the door and assist them in getting out. (Normally if there are injuries the extrication process is longer and more involved as care is taken to minimize the risk of further injuries.) The driver signed a waiver refusing medical care and all units returned to service.
Wow not smart to refuse care. I rolled my vehicle when I was 17 I'm now 51 and still feel affects from it.
May have been more concerned with other consequences
September 11th, 9:11 am
On the morning of Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, Sterling Fire was dispatched to Fairfax County for a station fill. The units, with volunteer and career staffing, were continually moved through the county, and were eventually sent to Arlington County to fill there. Their ultimate destination was the Pentagon. SVFC and Loudoun County Fire and Rescue teamed up later that day to send a task force to the Pentagon. In the days following SVFC members also served at the World Trade Center in New York City. Then, as now, SVFC proudly served our community, and on that day was privileged to serve our nation.
All of you oue community each and every day. Please know that appreciated. Thank you
Loudoun Career Fire Fighters Association - IAFF Local 3756
You are all heroes.
This day is a good day to take time to thank all First Responders for helping to keep people, communities, and our nation safe every day! A special thank you to our local LCVFR, LVFR, and SVFR for all of their volunteering time and energy and their sacrifices they make to serve while being away from their families!
God bless you all. And thank you.
You exemplify for us, and for the next generation, the values of courage and service and commitment. THANK YOU for all you do, quietly, faithfully, each day to make our communities stronger and safer. God Bless.
September 11th, 3:43 am
A message from the SVFC president written a few years ago for the members of the SVFC, but worth sharing (again) here:
Today is the anniversary of the attacks of September 11th. As we all watch the various ceremonies on television, see the flags flying at half-mast, and listen to the various speeches, I want to take a minute to remind everyone that September 11th happened to the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company, too.
On the morning of September 11th, 2001, the SVFC started our day as we do every Tuesday. The Volunteers made the handoff to the day staff and everyone went off to their regular day job. By 9:30 AM, things were different. The news reports were streaming images of a nation under attack with a sense of confusion and uncertainty. Nobody knew what was going to happen next. But we did know that the SVFC was prepared, willing, and able to respond.
By 9:30 AM, SVFC Volunteers were leaving their regular day jobs and reporting for an uncertain duty at Stations 11 and 18. Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Jack Brown was at Fire Station 18. He was fielding telephone calls from the Loudoun County EOC, Fairfax County EOC, and the Arlington County EOC. Loudoun County was requested to move a Task Force forward toward the Pentagon and the SVFC was the most logical starting point. AC Brown assembled a team of Volunteers and LCFR employees staffed on two engines and Quint 11 (now Truck 2 for the Great Cacapon Volunteer Fire Company) and headed eastward. As the morning progressed, this Task Force was moved ever forwarded until it reached the site of the attack at the Pentagon trimmed down to just Quint 11 and all of the staff. This mixed crew of 10 firefighters remained at the Pentagon and was rotated out on 12-hour shifts for a total of 3 shifts and 30 firefighters.
The SVFC response was not limited to just the firefighters at the Pentagon. Several crews were assembled to staff various units to include cross staffing Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad 615 and relocating it to Arlington and moving other units to include the HazMat trailer to stations in Fairfax and Arlington.
The response was not just limited to the operational firefighters. Many SVFC associate members reported to our stations to staff the constantly ringing telephones, help prepare meals, and provide other much needed administrative support.
By the end of the day, Station 18 had become the Eastern rally point for staff and resources for Loudoun County. At the peak, there were over 200 Volunteers from various stations standing by at Station 18.
In the days to follow, two SVFC members (Andrew Holt and Berl Jones) had the opportunity to travel to New York City and assist with support activities at one of the affected firehouses. The loss of the 343 firefighters in New York was felt by us all and was witnessed firsthand by these two members.
One of the things that I took away from those days in September was that while being a Volunteer in the SVFC starts with mundane tasks such as showing up to duty and resetting fire alarms, we have the capability to do so much more and to make a real difference - even on a national scale. Along with this comes an enormous responsibility, not only to the citizens of Loudoun County but to a nation that depends on its first responders and to the brotherhood we share with all firefighters.
Below is the roll call list of all SVFC members that were part of the September 11th response. While some of the names have come and gone, there are many that remain. I recommend that you reach out to these folks to learn more about the details and varied missions of that day.
Purvis (Agnolet), Deborah
Banman, Jeffrey
Banner, Frank
Benham, Brett
Bischoff, Johnny
Brown, Jeff
Bucy, Mike
Cahill, Dan
Carter, Dave
Clements, Randy
Davis, Geoff
Featherstone, Mark
Fierstien, David
Firmin, Keith
Gillespie, Randall
Gingras, Steve
Grant, Charles
Graves, Eric
Haddad, Julian
Jones, Berl
Ketcham, Dan
Kiser, Jim
Knoel, Roger
Lam, Gary
Lindstrom, Jeffrey
Loraine, Charles
Loraine, Karen
Lusk, Tom
Maffett, Fletcher
Makowski, Kevin
Mason, Kip
Might, Eric
Miller, Seaver
Munsey, Melissa
Nehls, Ren
O'Brien, Mike
Opett, Rick
Pye, Robert
Radcliffe, Scott
Robertson, Troy
Roman, Bill
Schwiesthal (Bischoff), Danielle
Short, David
Short, George
Starling, Jonathan
Taylor, Beverly
Todd, Patrick
Trevarrow, Jim
Tucker, David
Valetti, Jon-Erik
Weber, Bob
Wilder, West
thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you and bless you
Thank you for what you do!
So thankful you all answered the call to serve. Thank you! 🇺🇸
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you all for what you did then and continue to do now.❤
Thanks to all who sacrifice to help/ serve others.
As a former member I am proud to have been a part of such a great organization . God bless you all.
Thank you for your service, your help, and your sacrifice ❤️ 🇺🇸
Thank you for your service and dedication
Thank you all for your dedication and service!
You forgot Bob Watts. I was nervously waiting at home for him. Thank everyone for your services.
Thank You, each and every one!!
