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.
For most, the kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during the holidays. From testing family recipes to decorating cakes and cookies, everyone enjoys being part of the preparations.
So keeping fire safety top of mind in the kitchen during this joyous but hectic time is important, especially when there’s a lot of activity and people at home. As you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing that large family feast, remember, by following a few simple safety tips you can enjoy time with your loved ones and keep yourself and your family safer from fire.
Thanksgiving by the numbers
- Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by the day before Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. and Christmas Eve.
- In 2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,760 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving, the peak day for such fires.
- Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
- Cooking equipment was involved in almost half of all reported home fires and home fire injuries, and it is the second leading cause of home fire deaths.
Safety tips
- Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
- Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
- Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
- Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
- Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
- Keep knives out of the reach of children.
- Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
- Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
- Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
November 12th, 2:25 pm
Structure Fire for Crew 3
Just after 4:30 on Monday morning Engines 624 and 618 were alerted for an auto accident on Route 28. As both units were clearing communications dispatched them to a structure fire call in Sterling Park, along with Engine and Tower 611, Engine, Rescue, and Medic 439 (Reston - Northpoint) and Tower 436 (Frying Pan) from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Battalion Chiefs 601 and 603, and EMS and Safety 601.
Engine 618 arrived first and (assisted by members of LCFR Engine and Tower 11 - Sterling Park who were on their way to work) established a water supply and began knocking down the fire in the carport area. As Engine 624 and Tower 611 arrived crews transitioned inside to search for potential victims (thankfully none were found) and attack the fire that had spread through the interior. Other units made sure the fire wasn’t spreading to nearby homes, secured utilities, pulled backup hoselines, established an additional water supply, and completed the many other tasks a modern house fire requires. Command requested a Rapid Intervention Team Level 1, which brought Engine and Medic 404 (Herndon) and Tiller 606 from Ashburn Volunteer Fire Rescue Department - AVFRD. Battalion Chief 401 responded with the Fairfax units, and Operations 600 also responded. As the incident progressed they called for an additional 3 engine companies to assist, bringing Engine 436, 303 from Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Fire & Rescue Department, and 623 from Moorefield.
Canteen 611 responded to provide refreshment in the rehab area. As the incident was brought under control units were released, with some units remaining in Sterling to provide protection while Sterling units were occupied. Units cleared just after 7am.
Check back soon for a link to the full photo gallery.
November 11th, 6:11 am
On this day the SVFC would like to thank all veterans (and their families) for their service and sacrifice. Many veterans continue to serve in other areas, like the fire service and law enforcement. We're especially thankful for those who have chosen to serve with the SVFC, and honored to work with you and your brothers and sisters every day. (Also, we'd like to wish the United States Marine Corps a happy 243rd birthday.)
November 7th, 6:30 am
Structure Fire for Crew 2
On Sunday evening Engine and Tower 611, and Engines 618 and 624 were alerted along with Engine, Rescue, and Medic 439, Truck 425 from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Battalion Chiefs 601 and 401, Safety 601, and EMS 601 for a fire in the Sterling Towncenter McDonald’s.
Units from Station 39 (Reston - Northpoint) arrived first, reported smoke from the roof and inside the building, and began investigating the origin, making sure the building was evacuated and preparing for fire attack. Arriving units established a secondary water supply, assisted with fire attack and searching, and Tower 611 and Truck 425 made access to the roof.
A Rapid Intervention Team Level 1 was requested, bringing Engine 442, Truck 606 from Ashburn Volunteer Fire Rescue Department - AVFRD, and Medic 625B from Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad.
The initial fire was extinguished in the area of origin but had extended into the ventilation system. This lead to an extensive operation trying to locate fire that had spread into void spaces throughout the building. Older buildings often have multiple renovations and additions that can leave many places for fire to spread and hide. The size and openness also make smoke removal difficult.
Due to the amount of work involved a second alarm was requested adding Engines 412, 425, 431, Tower 436, Canteen 611, Medic 615, Light and Air 436, Mobile Air Unit 608, Operations 600, Battalion Chief 403, and Safety 402.
During the incident Engine 606 and Ambulance 623 transferred to Sterling to maintain coverage in the area.
Thank you
Wow. Thank you. I hope they fix it up and it remains there. I loved that McDs! Many memories there!
Thank you for all the work you women and men do to keep us safe
Thank you for all you so for the community.
Much appreciated for every call you respond to.
Thank you for your bravery!
November 6th, 6:28 pm
Congratulations to Assistant Chief Williams and System Chief Kieth H. Johnson!!!!!County leadership, Fire and Rescue System members, friends and family gathered together today to officially swear in newly promoted Assistant Chief James Williams and System Chief Keith Johnson. The ceremony took place in the Old Historic Courthouse in Leesburg. County Administrator Tim Hemstreet, BOS Chair Phyllis Randall and Chaplain Charlie Grant welcomed the audience with opening remarks. As the LCFR Honor Guard looked on,
Clerk of the Circuit Court Gary M. Clemens performed the official swearing in ceremony. Congratulations to Assistant Chief Williams and System Chief Kieth H. Johnson!!!!!
November 3rd, 6:43 pm
On Saturday evening Tower and Canteen 611 were alerted by Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department for the 2nd alarm on a fire in Reston. About 15 minutes later Engine 618 was alerted for a 2nd unrelated fire, also in Reston. Within 5 minutes of that Engine 611 was transferred to fill Station 412 in Great Falls and Engine 624 was en route to Herndon for a reported elevator entrapment. Engine 622 from Ashburn Volunteer Fire Rescue Department - AVFRD was transferred to Fire Station 618 to maintain coverage in the area. Recently the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems of Loudoun, Fairfax, and Dulles Airport were connected allowing for even more efficient use of regional resources and better protection for citizens when things get busy.
Charlotte Rowell Sellier
Lindsay Marie
Thank you to those who serve and protect. I'm sorry to hear it was a crazy day
This is comforting information. Thank you!
Thank you all for using all your training and truly working for others regardless of locations.
Thomas Kane
Thank you for keeping us all safe.
To all those who serve the public, thank. Firefighter are awesome, to my son and older brother‼️‼️‼️‼️🙏♥️💜
November 3rd, 2:28 pm
We're happy to be able to help the City of Manassas Fire Rescue Department.If you happen to see a Sterling truck responding to calls in the Manassas area... it is on borrow until we get Tower 501 back. Thanks to Sterling Volunteer Fire Company for the loan!!!
November 1st, 9:10 am
"Fall Back" on Sunday Morning
With the end of Daylight Saving Time just around the corner (clocks "fall back" at 2am on Sunday, November 4th), will you remember to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and CO detectors when you change your clocks?
On average, families have less than three minutes from the time the first smoke alarm sounds to escape a fire. Working smoke alarms provide the early warning and critical extra seconds needed to escape and cut the risk of dying in home fire structures in half.
Change and test the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and remind your friends, family, and neighbors to do the same. This simple act takes just a moment, but it is the best defense your family has against the devastating effects of a home fire.
Remember to check the expiration date on your smoke detectors. The life expectancy of smoke detectors is 8 to 10 years. If they are more than 8 years old, it's time to replace them.
In addition, smoke alarms should be tested once a month and if an alarm “chirps”, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
Loudoun County's “Put a Finger on It” smoke alarm campaign offers free home safety inspections and smoke alarms to all Loudoun County residents. If your smoke alarms are broken or outdated they will replace them with battery powered alarms at no cost and install additional alarms as necessary. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the hotline at 703-737-8093 or visit www.loudoun.gov/smokealarms.
Loudoun County, VA - Official Website - Smoke Alarm Program: Put a Finger on It
loudoun.gov
Put a Finger on It, free smoke alarms, inspectionsOctober 31st, 1:54 pm
Smile for SVFC?
Planning on some post-Halloween shopping? Please consider shopping via Amazon Smile at the link below. All smile purchases through November 2nd generate a 5% (10 times the usual rate) donation for us!
sterlingfire.org/smile
Support Sterling Park Volunteer Fire CO Inc by shopping at AmazonSmile.
smile.amazon.com
When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate to Sterling Park Volunteer Fire CO Inc. Support us every time you shop.
