The SVFC is honored and humbled to help support the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue 9/11 Stair Climb. Joined by Support Services personnel from Lucketts Volunteer Fire Company Inc. and Arcola Volunteer Fire Department we are providing hydration support while fire and rescue personnel from LCFR, volunteers from multiple companies, Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, and many others as they climb stairs in laps at Segra Field in honor of the victims of September 11.
Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad
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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 hand off 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 (LCFR) 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 at 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 the staff. This mixed crew of 10 fire fighters remained at the Pentagon and was rotated out on 12 hour shifts for a total of 3 shifts and 30 fire fighters.
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 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 fire fighters. 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 fire houses. The loss of the 343 fire fighters 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 fire fighters.
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Firefighter James “Andrew” Holt — November 23, 1979 - April 9, 2026
As we gather for the 25th memorial service of the September 11th attack, we would like to honor the bravery of one of our past members who responded to New York City that week.
Sterling Volunteer Fire Company Firefighter James “Andrew” Holt was only 22 years old when he volunteered to go to Ground Zero. During his time there he exemplified what it means to be in the fire service and we are forever grateful.
We just learned that Andrew passed earlier this year. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and fellow firefighters.
Rest well Firefighter Holt, we have it from here.
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September 11, 2001. A dark day. But it was also a day where America saw, perhaps more than any other time, the quiet courage and selfless sacrifice of first responders. As we approach the 25th anniversary on Friday, we honor and remember all those we lost on that day and those that followed. And we salute the first responders who saved so many, even at the cost of their own lives. They drove and they ran toward danger. We will never forget.
Loudoun County Fire and Rescue #neverforget #September11 #FDNY343
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