Known as
MusicThe Show Goes On Berwind Volunteer Fire Department is the only Department in McDowell County to have two Volunteer Stations. Berwind is also the only department, in McDowell County, with a certified "Scuba/Dive" Rescue Team. Also, Berwind was the first department in the county to be Rope/Rescue certified. Members are all trained and certified in Firefighter Level 1, certified Level 2, Emergency First Responder. Members have taken classes on Basic Ventilation, Basic Firefighting, Initial Response to Hazardous Materials Incidents, Emergency Response to Terrorism (ERT) and more.Station number 1, located in Berwind : houses and operates the following; Command 1 - Rescue 1 - Engine 1 - Engine 2 - Dive Truck - Rescue Boat - WVDOF/Brush 1 - Engine 4 (Reserve) and Tanker (Reserve) Tanker Station number 2, located in Squire, WV :houses and operates the following; Rescue 2 - Engine 2 and Tanker 2Berwind Fire Department also has a small office complex which serves as; the chief's office, meeting space for the department and the Community Neighborhood Watch.We cover about 45 to 50 square miles and respond to all of the following:Structure fires, Vehicle accidents, Emergency first response, Water rescue incidents, Hazardous Materials incidents as well as Search and Rescue.We cover mainly a rural area and respond to all sections of Berwind, Canebrake, Hartwell, Vallscreek, Squire, Newhall, Rift as well as Horspen and Brewsterdale. We also respond to all automatic mutual aid, with War Volunteer Fire Department, for structure fires. On Going TrainingOn January 16, 2004, Chief Adams, Deputy Chief Johnson, Lieutenant Beaves. Firefighters: Brighaum and B. Gayness attended a four hour course on, "First Response to "Clandestine Labs".Many other departments were also represented. Classes were taught by; Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, McDowell County Sheriff's Office and the director of the McDowell County 911 Center - Jimmy Gianato. Over the past 2-3 months, members of the Berwind Fire Department, and other county departments, have been hard at work to become certified as "Haz-Mat Operation". Congratulations to Chief Adams, Deputy Chief Johnson, Firefighters D. Brigham, B. Gayness and A. Grose for passing the ICS course and the Basic Concepts to Hazardous Materials Incidents. Members are still awaiting the results, from their Hazardous Materials Operations Level Course. January 16, 2005, Chief Adams, Deputy Chief Johnson, Lieutenant Beaves, Firefighters B. Gaynes and Brighaum completed a four hour "Class One" First Responding to Clandestine Labs, Numerous departments, other than Berwind were present. The class was taught by members of the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, the McDowell County Sheriff's office and the director of the McDowell County "911" center's Jimmy Gianato Bluefield Fifth Annual Fire Fighter Challenge - 2000 The Fire Fighter Challenge is modeled after the National Fire Fighters' Combat Challenge in which the competitor runs through five skill stations in a race against the clock. The fire fighter runs the course in full turn-out gear, including breathing apparatus. Nine departments were represented overall in the challenge. Berwind Fire Fighters J. J. Johnson took home the over-40 honors with a time of 2:28.25 Other times : Matt Dash 1:57.01 Jim Johnston 2:24.61 Daniel Baker 2:42.88 Adam Grose DNF Mark McKinney DNF Stage 1 of the Challenge involves carrying a high-rise hose pack to the top of a three-story scaffold. At the top of the scaffold, the hose pack is dropped and another hose pack is hoisted from ground level to serve as Stage 2. The fire fighter then returns to grade level and enters Stage 3 (forcible entry), where he drives a heavy beam five feet with a sledgehammer. Once that is accomplished, Stage 4 demands that a charged 1-1/2 inch hose line be advanced seventy five feet. At that point, the firefighter enters Stage 5 which involves dragging a 140-lb dummy seventy five feet to the finish line. RECENT ACTIVITIES January 23. 2004 - members responded to a First Responder Medical Call, in SquireHill section of Squire. A subject was transported to Tazewell Community Hospital by MCEAA, with shortness of breath. January 23, 2004 - members responded to a First Responder Medical Assistance call, to the Dryfork No. 37 mine, located on route 9 neat the Tazewell/McDowell County line. The subject was transported to Tazewell Community Hospital by MCEAA, with possible fractures of both right and left legs. January 25, 2004 - members responded to the Newhall area, near the old Lambert's packing house, to a one vehicle MVA. Two persons were transported to the Tazewell Community Hospital, with minor injuries. January 27, 2004 - members responded to the Tunnel Hill section of Newhall, for a First Responder Medical Emergency. A subject was transported to the Tazewell Community Hospital, with shortness of breath. January 27, 2004 - members responded to the Squire Hill section of Squire, to a report of a possible structure fire. Units arrived, on location, to find a controlled burn and returned to their stations, one and two. January 29, 2004 - members responded to a "Full Code" First Responder call to the Squire Hill section of Squire. Members were assisted by MECAA. January 31 , 2004 - members responded to the Hartwell section of Vallscreek, to a First Responded call. Members were assisted by MECAA. Subject refused treatment and transport. February 8, 2004 - members responded to the old 37 Mine, Dryfork near Tazewell/McDowell County border, to a First Responder call. Members assisted MCEAA with a subject with several fractures to the hand. Subject was transported to Bluefield Regional Medical Center by MCEAA units. February 10, 2004 - members responded to the Bar Star Coal Company to a Fatal mine accident. Members were assisted by MCEAA units. February 10, 2004 - members responded to Raw Cole Company at the Big Creek Holl9ow section of Newhall, to a mining accident. Members were assisted by several MCEAA units. February 11, 2004 - members responded to the Newhall area, near the Hillbilly Market, to a 2 vehicle MVC car vs. coal truck. One subject was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. MCEAA also responded Squad units. February 13, 2004 - members responded to the Lake Road section of Berwind, to a structure fire. 201 War Fire Department also resp9onded to the structure for automatic mutual aid. Berwind members arrived to find a fully involved single wide trailer, with no exposures. No one was home at the time of fire. It was brought under control with minutes. View Fire Photos Motor Vehicle Collision In memory of all Firefighters who lost there lives in the line of duty: The Firefighters Prayer When I'm called to duty God whenever flames may rage Give me strength to save a life whatever be its age Help me to embrace a little child before it is too late Or save an older person from the honor of that fate Enable me to be alert to hear the weakest shout And quickly and efficiently to put the fire out I want to fill my calling and to give the best of me To guard my neighbor and protect his property And if according to Your will I have to lose my life Bless with Your protecting hand my children and my wife Amen Next
MusicThe Show Goes On
Berwind Volunteer Fire Department is the only Department in McDowell County to have two Volunteer Stations. Berwind is also the only department, in McDowell County, with a certified "Scuba/Dive" Rescue Team. Also, Berwind was the first department in the county to be Rope/Rescue certified.
Members are all trained and certified in Firefighter Level 1, certified Level 2, Emergency First Responder. Members have taken classes on Basic Ventilation, Basic Firefighting, Initial Response to Hazardous Materials Incidents, Emergency Response to Terrorism (ERT) and more.
Station number 1, located in Berwind : houses and operates the following; Command 1 - Rescue 1 - Engine 1 - Engine 2 - Dive Truck - Rescue Boat - WVDOF/Brush 1 - Engine 4 (Reserve) and Tanker (Reserve) Tanker
Station number 2, located in Squire, WV :houses and operates the following; Rescue 2 - Engine 2 and Tanker 2
Berwind Fire Department also has a small office complex which serves as; the chief's office, meeting space for the department and the Community Neighborhood Watch.
We cover about 45 to 50 square miles and respond to all of the following:
Structure fires, Vehicle accidents, Emergency first response, Water rescue incidents, Hazardous Materials incidents as well as Search and Rescue.
We cover mainly a rural area and respond to all sections of Berwind, Canebrake, Hartwell, Vallscreek, Squire, Newhall, Rift as well as Horspen and Brewsterdale. We also respond to all automatic mutual aid, with War Volunteer Fire Department, for structure fires.
On Going Training
On January 16, 2004, Chief Adams, Deputy Chief Johnson, Lieutenant Beaves. Firefighters: Brighaum and B. Gayness attended a four hour course on, "First Response to "Clandestine Labs".
Many other departments were also represented. Classes were taught by; Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, McDowell County Sheriff's Office and the director of the McDowell County 911 Center - Jimmy Gianato.
Over the past 2-3 months, members of the Berwind Fire Department, and other county departments, have been hard at work to become certified as "Haz-Mat Operation".
Congratulations to Chief Adams, Deputy Chief Johnson, Firefighters D. Brigham, B. Gayness and A. Grose for passing the ICS course and the Basic Concepts to Hazardous Materials Incidents. Members are still awaiting the results, from their Hazardous Materials Operations Level Course.
January 16, 2005, Chief Adams, Deputy Chief Johnson, Lieutenant Beaves, Firefighters B. Gaynes and Brighaum completed a four hour "Class One" First Responding to Clandestine Labs, Numerous departments, other than Berwind were present. The class was taught by members of the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, the McDowell County Sheriff's office and the director of the McDowell County "911" center's Jimmy Gianato
Bluefield Fifth Annual Fire Fighter Challenge - 2000
The Fire Fighter Challenge is modeled after the National Fire Fighters' Combat Challenge in which the competitor runs through five skill stations in a race against the clock. The fire fighter runs the course in full turn-out gear, including breathing apparatus. Nine departments were represented overall in the challenge.
Berwind Fire Fighters
J. J. Johnson took home the over-40 honors with a time of 2:28.25
Other times :
Matt Dash 1:57.01
Jim Johnston 2:24.61
Daniel Baker 2:42.88
Adam Grose DNF
Mark McKinney DNF
Stage 1 of the Challenge involves carrying a high-rise hose pack to the top of a three-story scaffold. At the top of the scaffold, the hose pack is dropped and another hose pack is hoisted from ground level to serve as Stage 2. The fire fighter then returns to grade level and enters Stage 3 (forcible entry), where he drives a heavy beam five feet with a sledgehammer. Once that is accomplished, Stage 4 demands that a charged 1-1/2 inch hose line be advanced seventy five feet. At that point, the firefighter enters Stage 5 which involves dragging a 140-lb dummy seventy five feet to the finish line.
RECENT ACTIVITIES
January 23. 2004 - members responded to a First Responder Medical Call, in SquireHill section of Squire. A subject was transported to Tazewell Community Hospital by MCEAA, with shortness of breath.
January 23, 2004 - members responded to a First Responder Medical Assistance call, to the Dryfork No. 37 mine, located on route 9 neat the Tazewell/McDowell County line. The subject was transported to Tazewell Community Hospital by MCEAA, with possible fractures of both right and left legs.
January 25, 2004 - members responded to the Newhall area, near the old Lambert's packing house, to a one vehicle MVA. Two persons were transported to the Tazewell Community Hospital, with minor injuries.
January 27, 2004 - members responded to the Tunnel Hill section of Newhall, for a First Responder Medical Emergency. A subject was transported to the Tazewell Community Hospital, with shortness of breath.
January 27, 2004 - members responded to the Squire Hill section of Squire, to a report of a possible structure fire. Units arrived, on location, to find a controlled burn and returned to their stations, one and two.
January 29, 2004 - members responded to a "Full Code" First Responder call to the Squire Hill section of Squire. Members were assisted by MECAA.
January 31 , 2004 - members responded to the Hartwell section of Vallscreek, to a First Responded call. Members were assisted by MECAA. Subject refused treatment and transport.
February 8, 2004 - members responded to the old 37 Mine, Dryfork near Tazewell/McDowell County border, to a First Responder call. Members assisted MCEAA with a subject with several fractures to the hand. Subject was transported to Bluefield Regional Medical Center by MCEAA units.
February 10, 2004 - members responded to the Bar Star Coal Company to a Fatal mine accident. Members were assisted by MCEAA units.
February 10, 2004 - members responded to Raw Cole Company at the Big Creek Holl9ow section of Newhall, to a mining accident. Members were assisted by several MCEAA units.
February 11, 2004 - members responded to the Newhall area, near the Hillbilly Market, to a 2 vehicle MVC car vs. coal truck. One subject was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. MCEAA also responded Squad units.
February 13, 2004 - members responded to the Lake Road section of Berwind, to a structure fire. 201 War Fire Department also resp9onded to the structure for automatic mutual aid. Berwind members arrived to find a fully involved single wide trailer, with no exposures. No one was home at the time of fire. It was brought under control with minutes.
View Fire Photos
Motor Vehicle Collision
In memory of all Firefighters who lost there lives in the line of duty:
The Firefighters Prayer
When I'm called to duty God whenever flames may rage Give me strength to save a life whatever be its age
Help me to embrace a little child before it is too late Or save an older person from the honor of that fate
Enable me to be alert to hear the weakest shout And quickly and efficiently to put the fire out
I want to fill my calling and to give the best of me To guard my neighbor and protect his property
And if according to Your will I have to lose my life Bless with Your protecting hand my children and my wife
Amen
Next
