Mt residents deserve better than this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hose292]

Second time in two weeks that mountain has had a house fire an the only thing the mt can get out is the tanker driver only totally unacceptable. I hate to think that if my family is trapped in a house fire that we have to wait on Harpersferry or Charlestown to come get us. Also the mt now only has one emt an medic and is failing on there ambulance unless Jefferson County ambulance authority is getting the unit out. BRMVFC just lost a lot of members do to bad leadership an some left because they said they were very secretive an they didnt want to get caught up n the corruption thats still n full swing there

[Neophyte Man]

Second time in two weeks that mountain has had a house fire an the only thing the mt can get out is the tanker driver only totally unacceptable I found that not to be to funny when I saw CO2 pull up first seeing how one fire was on keys gap rd. less than a mile from CO5 firehall and it was at night.
Things are looking up Ed Burns is now leading the way, and he will not be intimidated by those that hold the secrets to the dark side over their.
Plus if you notice already how many CO5 vehicles stay parked and not out doing whatever(like personal use). I sure had no idea they own so many vehicles.
Ed Burns is already starting to show us, that this stuff is going to stop.

[Chutney Daftcraft]

Forty Bucks. Home Depot. They have them in stock:

8984

[charliepff]

Sorry to hear this is still going on. The best advice I can give everyone is to keep writing the county and the state and keep pressuring them to do something about it. If you do have an emergency at your house ( I hope no one has to use this advice ) keep track of the first few units on scene and Blue Ridge or whoever provides service to that area does not show up consult an attorney. There can be legal and civil repurcussions to them and the county for not providing the service they are promising. Do not let anyone tell you different and I am not going into depth on how I know this. Until something is done about it, practice fire prevention as much as you can in your household. If you have any questions search on google or PM me.

Also, we are still set to lose our primary mutual aid in January unless I missed something. So Neersville will not be coming over anymore. They have been first in on a few fires over hear in the last year.

[KatherineA]

A few years ago, I had an emergency and the first to arrive was Citizens from Charles Town; this was on a Saturday mid-afternoon. Next to arrive another unit from C-Town or Ranson; Third and after 45 min - Blue Ridge Fire Dept.

[Neophyte Man]

Third and after 45 min - Blue Ridge Fire Dept The fire on keys gap road the other night was insane.
I watched the whole thing, thank God for CO2, sad when you can't get out the door when fire is less than a mile from your fire hall. Less than a mile and CO2 beats you there and they are miles from that location.

[mountainman83]

Knowing how those people are up there very soon Ed Burns will be run out of there just like so many other honest people have. I give him a month

[cindylu]

. . . So Neersville will not be coming over anymore. They have been first in on a few fires over hear in the last year.

That is bad. During summer months when a water tanker was required up here they were the first ones to show up.

[Ed Burns]

I want to reply to concerns regarding to CO 5 by saying that a new day was dawned last Monday when I was elected to the office of President, but just as fast as it rose the sun set for the following reasons.


The faction that manipulates the process within the company immediately started the undermining of the environment by stacking the deck on the BOD with their like minded folks.
Next an officer was overheard saying to another officer " don't worry we will get rid of him quickly" referring to me.
Lastly we lost several good and young members that night due to the other votes taken.


As you must understand CO 5 is a membership driven organization and as such is governed by the wished of the membership. I there is insufficient membership to change things all will stay the same, so I ask YOU the community CO 5 serves to get involved, join the CO and become a part and partner in the rebirth of the Mountain Fire Company. You do NOT have to be a firefighter or EMT to be a full member of the company.


A strong show of support for change by showing up at the BOD meeting Monday @ 7 PM at the Main station on Keys Gap Rd and listening to the challenge and understanding and seeing what I will be up against will,I hope, send a message that the community seeks change and that things will change or the company will face many challenges they can not afford.


We have a great group of responders that are dedicated to their mission if we can get the management problems solved the Blue Ridge Mountain Volunteer Fire Company will be the pride of our mountain and an asset to Jefferson County.

[Willis]

I'm planning on attending. I'd certainly encourage all who have expressed opinions to attend, too. It's not too dramatic to say that the issues involved are a matter of life or death and it's certainly worth taking a half day off work, if necessary.

[MoeMoe]

faction that manipulates the process within the company immediately started the undermining of the environment by stacking the deck on the BOD with their like minded folks. seems to pinpoint the problem right here.....

[Steveo]

Mr. burns exactly what is "their" agenda? Just curious

[KatherineA]

This thread is not showing up . . . anyway what is involved with being a member who can vote?

[Willis]

This thread is not showing up . . .

? not showing up :asking07:

[LFE]

? not showing up :asking07:

I would guess that she did not see it in her view.. but got here via the link provided in your calendar posting.

[KatherineA]

I would guess that she did not see it in her view.. but got here via the link provided in your calendar posting.

Yes, it was the only way I could find this thread again.

[Neophyte Man]

exactly what is "their" agenda? Just curious Nepotism of the grandest scale, the lot will continue to keep company 5 down in the depths of corruption.

Next an officer was overheard saying to another officer " don't worry we will get rid of him quickly" referring to me.exibit A right here, I even heard this. They don't want an honest person in there because they don't want to ruin their personal bank and sin den.

I told Mr. Burns a few hours after the good new that I would give him a week and sure enought MR. I, started bucking five minutes after election results. We all know who Mr. I is so don't make me point his name out. It is down right sorry deal.
Mr. Burns I can tell you is honest as the day is long in Alaska during the summer. Men of integrity are what we need up there, not a bunch of nepotsim, keep it in the family crap.

[Neal]

I am encouraged to understand that members of the community who have skills other than EMS and fire can provide other beneficial contributions to Company 5.
Given the opportunity, I will ask the following questions at the 12/19/2011 meeting.
1- What provisions in the Company By-Laws or other governing documents describe the types of membership.
2- What provisions in the Company By-Laws or other governing documents describe the roles and responsibilities of each membership type.
3- What provisions in the Company By-Laws or other governing documents describe the process to correct improper behavior, or remove a member from the company.
4- Please describe the impact to the households in the community regarding the new fees to support the Jefferson County Emergency Agency.
5- Please describe your vision to off set the impact of "required fees" for services will have on other Company fund raising efforts.
6- The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce recognizes members of LE, EMS, Fire, and emergency communications who perform oustanding achievements in their field as recognized by their peers. The absence of Company 5 at this annual event has sent a disturbing message to the County in my opinion, and I encourage you to change this trend.


Neal Nilsen
Member - Jefferson County Risk Assessment & Mitigation Planning Committee
President - River View Association
Vice President - Eastern Panhandle Organization of Home Owners Associations


..... so I ask YOU the community CO 5 serves to get involved, join the CO and become a part and partner in the rebirth of the Mountain Fire Company. You do NOT have to be a firefighter or EMT to be a full member of the company.
A strong show of support for change by showing up at the BOD meeting Monday @ 7 PM at the Main station on Keys Gap Rd and listening to the challenge and understanding and seeing what I will be up against will,I hope, send a message that the community seeks change and that things will change or the company will face many challenges they can not afford.
.....

[lar]

Mr. Burns, if I recall you are/were an aspiring politician or planning commission member, can't exactly remember, this seems like a big appointment for you and a big challenge and I think if you can stand your guns and accomplish what needs to be accomplished with this department, you will be set for your future endeavors in government if that is what you are looking for.

[Neophyte Man]

you will be set for your future endeavors in government if that is what you are looking for. You would be right but Mr. Burns goal is to help a broken fire hall that does service his area. He also is one of those types who loves to help his community out with his free time. There is not a lot of folks who are willing to do anything but he is and does.
His soul reason to run for this thankless job is to clean house and get better service for those of us who live in or around Shannondale. Hell 3,000 plus people on this mountain and we can only get 3-5 honest people to get involved in anything. Much less a man who is trying to fix a corrupt dept., who has the guts to do that, not me, Ed Burns has the guts.

[caroline]

Thank you Mr.Burns for stepping up to the plate.

[MtnnMama048]

I would personally like to thank all the members of the community that showed up at the BOD meeting tonight. I believe they had alot of valid questions and I personally think they were satisfied with the answers they got. The fire dept is moving forward in a positive manner. As to the question about the tanker going out on alot of fire calls, remember there are limited hydrants on the mountain and water is what you need when you have a fire. The tanker hold 3500 gal verses 750 gallon. The fire on North Mission the other night was under control from the tanker being first on scene. Members of the community need to remember, we as all other companies in the county are strictly volunteer and we do not have as many members as some of the other companies in the county. We do the best we can to serve the community to the best of our ability.

[Neophyte Man]

Well they could not kick Ed Burns out last night he is still our President and Mr. I, still holds his position. Mr. Burns was warned if he ever got on here (S&B) and spoke freely, in other words speak the truth, they told him they would kick him out.
The news crews were there, so that helped. Journal, Spirit , and others. Gee wonder why they showed up:). It is over, Mr. Burns is going to make that place shine, and run like a well oiled machine.

we do not have as many members as some of the other companies in the county. You will now.

[lar]

Sounds great, stick to your guns Mr. Burns, and the community will follow....

[Kensey]

I would personally like to thank all the members of the community that showed up at the BOD meeting tonight. I believe they had alot of valid questions and I personally think they were satisfied with the answers they got.

It appears John Maxey was kept out. Why was that?

[lar]

Like uninvited, kept out?

[kkrapf]

Like uninvited, kept out?

Check the shoutbox.

[Neophyte Man]

It appears John Maxey was kept out. Why was that? Got to give them a heads up for that:p:) There is no way they could take Maxey and Burns on at the same time.:)

[Willis]

Like uninvited, kept out?
After the regular meeting the board of directors went into executive session and guests were asked to leave as per the Company 5 bylaws. John had attended the MCC meeting, held at the same time as Co 5's meeting, and was late arriving at the fire hall. The executive meeting was was apparently in progress by then.

[John]

After the regular meeting the board of directors went into executive session and guests were asked to leave as per the Company 5 bylaws. John had attended the MCC meeting, held at the same time as Co 5's meeting, and was late arriving at the fire hall. The executive meeting was was apparently in progress by then.

Thanks Willis - this is correct. I was not able to get to the fire hall until about 8:00. The young man at the door was very polite and offered to let me wait but was not sure how long the session would last. I've attended Co 5 meetings before and have always found them to be informative.

[MtnnMama048]

John is always welcome to our meetings as well as anyone else. As Willis stated we had gone to executive session, otherwise he would have been more than welcome to come in, late or not. And John, that was my son that met you at the door, he had told me you were there. Sorry for making you come over and then miss the meeting. Maybe the January meeting.

[lar]

Got to give them a heads up for that:p:) There is no way they could take Maxey and Burns on at the same time.:)

Too bad for their luck, look what John Maxey has done with the MCC, not too shabby!

[KatherineA]

Ed Burns and John work very well together at the Blue Ridge Watershed Coalition meetings and on the board together (yes, in the same room and everything).

[Willis]

See a related thread HERE (http://www.shannondale.org/forum/showthread.php?24700-Public-Trust-a-Priority-for-Ed-Burns-Co-5-President)

[John]

With the proposed new fire fee - change is on it's way to all of Jefferson County's fire companies. It will be critically important to incorporate the skills and energy of the volunteers that have been stepping up for us for decades into any new structure.

We can't afford to run Fairfax style full professional fire service in Jefferson County. We are going to need the knowledge, experience and commitment of the folks that have been quietly taking care of this for us all along.

At the same time, an infusion of public funds into the system means we need transparency and accountability at a level that may not have been required before. Ed Burns has the administrative skill to help bring this.

[trollibear]

...... And John, that was my son that met you at the door, he had told me you were there. Sorry for making you come over and then miss the meeting. Maybe the January meeting.

Don't feel bad. John should be used to it by now. We do it to him all the time. Theresa and everyone else hides while I peek out the door and tell him the party's over. We crank the music back up after he leaves.

[charliepff]

Members of the community need to remember, we as all other companies in the county are strictly volunteer and we do not have as many members as some of the other companies in the county. We do the best we can to serve the community to the best of our ability

I would like you to tell this to a person that is trapped in a building, car, or to someone that there house just burned down. You can be held responsible and accountable for not being able to make it to calls. Volunteer is not an excuse to fail. There are multiple ways to overcome this. While the county can not afford a "Fairfax" style system, they can certainly come up with a succesfule combination system like many other communities have across the nation. This county is growing steady dispite the downed economy. So the issue of short staffing on Fire/Rescue or Sheriff side is not going to go away. Especially as more people have less time to spend volunteering due to more commitments elsewhere. MtnnMama048, I suggest that you and your executive, as well as fire officers should take Fire Service legality classes. It really sounds like you all have no idea what you can and can not be held responsible and accountable for. While you may doubt me, I can tell you there have been multiple cases across the US where departments have been held responsible for either lack of response or mistakes on scene.

MtnnMama048, running the tanker first when there is a lack of manpower is a good choice. Mutual aid can provide engines to suppliment pressure and manpower but the extra water immediately available is a good decision. Nice job. Another way to fix the issue is use mutual aid. I heard that issue is fixed so that will help you all out too. Hopefully with the changes Station 5 will be less transparent and head in positive direction.

[lar]

Now that we got the tanker truck, we need a ladder truck. When we had the two story house fire on Conifer a couple years ago we had to get a ladder truck from Loudoun and by the time that got there, the house was well engulfed.

[LFE]

Now that we got the tanker truck, we need a ladder truck. When we had the two story house fire on Conifer a couple years ago we had to get a ladder truck from Loudoun and by the time that got there, the house was well engulfed.
Is that the multi family house at the top of the hill on the left side?
- Is it owned by someone that has something to do with the WV fire commissioners office (that is the rumor I heard)?
- I also heard that the fire was ruled to be started by a squirrel chewing through the wiring...
- I also have good reason to believe that this is why LE would not press any charges against the driver and passenger that lived at that address who drove the unregistered, uninsured jeep full of tires to the top of the mountain last new years eve and had it "accidentally" catch on fire.
- It would also help provide insight into why other problems that seem to stem from activities at that house go on without any fear of repercussion.

All those types of things combined (if true, my investigative skills may not be anywhere near as good as what might be obtainable by our local media experts)... would lead me to believe that access to things like a ladder truck in some cases might not have been all that helpful.

[lar]

Yes that is the house I refer to, those are rumors I have heard as well, but as to the shenanigans I cant really attest to any of that. They don't bother us and we don't bother them, and I'd like to keep it that way. All I know is there are a number of kids out of my kids age bracket that live up there and at least two parents but I wouldn't even be able to identify vehicles or faces in a line up if I had to and I swear to it. Everytime someone identifies something in particular on this website, I try and recall if I have seen that vehicle and I feel like I don't, but I don't stare out my window and we are not that affected by noises that much at the top of the hill and are accustomed to Mission traffic. The furthest I travel on my street is the one driveway past mine. As I said before we are on a wave/nod/smile relationship. The second time they moved there, then came back in a more low key way.

[cbuck725wv]

about 3 years ago my garage burnt down ,almost my house too,no thanks to co5.they all left town to go to a meeting and left no company as a back up as most all fire companys do.i had to wait to ctown got here...is that any way to run a fire company???

[derricksonb]

Now that we got the tanker truck, we need a ladder truck. When we had the two story house fire on Conifer a couple years ago we had to get a ladder truck from Loudoun and by the time that got there, the house was well engulfed.

In theory I agree with this statement and believe that evry department should have a truck or tower at it's disposal. The problem being that they are often VERY cost prohibitive running anywhere from $500K for decent used straight Aerial (http://www.fentonfire.com/ladders_and_quints/listing.php?lid=3276)up to $1.25Million (Leesburgs 2007 Seagrave Tiller (http://www.vafirenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Leesburg-T1-Seagrave-firepics.jpg)). Most departments who have ladder trucks usually outfit them to run as first due on rescue and paramedic calls reducing the need to have a dedicated rescue or squad. The problem BRMVFC would face is that they already have staffing problems and cannot get engines (four man minimum) out on fire calls and instead can only run the tanker which is a two man unit.

The other issue is that it requires a special bay within the firehouse that is longer and taller with a 12' tall door to house a ladder truck, which neither the main or substation currently have. This would require an addition to one of the structures or the construction of a new station just to house the new piece of apparatus.

[charliepff]

Not to mention truck and rescue work requires more In depth and advanced training. Such as rope rescue, roof operations and so on.

[Marie]

This clearly shows BRMVFC/ Company 5 has been having on-going problems for a very long time and nothing has been done. Further proof JCESA must act and get rid of those in charge and make our mountain safe.

[Av8r]

I called the Governor's office and spoke with his aide about two years ago when we had the car fire that shut down Mission Rd for several hours. My concern was that Mission Rd. used to connect to Rt 7 but doesn't anymore, leaving residents no way out if there is a large fire. They responded that a) it would cost ~$300K to grade it and gravel it, and b) that they had tried but Virginia didn't want it reopened.

[cindylu]

I called the Governor's office and spoke with his aide about two years ago when we had the car fire that shut down Mission Rd for several hours. My concern was that Mission Rd. used to connect to Rt 7 but doesn't anymore, leaving residents no way out if there is a large fire. They responded that a) it would cost ~$300K to grade it and gravel it, and b) that they had tried but Virginia didn't want it reopened.

Is it the state of Virginia doesn't want it reopened or the owners of the property?? I heard (don't know the validity) the private owners of the property closed it and didn't want it reopened.

[LFE]

DNR put the gate up.
- I have never driven to it, however I heard there is a trail that just goes right around it.
- That would make sense as all the gates "protecting" the wildlife management areas (execpt the one by the boat ramp) seem to have clear, well used trails right around them.

[Av8r]

I was told that it was the State that didn't want it reopened. But if the owners there had successfully petitioned the state, it makes no difference. I had thought at one point of trying to get public support here to convince the golf course that is past the end of Patriots Way to allow mission to come alongside that property. It would open up the golf course to the residents here with very easy access and might help revenue for them. A win, win?

[Willis]

A win, win?

Very few of Shenandoah Retreat's residents would see a multitude of commuters from WV trying to make a left turn onto Rt 7 from VA Rt 643 as a win :asking07:
http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz186/willisnowell/SBorg/mission-rt7.jpg
And I don't see providing access thru the golf course w/o having a negative effect on the residents of the Retreat either. If I resided there, I'd stir up a ruckus in opposition.

[Steveo]

I hae driven it to the end gate at Shenandoah retreat and out to 7. A two wheel drive vehicle with decent ground clearance can make it fine(subaru outback type )