Alcorn Seeks Intern — The Hunter Mill District Office is seeking a part-time summer intern to help with public service activities. The deadline to apply is March 1. [Fairfax County Government]
Reston House Fire Extinguished — A small fire broke out on the outside of a roof on the 11500 block of Greenwich Point in Reston yesterday evening. The fire was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
Late Night Thieves Target Minority Business Owners — Detectives in Fairfax County are investigating a series of overnight commercial burglaries at minority-owned businesses located in Alexandria, Annandale, Falls Church and Springfield in Virginia. [WTOP]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
New Vaccine Distribution Process In Effect — ” While local health districts are allowed flexibility in how doses are administered, roughly half of the available supply each week will be used for people 65 and older. The other half will be allocated for people eligible in the other categories.“ [Fairfax County Government]
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Partners with George Mason University — The department’s data analytics strategy management division partnered with the university to give students a chance to work with real world data from the community. Students studied the relationship between medications administered and procedures performed to distance from the receiving hospital. [FCFRD]
Warren Thompson Talks Growth for His Reston-based Hospitality Company — “If you ask Warren Thompson to predict what the restaurant industry looks like on the other side of the Covid-19 crisis, he’s straightforward — ‘I believe 30% to 35% of restaurants will not make it. They will either close or change hands.'” [Washington Business Journal]
Reston Tech Company Names Chief Growth Officer — “Reston-based tech company TekSynap announced last week it has hired Pete Brady as chief growth officer. With more than 35 years of experience in military operations, growth, business development and technology, he was most recently the chief growth officer with BlueWater Federal, which was acquired by Tetra Tech. “ [Virginia Business Monthly]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is coming up with more ways to help local residents receive CPR in the event of an emergency.
Earlier this month, the department announced the official launch of the PulsePoint, a phone app that connects to 911 and alerts CPR-trained residents if someone in a nearby, public location is experiencing Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).
The rate of survival from SCA decreases by between seven and 10 percent for every minute that passes before help arrives, according to the department. The app can be downloaded from the Apple Store or on Google Play. Potential resident rescues are also alerted to the exact location of a defibrillator.
Fire Chief John Butler is encouraging residents to download the app.
“In working with PulsePoint, our goal is to get every resident with access to early intervention in order to save as many lives as possible,” Butler said.
Butler pushed for the institution of the app in Howard County, Md., where he was previously the fire chief.
Last year, the American Heart Association (AHA) created new guidelines that urged fire departments to have the capability to alert willing bystanders for the need of CPR.
“The AHA recommendation was considered and played a significant role in the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Departments’ implementation of PulsePoint,“ said Battalion Chief George Robbins, the county’s community risk reduction program manager.
He noted that CPR-related calls are fairly common in Fairfax County. In 2019 and 2020, the department responded to 645 and 663 patients where EMS crews attempted resuscitation respectively, Robbins told Reston Now.
An email is required to set up an account once the app is downloaded.
Photo via PulsePoint Foundation/Facebook
Construction on the long-anticipated new Fire and Reston Station 25 on Wiehle Avenue in Reston is coming along and is planning to be set for occupancy towards the end of 2021, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue’s assistant public information officer Bill Delaney tells Reston Now.
Late last month (Dec. 2020), the department tweeted that the station would be ready by the summer.
It’s beginning to look a lot like…….a fire and rescue station! New Station 25, Reston, is coming along nicely! Estimated occupancy is the Summer of 2021. Funding for the new station was included on the 2015 Public Safety Bond Referendum approved by voters.#FCFRD pic.twitter.com/aNtFAbEcPk
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) December 29, 2020
Delaney says the delay is due to extremely wet weather over the last few months and “other challenges that are normal parts of the building process.”
The initial timeline floated in 2018 for completion in spring 2021, so the project appears to be behind that original projected date.
The nearly $15 million project will more than double the size of the previous station. The 17,150 square-foot, two-story facility will have four bays. It will also be able to accommodate up to 20 firefighters per shift and six apparatus equipment including a new engine, according to the architect’s description. The station is targeting LEED Silver certification.
County plans from early in 2018 said the design would have a “contemporary look to compliment the urban feel of Reston Town Center.”
Funding for the new station was included on the Public Safety Bond Referendum approved by voters in 2015. Four other fire stations were included in the referendum for renovation or rebuild. The Woodlawn station in Alexandria is set to open for occupancy in the spring and Edsall Road station in Springfield is scheduled for next year.
The new Reston station is being built on the same site as the old station. That one was built in 1972 and last upgraded in 1986. It was only 2.5 bays and deemed “grossly undersized” for the community.
For comparison, Reston’s population in 1972 was about 16,000, according to the Reston Museum. In 2019, it was more than 61,000.
In January 2020, fire fighters moved to a temporary station nearby at 1840 Cameron Glen Drive until the new station is ready for occupancy.
A Fairfax County official told the Patch at the time that the move would have no impact on the station’s ability to serve the community.
Demolition started in March on the old fire station.
Photo courtesy of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.
Apartment Fire on Castle Rock Square Under Control — A fire broke out in the bathroom of an apartment building on the 2200 block of Castle Rock Square late yesterday. No injuries were reported. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
Hands-free Cell Phone Laws Go Into Effect — Beginning Jan. 1, it is against the law to hold a phone or mobile device while driving. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Local Reston Heroes Who Went Above and Beyond — Three Restonians were honored for being local heroes by Patch readers. They include a member of the Reston Community Center Board, a childcare worker, and the owners of ArtInsights Gallery of Film and Contemporary Art. [Reston Patch]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Multiple lanes are closed on the Dulles Toll Road just after Reston Parkway after a 40-gallon fuel tank leaked earlier this morning.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department expects three or four lanes to remain shut down for roughly an hour, according to a statement released earlier today.
No injuries have been reported and the leak is under control.
⚠️ Traffic Alert (7:45 a.m. Wednesday): Due to an overturned truck, multiple lanes are blocked on the Westbound Dulles Toll Road at Exit 12.
Expect delays and follow police direction.
The ramp to Exit 12 (S.R. 602/Reston Parkway) is also blocked .
— Dulles Toll Road (@Dulles_Toll_Rd) December 23, 2020
Units on scene of a box truck on its side on Route 267 Westbound just after Reston Parkway. 40 gallon fuel tank was leaking. Leak has been stopped. No injuries reported at this time. 3 of 4 lanes are shut-down – potentially for an hour. Seek alternate route. #FCFRD #traffic pic.twitter.com/Y6Jc64x2Oi
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) December 23, 2020
Be Wary of Icy Conditions — The county is advising residents to be wary of icy patches and slippery spots on roads and sidewalks this morning until temperatures rise later today. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
New Process for Requesting Park Programs Now Available — ”The Park Authority has a new program request form that makes it easy to register for personalized programs for birthdays, scout gatherings, school enrichment and family fun in parks throughout Fairfax County.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
Reston HR Services Contractor In the Spotlight — ”Golden Key Group LLC (GKG) scored a major feather in its cap Wednesday with a contract to provide the Department of Commerce’s human resources information technology services — but that’s just the start for the company, executives said.” [Washington Business Journal]
Photo by Doug Errett
Several boxes were on fire in the hallway of an apartment building in Herndon on Tuesday morning.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department arrived to the building, which is located in the 12900 block of Mansarde Avenue, at around 9 a.m.
The burning boxes, which had activated the building’s sprinkles, were removed from the building before the fire department arrived.
Crews worked to remove some from the first floor of the building. No injuries were reported.
Units on scene of apartment fire in the 13900 block of Mansarde Avenue in Herndon area. Several boxes on fire in hallway. Sprinklers activated. Boxes taken outside prior to arrival. Fire appears out. Crews working to remove smoke from first floor. No injuries at this time. #FCFRD pic.twitter.com/9mkB8yRBBR
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) December 15, 2020
A townhouse fire on the 13300 block of Apgar Place that started this morning is now under control, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
When units got to the scene, smoke was showing from the townhouse unit. The fire was located in the wall and quickly extinguished around 7:46 a.m., the department wrote.
No injuries were reported.
UPDATE from townhouse fire in the 13300 block of Apgar Place in Herndon area. Fire is out. No extension to townhouses next door. No injuries at this time. Most units will be returning to service soon. #FCFRD pic.twitter.com/bYGkTp6jI0
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) November 25, 2020
Photo via FCFRD
Looking to donate toys this holiday season? The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Stations are collecting donations for the regional Quantico Toys for Tots campaign.
The Quantico toy collection will run through Dec. 13. However, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Station collections are only running through Dec. 12. Individuals can leave small donations in collection boxes outside the front door of each station every day until 8 p.m.
These hubs will accept donations, however, they will not be distributing supplies, according to the campaign website.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Stations collected around 12,000 toys last year. The entire Quantico campaign collected more than 108,000 toys that were distributed to more than 106,000 children.
Quantico’s Toys for Tots program is run by the U.S. Marine Corps with a mission to collect new toys for distribution to underprivileged children for Christmas. The non-profit aims to inspire these children to become responsible, productive and patriotic citizens through these gifts.
Those who are interested in donating but do not live near a Fire and Rescue Station can visit the Quantico website for a list of more donation centers.
Photo by Ryan Fields/Unsplash
Dense Fog Advisory In Effect — The National Weather Service has issued a dense fog advisory for the area until 10 am. today. If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance between you and other vehicles. [NWS]
Delivery Times for FCPS Meal Sites, Bus Stops Change — “Beginning Monday, 11/9, delivery times and some bus stops for grab and go meals distributed on bus routes will change. These changes are due to the need for more buses to transport students returning to school for in-person learning.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Update from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department on COVID-19 — As of this Sunday, four people in the department have tested positive. So far, 64 personnel have fully recovered. [FCFRD]
Photo by Ray Copson
Seven residents have been displaced following a house fire on the 1400 block of Bayshire Lane in the Town of Herndon on Oct. 18.
Fire investigators ruled that the fire in the single-family home was caused by an unattended candle. Information about the incident was released today (Monday). The c candle was left burning in the master bathroom, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
Fire and rescue crews from the FCFRD, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Department and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Fire and Rescue Department responded to the scene a few minutes before 1:30 a.m. that day.
The incident caused roughly $93,750 in damages. Seven people were at home when the fire began. No injuries were reported.
FCFRD is reminding residents of the following safety tips:
- Never leave burning candles unattended
- Keep all combustible materials away from open flames
- Do not burn candles near windows or doorways
- Place candles in glass or ceramic containers
- Place candles on a flat, sturdy non-combustible surface
- Never leave candles burning when children or pets are present
A malfunctioning surge protector caused a townhouse fire in the 2400 block of Pyrenees Court in Reston, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental in nature.
The incident happened a little before 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Smoke alarms alerted two occupants about the fire in the bedroom.
Officials estimate the fire caused $18,750 in damages. No injuries were reported.
Photo via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
A fire broke out at a townhouse on the 2400 block of Pyrenees Court in Reston earlier this afternoon.
According to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, crews extinguished the fire by around 2 p.m. today (Tuesday). No injuries were reported.
No other information was immediately available. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.
Units on scene of townhouse fire in 2400 block of Pyrenees Ct in Reston area. Crews working to extinguish fire. #FCFRD pic.twitter.com/0asd2TlHxU
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) September 29, 2020
Fairfax County firefighter Andrew Cruikshank has been charged with one count of misdemeanor assault after he slapped a patient who spat on him in the back of an ambulance.
Body camera footage from Sept. 14 shows that Cruikshank was span on while he was treating a man who was strapped down in an ambulance. The incident happened in Reston.
The man was in the custody of the Fairfax County Police Department. The police department authorized the release of the video, which was captured by a police officer’s device.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Fire Chief John Butler said the action “goes against the values” of. The department.
“We respect our role in the community and strive to build and maintain public trust. We remain dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of our community and will continue to ensure that our members are held to the highest standards of the profession.”
Cruikshank has been placed on administrative leave as the department’s internal investigation continues. He has been with the department for two years.
Video footage is embedded below. View discretion is advised.
Photo via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
