Saturday, December 8, 2012
Six police employees graduated from the department’s 10th training academy.
Six Alexandria police department employees have graduated from the Crisis Intervention Team’s 10th training academy. A graduation ceremony was held 2:30 p.m. Friday at the police department headquarters. The Alexandria Police Department and Alexandria Sheriff’s Office developed the Crisis Intervention Team through a partnership with the Department of Mental Health. The team comprises highly skilled and specially trained police officers who function as part of the regular police patrol. Through their training, these officers receive 40 hours of specialized training in the recognition of psychiatric disorders, suicide intervention, substance abuse issues, verbal de-escalation techniques, the role of the family in the care of a person with …
Thursday, December 6, 2012
A fire in the 1200 block of South Washington Street likely was caused by a curtain coming into contact with a halogen bulb.
The Alexandria Fire Department responded to a mid-rise condominium building in the 1200 block of South Washington Street for a two-alarm apartment fire just after midnight Wednesday. Building residents called the department for a fire alarm sounding and then for smoke in the hallways. The first arriving firefighters found fire coming from a first-floor apartment at the rear of the building. Firefighters brought the fire under control in approximately 15 minutes, according to the Fire Department. One resident of the apartment on fire was transported to Washington Hospital Center for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation received while fighting the fire prior to the arrival of the fire department. A second occupant was evacuated without …
38.792431
-77.049785
1200 S Washington St, Alexandria, VA
/articles/two-alarm-fire-injures-alexandria-resident-causes-1m-in-damages
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Previously, the railroad company made other regulatory calls in the event of a potentially hazardous situation before calling local emergency first responders.
Norfolk Southern Railroad now plans to notify the Alexandria Fire Department immediately as part of its emergency response plan rather than make other regulatory calls first. A Norfolk Southern representative member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee announced the change Tuesday night during a public meeting held at Alexandria Police Department headquarters. Alexandria Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Cross also attended the meeting and confirmed for Patch that his office had been notified of the change. Cross said the Fire Department under the new protocol would immediately examine any potentially dangerous situation such as a spill and determine if additional resources would be needed. The railroad has a transloading …
Thursday, October 11, 2012
A citywide open-house event is part of National Fire Prevention Week.
All Alexandria city fire stations will hold open houses from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in honor of National Fire Prevention Week. Each station will open their doors to the community and provide a number of family-oriented activities, along with fire prevention educational materials. Fire apparatus and station tours will be available. Staff at each station will be available to answer questions about their facility, equipment and the department. The event is free and open to all city residents. Chief Fire Marshal Robert Rodriguez said firefighters also will be performing blood pressure checks and providing home fire safety tips and advice. “This year, we’re emphasizing home escape plans and having two ways out,” he said. “It’s also a good …
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Firefighters can be spotted sporting pink T-shirts during October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Members of Alexandria's Fire Department are fired up for the cause. Fire Chief Adam Thiel has authorized members of the department to wear specially designed pink T-shirts during October, Breast Cancer Awareness month. Proceeds from shirt sales go toward the Alexandria Hospital Breast Cancer Walk Fund at Inova Alexandria Hospital, which provides free mammograms for women who live in Alexandria and need a mammogram but their insurance does not cover it or they do not have insurance. Each fire station has T-shirts available to the public for sale — $15 for a short-sleeve T-shirt and $20 for a long-sleeve shirt. For a full list of stations in Alexandria where you can buy a shirt, click here. Shirts also can be purchased via The Walk website, …
Friday, September 7, 2012
Alexandria's Fire and Police departments along with the Sheriff's Office and the Department of Community and Human Services recognized officers and others for their exemplary work.
Four first responders on Thursday were honored for their exemplary performance after graduating from a training program designed to better equip them with necessary skills when they interact with individuals exhibiting behavioral health issues. Alexandria Police Officer Bennie Evans said at the awards ceremony that the Crisis Intervention Team program gave him a certain satisfaction in his job: “I can always write a ticket. I can always take someone to jail, but can I solve a problem?” Evans, who was noted for his work with the city’s homeless population, also was part of the Alexandria delegation that attended the National CIT Conference last year. He was singled out for helping a particular Alexandrian, who had been homeless for years, …
Thursday, September 6, 2012
The event will be held Sept. 23 on the grounds of the Virginia Theological Seminary.
Area musicians and Alexandria’s Town Crier have partnered with the historic Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association to throw a festive afternoon benefit celebrating Alexandria Fire Department firefighters and first responders. The event will be held Sept. 23, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at The Grove on the grounds of the Virginia Theological Seminary, 3737 Seminary Rd. “This is your opportunity to meet the outstanding men and women who do so much to keep Alexandria safe,” said Association President Joe Shumard. “Help us show support for these first responders while enjoying great food, music, games, and fellowship on the lawn at the Virginia Theological Seminary.” The cost is $30 per adult or $75 for a group of up to five admissions. …
38.81842
-77.09215
3737 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA
/articles/alexandria-fire-department-benefit-includes-musicians-family-fun
/locations/7720422
Approximately 150 gallons of ethanol spilled Tuesday at NSR's facility in the West End.
Approximately 150 gallons of ethanol spilled at Norfolk Southern Railroad’s transloading facility near Van Dorn Street Metro station at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and the Alexandria Fire Department was not notified. According to the railroad, the spill occurred when the ethanol was transferred from a railcar to a tanker truck and the tank was overfilled. NSR’s overfill protection system was activated and the spill was contained by employees. There was no contamination to the surrounding area. According to a statement from the City of Alexandria, railroad officials notified the National Response Center, which notified Virginia’s Department of Emergency Management, which then notified the Alexandria Fire Department of the spill. Norfolk Southern did …
Monday, September 3, 2012
Coffee house sustains minimal fire damage, according to a fire department spokesperson.
The Alexandria Fire Department responded to a blaze Monday afternoon at Misha’s Coffee Roaster and Coffee House, located at 102 S. Patrick Street in Old Town. According to a fire department spokesperson, the blaze started in the shop's coffee roaster around 1:30 p.m. It then spread to the building’s chimney. Fire crews responded swiftly and extinguished the fire in a few minutes, the spokesperson said. Misha’s sustained minimal fire damage and possibly some smoke damage, the spokesperson said. Repair estimates were unknown. The fire was contained to Misha’s and did not impact any of the neighboring shops. Five Alexandria fire engines and a multitude of other vehicles responded to the scene, which shutdown one of the busiest intersections …
38.8053
-77.05031
Misha's Coffee Roaster and Coffee House
102 S Patrick St, Alexandria, VA
/articles/alexandria-fire-department-responds-to-fire-at-misha-s
415255
/locations/7702350
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Popular family-friendly event will be held Aug. 4 in the 100 block of S. Alfred Street. Free fire helmets, balloons and birthday cake!
The Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association will hold its annual Friendship Firehouse Festival on Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free family event will take place in the 100 block of South Alfred Street between Prince and King streets, which will be closed off to traffic for the festival. The festival celebrates the special role firefighters have played throughout history, especially those of Friendship. The event will feature a collection of antique fire equipment and, courtesy of the Alexandria Fire Department, a display of modern fire apparatus. The Alexandria Red Cross and the Community Emergency Response Team will participate. Other attractions include craft booths, food vendors and free birthday cake. Children will receive …
VolAlex
8:36 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
Updates to the Picnic: Included in the ticket price are food from Pork Barrel BBQ, Hard Times Cafe, Alexandria Cupcake and Ben & Jerry's. In addition to performances by bands Bumpkin Pie, Herb&Hanson and the Kate Moran Band, and visits by the Alexandria Fire Department Vehicle division and Alexandria's Town Crier, there are plenty of activities and games available for picnic goers including the … more ›