DEPARTMENT NEWS DESK
FD
PLACES NEW TANKER IN SERVICE: In
April 2002, The Chatham Fire Department took Delivery of a 2002 Pierce
Pumper-Tanker, unit number 216. The truck is built on a Freightliner FL-80 Chassis.
It has a 1000 GPM pump and a 2000-gallon tank. This truck replaces a 1982
Chevrolet Tanker with a 1200-gallon capacity tank. The truck carries 2½” supply
hose, 1¾” attack hose, 1” booster reel, 6” and 2½” hard suction lines,
auxiliary pump and equipment, various hand tools, extension ladder, roof
ladder, four SCBA’s and two spare air bottles. If needed, this new truck can
operate independently as a pumper. The truck committee, which designed this
truck, consisted of CPT. Donald Motley, LT. Rodney Brooks, LT. Bobby Campbell,
Jacob Coles, and Doug Powell.
CHATHAM
FD RECEIVES STATE GRANTS: The
Chatham Fire Department received two grants from the Virginia Department of
Forestry. One of the grants was allocated for the purchase of wildland turnout
gear. The second grant went towards forestry hose and a pump. The turnout gear
will be used by members to fight forest, woodland, and grass fires. The gear is
lighter weight and easier to use on these types of fires, as opposed to
structural turnout gear. The pump purchased will be used to draft water from a
pond, lake, or other water source in the field. The pump will be carried on the
new tank truck that the department has placed in service. The hose will be
carried on 214 and 215, the department’s two brush trucks. Firefighter Tom
Milette worked on the applications and his efforts helped make these grants
available to the CVFD.
CHATHAM
FD RECEIVES FEDERAL GRANT: Chatham
received a grant from FEMA under the Assistance to Firefighter’s Grant
Program. Chatham received $137,000
under the category for Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety. $123,300 was made available from FEMA, with the Town of
Chatham picking of the matching 10% as required by the grant program. This
money will be used to purchase 22 SCBA’s, an air compressor, and a thermal
imaging camera. The 22 SCBA’s will replace the department’s aging units. The
CVFD currently has 13 SCBA’s, 15 spare air bottles, and an air compressor. The
compressor is owned by the county and will be transferred to another department
upon purchase and delivery of the new compressor unit. The thermal imaging
camera, that we received money for, will be the first one of its kind in
Pittsylvania County. Chatham was notified of its award in late August. The CVFD
was part of the fourth round of grant awards presented by FEMA. Rodney Brooks
handled all of the application and was very instrumental in helping the
department to receive a grant of this size.
2002 VACATION RAFFLE
HUGE SUCCESS: We raised over $11,000 and after the prize was taken out
the department received $9,315. We held the drawing on September 2, 2002 and
the Winner was Mrs. Bonnie Brown of Dry Fork.
CHATHAM HOLDS 5K RACE: This
event benefits the Chatham Volunteer Fire Department, the Chatham Rescue Squad,
and several other charities. Although we do not put on this event, we do
provide personnel, a fire truck, and anything else that we have available. This
event also allows us to get out in the public and distribute fire prevention
literature. The CVFD received $3000 from the race earnings.
2003
OFFICERS ARE ELECTED: The Chatham Fire Department elected its
officers for the year 2003 at the business meeting in November. The officers
will become official on January 1, 2003 and will serve until December 31, 2003.
Landon Worsham was reelected Chief, and 2003 will be his 40th year
in that position. Other officers include: Assistant Chief-Donald Motley,
Captains- Steve Finkner and Rodney Brooks, Lieutenants- Bobby Campbell and
Jacob Coles, Training Officer- Tom Milette, Supply- Chad Shelton, Equipment-
Doug Powell, Vehicle- Ramsey Brooks, Treasurer- H.L. Gatewood, Secretary- John
Scott, Chaplain- Edmund Giles, and Sgt. At Arms- Sam Owen.
2002
FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR: The
2002 Firefighter of the Year Award was presented to H.L. Gatewood. This award
is given out every year at the annual Christmas Banquet. The member received
the award is elected by the department. H.L. is the third generation of his
family to have served in the Chatham Fire Department. His grandfather and father
both were long time members of the CVFD. His grandfather served as treasurer
for many years until his death. H.L. now serves as the department’s treasurer.
1ST
COUNTY FD TO PURCHASE THERMAL IMAGER: The Chatham Fire Department received its thermal imaging
camera on December 13, 2002. This camera is the first of its kind among the
departments in Pittsylvania County. Although the City of Danville has one, no
other department in the county has any. The department, as a whole, decided to
purchase the Eagle Imager II made by Scott. Members of the CVFD went to the
Danville and Pittsylvania County Regional Fire training Center to test five
different models of thermal imagers along with two brands of SCBA’s. Camera
manufacturers included Scott, MSA, and Bullard. The members compared the screen
size, picture quality, features, ease of use, and durability. Price was never
considered when selecting the camera; the department wanted the best camera it
could get regardless of price, since the money was made available through FEMA.
The new camera will be placed on Chatham’s first due pumper, Unit 211.
CHATHAM
FD RECEIVES DPC GRANT: The
Danville and Pittsylvania County Community Foundation has awarded the Chatham
Fire Department with $4650. The DPC is a community foundation is a collection
of separate funds established by individuals and corporations - a community of
donors - to enhance the quality of life in a local area. This money will be
taken and placed into the department’s building fund. It will be used towards
the construction of a new fire station for the Chatham Fire Department.
2003 VACATION RAFFLE
HELD: Our 2003 Vacation Raffle was held on April 29, 2003. The Grand Prize winner was Mr. Rudy Shupik,
the Second Prize Winner was Mr. Byron Reynolds, and the Third Prize went to Mr.
William “Bill” Simpson.
PLANS MADE TO PURSHASE
MSA: The CVFD membership voted unanimously, in January, to
purchase MSA air packs with the money that was received from the FEMA grant. This
decision comes after six months of meetings, presentations, demonstrations, and
training. The department reviewed packs from MSA, Scott, and Survivair, however
in the end MSA was overwhelmingly considered the best. Each manufacturer
provided demo units that were left at the station for use by members, and an
MSA pack rode the truck for four months.
CHATHAM APPLIES FOR
2003 FEMA GRANT: Rodney Brooks applied for the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters
Grant offered through the Federal Emergency Management Administration. The
department decided as a whole to request Turnout Gear for all members of the
department, and gave the task to Rodney to prepare the grant application.
LONG TIME CHIEF HONORED: Chatham
Fire Chief Landon R. Worsham was honored for over 50 Years of Service to the
Chatham Fire Department and for serving 40 Years as the Chief. Delegate Robert Hurt and State Senator
Charles Hawkins submitted legislation to the Virginia General Assembly calling
for a Resolution Honoring Mr. Worsham for all his accomplishments, specifically
his service to the community through the Fire Department and the Rescue Squad
over the years.
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Last Revised: January 1, 2003