fire department

Around Town

A Tribute to Our Firefighters

By ARLnow.com

In honor of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, we asked Arlington Fire Chief James Schwartz to write a guest column.

This weekend, the nation’s fire service will honor those firefighters
 who died in the line of duty during 2009.  The names of 80 fire fighters
 who lost their lives in service to their communities will be added to
 the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in an annual ceremony at 
Emmitsburg, Maryland. The names of 25 firefighters who died in previous
 years will also be added. The plaques surrounding the Memorial, which
 was established in 1981, contain the names of more than 3,400 
fire fighters. Firefighters and fire department honor guards from across 
the country will gather to pay tribute to the lives of their fallen
 comrades.

Go to A Tribute to Our Firefighters Read more
News

EXCLUSIVE: College Pro Painters Fined Following Electrical Accident

By ARLnow.com

A painter in his mid-20’s nearly died after the ladder he was using touched 19,900 volt power lines at a home on North Highland Street. The employee was burned and knocked back nearly 9 feet by the electrical shock. He was without a pulse when paramedics arrived on the scene, but was resuscitated and eventually transported to the MedStar burn unit in DC.

At the time, College Pro Painters president Rodney Larmand told ARLnow.com that the company was “deeply concerned” and was “investigating the circumstances” that led to the accident.

Go to EXCLUSIVE: College Pro Painters Fined Following Electrical Accident Read more
News

Firefighters Respond to Animal Welfare League of Arlington

By ARLnow.com

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington, which just completed a $1 million renovation, was briefly evacuated twice this morning due to light smoke in the building.

The second time firefighters were called, just before noon, they reported finding a malfunctioning air conditioning unit.

Go to Firefighters Respond to Animal Welfare League of Arlington Read more
Around Town

Arlington FD Missing From Nats 9/11 Heroes Day

By ARLnow.com

On Saturday, the Nationals held a special ‘Heroes Day’ in remembrance of 9/11. The DC Fire Department was a major participant — DCFD firefighters were on hand, players wore specially-made DCFD hats with the Nationals logo in the center, and Nats general manager Mike Rizzo and catcher “Pudge” Rodriguez were recognized as Honorary DCFD Fire Chiefs.

But the Arlington County Fire Department — the first to arrive at the Pentagon on 9/11 — was not invited.

Go to Arlington FD Missing From Nats 9/11 Heroes Day Read more
News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Obama Marks 9/11 Anniversary at the Pentagon — On the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, President Obama visited the Pentagon and called for tolerance and strength in the face of terrorism. More from Fox 5 and a transcript of the president’s speech from CBS News.

Arlington’s Fire Chief Remembers 9/11 — WTOP talked to Arlington Fire Chief Jim Schwartz, who was incident commander at the Pentagon on that fateful September day. “Every time I look at it, it still looks the same to me as it did that morning. I can still see the visions of the gash in the building, the column of smoke, the casualties laying out on the West Lawn,” Schwartz said.

Go to Morning Notes Read more
News

Hazmat Response at Lyon Village Shopping Center

By ARLnow.com

Arlington firefighters and the hazardous materials team responded to the Lyon Village Shopping Center around 12:20 this afternoon for a strong chemical odor. Several people in the Starbucks reported feeling ill as a result of the odor.

Firefighters went up to the roof and came down with a bucket of epoxy that was being used for some sort of roofing work.

Go to Hazmat Response at Lyon Village Shopping Center Read more
News

Photos from the World Trade Center Steel Ceremony

By ARLnow.com

“This morning we gather to recognize the bond between Arlington, New York and Shanskville [Pa.],” said Arlington County Fire Chief James Schwartz.

Dozens of New York City and Arlington County firefighters were on hand for the ceremony. Music was provided by a large bagpipe corps and a youth choir from Georgia.

Go to Photos from the World Trade Center Steel Ceremony Read more
Around Town

Complaint of the Day: Don’t Come Knocking Edition

By ARLnow.com

Today’s complaint of the day isn’t so much a complaint so much as an amusing call to police.

Apparently, a neighbor called police after hearing noises coming from an apartment. The apartment in question belongs to a woman who’s diabetic, and the neighbor thought she might be having some sort of diabetic emergency. The caller said it sounded like the woman was yelling “yes, yes, yes.”

Go to Complaint of the Day: Don’t Come Knocking Edition Read more
News

NYC Firefighters To Donate World Trade Center Steel to Arlington

By ARLnow.com

On August 28, a 6 to 10 foot steel beam from the World Trade Center will arrive in Arlington to serve as a memorial to those who lost their lives on 9/11.

The steel is a gift from the the Fire Family Transport Foundation, an NYC-based firefighters’ charity, and members of the New York Fire Department. Two years ago a similar donation was made to Shanksville, Pa., the crash site of United Flight 93.

Go to NYC Firefighters To Donate World Trade Center Steel to Arlington Read more
News

Painter In Critical Condition After Ladder Touches Power Lines

By ARLnow.com

The man, who’s in his mid-20s, was working as a contract employee for College Pro Painters, firefighters said.

According to Arlington County Fire Department spokesperson Jose Ortiz, the man was trying to position the ladder on a house he was working on, when it fell backwards onto 19,900 volt power lines. The man was severely burned and was knocked back nearly nine feet by the electrical shock.

Go to Painter In Critical Condition After Ladder Touches Power Lines Read more
View More Stories