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Updated on Wednesday June 03, 2009

In 1991, a sister department wanted to open a substation in Fort Blackmore.  Many citizens attended that meeting. A collection of officers was roughed in to help form the substation.  However, it wasn't but a few days later that the group decided that they would rather strike out on their own. In April of 1992, the Fort Blackmore Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. was formed.  A Chairperson-Chief was agreed upon and a set of officers was appointed. By-Laws were created and the Department became incorporated through the Virginia Corporation Commission.  Through the help of ambitious/determined citizens of the area, a fire district was chiseled out. 

A 1964 International Darley pumper with a 750 GPM pump and 500 gallon tank, painted in OSHA safety yellow, Unit 701, was secured through the VA Department of Forestry.  It had seen service as an auxiliary pumper at the Veteran's Hospital in Salem, Virginia.  Also, a 1980 Chevy Ambulance, painted fire engine red, Unit 702, was cooperatively issued to us through the Virginia Department of Forestry, was added to the fleet; it had seen duty at the Norfolk Navy Base and Portsmouth Navy Yard & Dry-docks. Originally, this  fleet of vehicles was stationed on Big Stoney Creek, inside a barn.  Training began in earnest and firefighters became roughed in on their duties. These original "Jakes" became the backbone of our service to the community. On December 1st, 1992, the Department began its official firefighting duties going "On-Line".  Also, in 1992, our first Firefighter I was certified through the Virginia Department of Fire Programs.

Training of firefighters and officers was an on-going goal of the Department.  Over 20 citizens from the Fort Blackmore area became members.  Over 75 applications were completed and turned in over a ten-year period.  Most of these citizen-firefighters were trained in fire behavior, firefighting tactics, water shuttle, water relay, emergency vehicle driving, brush fire fighting, extrication, hazardous materials, first aid, and CPR.  

Soon after that, in 1995, a 1965 Ford Great Eastern Pumper, fire engine red in color, was donated to the Department.  It came from Avon-by-the-Sea Fire Department, NJ. It was a Ford 390 ci 5-speed manual and was numbered 703.  703's Station nickname was "Deer Slayer" because she had been involved in an MVA in the New Jersey barrens during a terrific brush fire.  Needless to say, a deer was struck, the pelt was skinned, and then ceremoniously planted atop the cab of the Ford. The pelt stayed there until 1994 when our Department decided to do without a deer hide topper.

Also, a 1970 GMC Darley pumper, OSHA safety yellow in color, Unit Number 704, was donated to the department through Colt's Neck, New Jersey, Fire Department, in 1996.  Her Station nickname was "Senor Pablo".  She was named this because before we gained possession, a Mexican national [Pablo] was going to driver her south -of-the-border. The deal fell through and Colt's Neck Township offered the truck to us. She became our First Due Pumper and served in that position until 2002. Engine 704 was donated to a citizen of our community for his many years of service to the Department in 2008. 

In 1999, a Ford F350 4x4 flat bed, white, was purchased for $18,000.  It was the first vehicle that was actually purchased by the Department.  A Darley 250 GPM, 250 gallon poly-tank slide-in unit was added to the 4x4 flat bed.  Steel boxes and a Honda generator were added next. Scene lights were provided from a donator truck. She still serves as our Brush Truck and goes out on all fire department calls when drivers are available. Drivers soon afterwards began receiving certification through VFIS Emergency Vehicle Driver Training.  Our first Firefighter II was certified during that year.

In 2001, just one month after the Day the USA will Never Forget, the Department purchased a 2001 Freightliner-80 Pierce Elliptical Tanker, yellow, 500 GPM PTO, 1800 gallon.  The Scott County Board of Supervisors allowed the Department to purchase this truck.  This valuable asset to all the communities of Scott County, VA, has been busy relaying and shuttling water for many other Departments besides our own.  This Cummins 330 HP diesel with Allison MD3060 5-speed automatic transmission, has been the backbone of the Department.  However, she has seen her share of electrical and plumbing woes that continue to haunt her. Our first Instructor I was certified during that year.

Unit 707, 1990 Chevrolet Ambulance, was initially purchased from Daughterty Brother's Chevrolet in Gate City, VA, for use as an EMS-First Responder Unit.  It is now used as a command/utility vehicle.

Unit 708 was given to us through a Virginia Cooperative agreement and VA Dept. of Forestry.  It is a 1979 Dodge 4x4 "meat wagon" ex-military box truck.  She is out of service at this time in need of a complete rebuild.  Times have been hard on the grand old lady, but we received her into the Department in 2002.  Our first Instructor II was certified.

In 2004, the Department was given a 1975 Hahn Pumper-Tanker, red, with a Darley 1000 GPM pump and 1000 gallon steel tank, Unit 709.  Pumper-Tanker 709 was given to the Department by Courtland Vol. Fire Department, Courtland, VA,  which is next to Chesapeake, VA  Pumper-tanker 709 was the First Due Vehicle for the Department until it was given to a sister Fire Department north of Duffield, Jasper VFD.  The Hahn was replaced by a custom Maxim 6-man cab pumper.  It served the department very well and was an excellent responder.

In 2005, the Department purchased a used 1996 Ford Ambulance.  She was painted red and white, lettered according to VA-EMS regulations, and supplied with all the needed equipment of a non-transport "First Responder". On 27th  of  June,  2006,  at 1530 hrs, Unit 711 became Fort Blackmore Fire Department's EMS vehicle. She was immediately placed in service and went on her first call soon afterwards.  A Certified Driver and an EMT or EMS-First Responder personnel are normally needed to roll the vehicle on EMS calls. Unit 711 also goes on Fire Calls if there are is an extra driver available, and there is an EMT or FR on-scene.

Currently, the Department's First Due Pumper, in its continuing effort to bring quality, professional firefighting to the Fort Blackmore Fire District, runs a 1986 Maxim custom pumper which is numbered 701{a}. It is white over red, with a 6-seat custom cab with 3 SCBA seats, a large Detroit diesel, 5 speed manual, large capacity tool storage, diesel generator, deluge nozzle, and 1000 GPM pump. It is also equipped with Holmatro Extrication Tools purchased through a 75/25 Grant with USDA and Rural Development. [ Four of our Firefighters are now certified in Extrication Operations. ] This engine was purchased through the efforts of every tax-paying citizen of Fort Blackmore and Scott County, VA.  She was purchased through Dry Creek FD, in Tennessee. 701{a} goes on all calls except First Responder calls. In 2008, our first two firefighters/drivers took VDFP EVOC and were certified in vehicle types 1-2-and-3.

Exciting News says that fire hydrants may be on the horizon for the Department.  The Scott County PSA will be sending a water line into Fort Blackmore from the Rye Cove area.  Fire Hydrants are to be added to the lines at 1000' intervals.  The citizens of Fort Blackmore will be blessed with quick and easy access to a water supply in their time of need, and for daily water consumption at their homes and businesses.  Installation of the water line and hydrants is expected to be completed by 2010.  New PBI turn-out gear was purchased for two fire fighters who had been without updated equipment.

During all these equipment acquisitions, training continued: brush-fire fighting, Liquid Propane Class and Live Burn, fire behavior, forcible-entry in-house training, building construction, fire behavior, water shuttle and relay, pumper operator in-house training, Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Instructor I, Instructor II, Hazardous Materials Awareness, Hazardous Materials Operations, Confined Space Rescue, Rural Water Supply, VA Dept of Forestry Wildland Firefighter One Class, American Heart Association CPR/AED and First Aid, First Responder Terrorism Awareness, EMS-First Responder, EMS-Emergency Medical Technician, Emergency Vehicle Operators Class, Emergency Vehicle Dynamics & Roll-Over Class, Emergency Vehicle Driver Training, and Emergency Vehicle Driver Training Instructor. Our next batch of Firefighter I's were certified in April, 2009.

Yes, Virginia, a red truck will ripen into a yellow truck....J But, it doesn't really matter what color a fire truck is, as long as she runs well and serves the community with all her heart.

Last Updated Wednesday, 03 June 2009 11:12 -0400

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