SOUTH RIVER DISTRICT VOLUNTEER
FIRE - RESCUE

News

 

July 5, 2017

Congratulations to Firefighter Timothy King, Firefighter Ian Morris, and Firefighter Zach Thoele for passing Basic Pump Operations, a 16 hour class.

June 12, 2017

Congratulations to Zach Thoele for passing EVOC, a 16 hour class.

June 9, 2017

We have a new Facebook page. Head on over and like it. It's South River Volunteer Fire Department

May 25, 2017

Congratulations to Firefighter Zach Thoele for passing Hazardous Materials Operations, a 36 hour class, and Firefighter 1, a 160 hour class!

May 18, 2017

Congratulations to Firefighter James Ramsey, Firefighter Jon Kaiser, Firefighter Ian Morris, and Firefighter / EMT Thomas Moriarty for passing Firefighter 2, a 56 hour class!

May 12, 2017

We are taking over the Rockbridge County Truck & Tractor pull. The date of the pull is July 15, 2017. More details will be posted soon.

May 12, 2017

Tickets are available for our carnival. Contact any member to get your tickets!

May 11, 2017

Congratulations to Firefighter James Ramsey & Timothy King for completing Large Animal Rescue, a 24 hour class!

May 3, 2017

Congratulations to Ian Morris, John Camarella, and Thomas Moriarty for passing Firefighter 1, a 160 hour class!

April 4, 2017

Our annual elections were held last night at our monthly meeting. The officers are:

Fire Chief - Ben Wilmer

Deputy Fire Chief - Jamie Wilmer

Assistant Fire Chief - Jarrett Harlow

Captain - Kris Whitesell

Lieutenant - Jonathan Wilmer

EMS Coordinator - Jamie Wilmer

Assistant EMS Coordinator - Ren Scott

President - Jonathan Wilmer

Vice President - James Ramsey

Secretary - Jamie Wilmer

Treasurer - Pam Whorley

Deputy Treasurer - Steve Wilmer

Chaplain - Gary Smith

Director at Large - Kris Whitesell

April 3, 2017

Congratulations to Thomas Moriarty, Ian Morris, and Zach Thoele for completing Leadership 1, a 16 hour class!

April 3, 2017

Congratulations to Ian Morris, Thomas Moriarty, John Camarella, and Craig Miranda for passing Hazardous Materials Operations, a 36 hour class!

February 2017

We are conducting a Popcorn fundraiser. Orders and money are due on March 14, 2017 at 7PM. There are several choices to choose from. Contact us for more information!

February 2017

Our carnival dates have been set. This years carnival will be July 27th, 28th, & 29th. More information will be posted as time gets closer!

January 2017

Congratulations to James Ramsey and Rob Lowe for completing Crew Leader, a 32 hour class

November 2016

We have placed our 2016 Sutphen fire engine in service. 1000 gallon water tank, 40 gallon foam tamk, 1500 GPM Hale Q-Max pump

May 28, 2015

Congratulations to Firefighter Ethan Weeks and Firefighter Taber Burgdorf for passing EVOC, a 16 hour class!

 

April 15, 2015

Congratulations to Firefighter Taber Burgdorf for passing Firefighter 1, a 160 hour class.

 

April 6, 2015

We welcome new member Zach Sensabaugh!

 

April 1, 2015

Congratulations to James Ramsey & Katie Clark for passing Firefighter 1, a 160 hour class!

 

March 23, 2015

Congratulations to Firefighter Ren Scott, Firefighter James Ramsey, and Firefighter EMT Katie Clark for passing Hazardous Materials Operations, a 36 hour class!

 

December 1, 2014

SOUTH RIVER VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT’s 

INSURANCE RATING IMPROVES

 

South River Volunteer Fire Department’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating will improve from a Class 6/9 to a Class 5/5Y rating effective January 1, 2015. 

 

ISO evaluates participating fire departments on the basis of three primary criteria and assigns a Public Protection Classification (PPC), using a numeric scale ranging from 1 to 10.  A fire department receiving a Class 1 rating represents an exemplary fire suppression program, and a Class 10 rating indicates that a department’s fire suppression program does not meet ISO’s minimum criteria.  A community’s PPC rating is evaluated based on:

 

•    Emergency Communications—receiving and handling fire alarms including telephone systems, telephone lines, staffing and dispatching systems.

 

Fire Department—including equipment, staffing, training and geographic distribution of fire companies to minimize potential loss. 

•    Water Supply System—including condition and maintenance of hydrants, alternative water supply operations and a careful evaluation of the amount of available water compared with the amount needed to suppress fires up to 3,500 gallons per minute. 

 

The PPC rating also reflects a municipal fire department’s community risk reduction efforts to reduce losses through fire prevention, public fire safety education, and fire investigation activities.

“This is a very progressive accomplishment for the South River Volunteer Fire  Department and our community,” said Fire Chief Ben Wilmer.  “We work extremely hard and are dedicated to protecting and serving our community.”

Chief Wilmer also recognized the contribution of the department’s members to the improved rating. “I give credit to our personnel for their increased workload and documentation.  Furthering their education to also meet the higher standards could not have been accomplished without hours of commitment made by each member of the department.  This takes a complete team effort, and we’re very proud of the end result.”

What does this mean for the Community and its residents?

The Public Protection Classification program recognizes the efforts of communities to provide fire protection services for citizens and property owners.  A community’s investment in fire mitigation is a proven and reliable predictor of future fire losses.  Insurance companies use PPC information to help establish fair premiums for fire insurance, generally offering lower premiums in communities with better protection.  By offering economic benefits for communities that invest in their firefighting services, the program provides an additional incentive for improving and maintaining public fire protection.

The program also provides help for fire departments and other public officials as they plan, budget for, and justify improvements.  The most significant benefit of the PPC program is its effect on losses.  Statistical data on insurance losses bears out the relationship between excellent fire protection, as measured by the PPC program, and low fire losses.  PPC helps communities prepare to fight fires effectively.

For additional information about the South River Volunteer Fire Department, please visit: www.southriverfire.com

 

November 1, 2014

Josh Smith Benefit Gun Raffle Winners

Mossberg 12 ga - Philip Bahhur, Fairfield

Ruger 7mm-08 - John Higgins, Lexington

Smith & Wesson 9mm - Philip Cales

Thompson Center 270 - Tina Ramsey, Vesuvius

Remington 30-06 - Lee Humphries, Steels Tavern

 

October 22, 2014

Congratulations to Jonathan Wilmer, Logan Irvine, Samuel Bryant, and James Ramsey for passing Emergency Vehicle Operator Course, a 16 hour class!

 

October 15, 2014

Congratulations to Aaron Bryant for passing ICS-300, a 24 hour class.

 

August 22, 2014

Congratulations to Aaron Bryant, John Rowsey, and Abby Rowsey for passing Driver Pumper Operator, a 70 hour class.

 

2014 SOUTH RIVER YOUTH RAFFLE WINNERS

2014 SRFD Raffle Winners

2014 SRFD PARADE WINNERS

 

July 7, 2014

We welcome new member Taber Burgdorf

 

June 2, 2014

We welcome new members Rob Lowe, Katie Clark, and James Ramsey

 

May 16, 2014

Congratulations to Aaron Bryant & Gary Smith for passing Fire Officer 1, a 64 hour class!

 

May 5, 2014

Congratulations to Samuel Bryant & Ethan Weeks for passing Firefighter 1, a 160 hour class!

 

April 14, 2014

Congratulations to Mckenzie Bahhur for passing Hazardous Materials Operations, a 32 hour class.

 

March 6, 2014 - Our annual carnival dates are July 24, 25, & 26, 2014!

 

February 26, 2014 - Congratulations to Gary Smith & Jonathan Wilmer for completing ICS-400, a 16 hour class!

January 25, 2014

Congratulations to Jamie Wilmer, Kris Whitesell, Pam Whorley, and Kelly Snyder for completing Fire Officer 3, a 40 hour college level class. Keep up the good work!!

 

December 3, 2013 

Congratulations to Jonathan Wilmer for passing Firefighter 2, a 56 hour class

 

November 3, 2013

Congratulations to Gary Smith, Forrest Walden, & Abby Rowsey for passing Firefighter 2, a 56 hour class

 

October 31, 2013

Congratulations to Aaron Bryant for passing Firefighter 2, a 56 hour class

 

October 12, 2013

Congratulations to Candy Wilmer, Jonathan Wilmer, Forrest Walden, & Mckenzie Bahhur for passing ICS-300, a 24 hour class

 

September 3, 2013

Congratulations to Sidney Baker for passing EMT-B, a 130 hour class!

 

August 26, 2013

4th Annual South River Fire Chief Pageant Winners

2013 Youth Raffle Winners

2013 Parade Winners

2013 Carnival Prize Winners

 

 

August 10, 2013

Congratulations to LT Pam Whorley, Firefighter Candy Wilmer, Firefighter / EMT Aaron Bryant, Firefighter Jonathan Bailey, Firefighter Mckenzie Bahhur, Firefighter / EMT John Rowsey, and Firefighter / EMT Abby Rowsey for completing Rural Water Supply, a 16 hour class.

 

August 5, 2013

Congratulations to Candy Wilmer, Jonathan Wilmer, Logan Irvine, and Jonathan Bailey for passing Hazardous Materials Operations, a 32 hour class

 

June 29, 2013

Congratulations to Aaron Bryant, Jonathan Bailey, and Mckenzie Bahhur for completing Basic Pump Operations, a 16 hour class

 

June 5, 2013

Congratulations to Firefighter Jonathan Bailey for passing EVOC, a 16 hour course

 

April 1, 2013

Election of Officers

President - Jamie Wilmer

Vice President - Colby Sheets

Secretary - Kelly Snyder

Treasurer - Pam Whorley

Assistant Treasurer - Steve Wilmer

Chaplain - Gary Smith

 

Fire Chief - Ben Wilmer

1st Assistant Fire Chief - Jamie Wilmer

2nd Assistant Fire Chief - Chase Groah

Captain - Kris Whitesell

Lieutenant - Pam Whorley

 

Director at Large - Kris Whitesell

 

EMS Coordinator - Pam Whorley

Assistant EMS Coordinator - Aaron Bryant

 

March 20, 2013

Congratulations to associate member Abby Rowsey for passing Hazardous Materials Operations, a 32 hour class.

 

February 14, 2013

Just a reminder of the 4PM burning law that will be in effect tonight at midnight.

February 15th – April 30th 
No burning until after 4:00 p.m. if the fire is within 300 feet of woodland or anything flammable including dry grass.
Nothing can be added to the fire after 12:00 midnight.
Fire must be attended at all times
For more information go to http://www.dof.virginia.gov/info/faqs-burning.shtml

 

 

December 4, 2012

We welcome new associate members John & Abby Rowsey, and Mckenzie Bahhur

 

October 2, 2012

We welcome new member Ethan Weeks

 

September 5, 2012

We welcome new members Jonathan Wilmer and Logan Irvine!

 

August 21, 2012

We welcome new associate member Jonathan Bailey

 

August 13, 2012

We welcome new member Forrest Walden

 

August 6, 2012

2012 Carnival Prize Winners

 

August 6, 2012

2012 Parade Winners

 

August 6, 2012

3rd Annual Fire Chief's Pageant Winners

 

 

July 3, 2012

We welcome new member Hunter Walden

 June 28, 2012

Our annual carnival is August 1-4. Parade on the 3rd at 7PM

June 26, 2012

Congratulations to Chase Groah for completing Driver Aerial Operator, a 32 hour class

May 26, 2012

Congratulations to Aaron Bryant, Michael Clements, Katie Ruffin, & Gary Smith for passing Hazardous Materials Operations, a 32 hour class

May 23, 2012

Congratulations to Candy McCormick, & Michael Clements for passing EVOC, a 16 hour class

May 14, 2012

Congratulations to Chase Groah & Katie Ruffin for completing Rural Water Supply, a 16 hour class

 

April 25, 2012

Congratulations to Katie Ruffin & Candy McCormick for completing Basic Pump Operations, a 16 hour class

 

April 5, 2012

Congratulations to Gary Smith, Katie Ruffin, Aaron Bryant, & Michael Clements for passing Firefighter 1, a 150 hour class

 

April 3, 2012

Our election of officers was held April 2, 2012. The officers for the next year are:

President Jamie Wilmer

Vice President Colby Sheets

Secretary Kelly Snyder

Treasurer Pam Whorley

Assistant Treasurer Steve Wilmer

Chaplain Leo Clemmer

Fire Chief Ben Wilmer

1st Assistant Fire Chief Steven Maddox

2nd Assistant Fire Chief Jamie Wilmer

Captain Pam Whorley

Lieutenant Kris Whitesell

Director at Large Steven Maddox

 

Appointed Positions:

EMS Coordinator Kelly Snyder

Assistant EMS Coordinator Katie Ruffin

March 29, 2012

Congratulations to Gary Smith, Aaron Bryant, Katie Ruffin, Ren Scott, & Michael Clements for passing crew leader, a 32 hour class!

 

March 6, 2012

Check our fund raising page for a list of up-coming fund raisers

 

March 5, 2012

We welcome new member Candy McCormick to the department

 

February 29, 2012

Congratulations to Lt. Kris Whitesell for completing Leadership I & II

 

Annual awards banquet was held on Saturday January 28, 2012.

 TOP CALL RUNNERS
Matt Wilmer - 340 incidents
Jamie Wilmer - 298 incidents
Ben Wilmer - 268 incidents
Chase Groah - 248 incidents
Kelly Snyder - 240 incidents
Pam Whorley - 193 incidents
Steve Wilmer - 192 incidents
Gary Smith - 179 incidents
Kris Whitesell - 175 incidents
Patrick Snyder - 129 incidents
Colby Sheets - 129 incidents

LINE OFFICERS CHOICE AWARD:
Matt Wilmer & Chase Groah

CALL of the Year
April 30, 2011 Incident Number 1100134

Dispatched at 00:29 to the 3900 blk of N. Lee Hwy for a MVC with entrapment. Arrived to find 4 patients with 1 entrapped. Air Care 5 and Life Guard 10 flew the patients.

Engine 74 Ren Scott
Ben Wilmer (Incident Command)
Jamie Wilmer
Pam Whorley
Aaron Bryant

Engine 71 Matt Wilmer
Kris Whitesell
Patrick Snyder
Colby Snyder

Response 73 Bill Nicely
Chase Groah

Stand by Steve Wilmer

TRAINING AWARDS:
Chase Groah - 459 hours
Colby Sheets - 327 hours
Ben Wilmer - 192 hours
Gary Smith - 188 hours
Aaron Bryant - 182 hours
Katie Ruffin - 164 hours
Richie Shull - 146 hours
Nathan Holliday - 142 hours
Jamie Wilmer - 91 hours
Kelly Snyder - 91 hours
Pam Whorley - 89 hours
Kris Whitesell - 63 hours

FUNDRAISING:
Kelly Snyder and Jamie Wilmer 97%
Steve Wilmer 88%
Patrick Snyder 79%
Matt Wilmer 64%
Pam Whorley & Chase Groah 61%

FIREFIGHTER of the YEAR:
Matt Wilmer & Chase Groah

Congratulations to everyone!

 

January 10, 2012

Congratulations to Chase Groah for passing May Day Firefighter Down, a 16 hour class and to Kris Whitesell for passing ICS-400, a 16 hour class

 

November 14, 2011

Congratulations to Ronnie Campbell for winning the South River supervisor and to Chris Blalock for winning the sheriff election!

 

November 1, 2011

Congratulations to Katie Ruffin for passing Emergency Vehicle Operators Course, a 16 hour class

October 15, 2011

Congratulations to Chase Groah for passing Firefighter II, a 44 hour class.

October 10, 2011

Congratulations to Chase Groah for passing ICS-300, a 24 hour class

 

September 19, 2011

Congratulations to Chase Groah, Brandon Newell, and Gary Smith for passing Farm Machinery Safety & Extrication, a 16 hour class

 

September 12, 2011

Congratulations to Chase Groah for taking a job with the City of Lexington as a firefighter

 

August 20, 2011

Congratulations to Richie Shull & Gary Smith for passing EMT Basic, a 120 hour class

 

July 5, 2011

Congratulations to Chase Groah for passing Basic Pump Operations, a 16 hour class

 

June 30, 2011

Congratulations to Chase Groah, Colby Sheets, & Aaron Bryant for passing EMT Basic, a 120 hour class

 

May 31, 2011

Congratulations to Chase Groah & Gary Smith for passing EVOC, a 16 hour class

 

May 20, 2011

Congratulations to Jamie Wilmer, Pam Whorley & Kelly Snyder for passing Fire Officer 2, a 32 hour class.

 

April 20, 2011

Congratulations to Jamie Wilmer, Kelly Snyder, & Pam Whorley for passing Fire Instructor II, a 32 hour class.

 

April 20, 2011

Congratulations to Colby Sheets for passing Firefighter 1, a 150 hour class.

 

March 24, 2011

Congratulations to Colby & Chase for passing Hazardous Materials Operations, a 32 hour class!

 

March 7, 2011

Colby, Chase, Brandon, & Aaron have started EMT basic class. The class is two nights a week. They test in June. Good luck guys!

 

February 23, 2011

Congratulations to Matt & Chase for completing Crew Leader, a 32 hour class!

 January 10, 2011

 

 

July 19, 2010

 

 

Wee Baby Miss

Winner:           Laila Thomas

1^st:                   Caylaih Chandler

2^nd:                   Madison Tomlin

3^rd:                   Kamyn Allen

Wee Baby Chief

Winner:           Colton Knight

 

Baby Miss

Winner:           Lilyan Thomas

1^st:                   Emma Hall

2^nd:                   Hailey Wade

3^rd:                   Courtney Conner

 

Baby Chief

Winner:           Luke Sayre

1^st:                   Zachary Snyder

2^nd:                   William Wilmer

 

Little Miss

Winner:           Aspen Bahhur

1^st:                   Jaici Moore

2^nd:                   Hadleigh Martin

3^rd:                   Brooke Wilmer

Petite Miss

Winner:           Kelsey McCown

1^st:                   Taylor Wade

2^nd:                   Tristan Whorley

 

Pre-Teen

Winner:           Charity Smith

1^st:                   Logan Whorley

2^nd:                   Caroline Fitzgerald

 

Junior Miss

Winner:           Sierra Clark

 

Honorary Miss

Kelsee Grant

 

 The South River District Volunteer Fire Department was awarded $73,625 from the 2008 FEMA Fire Act Grant.  The money will be used for 2 rapid intervention kits (RIT), 2 firefighter locating systems, exhaust system for the firehouse and a stand by station generator.   

RIT kits are important tools for providing a means of rescuing a down firefighter or for providing guidance when retracing your path under conditions of limited visibility. 

The fire fighter locating system would be beneficial if our members ever became lost or entrapped in a building. The fire fighter locating system utilizes Pulse ultrasound technology.   

An exhaust system is a feasible method to eliminate all diesel exhaust from the Firehouse.  Being a department that is equipped with two engines, one tanker, one brush truck and a response truck there is a lot of exhaust that is left behind in our bay when we receive a call.  The system is designed to connect to any motor vehicle tailpipe and provide virtually 100% effective capture. 

We currently do not have a back-up generator. Our station is used as a shelter during natural and manmade disasters. It would be imperative to have a generator to ensure power during times of need. The generator will be powered by LP gas.

Thanks to Firefighter / EMT Kelly Snyder for writing the grant!

The South River District Volunteer Fire Department relies on donations from you to help run our day to day operations, and continue to buy state of the art equipment to be there when you call. We are a non-profit organization so make your tax exempt donation today.