Virginia Beach Fire Dept. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Volunteer Notes For The Quarter
BUSINESS
OLD BUSINESS and TREASURER’s REPORT
Presented by Steve Kennedy, and Josh Swindell. Update on financial issues and Fund Drive.
PROSPECTIVE VST INFORMATION
18 personnel are in various stages of the Volunteer Support Tech (VST) application process (11 have been interviewed but have yet to turn in their PHQ’s. 4 personnel are still on hold due to military or work related Covid-19 directives or deployments. A high number of applicants interviewed this year continue to be dropped from the process due to non-submission of their PHQ’s and no phone / e-mail contact, self-withdrawal due to the extensive time frame for processing, or disqualification (Personnel interviewed now totaling over 120). The last 4 out of 6 to reach the polygraph phase of the process have been disqualified!
OVFD APPARATUS ACQUISITION
The new Utility-8 is in-house, but not yet in-service. Updates pending. Overview of on-going acquisition process of the purchase of a New Support back-up vehicle (Kennedy).
OPERATIONS
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
ALL Uniforms, PPE, and ID Cards must be turned in when leaving the organization … NO exceptions! A bill for “a large sum of money” has been sent to a departed VST whose gear was “stolen.”
COVID-19 ISSUES / STATUS
Effective immediately the following previously published Covid-19 guidelines for Duty Support Crews will again be reinforced: NO EXCEPTIONS!
ALL personnel will wear a mask while traveling in OVFD/VBFD vehicles.
ALL personnel will wear a mask if in an enclosed space (office, bunk room, etc.) containing more than three (3) individuals.
ALL un-vaccinated personnel will wear a mask at all times (exception: eating, sleeping) when performing support duty or coming into the fire station. A number of our personnel have recently been exposed to individuals (VBFD Members) testing positive for the Covid-19 virus, and there is an increase in members calling in “sick” for scheduled duty shifts. These guidelines are for your, and your fellow VST / firefighter health and well-being.
SUPPORT TRUCK RE-ACTIVATION
Prior to putting Support-8 back into service, and “all hands” drill, cleaning, and sanitization session will be held on an evening TBD or on Saturday, 16 OCT. (Times TBD).
TRAINING
VBFD CADET PROGRAM
Meeting & Drill Schedules with applicable training for interested VST’s will be published prior to VBFD Cadet meetings (1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month, 1800-2000 hours at the FTC). Refer to the sample schedule of classes.
DUTY SHIFT TRAINING
With close to a month of duty down-time, ample opportunity will exist for Duty Crew Training once SUP-8 is back in service. Look at the latest schedule just sent out to be reappraised of when YOU have duty assigned.