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NEWS AND EVENTS
FROM THE WEST VALLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT
CAPTAIN CUNNINGHAM'S RETIREMENT
On 1 Nov 07, Captain Perry Cunningham officially retired from the West Valley Fire Department. In this photo, he is sharing some of the more memorable moments from his 31 years of service. Captain Cunningham filled a variety of roles during his career, culminating with his assignment as Training Captain. Perry and his very understanding wife, Marie, will soon be returning to New Mexico; they will be missed by all of us here. Thanks for everything you have done for us--Hasta La Vista! (For more photos, go to the photo gallery)
SFFMA CERTIFICATION
At the October business meeting, LT Ignacio "Andy" DelPino was awarded certification as a Basic Firefighter from the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals Association (SFFMA). Basic Firefighter represents 167 hours of training in specific categories. It typically takes several years of dedicated service before a member is eligible for certification. Congrats, Andy! For a larger photo, look under the "Firefighters" section of the Photo Gallery. For more information about the SFFMA certification requirements, just go to www.sffma.org and click on the "Certfication" tab on the top of the page.
CANUTILLO HIGH SCHOOL BONFIRE
For several years, the West Valley FD has done a "stand-by" for the CHS Homecoming Bonfire. This year was a little different. The graduating seniors put a little extra effort into constructing the pile, placing just under 3000 pallets on the stack (It is usually about 350). Although no gusty winds were predicted, good firefighters always plan for the worst-case scenario. We had water tenders and personnel from seven area fire departments helping us out just in case we had to try and cool the fire in a hurry. Fortunately, the winds were calm, and everyone got some good ICS training as a result of coordinating the event. To check out a video of this event, go to the "Photo Gallery" page and scroll down to the bottom.
FIRE PROTECTION INSPECTIONS
One of the many duties of the Fire Department is to promote the importance of Fire Prevention. We all have to take a proactive roll in preventing destruction, injuries and death from fire and other emergencies. One of the ways Fire Departments do this is through Inspections. In 2005 the Fire Department will be kicking off a program to inspect annually, all of the businesses within the West Valley Fire Departments District. Firefighters will be coming by to review your facility and help point out areas of risk to keep you and your employees safer in case of an emergency. The Fire Department will be making recomendations based on NFPA (National Fire Protection Assosiation) codes. More information on NFPA can be found at www.NFPA.org .
Some of the items the Fire Department will be checking for are: fire lanes, addresses, fire department access, exit signs, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers (tagged), electrical hazards, hazardous materials and documentation, fire alarm systems (tagged), and fire sprinkler systems (tagged), just to name a few.
These inspections are nessessary to insure a better and safer community and to lower your fire insurance premiums. Last year we lowered your ISO (Insurance Service Organization) rating, from a 6/9 to a 4, lowering your Fire Insurance Premium.
BURN TOWER TRAINING
Check out West Valley and other local Firefighters honing their skills in live fire training. Click on "Photo Gallery" and then "Fire Training".
ASSISTING THE SANTA TERESA FIRE DEPT.
WVFD assisted the Santa Teresa Fire Dept. as they supervised the burning of hundreds of old pallets on the west mesa. With temperatures in the upper 90s the challenge was to keep several hundred more pallets, they didn't want to burn, from the same fate. The burn came off without a hitch and we all went home 10 pounds lighter.
BALLOON FIESTA 2007 AT WET and WILD
WVFD each year stands ready to assist during the lunch and recovery of the hot air balloons from lower parking lot of Wet and Wild water World. As you can see its a tuff day for us...all that great food. (Firefighters can COOK). As usual the 3 day event was very safe with only a few minor incidents.
2006 RUN STATISTICS
The 2006 run stats are in and now posted. See Run Stats. Also posted is a new heading listing total calls for each year broken down in the same fashion.
Welcome to the West Valley Fire Department
