Virginia Task Force 4

This week students finished up a Rope Operations class. Some of the disciplines covered include high angle rope ops, artificial high directionals, and mechanical advantage systems. A big thanks to VDFP for providing the training this week!

Last week VATF-4 was out running a drill on high-line operations. Crews operated off a bridge in the "Kingtown" neighborhood of the City of Bristol. Buchannan County also had some personnel from their technical rescue team attend. We always look forward to collaborating with our "first-due" localities for some joint training.

A huge thank you to Blazeshutter Photography for capturing the drill.

VATF-4 is proud to add a new truck and boat to our fleet. This new Low Water Rescue truck will be a huge addition to our team to better serve the City of Bristol and the Commonwealth of Virginia as a whole.
Happy April Fools Day from Virginia Task Force 4.. 😂😂

This week crews are finishing up a surface water ops/tech on South Holston Lake. This course prepares students to make effective rescues in water moving under 1 knot. A big thanks to the City of Bristol PD for the several officers that attended. Bristol PD has recently joined the water rescue program with VATF-4, and we appreciate their dedication to keeping the southwest region and Commonwealth of Virginia as a whole a safe place to live.

Other agencies in attendance include :

Town of Abingdon FD
Damascus FD
Virginia Department of Emergency Management

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!! We hope everyone is having a safe and healthy holiday. And a big thank you for the first responders who are away from their families and serving their communities this Christmas Day!

Today we would would like to thank our military veterans for their selfless service to our country. Because of the sacrifices they have made we are still able to have the freedoms of this great country. Furthermore we would like to personally thank the veterans who have served, and are currently serving on VATF-4. Thank you gentlemen!

Battalion Chief Stacey Farley
US Army

Sergeant Tracey Hobbs
Marine Corps

Sergeant Bryan Boyd
Army National Guard

Firefighter Brent Jaworski
US Navy

For our last team member spotlight we recognize Lieutenant Tyler Wright. Lieutenant Wright has been with Bristol Virginia Fire for 11+ years and nearly as long, a member of the Virginia Task Force 4. Tyler is currently assigned as Lieutenant on Engine 2. Since joining the team Lt. Wright has been on multiple deployments throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and West Virginia. Since taking over the team as Virginia Task Force 4 Program Manager and a recent graduate of The National Emergency Management Basic Academy, Tyler has been able to lead the team on multiple large scale missions and has brought the program to the forefront of the Commonwealth’s Task Force Program. Tyler is well versed in all disciplines of Heavy & Technical Rescue and a desire to teach others the trade. In his time away from work Tyler enjoys fishing, hunting, serving at his church but most of all spending time with his wife and children. Thank you Lieutenant for all your hard work and dedication to the team and the City of Bristol, along with the Commonwealth as a whole!

From the members of Virginia Task Force 4, our thoughts and prayers are with the men and women of Abingdon Fire Department.

Todays team member spotlight is Bradley McQueen, or as we affectionately call him “Lightning”. Bradley calls East Tennessee home, and got his start in his fire service there from a young age. He has followed in his families legacy seeing that his dad, and grandfather also serve in their local volunteer department. Bradley has been with the Bristol Fire Department for 12 years now, and has been a Lieutenant on Engine 3 for the past 4 years. He has been with the team pretty much from the start of his career. Bradley specializes in rope rescue and is often the go to guy in regards to the discipline. He also is the program manager for the Bristol HazMat team where he focuses a lot of his efforts. On his days off he can be found working around the farm, at his grandfathers tractor shop, teaching, or chasing whitetails in the fall. Most of all he loves to spend time with his wife and two young children. Lieutenant thank you for all you do for both of the special operations teams. The Commonwealth is a safer place because of it.

For this weeks team member spotlight we recognize Cody Fellows. Cody began his career in Wise County about 5 years ago. He has been with Bristol VA Fire Department for about a year now, where he is assigned to the technical rescue station on the west end. He recently returned from his first deployment with the team in the tidewater region of Virginia where they were staged for Tropical Storm Ophelia. Cody serves as a rescue swimmer with our swift water team. On his days off he still enjoys serving his local community in Wise County, as well as spending time with his children. We thank him for all he has done thus far, and look forward to many years to come.

In this weeks team member spotlight we recognize Sergeant. B.J. Scyphers. Like many others B.J. Started his career in Washington County where he promoted to the rank of Captain. About 8 years ago he came to work for the City of Bristol, and currently holds the rank of Sergeant. Scyphers is currently assigned to Engine 3. B.J. Has taken an active role with the team, and continues to help where needed. He is also very active with the city’s HazMat team, and has responded to assist with an array of missions. On his days off he loves to spend time with his wife and two boys. He also helps operate a large cattle farm here in southwest Virginia. He also enjoys chasing whitetail deer in the fall. Sergeant thank you for all that you do for the Commonwealth, and we look forward to many years to come.

Task Force 4 is currently staging in the City of Suffolk awaiting the arrival of Tropical Storm Ophelia. Our team would personally like to thank City of Suffolk Department of Fire & Rescue for their hospitality.

Virginia Task Force 4 is currently loaded and deploying to Suffolk, Virginia ahead of Tropical Storm Ophelia.

In this weeks team member spotlight we recognize Carter Harris. Carter has deep roots in emergency services. Both of his parents are first responders, and he grew up around public service. Carter works full time for the Bristol VA Fire Department, and also volunteers in Washington County, VA as a firefighter and EMS responder. He is currently enrolled in the paramedic program, and has already excelled as a provider. Carter is always the first to volunteer for any kind of task. He recently completed both surface and swift water technician. He has quickly shown himself to be a valuable asset to the team. During his days off he loves to spend time at the lake, camping and going to the gym. He also enjoys spending time with family & friends. Carter we thank you for all that you are doing, and will continue to do in the region, and across the Commonwealth.

For this weeks team member spotlight we feature Preston Wright. Preston is one of the newest members on the team and has been with the Bristol VA Fire Department for about a year now. He received his surface water technician certification last March. When he’s not working he enjoys spending time with friends and family. Thank you Preston for your dedication to not only the City of Bristol but the Commonwealth as a whole.

In this weeks spotlight we recognize Sarah Cofer. Sarah has a long history in emergency services. She began her career in the tidewater region of Virginia where she worked for several years. About two years ago she came to work for the City of Bristol Fire Department where she has proven to be a great asset. Sarah is an extraordinary ALS provider, as well as an esteemed firefighter. Sarah recently joined the team about a year ago getting her “feet wet” taking surface water ops/tech. We look forward to working with her for many more years to come. In her time off she loves to spend time with her two young children, always looking for the next adventure. Sarah thank you for all you have done across the Commonwealth of Virginia, and continuing to serve.

This week we highlight Chuck Harosky. Chuck is a long standing member with the team, and has deployed several times to an array of incidents. He started in emergency services with Washington County Fire/Rescue where he still serves as the Fire Chief. Chuck also works full time for the City of Bristol Fire Department and is currently assigned to the city’s north end. Harosky is a man of many talents qualified as a swift-water technician, structural collapse specialist, rope technician, and trench technician to name a few. Chuck also serves with the city’s hazmat team as a technician. To say he is a jack of all trades, and a master of all would be an understatement. When he isn’t running calls in the city and county Chuck loves to spend time with his wife, children and grandchild. Chuck we thank you for all that you continue to do for your communities, and Commonwealth of Virginia year after year.

For todays team member spotlight we feature Hannah Hayes. Hannah has been a full time firefighter/paramedic with Chilhowie Fire Department for two years now. She has her swift water technician certification and has been on the team for over a year. When she’s not working she enjoys spending time with friends and family. Thank you Hannah for your dedication to not only the community of Chilhowie but the Commonwealth as a whole.

In this weeks spotlight we highlight Bryan Boyd. Bryan has an extensive background in public service. He served in the military, has worked for local EMS agencies, and is currently on the job with the City of Bristol Fire Department. Boyd was recently promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and has been assigned to Engine 3 on the city’s north end. Bryan has been a key component with the hazmat team, responding to a fair amount of calls within the region. Recently he has started to become more active with the technical rescue team completing several of the entry level courses. He is always quick to volunteer for any task at hand. We look forward to watching him progress through his career with the team in the years to come. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife and duck hunting. Sergeant we thank you for all you have done, and continue to do for your locality, region, and Commonwealth as a whole.

In this weeks spotlight we recognize Captain Gary Russell. Russell started his career with Washington County Fire/Rescue as a volunteer. He has been with the City of Bristol as a career fireman for many years, and is currently assigned as Captain on Ladder 1 serving the downtown district. Gary has been involved with the team since very early in his career. He is a valuable response asset, always willing to deploy when the team is called upon. He has also helped with training our members in rope, vehicle, and water rescue. Russell is very knowledgable when it comes to equipment and asset requisition. He is often times called upon to consult during vehicle or equipment purchasing. To put it simply, he does just about everything. During his time off he loves to spend time with his wife and son. They enjoy camping, traveling, and watching the Tennessee Vol’s during the fall. Captain we thank you for everything that you do for your community, and residents across the Commonwealth. Your daily efforts certainly do not go unnoticed.

This weekend, teams from the City of Roanoke, Roanoke County, and the City of Salem (Task Force 6). City of Lynchburg (Task Force 3) the City of Bristol and Town of Chilhowie (Task Force 4) along with Bedford County Fire participated in a multi team training exercise. This exercise allowed our teams to network, train, prepare, and work together to better assist the citizens of our respected communities and the Commonwealth of Virginia as a whole. Roanoke FireEMS Department Lynchburg Fire Department Salem Fire & EMS Department
Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department Virginia Department of Emergency Management Town of Chilhowie Fire & EMS Department Bristol Virginia Fire Department The City of Bristol, Virginia

Todays team member spotlight is Joseph Stover. Joseph is one of two volunteers with the team. He works full time at Dominion Energy, but his true passion lies with serving the public part time in the fire and rescue service with Washington County Fire Rescue. He also serves on the board of directors for High Rock Bible Camp. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters along with attending church and playing golf. Thank you Joseph for everything you do for not just the community but for the Commonwealth as a whole.

Units responded to the “Kingtown” area of Bristol for reports of a structural collapse. On arrival it was found that an exterior wall had collapsed, leaving the roof unsupported. Crews went to work placing shores to prevent any further collapse. Units remained on scene for a couple hours.

Todays member spotlight brings Sgt Aaron Musgrove. Aaron started his emergency services career with the Johnson City Fire Department where he served for several years. He now works for the City of Bristol as a Sergeant on Engine 2, in the city’s west end. Musgrove has been involved with the team for many years, and continues to be a valuable asset. He has been deployed throughout southwest Virginia to assist during times of need. Musgrove is also an active member on the city’s hazmat team. In his off time he runs a successful home inspection business, and can often times be found throwing weights around at the CrossFit gym. He enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter. Aaron’s most recent endeavor is becoming a beekeeper, and has even taught his daughter the trade. Sergeant, we thank you for all that you do every day, and year after year to provide the highest level of service to your community, and the Commonwealth!

VATF-4 is currently back in Wythe County for a confined space standby.