It is with deep regret we advise you that 2 Firefighters were killed in the Line of Duty last night (Thursday night) while fighting a mobile home fire in Nicholas County, West Virginia. The names of the 2 Firefighters killed during a trailer fire last night have been released. 49-year-old Lt. Johnnie Hammons and 26-year-old Timothy Nicholas died in the Line of Duty while operating at a mobile home fire in the Cottle area. Lt. Hammons had been with the Craigsville-Beaver-Cottle FD for 11 years and FF Nicholas had only been a Firefighter for about a year. When the FF's arrived at the scene, reports are that the fire was mostly in a camping trailer that was parked about 4 feet from the mobile home but the fire had spread to the mobile home. The Firefighters died when they entered the mobile home at around 2200 last night and it is reported that they were trying to keep the fire from spreading within as well as to other nearby exposures. What happened while they were interior to cause or contribute to their deaths is yet undisclosed. 18 Firefighters turned out for the initial alarm. We will provide updates as they become available.

As always, our most sincere condolences.

Work detail scheduled for Sunday, February 22nd at noon. All members were urged to attend. Looking to give the station and apparatus a good clean up to get a head start on spring cleaning.

Members started the year off with a bang, responding to a new company record of 76 emergencies in January. At the same time last year, January ended with 64 incidents. Check back in the next few days for further stats to be posted!

Members decided in December that we should update most of our apparatus to match Air/Light 38...as far as the chevrons. Western Maryland Signs, of Frostburg, MD stopped by the station last week to finish the work. After his departure, the front bumpers of the Engine/Tanker, Brush, Response and 38-71 were updated with chevrons. Please see the attached pics, along with a few pics of the scene dots on the engine/tanker.

While working on an incident, Engine 38 was participating in a tanker shuttle. When returning to the fill site, Engine 38 proceeded down the very narrow Grayson's Gap Road toward Knobley Road. Another vehicle was approaching the incident scene, and the Engine tried to give the passing vehicle some room. The rear wheels of the engine dropped off the side of the roadway, the blacktop broke away and the rear of the engine struck several freshly cut tree stumps along the road. A large amount of damage was sustained to the engine. The crew of 2 on the engine were shaken up, and transported for observation, both were released from the hospital shortly there after.

Luckily the crew had followed company policy on wearing seat belts. If it weren't for the seat belts, this may have been a very tragic incident. Low speed was also a factor that assisted with the incident being as is, and not as tragic. Members are in the process of gathering information for and from the insurance companies. The adjuster is scheduled to be at the station on Monday to look over the engine. Keep checking back for more updates as they occur!

Due to upcoming trainings and other events, our regularly scheduled meetings and drills have been changed from Wednesday's to Tuesdays. The times will remain the same, meetings at 19:00, and drills at 18:30. Please spread the word!

Our statistics are now posted for the year of 2008, which was the busiest year on record for New Creek Fire. 762 incidents were handled by the department. You can view the types of calls as well as other reports including; property use, response times, apparatus response, and others. These can be found under the files link on the left side of the page.

Crews began working on converting the "old meeting room" into a new bunk room for the firefighters, and a storage room for the ladies axillary. Crews enclosed a large refrigerator and added 3 levels of shelves to assist with storage. A half wall was also built to give some privacy within the bunk room area. Members will be beginning the process of building 4 bunk beds within the next few days. More pictures to follow upon completion!

A representative from the West Virginia Forestry Department stopped by the station today to complete some paperwork and drop off some literature. The representative was very happy and suprised to find crews "in station" when there typically are none in other stations. Because of this, a new "Smokey the Bear" fire prevention sign was given to the members on hand. The new sign was placed on the rear of Brush 38.

Members decided to make the ride in Air/Light 38 a little more enjoyable by installing a cd player and speakers. Captain Cox donated a cd player and 2 speakers that he no longer needed. Crews also bought 2 additional speakers for the rear of the cab. Although the new system really isn't so new, it's a great addition to the before "quiet" ride.

The 2 new treadmills were assembled and placed into service today, along with the universal weight machine. The bow-flex will be picked up and placed into service within the next few days. Members are urged to use the new equipment, but are required to read the rules, and sign the "gym use disclaimer form" located the vice president's mailbox.