MEMBERSHIP PRESENTATION: FAIRFAX COUNTY FIRE & RESCUE, SULLY DISTRICT
The Fairfax County Fire & Rescue presented the State of the Department 2012 to the council. Battalion Chief Chuck Hawkins led the discussion.
Capt. Michael Garcia from the department discussed the six fire stations in the Sully district in the Third Battalion (out of seven battalions). Fifty-five people work at the stations, total, in the Sully district.
The rescue team goes to earthquakes and other disasters out of the county and country. Their trucks are kept ready to go for any disaster. FEMA pays for their expenses. Only the teams from Fairfax County and Los Angeles are allowed out of the country. (Outside of the U.S., FEMA becomes USAID.)
Mr. McConn suggested that the department publicize the work that they do out of the county and country as rescuers.
The fire fighters presented a list of the events they respond to besides fires. The list includes emergencies that require CPR/AED and advanced life support.
Captain Bill Kingdon said Fairfax County has compassionate billing, which means if someone cannot pay for an ambulance response the county will let the bill go.
Fairfax County has two new helicopters; both are much faster than the old helicopters.
The county’s TV station asks for volunteer fire fighters. Recruiting is constant. Volunteers must be as qualified as regular fire fighters. The minimum number of people that respond to an incident has increased because homes are bigger and they are closer together, which increases the chances of a fire spreading. Homes have more plastics inside and other dangerous materials. Therefore, fire fighters have more to do.
The Third Battalion is highly trained to handle hazmat. Chief Hawkins said Americans pour more used motor oil and hazardous material down storm drains than what spilled by the Exxon Valdez in the Northwest years ago.
Ms. Knight asked if each community pool should have an automated external defibrillator (AED) available at swimming pools. She noted that lifeguards need to be trained on how to use them. Chief Hawkins said all pools should definitely have AEDs.
LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION PRESENTATIONS
8:30
Proponent: Jonathan D. Puvak and Lynne Strobel, Walsh Colucci Lubeley Emrich & Walsh, P.C.
Action: Rezoning and development application for an independent living and medical care facilities
Location: Centreville Road, to the north of McLearen Road
Following a presentation at our June meeting meeting where we heard, and had no objection to, a presentation to locate both a senior citizen assisted living and nursing facility on Centreville Road north of its intersection with McLearen Rd, the proponents returned to our September meeting to keep the SDC current with their on-going progress.
After hearing their revised plans, the SDC recommended that The Crossings have:
Some sort of integration between the two facilities in case residents have to move into the nursing home for awhile;
An enclosed skyway or a tunnel between the two buildings so a spouse or friend can easily visit someone in the other building; and
A covered area for picking up and dropping off residents because it takes awhile to assist the elderly.
At this month's meeting. representatives from Smith/Packett presented revised plans for the center. They reported that county staff members have concerns about the plans, but they were not specific. The developers met with staff, Supervisor Frey and John Litzenberger. Sup. Frey suggested improving the berm and reducing some of the asphalt.
Mr. McConn asked about the changes in the plan since the SDC saw it in September. The developers showed plans for an attractive retaining wall and a trail to Rachel Carson School as well as a covered, five-foot wide walkway between the two buildings.
The WFCCA reacted positively to the changes and members said the region needs such a facility. Mr. Thillman agreed and said the region is “desperate” for such facilities.
Will Holmes, senior vice president, Smith/Packett, said the campus will have an independent living building and another building for skilled nursing. The average age of the people in the independent building will be 83. Therefore they do not need or want a lot of recreational areas outside. The campus will have walking paths.
The area is in a P district – planned district.
John Thillman made a MOTION to recommend to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors that SDC supports the Chantilly Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Jim Horner SECONDED the motion. The motion was APPROVED. (8-0)
NEW BUSINESS
School Board Meeting with Residents
Mr. McConn said the School Board is having meetings to discuss a new county superintendent. He said there will be a meeting at Chantilly High School on December 5 at 7 p.m. thanks to Mr. McConn’s urging. The School Board wants to discuss the input they have received from county residents and obtain more comments.
Deer and Signs
Sheila Dunheimer, a new member from the Hunters Mill area, asked questions about the deer population and lighted/blinking signs. She received suggestions to have the county’s animal biologist speak to her homeowners association about the deer. She has talked to Michael Frey about blinking/moving signs. The complaint is about light pollution.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The December meeting will take place on December 19th and will feature a report from Sully District Planning Commissioner John Litzenburger.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the group, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:18 PM.
Respectively submitted by,
Priscilla Knight.
Secretary
Sully District Council