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The Web site includes photos of fires and annoucements. |
The Bowling Green Volunteer Fire Department has one goal--to be No. 1.
Caroline County's first fire station aims to be the first on any fire scene, and the first--and only--department in the county to post its work online.
Its Web site, bgvfd.com , offers photos and descriptions of local fires, events, news about the department and other public announcements.
"We want to be able to show off what we do, what we train for and how much pride we have in our organization," said Fire Chief Brad Thomas, who updates the site.
The Web site has had nearly 39,000 hits since it was created in July.
So far this year, the county has had two fatal fires and two trapped drivers on the highway. The BGVFD assisted in those incidents and shortly after posted what happened to the site.
"Everybody is curious by nature and wants to know what's going on," Thomas said. "And this is a way to show [county residents] where we were going and what we were doing."
They usually post what units arrived, the general time and location, a few pictures from the scene and information about what was done. That information can also be used to help in an investigation, he said.
The Web site is also good for recruitment and funding, said Assistant Chief Jason Satterwhite.
"The more somebody hears about the Bowling Green Fire Department, the more they may inquire about it or join," he said.
The department has about 60 volunteers, who have handled 330 calls this year. Some of those volunteers come from outside the county, from Tappahannock, Chester, Short Pump and Maryland.
The Web site also has sponsors helping fund the department, which relies on donations for its operation. Members hope residents will see the site and notice the good work they are doing in the community, and donate.
Last month, the department set up a booth outside the Bowling Green Food Lion and distributed free batteries for smoke detectors, took orders for address signs and offered free smoke-detector installation.
"There's no doubt that everyone here wants to help people," said Thomas, who has been volunteering since 1992. "Firefighting is an addiction. And nobody understands the responsibility that we have."
But they can get a pretty good idea by checking out the Web site.
Portsia Smith: 540/374-5419
Email: psmith@fredericksburg.com
