Winchester Emergency Communications Personnel deemed First Responders
The City of Winchester’s Mayor John Smith made a proclamation naming Emergency Communications Personnel of the Winchester Police Department as first responders.
In the proclamation, Mayor Smith acknowledged the importance of the role of Emergency Communications Personnel including their crucial dissemination of information to firefighters and police officers.
He also reminded residents that this personnel is the first point of contact for community members who may be experiencing a stressful emergency and of their substantial contributions in apprehending criminals, suppressing fires, and treating patients.
The Winchester Police Department hopes that this proclamation will continue to other agencies around Virginia to acknowledge the significant contributions of Emergency Communications Personnel.
To view the proclamation, click here.
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Va Senators vote for fire department funding
Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine voted yesterday to pass the Fire Grants and Safety Act.
This legislation will continue funding grant programs that support fire departments and firefighters across the state.
The timing of this vote came at a crucial time as two critical programs neared their expiration deadline of 2024.
The legislation reauthorizes the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program which provides firefighters and other first responders with the crucial protective gear, equipment, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public.
The votes also helped to reauthorize the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program which aims to help fire departments and volunteer interest groups increase or maintain the number of trained, front line firefighters.
Since 2015, over $8 million has been awarded from these programs to communities throughout the Commonwealth.
Numerous localities have already accepted funding through the programs including the Stephens City Fire and Rescue Company which received $21,068 earlier this year.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Winchester plans emergency response exercise
The City of Winchester will hold a full scale emergency exercise on October 1st.
The training exercise will take place at John Handley High School from 8 am to noon and include the city’s public safety departments, public schools, and supporting agencies.
The simulated scenario will involve an active threat at Handley.
The goal is to assess first responders and school staff’s readiness in the event of a threat.
On that date, there will be increased traffic around Handley, John Kerr Elementary, and Quarles Elementary.
There will also be numerous road closures in those areas.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
News Makers Magalis and Cline on National Night Out
National Night Out is Tue. Aug. 2 and is a chance to meet and greet first responders and explore equipment.
We spoke with Front Royal Police Chief Kahle Magalis and Captain Crystal Cline about the event in our latest news maker.
News makers are brought to you by Warren County Together We are Community.
Kahle tells us about some of the history of National Night Out in Front Royal.
Crystal tells us what to expect this Tue. Aug. 2.
They both have some great news about this year’s event as they try every year make it bigger and better.
Click here for their interview.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Winchester Fire & Rescue encouraging residents to join Community Connect
Community Connect is a secure, easy to use platform that allows residents to share critical information about their
household so that first responders and emergency service personnel can respond more efficiently and effectively.
Resulting in better incident outcomes, also helping business owners and property managers keep people at their
commercial properties safe by giving first responders access to critical documents such as evacuation procedures,
occupant rosters, hazardous material lists, and more. Community Connect is completely voluntary, and residents
decide which information they are comfortable sharing. Residents can create a profile and enter critical property and
occupant information, which is then made available to public safety agencies at the time of dispatch.
Residents of the City of Winchester are encouraged to visit Winchester Community Connect for more information
and to register their households or businesses.
https://www.communityconnect.io/
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Healing Field of Honor returns to Winchester
The Healing Field of Honor is back for its second consecutive year in the lawn of John Handley High School.
Over 1000 flags will be on display in a patriotic tribute to honor first responders, military members, or just anyone who is a personal hero.
The opening ceremony featured local keynote speakers, a C-17 flyover, and a parachutist on Thursday afternoon.
The display will remain available for 24 hour viewing until the closing ceremony on May 30th at 3 pm.
Flags can still be purchased online or on location with all proceeds going to the Winchester Rotary Charitable Foundation.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
VSP escort U.S. Army Sgt. Knauss to Arlington to overwhelming support
Virginia State Police (VSP) escorted the motorcade of fallen U.S. Army Sergeant Ryan Knauss through the state.
Sergeant Knauss of Tennessee was one of the 13 killed in Afghanistan on Aug.26.
All the way to Arlington National Cemetery hundreds of citizens law enforcement and first responders lined the interstates.
Almost every overpass held citizens paying their final respects as well.
Sheriff Carter of Shenandoah County meet the group at a gas stop in Toms Brook.
Sheriff Carter reported that he was told by one of the motorcade’s deputies that they were struck by the outpouring of support.
A funeral service member told Carter that he would defiantly tell the Knauss Family about the support once they reached his final destination in Arlington.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Community Safety Fair
Frederick County Sheriff’s Office and Bright Futures Frederick-Winchester are coming together for a community safety fair.
The event is held at James Wood Middle School today from 11 am to 3 pm.
This is a great chance to interact with first responders, law enforcement, and military members, check out some of their equipment, and learn some important safety tips.
The Frederick County Sheriff departments K9 team, Winchester Fire and Rescue Drones and Shenandoah Electric will have demonstrations.
Winchester Medical Center will provide hands-on CPR lessons.
There will also be food and craft vendors, music, a Kids Zone, and a dunk tank featuring some community leaders.
Make sure to bring a nonperishable good for the food drive which will benefit Bright Futures.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
9/11 Memorial Walk stops in Winchester
The CEO of Tunnel to Towers, Frank Siller, is walking from the Pentagon, to Shanksville, PA, and concluding at the World Trade Center in memorial of 9/11.
The first stop in his 500 mile journey is in Old Town Winchester.
He will be greeted with a parade starting at 11 am today.
Following the parade, a barbecue will be held behind City Hall.
There will also be a mobile 9/11 memorial.
Tunnels to Towers is dedicated to helping families of fallen or severely injured first responders, service people and Gold Star families.
They provide mortgage relief and help accommodate homes for serious injuries.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Rotary and JHHS create Healing Field of Honor
John Handley High School and the Winchester Rotary Club came together to create the Healing Field of Honor.
The spectacle in front of Handley High School will be open through Memorial Day.
The display features up to 1000 flags which each represent an individual and their story.
The flags can represent all types of heroes ranging from veterans and first responders to loved ones and personal heroes.
The event is free to attend and flags purchased on site will raise funds for the Winchester Rotary Charitable Foundation.
Visit rotaryclubofwinchester.org for more information.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.