In serving the residents of Valhalla, it can certainly be said, 2011 was very busy year for the VFD.  In addition to over 464 alarms with 15,781 donated man hours by the dedicated men of the VFD, the VF District has successfully accomplished many administrative and operational goals.  These goals and initiatives are always designed to insure superior fire protection and the health and safety of our firefighters.  The District has upgraded firefighting gear, equipment, technology and facilities. We welcomed new members to the Department, improved safety and training and reduced spending.  A detailed list of these accomplishments are attached.

This year the Valhalla Fire Department celebrates 110 years of service to the people of Valhalla! Although 110 years may have passed, the mission of the fire department remains the same:  neighbors helping neighbors in time of need.  In any emergency - fire, gas leak, car accident, carbon monoxide detector activation, flooding, tornadoes, members of the Valhalla Fire Department stand ready to serve 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Throughout the year our website will include updates on the Department and its history over the last 110 years.

 



To say that 2011 was a busy year for the Valhalla Fire Department would be an understatement. Members of the Valhalla Fire Department responded to a record 464 calls, a 6% increase from 2010 and a 40% increase over the last 10 years.

Within the 464 calls, were 99 responses to the Grasslands Reservation, 30 mutual aid calls to our neighbors, 16 automatic calls to Hawthorne and 3 to Thornwood. Hurricane Irene accounted for 64 calls in less than a 12 hour period.

More incredible is the personnel hours, 15,781 to be exact, donated by members of the Department for all types of events, at a volunteer rate of $27.17 per hour. Residents of the Valhalla community have seen their volunteers contribute $428,769.77 in real dollars.

Valhalla volunteers provided 5,999 hours in calls, 2,242 in drills, 1,595 meetings, 1,481 stand bys, 246 fire prevention, 1,037 training and 3,181 in miscellaneous activities such as maintenance of the apparatus and facilities.

Neighbors helping neighbors is the hallmark of the mission of the members of the Department. Members have missed many dinners, family events or have been awoken in the early morning hours to protect their neighbors. Volunteer firefighters give all of their time and talent freely for no monetary gain. We owe them a big THANK YOU for a job well done in 2011.

Valhalla was dispatched out to the Sprain Brook Parkway Northbound for a car fire. Upon arrival units found the front engine compartment well involved with fire. Crews from Engine 82 knocked the fire down quickly while crews from Rescue 9 and Utility 59 forced the hood.

This month marks the 35th anniversary of the Holy Name of Jesus School fire. On January 3rd, 1977 Valhalla was dispatched for a working fire at the school. The fire started in the gymnasium of school and spread rapidly. Fire spread was aided by the newly lacquered floors. Valhalla was assisted by Thornwood, Hawthorne, Fairview and North White Plains Fire Departments. You can see more photos in our image gallery under the fires section.

These are three photos of Ladder 49 operating at a drill at the Kensico Dam Plaza. (Unknown year)

Valhalla was dispatched to 17 Heritage Dr. in Pleasantville on a fully involved working house fire. While en route to the fire units could see the smoke column from the fire from the Valhalla Methodist Church on Columbus Ave. Upon arrival of Rescue 9 crews were put to work to assist with putting exterior attack hose lines in service. Heavy Fire was through out the house, which had a big head start on crews. The house fire also started a medium size brush fire in the back of the house as well. Other mutual aid units on scene were Thornwood, Chappaqua, Millwood, Armonk, Pleasantville VAC, County Car 1,and Batallion 11. Fire crews worked well into the night and were assisted by a construction company that demolished the rest of the structure.

The Valhalla FAST has been busy this past week. The FAST was dispatched on Thursday December 29th to 37 Old Lyme Rd in West Harrison for a working house fire. Crews from West Harrison and Purchase Fire Departments made a quick knock down of the fire. The FAST crew stood by as they operated. The next call came on New Years Eve in Thornwood. Valhalla FAST was dispatched to 52 Booth St on a working house fire. Thornwood quickly knocked down this fire as well. Other units on scene included Pleasantville and Briarcliff Fire Departments. The third call for service was January 4th to 9 North High St in Elmsford for a working house fire. Valhalla FAST was put to work to assist with overhaul and knocking down hot spots. Elmsford Fire stopped the basement fire from spreading to the rest of the house. Departments on scene included Hawthorne, Fairview, and Hartsdale.

The Board of Fire Commissioners of the Valhalla Fire District unanimously approved the 2012 District budget on November 15, 2011. This year’s budget represents a modest increase of 1.97% or $13,669.32. The Commissioners worked hard to keep the tax increase below the new State imposed 2% tax cap for local governments.

Chairman Deegan indicated that the 2012 budget stays within the tax cap. The District will continue to maintain the safety of residents and our firefighters and will continue to monitor the budget during the year making adjustments as necessary.  It is anticipated that taxpayers may experience a decrease in their fire tax as a result of a large increase in the assessment in the Fire District.

County Control dispatched Valhalla Fire and Valhalla VAC to the intersection of Route 9A and Dana Rd. for a motor vehicle accident with injuries and possible extrication with vehicle fire. While en route County Control updated fire units that there were three reports of a vehicle fire with a person trapped, the Hawthorne Fire Department was then requested to respond for assistance. Upon arrival units found a two car accident where a fire was extinguished prior to arrival. There were two injured parties but were not trapped in their vehicles. Units assisted with patient packaging and general accident clean up. Units on scene were 2482, 2191, Rescue 9, Engine 82, Engine 155, Valhalla VAC, County Car 1 and Mount Pleasant Police.