Emergency service: Red Cross seeks Scott County volunteers

GATE CITY – Emergency response to fires and disasters in Scott County came up in two presentations to the Scott County Board of Supervisors.Sharon Dixon, Disaster Program Manager for the American Red Cross' Southwest Virginia Chapter, and Hiltons Volunteer Fire Department firefighter David Musick brought news of two issues for Scott County fire responses to Wednesday's supervisors meeting.Red Cross volunteeringBristol-based Dixon, who was headed to support people displaced after a Lee County house fire before the meeting, said Scott County averages 10 to 12 house fires a year. While neighboring Lee and Wise counties have Red Cross disaster response volunteers, Dixon said Scott County does not have a regular volunteer now."Our office covers from Lee County up to Bland County, 13 counties, so that's a lot of mileage," Dixon said of the organization's area to support fire victims and support emergency services workings during fires and other disasters."There's been many a night I've met (Scott County Emergency Coordinator) Jeff Brickey on a house call, and you can imagine this going off in the middle of the night," Dixon said as she held up a smoke alarm.The Red Cross has worked with Scott Community Works and fire departments in the county to install free residential smoke alarms and educate residents about the need for fire safety preparations and fire insurance, Dixon said.The Southwest Virginia Red Cross Chapter is also available on request to provide on-scene coffee, water and snacks to firefighters, police and emergency workers, Dixon said, and to supply meals to disaster-impacted people.The SWVA Red Cross chapter also coordinates with localities' Social Services departments and emergency coordinators for shelter and supply preparations for weather and disaster events, Dixon added.Anyone wanting to volunteer for Scott County and other localities can register online at: https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.htmlHiltons opening new fire substationHiltons Volunteer Fire Department firefighter David Musick invited the board and the public to celebrate the opening of the department's Station #2 at 6863 Boozy Creek Rd.Construction of the station has been a long-term community goal because of the Boozy Creek area's remoteness from Hiltons and other fire departments in the county, Musick said.In the past three years, community donations of a site, gravel, building materials, use of construction and farm machinery and more than 500 man-hours of department labor made it possible to open the new station Oct. 24, Musick added."It's nothing fancy, but if I say so it's pretty nice, the station is ready to respond to calls," Musick said, adding that the single unit 406 stationed there will serve a first-attack role until other Hiltons units can arrive."I think you can see a trend of support from the community," said Musick. "What it does is significantly reduce the response times for fire service for a part of the county that was difficult to serve because they were so far away."Saturday's celebration – from 3-7 p.m. - will include a free barbecue meal and desserts, a display of trucks and equipment and a chance to meet Hiltons department members.Musick asked the board to remember that Hiltons and all county fire departments are facing increased costs to replace turnout gear and vehicles. The cost to replace a pumper truck has tripled in the past 20 to 25 years, he added, and turnout gear and air packs have a limited life for certified use.