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Philomont Volunteer
Fire Department

36560 Jeb Stuart Road
Philomont, VA 20131

540-338-6506
Fax. 540-338-3654


Serving Philomont, Silcott Springs, Airmont, Unison, Foxcroft, Mountville, & North Fork



October 1 - Open Burning permitted
Loudoun County allows specific open burning, as listed below, between October 1, 2011 and February 14, 2012. Open burning is not-allowed/prohibited year-round within the town limits of Leesburg, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville, and Round Hill. Open burning that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions or when atmosphere conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous may be prohibited and/or required to be extinguished.
For more information, go to Loudoun County Open Burning Guidelines

Sunday Oct 2nd - Philomont Volunteer Fire Department joins Purcellville Volunteer Fire Department in commemorating National Fire Prevention Week
This year, like last year, the Philomont Volunteer Fire Department is joining Purcellville Volunteer Fire Department in commemorating National Fire Prevention Week. Festivities will be held Sunday, October 2 and will begin at 11 am at the Purcellville Safety Center, 500 N. Maple Ave., Purcellville VA 20132 -- Phone: 540-338-5961. There will be something for everyone: Tour the Fire and Rescue stations and talk with the First Responders. Meet Smokey the Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog. Fire Truck rides will be available for everyone.

Change Your Detector Batteries - Daylight Savings time - Sunday November 6
On November 6th when you turn your clock back, Fire Marshal's are reminding folks to make another change that could save their lives - changing the batteries in their smoke alarms. While more than 90 percent of American homes have smoke alarms, nearly one-third of those alarms don't work. Non-working smoke alarms rob a home's occupants of all the protective benefits that house fire safety devices were designed to provide. Worn-out or missing batteries are the most common cited cause of non-working smoke alarms. Changing smoke alarm batteries at Daylight Saving time is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these fire deaths and injuries. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a house fire in half.

To read more about the history of Daylight Saving time, go to the It's all about time

Past member Phyllis LeGrys, wife of Fred LeGrys, passes away
Phyllis Kephart LeGrys
7/3/1931 - 9/5/2011
Phyllis Kephart LeGrys, age 80 of Purcellville, Virginia, died Monday, September 5, 2011 at the Fairfax Nursing Center. Born on July 3, 1931 in Loudoun County, Virginia, she was married to the late Frederick G. LeGrys and daughter of the late Clayton and Mary Kephart. Mrs. LeGrys was a long time resident of Loudoun County, Virginia. She retired after twenty years as a bookkeeper for Loudoun County Public Schools. Phyllis enjoyed gardening, collecting antiques, cooking, reading and maintaining her family farm. She is survived by her children, David and Vicky LeGrys of Pittsboro, North Carolina; Keith and Teresa LeGrys of Purcellville, Virginia; Scott and Tammy LeGrys of Columbia, Maryland; Lisa and John Whitaker of Ithaca, New York; Mark and Kim LeGrys of White Post, Virginia; Cara LeGrys and Tim Hirt of McLean, Virginia; one sister, Marjorie Fayen of Purcellville, Virginia; seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren, two nieces and one nephew. Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 12, 2011 at 10:30AM at St. James Episcopal Church, Leesburg, Virginia.

Rural Homeowners Insurance Policies experience significant increase in premiums
Rural Homeowners should expect to see a significant increase (125-300%) in their homeowners insurance policy due to changes in ISO Insurance Ratings for Water Supply. The criteria used to compute the ISO Insurance Rating has changed to no longer include criteria such as proximity to dry hydrants, cisterns, and accessible ponds. In its place is the proximity to a "wet" fire hydrant which for many in Philomont is Purcellville, VA

In simple terms, the ISO Rating is based on 3 criteria - (1) Fire Alarms - 10% is based on how well the fire department receives fire alarms and dispatches its fire-fighting resources. (2) Engine Companies - 50% is based on the number of engine companies and the amount of water a community needs to fight a fire, (3) Water Supply - 40% is based on the community's water supply.
To learn more about the ISO Rating, go to go to Fire Suppression Rating Schedule

Be Ice Smart - Be Ice Safe
With the cold weather upon us, folks being to venture out onto ice covered ponds. Be aware that it takes more then a cold snap to form ice safe enough to walk on. To read more about ice safety go to http://ohioline.osu.edu/aex-fact/pdf/0392.pdf

How to Conduct a Home Fire Drill
Conducting a home fire drill every so often is essential preparation for you and your family in the event of a real fire. Being prepared in the event of a House Fire can mean the difference between life and death, and should it happen, there is precious little time to waste. For tips and guidelines on how to prepare for and conduct a home fire drill. Go to How to Conduct a Home Fire Drill for more detailed information.

Are You Prepared for an Emergency
With winter weather approaching, experts say every person and every family should be prepared. Emergency officials said everyone should have three things: an emergency kit, a communications plan, information. Experts state that some of the basics that belong in the kits include: water, food, first aid supplies, bedding, clothes, tools, battery-powered radio or TV. See
FEMA - A Guide to Citizen Preparedness
VA Dept of Emergency Management - Preparing for Disasters
NBC4 News - Prepare for any Emergency CDC Extreme Cold Information.

Virginia Law - Drivers to yield right-of-way or reduce speed when approaching stationary emergency vehicles on highways
Virginia State Code § 46.2-921.1 states drivers are to yield right-of-way or reduce speed when approaching stationary emergency vehicles on highways. The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary emergency vehicle, as defined in § 46.2-920, that is displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating emergency light or lights as provided in §§ 46.2-1022, 46.2-1023, and 46.2-1024, shall (i) on a highway having at least four lanes, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding as the approaching vehicle, proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary emergency vehicle or (ii) if changing lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions.

Violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor. If the violation resulted in damage to property of another person, the court may, in addition, order the suspension of the driver's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for not more than one year. If the violation resulted in injury to another person, the court may, in addition to any other penalty imposed, order the suspension of the driver's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for not more than two years. If the violation resulted in the death of another person, the court may, in addition to any other penalty imposed, order the suspension of the driver's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for two years.

Go to VA Slow Down Move Over Law for more information.


Alert Loudoun - a tool to keep citizens informed
Loudoun County, VA uses the Roam Secure Alert Network to immediately contact you during a major crisis or emergency and also to keep you informed about other news and events in Loudoun County. Alert Loudoun can deliver important emergency alerts, notifications and updates to you via:
  • E-mail (work, home, other)
  • Cell phone (via SMS)
  • Pager
  • Smartphone/PDA (BlackBerry, Treo & other handhelds)
  • See Alert Loudoun for more detailed information.


    FEMA Announces Citizen Corps Opportunities for America's for First Responders:
    FEMA Announces New Citizen Corps Publication for Leaders of First Responder Organizations. The "Citizen Corps Opportunities for America’s First Responders" brochure provides a sampling of citizen advocate/volunteer activities, which can potentially assist local fire and EMS departments. This brochure is the result of a successful joint effort among federal, state, local, and private fire-service personnel, including FEMA and USFA staff. Go to FEMA/USFA Citizens Corp announcement for more detailed information.

    NOAA's National Weather Service Turn Around - Don't Drown Program (TM)
    Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. Why? The main reason is people underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream. Of these drownings, many are preventable, but too many people continue to drive around the barriers that warn you the road is flooded. Whether you are driving or walking, if you come to a flooded road, you will not know the depth of the water nor will you know the condition of the road under the water.
    See the following NOAA NWS web sites for more information
    Turn Around Don't Drown (TM)

    Philomont Volunteer Fire Department, Philomont, VA 20131
    URI: http://www.philomontvfd.org/whatsnew/whatsnew.html
    Updated: 04 March 2009
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