Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
4100 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
703-246-3801, TTY 703-385-4419 and 703-385-1687
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire

11/18/2005

Last Northern Virginia Team Returns Home From Mississippi

The 52-member team from Northern Virginia will be welcomed home by their Fire Chiefs and family members at 4 p.m., Monday, November 21, 2005, following a two-week deployment to Hancock, Mississippi.

Since September 2005, six Northern Virginia jurisdictions have provided five separate teams of firefighters and paramedics to Hancock County, Mississippi. For about two months, Northern Virginia provided emergency services to the residents of Hancock County, including personnel, equipment, and vehicles in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Rita.

The team was formed under the auspices of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). The team brought four fire engines, a light and air unit, a large command unit, and several other utility vehicles.

The Northern Virginia Fire Chiefs' Regional Coalition has formed a unique and strong relationship by working closely together during emergencies, including natural disasters. They routinely work together at the local and regional level, and national level. The coalition strives to provide the best possible emergency service through shared use of resources and coordinated emergency response, regardless of jurisdictional boundaries.

Deployed firefighters and Fire Chiefs from each jurisdiction will be available for interviews and media opportunities.

Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request. For information, call 703-246-3801 and TTY 703-285-4419.