The night was still,quiet and cold as Officer A.E. Podpora was on patrol.
Just a few miles away at 17109 Midlothian Turnpike, on Jan. 5, 2008, smoke began rising above the trees and flames were eating away at a home.
At 0219 the tones sounded dispatching Engines 5, 205, 16, 7, 20, Truck 7, Tanker 7, Forest View Volunteer Rescue Squad, TSO, Battalion 4 and 3.
Information came into dispatch reporting subject trapped.
Heavy smoke and flames were now visible above the trees.
Officer A.E. Podpora arrived on scene first. What he found was heavy smoke, fire and chaos. It was believed a resident was still inside. The trees were now engulfed with fire and a propane tank near the home was an exposure.
Podpora never hesitated.The officer made entry into the inferno,risking his own life for a citizen he believed was trapped. In spite of his heroic efforts the heat beat him back. When outside again,he was told the resident was at a neighbor's house. He relayed the info to dispatch.
Firefighters arrived with sirens screaming and flashing red lights piercing the darkness.
Lt. David Farmer of Engine 5 assumed command began with size up. Crews set up for an interior attack. District Chief Howard Canada and Firefighter Chris Folliard set up the rural water supply operation.
"As I did my walk around the structure," Farmer said. "I saw the back of the wall already collapsing. The decision was made for an defensive attack."
"I requested additional resources," continued Farmer, "on mutual aid Powhatan County dispatched an engine,a tanker and an ambulance."
The fire was marked under control in about 40 minutes.
"The operation flowed like clockwork," Lt. Farmer said proudly. "There weren't any water supply problems. Forest View did an excellent job with rehab. And the Powhatan volunteers worked hard and were a great asset."
One person suffered smoke inhalation but was not transported. The cause is under investigation.
Howard Canada is District Chief for Midlothian Volunteers and Firefighter Chris Folliard is a career member of Chesterfield Fire and EMS Station 5. He drove the Volunteer Engine 205 to the fire scene.
"The success story," Farmer firmly said, "is the residents were warned by their working smoke detectors and that enabled them to escape in time."
