THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 10, 1996 TAG: 9601090076
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
Mike Kreitman sat in the dayroom talking with co-workers Gary Copenhaver and Rich Murray. They watched a film on television, chatted and read the newspaper.
All the while, the three knew their peaceful scene could change quickly.
They are firefighters and any one of a variety of incidents could spur them to quick action. Even the tape they were watching on the VCR was work related - a safety-training tape - not the latest action/adventure thriller from Hollywood.
Kreitman and Murray work for the Virginia Beach Fire Department. They normally work out of Fire Station 4 on Pleasure House Road in the Bayside borough. Copenhaver works for the Little Creek Amphibious Base Fire Department.
The two firefighting units have been working together out of the amphibious base facilities since the middle of September. Built in the early '60s, Station 4 was shut down for asbestos abatement, said Virginia Beach Fire Department District Chief I.B. George. That part of the work has been completed, George said.
Renovation of the living quarters should be accomplished within six to eight weeks. In addition to the asbestos removal, the $65,000 project includes new drop ceilings, upgrading the electrical system, new heat and air conditioning, new flooring and new wall paneling.
The one-story, white cinderblock structure is owned by the Chesapeake Beach Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad. Because it houses city employees, the renovation has been undertaken by the city.
``We hope to get back to the station maybe sometime at the end of February or in March,'' said Jim McMahon, one of the three shift captains for the one-engine company. Twelve firefighters work out of the station.
McMahon and amphibious base Fire Chief Larry Brown described a close working relationship. That the two departments are sharing base facilities is anything but a problem, they agreed.
``The cooperation has been great,'' said McMahon. ``We've been made to feel like we're right at home.''
Geographical proximity contributes to the professional bond. The stations are only about a mile apart.
``We're located nearby our response area, so that's a big plus,'' said McMahon.
Too, they share a working agreement and have worked together in the past.
``We have a written document, the Mutual Aid Agreement, that allows us to work with each other should the need arise,'' said Brown, who supervises two facilities and 31 employees on the base. His units respond to about 1,500 emergency calls a year, he said.
``Accidents, hazardous material spills, shipboard fires, fires at base structures,'' said Brown. ``One of our big priorities are the LCACs (landing craft). That's a $38-million piece of equipment.''
There are some obvious differences, of course. Little Creek firefighters are confined to base calls, except for being on alert for Norfolk International Airport emergencies. City firefighters can be called to respond anywhere within the boundaries of Virginia's largest city.
What have been good relations between the base and the city firefighters have been improved by the cojoining effort.
``I'm sure there will be longtime benefits because of our working together,'' said McMahon.
Brown said it was encouraging to have firefighters around to help with base calls if necessary. ILLUSTRATION: Gary Copenhaver, left, a firefighter for Little Creek Amphibious
Base; and Virginia Beach Fire Station 4 firefighters Mike Kreitman
and Rich Murray watch a safety-training tape while sharing the
quarters at the amphibious base.
Photo by
GARY EDWARDS
by CNB