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The Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department, Engine Co 422B was proud to accept a Unit Citation Valor Award from the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. This citation was for actions at the Poag St Alexandria fire back in February 2020.

E422B crew made the decision to cut down trees, branches, and a fence on the backside of the fire ground in order to gain access to a fire hydrant which was used to supply hose lines that aided in the saving of 14 occupied townhouses.

Once access was made, the citizens living in the 14 townhouses were able to evacuate vehicles crowding the dead-end street and allow for other fire dept resources (three ladder trucks and two more engines) to enter the backside of the fire ground where the additional crews increased the aid and successful efforts to save the 14 townhouses.

T422 with saved townhouses in background

 

On February 8, 2020 a large fire broke out near Route 1 and South Kings Highway on Poag St. in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County.  Many sources of information are available to describe events, units and the heroic actions of firefighters from multiple jurisdictions to contain and preserve life and property – search “poag street alexandria va fire”

Below is just one account of one part of the overall incident from units of GSVFD / Fairfax Station 22 Career and Volunteers that had responded to the incident.   All photos are credit of Andrew Pang and SunJin Hunt.

 

John Francis Xavier Ryan

January 31, 1952 – June 27, 2017

John Francis Xavier Ryan, 65, died on June 27, 2017.  John was the loving husband of Karen Marie Ryan; cherished brother of Mary Ann Ryan Egan (Pete) and Thomas W. Ryan (Constance L.); beloved uncle of Jennifer Wilson (Kenny), Meredith Akers (Stewart), Jennifer Ryan Harris (Greg), Kaitlin Frances Ryan, Margaret Ann Ryan, Thomas John Hammett (Emily), Gregory Joseph Hammett (Erin) and Michelle Rose Munns (Adam).  He is also survived by great nieces Ashley, Amanda, Emily, Isabelle, Zoey, Stella and great nephews Nicholas, Maxwell, Dylan and Vaughn, as well as many extended family members and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, John Francis Ryan and Florence Frances Ryan and his brother, Joseph Paul Ryan.

John was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, moved to Northern Virginia in 1956, and grew up in Springfield, Virginia.  He attended St. Michael’s and St. Bernadette’s Elementary Schools, and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1971.

John was a life member of the Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department (GSVFD), with over 48 years of active service.  He served as GSVFD President from 1978 through 2016 and Treasurer from 1976 through 1977.  He also served as Chair of the Fairfax County Fire Commission from July 1989 through August 1996 and from August 1997 through July 1998.  He was Zone II Fire Commissioner from July 1989 to July 2008.

John worked in the banking field from 1971 through 1983, holding positions at Northern Virginia Bank, Peoples Security Bank, and United Virginia Bank.  He attended college while working, completing an Associate of Science in Business Administration in 1983 at Northern Virginia Community College.  He majored in accounting at George Mason University, graduating in 1985 with Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.  John subsequently worked for Singer Associates Fire Equipment, serving as their General Manager and Chief Financial Officer.  John was most recently Vice-President of Equipment Sales for Atlantic Emergency Solutions, where he also served as Controller and Service Center Manager.

John and Karen were high school sweethearts and had been married 45 years.  They loved to travel together, and have been to 49 states as well as several Canadian provinces, Mexico, Great Britain, France and Germany.

Friends are welcome for visitation on Thursday, July 6, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA  22151.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 7, 11:00 a.m., at Saint Raymond of Penafort Catholic Church, 8750 Pohick Road, Springfield, VA  22153.

Interment will follow in Fairfax Memorial Park, 9900 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA  22032.

All are invited to a gathering immediately following the interment at the GSVFD Paul J. Filipowicz Hall, 7011 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA  22150.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of John to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org/donate.

 

The arrangements for the funeral of John F.X. Ryan, life member and former president of

the Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department and former Volunteer Fire Commissioner are as follows:

Visitation:

Thursday, July 6 from 6-9 pm at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151

Funeral:

Friday, July 7 @ 11 am at Saint Raymond of Pentafort Catholic Church, 8750 Pohick Road, Springfield, VA 22153

Graveside Service:

Fairfax Memorial Park, 9900 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22032

 Reception immediately following graveside service:

Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department, Company 22,

7011 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22150

 We hope you will join John’s family in this celebration of his life. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of John to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org/donate

It is with great sadness that we report that John Francis Xavier Ryan, Life Member and former President of the Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department, passed away today at 3:55 pm at the Greenspring Villages. His wife, Karen and dear friend, Gerry Strider were by his side. Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming. Our thoughts and prayers for John and all those who deeply cared for John. Please keep Johns family and friends in your prayers.

GSVFD has launched a new fundraising effort and link to better reach out to the community and businesses interested in helping to support us.
Being a Volunteer based station, we rely on your support to keep the station running and serving the Springfield and Fairfax County Community. Please help support our Fire and EMS volunteers as they raise funds to maintain the mission and community!

Check out our new Donation Link Here

For question or feedback, contact: QM@gsvfd.org

Thank You for your support – GSVFD

Thursday, September 8, 2016  Today we were Blessed and Honored to receive this wreath from the Children of St. Bernadette’s Catholic School of Springfield.    Words do little to express our gratitude and we are humbled.    

Thank you so very much from all of the Career and Volunteer Firefighters, Medics and EMT’s at GSVFD Station 22. 

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