2009 Annual Meeting to be held February 9thy 9th

Attention ALL LAVFD voting members

 The ballot recently sent via postal mail to you should have indicated you only need to vote for two directors. 

 See referenced LAVFD By-Laws in Article X, section 1 and 2 as show below.

 Article X

 X. 1. It is desirable to replace two of the four elected Board Members by election each year in order to maintain continuity of experience and philosophy of the Fire Department on the board.

 X. 2. The Directors of the Board shall serve for a term of two years.

 To see the full LAVFD by-laws go to: http://lakearrowheadvfd.org/LAVFD%20By%20Laws%20Dated%20February%202007.pdf

Sincerely,

Your LAVFD BOD

2008 Annual "Santa Parade"

The 2008 Lake Arrowhead Volunteer Fire Department Santa Parade marked another year of residents helping to welcome Santa.

Santa arrived at Station 27 to hear and read the requests of LA children.

LAVFD thanks all residents who helped in welcoming Santa and we look forward to 2009’s Santa Parade.

Good News - Leases for Both 17 & 27 Signed !!!
and Development Agreement in place to build new Station 27 !!!

From: Harry Johnston
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 15:25
To: Don Woodward

Subject: RE: Lake Arrowhead leases for 17 & 27

Good news!  New leases were signed today for both fire stations in Lake Arrowhead, specifically allowing use by LAVFD.  The new lease on Station 27 (near the dam and south gate) only runs through February of next year.  But in April, a development agreement was signed with Lake Arrowhead to replace that station with a new one that we believe can be built by then.  There could be further discussion about the meaning and intent of that agreement, but as written, it does not preclude use of the new station by LAVFD.

So, through cooperation and support from Lake Arrowhead management, fire coverage in the community will continue uninterrupted for the short term, and there's every reason to believe it will continue in the long term as well.  Please join me in expressing appreciation to Purcell Corp, Johnson Development Corp, and General Manager Tommy Elsberry for that cooperation and support.

 Harry Johnston
Cherokee County Commissioner - Post 1

"Red-line" draft leases for the existing Station 27 & Station 17
(as soon as we receive the signed leases we will post them)

Signed Development Agreement for "new" Station 27

2008 Fishing Tournament
September 20, 2008

The two year old Paige, daughter of our newest member Preston Edwards looks over the
fish caught by team "Mental WARD".

A WHALE OF A TIME
Article Written By: Rebecca Strobl

The morning of September 20^th brought cool and comfortable temperatures along with a great amount of brilliant sunshine. The LAVFD fire engine sounded its sirens to let all participating fishing teams of the first annual LAVFD fishing tournament know it was time to fish.

The four fishing teams included: Mental Ward, Splinter Heads, Bob’s Team and K&S Fishing. The competition was fierce.  Each team was giving it their all to the last second.  The siren sounded again and the four hours of fishing time was over.  Everyone was waiting in patient anxiety to find out which team was going to have the best catch.  Each fish was quickly measured, weighed, and carefully released.  The weights were tallied.  And the results are…

Last place with no fish entered was team “Splinter Heads.  Thank you for participating guys.  Better luck next time. 

Third place with five fish was team “Mental Ward”.  They had to be disqualified because not one of their fish was 12 inches or over.  Please read the rules next time gang.  It was a great effort anyway.  Thank you for taking part. 

Second place with a respectable entry of 2 fish was “Bob’s team”.  The total weight of their fish was 2 lbs, 9 oz.  Well done gentleman. 

The first place team with four fish was “K & S fishing”.  They turned in an impressive total weight of 9 lbs., 2oz.  This is the team to watch out for in the next tournament.  That was an awesome performance K & S.  Thank you for joining us.

The award for Largest Bass goes to Alan Kidson from team “K & S fishing, with a fish weighing 3 lb., 6oz.  Great job Thanks for taking part in the event.

Strangely enough there were no entries for the largest bream competition.  The prizes that remained from this competition were divided among all the children present at the awards ceremony.  

The LAVFD would like to take this time to give a huge thank you to the leader of Bob’s team, Bob Chambers, for all he did to help gather up and personally donate some wonderful prizes for the tournament and providing live-well treatment to keep the fish alive and healthy.  Thank you very much Johnny Mitchell of The dining Room at Lake Arrowhead, Sherry Garland of Jordan’s Smart Mart, Mike from Ingles grocery store Canton, and our tournament winner Alan Kidson of German Car Repair for your wonderful donations.  Thank you very much David Bost for cooking up some awesome food for the weary fishermen/women and all our guests.

Keep your calendars open for the second annual LAVFD Fall Fun fKeep your calendars open for the second annual LAVFD Fall Fun festival at Station 27 on October 31 and the Santa Parade on December 6.

 Click on pictures above for larger view or click here to see more pictures.

LAVFD Letter to Residents
September 17, 2008

To see a copy click here.

Cherokee County Voting Info
September 17, 2008

To see a copy click here.

Fishing Tournament News
September 8, 2008

Click here for Flyer

Click here for Rules and Entry Form

LAVFD Letter to Residents
August 12, 2008

To see a copy click here.

LAVFD and July 4th Events Members of the Lake Arrowhead Volunteer Fire Department were very busy on the July 4th weekend - on Friday members staffed the station from 7 am to 7 pm and held a cookout for department members and their families in the evening.  On Saturday morning the department assisted the Lake Arrowhead Chapel with their "kids bike parade" and on Saturday evening members participated in the annual "boat parade".  Click here for more pictures.

Annual LAVFD Golf Tournament - May 24^th

The Lake Arrowhead Volunteer Fire Department's Annual Bob Frongillo Memorial Golf Tournament was held May 24, 2008 at Callahan's recently opened golf course on Highway 140 (Reinhardt College Parkway).

The tournament was a huge success and raised monies to purchase much needed additional equipment.  A big thank you to all the players and sponsors, and especially to Callahan's Golf Links.

Callahan's Golf Links course is based on a style of golf course first developed in Scotland. A derivative from the Scottish English dialect, "links" refers to courses that the Scots created along the coasts of their country.

LAVFD's Christine Saggese in Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/04/08
By Pamela A. Keene
For Celebrating Nurses

AJC - LEITA COWART/Special

Work is never quite done for nurse Christine Saggese. When she comes home from her case-management job at Northside Hospital-Cherokee, Saggese is on call with the Lake Arrowhead Volunteer Fire Department.  "Christine instantaneously transforms into a volunteer fire department member at the sound of a pager," said Lawrence Gruszecki, volunteer fire chief. Saggese, 43, joined the department three years ago. Her husband, Frank and their son, Frank Jr., have answered calls for eight years.  "When the calls came, we'd all go out together," she said. "Now that I've joined the department, I actually help monitor the condition of the firemen and give support to our neighbors who are experiencing emergencies, such as medical situations or fires.  "Technically, I can't work as a nurse for the department, but I'm a first responder to the emergency until the EMTs and paramedics arrive."  She brings administrative and clinical experience to the table.  "Christine has helped train and prepare us for emergencies, and she brings her calm demeanor and expertise," said Gruszecki, who nominated Saggese for the award. At the hospital, Saggese works with patients from admission until discharge, helping them transition from a hospital stay to home care. "These are my neighbors, so they know me as a nurse," she said. "When there's an emergency, being able to comfort them is a blessing."

Commissioners vote in favor of new Station 27 and LAVFD!
April 15, 2008

Cherokee County Commissioners voted unanimously to build a new Station 27 on land and with monies offered by the Lake Arrowhead Developer in exchange for impact fee credits.  Above is the future home of CCFES Station 27 and LAVFD at the corner of Arrowridge Drive and Lake Arrowhead Drive.  The facility is expected to be completed in early 2009.

Fire destroys home on Banyan Court
April 4, 2008

When firefighters arrived on scene heavy flames were coming from the roof - the fire quickly spread to the main floor and basement areas - the house was a total loss.  The home-owners were not at home and the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is believed that a lightning strike caused the fire. Picture by Christine Saggese

LAVFD practices Pressurized Container Fire Control
March 6, 2008

Click on picture above to see a movie of LAVFD in action.

Three LAVFD volunteers recently attended a class on Pressurized Container Fire Control held by Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services (CCFES) and the Georgia Public Safety Training Center- this knowledge was transferred to other LAVFD members in a recent training class on the regular Thursday evening training by LAVFD member Frank Saggese. Assisting in the training are two of the CCFES paid firefighters newly assigned to the Lake Arrowhead Fire Station - it is important for volunteers and CCFES to train together as CCFES depends upon LAVFD members to provide additional staff they do not have money for.  Volunteers throughout the county allow Cherokee County Commissioners to keep the fire taxes low - it is estimated that if Cherokee County had to replace all the volunteers with paid firefighters to fill all stations that the current fire tax would need to be doubled.  Additionally LAVFD and other volunteer departments in the county provide equipment that the county could not provide such as the "Jaws of Life" auto extrication equipment, our "Gator" and other critical items.

Cherokee County Commissioner Harry Johnston visits LAVFD & An Update From Your Community Team

By Rebecca Strobl - February 28, 2008

Cherokee County Commissioner Harry Johnston (right) visited LAVFD to discuss a proposal put forth by the Lake Arrowhead Developer Johnson-Purcell.    Shown with Commissioner Johnston is Jim Kilgore (left) and LAVFD Chief Larry Gruszecki (center).	Commissioner Harry Johnson (left) and LAVFD Board Chairman David Bost (right).

The LAVFD has been very busy over the last year. Along with continual intense weekly training and sponsoring various community events, they responded to 115 calls last year. Of these calls, 87 were in Lake Arrowhead and 28 were off the property. LAVFD members assisted in 96% of the calls that were on the property. Your
community team often was the first on the scene to provide safety and support. The calls they responded to consisted of: 51% medical, 17% Motor Vehicle accidents, 6% Structure fires, 4% Public Service and 4% Smoke calls.

Three more of your neighbors have answered the call of keeping our community safe. One of these three LAVFD members has completed the training and is now a fully certified Georgia firefighter. Two more volunteers will be attending the GA fire academy this year to increase the amount of state trained firefighters on the LAVFD team.

In recent news, the LAVFD has made progress with the help of Harry Johnson (our county commissioner) in reassuring us that the Lake Arrowhead volunteers will remain an integral part of the safety and emergency response component of our community as we face changes with present & future development. The volunteers will continue to remain steadfast in their commitment to your safety. They will also staunchly represent the Lake Arrowhead residents’ investment in our existing volunteer fire stations and equipment while the new facility is being constructed.

The volunteer fire department’s 25 year history of providing the best personalized emergency service to their friends and neighbors in Lake Arrowhead will remain their primary priority. Come join us on Thursdays at 7 p.m. next to the chapel in station 27 and learn more about the LAVFD at http://www.lakearowheadvfd.com

Cherokee County Commissioners to discuss design of new LAVFD Station tonight at Commission meeting

February 5, 2008

LAVFD Annual Meeting

On Saturday February 2, 2008 the LAVFD Annual Meeting was held in the Lake Arrowhead clubhouse.  CPA Ralph Beasley was introduced - he stated that the 2006 Tax return would be filed soon and that the books appeared to be in good order for 2007.  Paul Reidinger reported that despite there being no fund raiser in 2007 that LAVFD maintained a positive cash flow thanks to the donations of the residents and monies from the county.  Chief Gruszecki reported that LAVFD had 145 calls for 2007 and that we presently have 13 members of which 7 are state certified firefighters.  The results of the election were that Stuart Loos and Paul Reidinger were elected as members of the 2008 board - they join David Bost, Christine Saggese and Allen Alan for the 2008 year.

Lake Arrowhead Volunteer Fire Department Annual Santa Parade Begins a Busy Year

Click on picture above for full story and more pictures.

LAVFD readies Engine 27 for the weather

January 16, 2008 - Engine 27 got snow chains put on to be prepared for Wednesday weather which had already begun.  (Photo by Christine Saggese)

Get a sticker like this to let us know about your pets

Click on the sticker above to see how to get your stickers.place.com">

LAVFD responds to Accident with injury - Saturday December 15

Saturday night LAVFD responded to an "accident with injury and entrapment" - when firefighters arrived on the scene they found a 17 year old male driver conscience and alert complaining of pain in his side - firefighters removed the passenger door using the "jaws of life" and was able to extricate the patient safely using a KED (semi-rigid immobilization device) - the patient was transported to Kennestone Hospital in Marietta.

(click on the images for larger pictures)
(You will need to allow pop-ups for this site)

Fall Halloween Festival a big success

For all:

 David Bost, Chairman of the LAVFD Board of Directors (as well as Assistant Chief) and I would like to thank all involved for weeks of work dedicated to our department's success in this community event. Our station exhibited a sharp, clean, professional, and inviting appearance indicative of a community center. 

This is the first year that the children of Lake Arrowhead have had a place to go and something to do during the Halloween season. Not only were they able to show off their costumes, they were able to meet other children in the community as well as classmates. Soon after 6:30PM, we were swamped with kids and parents. 

Click here for pictures.

Midway through the evening, Steve McClendon from the LA Chapel rode over to check in with David and I. In comparing sign in rosters, it is safe to say that over 200 people visited the chapel's and Station 27's events. Included in the numbers were people who were visiting LA as well as residents. We can surmise that we made a positive impact on the visitors indicating to them that there is a vibrant resident-oriented community network within Lake Arrowhead. 

Special thanks go to: 

Jim Van Buren. Jim - thank you for the inflatable play balloons (lost for the proper name) and the balloonist. The play balloons were clearly a huge draw. Please also thank Richard Thompson for his assistance in creating an approach drive so that we were able to transport children and parents between the chapel and station. 

Frank and Christine Saggese and Gary and Rebecca and Gary Strobl. Thanks to you for your initiative and following through the laborious planning and gathering of resources. 

Thank you to the LAVFD board for providing funds to purchase Halloween decorations and food items. 

Finally, a special thanks goes to all our members who persevered through the heat, humidity, debris, and dirt in working to remodel the station. 

The next community event is our Santa Escort Parade on December 8th. I had an opportunity to speak with Deputy Ballard, the Cherokee Deputy Sheriff who has led our past parades with his squad car and children. He is ready for another year. 

Until then - back to training! We have two members to prepare for their Basic 101 course at the Fire Academy!

Thanks to all,

 Larry Gruszecki
Chief, LAVFD,

and

David Bost
Chairman, LAVFD

Station 17 responds to assist Station 12 with fire/explosion
off of Sam Nelson Road in Waleska - September 20th

Click on photo to see larger view of the picture

Two volunteer firefighters from LAVFD responded with Engine 17 and a paid firefighter early in the morning on September 20th to assist Station 12 of Waleska with a fire/explosion off of Sam Nelson Road in Waleska - other volunteer firefighters from LAVFD stayed in Lake Arrowhead to man Station 27 to respond to any calls within the LAVFD area.  When firefighters arrived on the scene off of Sam Nelson road they found a unoccupied mobile home fully involved - the cause of the fire is under investigation.  Several illegal methamphetamine labs have been found and shutdown in the area in past months according to sources.   size="4">Station 17 responds to wreck on Highway 140 at Little Refuge Road

Click on a photo to see a larger view of the picture Photo's and story from Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Website

October 1, 2007 - Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services responded to a multi-vehicle accident yesterday afternoon, shortly after 1:30, that resulted in one fatality. The accident occurred on Highway 140, at the Little Refuge Road, and involved two Harley Davidson motorcycles, a blue Subaru and a black Honda automobile. According to paramedic, Daniel Carder, one of the motorcycle drivers, a 42 year old male, died in route to the hospital. The other motorcyclist, a middle-aged male, was life flighted to Grady Hospital in serious condition with severe head and facial trauma. Two children, ages 3 and 12, were passengers in the blue Subaru and were transported by ambulance to Kennestone Hospital with cuts and abrasions due to flying glass. Their injuries, however, appeared to be minor. The female driver had no injuries. Two teenaged boys, who were in the black Honda, didn’t appear to have any injuries and refused treatment. Both lanes of Highway 140 were blocked until cleanup operations were complete. The cause of the accident is being investigated by the Georgia State Patrol.

Station 17 purchases stair chair to assist in patient handling

The new "stair chair" is specially designed to handle patients on stairs - since many of the residences at Lake Arrowhead are multi-story structures, the fire department felt it necessary to acquire a "stair chair" of their own - previously only the county ambulances had them - since LAVFD responds to a number of patient assist calls which require the device each year, this will allow LAVFD to respond to those calls without tying up an ambulance crew.

LAVFD members recently spent an evening training on the new device - many of the members commented on how easy it is to handle a patient with the new device.