FEATURED DEPARTMENT OF THE MONTH!

BLOXOM VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
STATION 6

The following article was submitted by
Bloxom V.F.C. Fire Chief - Jody Bagwell

The Bloxom Volunteer Fire Company is a combination department with 50 volunteer members and two Career Fire/Medics. Bloxom Volunteer Fire Company's goal is to provide excellent patient care and professional fire services for the citizens of Accomack County.

History of the Bloxom Volunteer Fire Company

One morning in 1953, Aubrey Lewis entered the Bunting and Littleton's Store and was informed that the Tasley Volunteer Fire Company had an open cab American LaFrance pumper for sale. The asking price was $500.00. The pumper was in good condition for it's age. Mr. Littleton was concerned that the town had no fire protection. He had experienced fire damage to his home and business. Other members of the community had the same concerns.

Aubrey Lewis and Mr. Littleton agreed to give $100 towards the purchase of the pumper from Tasley. Shortly after the discussion to help fund the pumper, Mr. John Somers came out of this office just across the street and was called over and told about the pumper. John quickly donated another $100 towards the purchase of the pumper.

Aubrey Lewis saw John Bowden, the postmaster at the time, and discussed the purchase of the pumper from Tasley. John Bowden also donated $100 to the purchase of the pumper.

The final $100 came from Arnold Somers who owned and operated a furniture store in Bloxom. Mr. Somers had the only piece of firefighting equipment in town. He had a hand-drawn cart that is currently on display at the Bloxom Fire Company.

Mr. Will Littleton took the $500 to the Tasley Fire Company and purchased our first fire truck. Mr. Warner Hargis and Wilson Payne delivered the pumper to Bloxom. They demonstrated the use of the trucks pump down by the branch near Bethel Baptist Church. The fire truck was stored at Barton Bull's old metal barn. The truck remained in Barton's barn until the Bloxom Firehouse was built in 1954 by Bill Goard. Rumor has it that a beer can was in each block.

Bloxom Volunteer Fire Company was established in 1954 by town citizens. Most men in town were members. According to John Somers, the town and fire company were formally established around the same time.

Other facts from a retired member

The first engine was named "Old Hess" and was primarily driven by Ernest Isdell.

The first town owned apparatus was the 1906 hand cart.

According to John Somers, "Old Hess" was a front-line apparatus at the Parksley storefront fire back in the late 1950's.

The Bloxom Volunteer Fire Company continued to grow in the late 50's behind the effort of many dedicated men and women. They had Sunday dinners to raise funds. In the 60's the fire company had two concession stands at Guard Shore. According to some retired members, Guard Shore was the happening place. The fire company had boat races on Sunday. They would sell food at the concession stands to support the operation of the fire company.

First Officers and founding Members
President - John Somers
Vice President - Aubrey Lewis
Secretary - Norman Brown
Treasurer - John Bowden
Fire Chief - Barton Bull
Assistant Chief - Alvin Martin

Ladies Auxiliary
President - Ann Somers
Vice President - Effie Lewis
Treasurer - Louella Parks

The end of an ERA

All the sweat and tears of past and present members were destroyed in January 2006. A fire occurred in the old firehouse while out on a structure fire in Gargatha. The firehouse was a total loss. The station and two ambulances were destroyed. It has been a hard five years but we managed to hold things together. Moral was at an all time low during this time.

The beginning of a new ERA

Construction of the Bloxom firehouse started in December 2009. We received a occupancy permit in October of 2011. We have moved in but still have a long way to go. You know you have done a good job with the building when your kids don't want to leave the new building. I would like to thank everyone that made a donation and helped put the members of the Bloxom Fire Company back into a home that will take us into the future.

Editor's Note:

Station 6 - Bloxom is situated in central Accomack County, on the "Bayside" of the Eastern Shore. Their neighboring mutual-aid fire & rescue stations are Station 4 - Atlantic, Station 20 - Oak Hall & Station 5 - Saxis to the north; and Station 7 - Parksley to the south. In addition to serving the residents of Bloxom, their first due area also includes all or portions of Ann's Cove, Cattail, Guards Shore, Guilford, Hallwood, Macedonia, Mappsville, Mears, Modest Town, Nelsonia, Winterville, and various outlying areas. During 2010, the dedicated volunteers of Station 6 responded to 245 fire incidents and 1127 EMS calls.

The staff of easternshorefire.com would like to congratulate the members of the Bloxom V.F.C. on the opening of your new, beautiful fire station. Also, we extend our sincere gratitude for the hospitality shown to us during our visit to the station. Special recognition is hereby given to Chief Jody Bagwell, Deputy Chief Sean Bagwell, Past Vice President James "Snooky" Bagwell, Past President John Somers, and members Peter G. Bourbeau & C. Ray Pruitt for their invaluable assistance in making this profile possible. The photographs appearing in the slide show were provided courtesy of the Bloxom Volunteer Fire Company, Past Chief K.W. Ainsworth, and Virginia fire service photographer - Mike Sanders.

2011 Administration & Line Officers:
President: Elmer Pruitt
Vice-President: Peter Bourbeau
Secretary/Treasurer: Elmer Pruitt
Chaplain: David Chew
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Chief: Jody Bagwell
Deputy Chief: Sean Bagwell
Assistant Chief: Richard Taylor
Captain: Kenny Taylor
Lieutenant: Tommy Bagwell
Rescue Captain: Betty Ann Taylor
Rescue Lieutenant: David Chew
Rescue Lieutenant: Krista Killmon
Chief Engineer: Richard Taylor

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Board of Directors

Elmer Pruitt
Jody Bagwell
Sean Bagwell
Richard Taylor
David Chew

Contact Information:
Bloxom Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.
15312 Bayside Drive
P.O. Box 132
Bloxom, Virginia
Phone 757-665-4651
Fax 757-665-4412

cache/wst.opf.1815345.xml

Fleet of Apparatus

AMBULANCE 6-0
2009 CHEVROLET/ MEDIX

AMBULANCE 6-1
2006 FORD E350/MEDIX

ENGINE 6-3
1983 HAHN
1250 GPM PUMP/500 GALLON WATER TANK
(DONATED BY A DEPARTMENT IN PENNSYLVANIA)

ENGINE 6-5
1999 PIERCE SABER
1250 GPM PUMP/750 GALLON WATER TANK
CARRIES EXTRICATION EQUIPMENT

TANKER 6-7
1995 INTERNATIONAL/S&S
750 GPM PUMP/1800 GALLON WATER TANK

UNIT 6-9
1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA

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FEATURED DEPARTMENT OF THE MONTH! BLOXOM VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY STATION 6

FEATURED DEPARTMENT OF THE MONTH!

BLOXOM VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
STATION 6