Fairfax County Public Schools Teacher Arrested for Sexual Assaults — A teacher who has worked for FCPS for 29 years was arrested on Wednesday (Jan. 20) for allegedly sexually assaulting a student in 1994 and 1995. He taught at Barden Elementary School in Fort Belvoir at the time of the assaults. [Fairfax County Police Department]

Vienna Firefighters Assist with Inauguration Emergency Response — “Yesterday, our volunteers were honored to help DC Fire and EMS support the Presidential Inauguration. 9 other volunteer ambulances from Fairfax County also provided assistance.” [Vienna Volunteer Fire Department/Twitter]

Dranesville Elementary Student Raises Money to Feed National Guard — Third-grader Mache raised $1,700 to help chef Spike Mendelsohn’s restaurant We, the Pizza feed National Guard troops who provided security in D.C. on Inauguration Day. The restaurant matched Mache’s donation and invited her to help distribute the pizzas. [FCPS]

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Says More COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Needed — In a letter to Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, Jeff McKay said that the state would need to increase the number of vaccine doses provided to Fairfax County if it plans to expand eligibility requirements again. The county has been averaging 10,000 doses a week, but the waitlist for appointments has grown to 115,000 people. [@JeffreyCMcKay/Twitter]

Deadline for Fairfax County Police Chief Survey Extended — A community survey seeking public input on the search for Fairfax County’s next police chief will now be open through Saturday, Jan. 30. [Fairfax County Government]

Falls Church Petco to Close — “The Petco located at 7395 Lee Highway in Falls Church is closing Saturday, Jan. 23, after almost 10 years at that location. Pet food, toys, and supplies in the store are available at up to 70 percent off retail prices.” [Falls Church News-Press]

Photo via Vienna Volunteer Fire Department/Twitter

A house fire in Vienna that killed a woman and two cats was caused by smoking in bed, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reported this afternoon.

The county’s medical examiner identified the victim as 80-year-old Mae Woods and determined that the fire was accidental in nature.

The fire occurred early in the morning of Jan. 12, drawing first responders from Fairfax County and police officers with the Town of Vienna to the 900 block of Lauren Lane SE.

The fire caused $374,075 in damages, according to the FCFRD.

UPDATE- The Medical Examiner has identified the victim in the fatal house fire that occurred 1/12/21 in the 900 block of Lauren Lane SE, in Vienna, as Mae Woods, 80. Fire accidental in nature. Cause: Smoking in Bed. Damages: $374,075. #FCFRD @VPDVA @TownofViennaVA pic.twitter.com/FGyEv1UO1z

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) January 21, 2021

Photo via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department/Twitter

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is coming up with more ways to help local residents receive CPR in the event of an emergency.

On Jan. 18, the department announced the official launch of PulsePoint, a mobile phone app that connects to 9-1-1 and alerts CPR-trained residents if someone in a nearby, public location is experiencing Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).

The rate of survival from SCA decreases by 7-10% for every minute that passes before help arrives, according to the department. The app can be downloaded from the Apple Store or on Google Play. Potential resident responders are also alerted to the exact location of a defibrillator.

Fire Chief John Butler is encouraging residents to download the app.

“In working with PulsePoint, our goal is to get every resident with access to early intervention in order to save as many lives as possible,” Butler said.

Butler pushed for the institution of the app in Howard County, Md., where he served as fire chief before becoming the head of Fairfax County’s department in 2018.

Last year, the American Heart Association (AHA) created new guidelines urging fire departments to have the capability to alert willing bystanders to the need for CPR.

“The AHA recommendation was considered and played a significant role in the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Departments’ implementation of PulsePoint,“  Battalion Chief George Robbins, Fairfax County’s community risk reduction program manager, said.

He noted that CPR-related calls are fairly common in Fairfax County. In 2019 and 2020, the department responded to 645 and 663 patients where EMS crews attempted resuscitation respectively, Robbins told Reston Now, Tysons Reporter’s sister site.

An email is required to set up an account once the app is downloaded.

Photo via PulsePoint Foundation/Facebook

The new Scotts Run Fire Station 44 in Tysons is nearing the final stages of construction, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said yesterday (Tuesday).

Crews broke ground on the new station in September 2019. Work was previously expected to be finished by the end of 2020, but challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic led to some slight delays.

“There were delays but it wasn’t anything outside of what is to be expected with COVID affecting almost every aspect of the construction industry,” FCFRD Director of Public Information Ashley Hildebrandt said.

Located at 1766 Old Meadow Lane, the new Station 44 is intended to provide some relief to Station 29 (1560 Spring Hill Rd.), which also serves the Tysons area and is currently situated near the Spring Hill Metro station.

Approximately 13,852 square feet in size, the two-floor building will feature three vehicle bays, offices, living quarters for up to 12 crew members per shift, and restrooms that will be open to people utilizing nearby future athletic fields.

The McLean-based developer Cityline Partners committed to building the station and an off-site turf field as part of a proffer agreement with Fairfax County for its planned Scotts Run Station South mixed-use development. The station was designed by Samaha Associates and is being constructed by TRINITY Group Construction.

Fairfax County now anticipates that Station 44 will start hosting occupants this summer.

Getting closer! Construction of new Station 44, Scotts Run, is nearing final stages! Estimated occupancy is summer of 2021. New station is being built as part of a development condition to meet growing needs for emergency services in Tysons area. #FCFRD pic.twitter.com/TT9NZ8hSQ4

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) January 12, 2021

Station 29 is also expecting an upgrade.

Fairfax County started the process of procuring a contractor to build a replacement at 8300 Jones Branch Drive in McLean on Dec. 1. The new station will have two additional apparatus bays and improved living facilities for female workers. It will be co-located with a new bus facility at the Tysons West Park Transit Station.

Photo via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department/Twitter

In recognition of National Blood Donor Month, which occurs every January, volunteer fire departments throughout Fairfax County will partner with Inova Blood Donor Services to host blood drives this month.

While the need for blood donations is constant, it has become especially urgent in recent months after the COVID-19 pandemic made volunteers wary and prompted many blood drive cancellations last year.

“Due to current events, blood supplies in Fairfax County and the nation are at dangerously low levels and dropping,” the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said in a press release.

Inova Blood Donor Services says it must collect 200 units of blood per day in order to adequately support the community. The supply also needs to be continually renewed, because donated blood has a limited shelf life of 42 days.

Inova’s red blood cell inventory indicates that, as of Jan. 4, it is low on supplies for all blood types except for A negative.

The organization has implemented a number of precautionary measures to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19 at blood donation events, including requiring staff to wear masks and suspending walk-ins to ensure social distancing can be maintained.

Here is the schedule for this month’s Fairfax County volunteer fire department blood drives:

• Jan. 13, 1-7 p.m. — Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Fairfax County Fire Station 14. 9501 Old Burke Lake Rd., Burke, VA 22015. NOTE: One appointment left.
• Jan. 19, 1-7 p.m. — McLean Volunteer Fire Department, Fairfax County Fire Station 1. 1455 Laughlin Ave McLean, VA 22101.
• Jan. 25, 12:30-6:30 p.m. — Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department, Fairfax County Fire Station 22. 7011 Backlick Rd., Springfield, VA 22150.
• Jan. 30, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. — Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, Fairfax County Fire Station 2. 400 Center Street South Vienna, VA 22180.

The drives will all take place in the individual station parking lots. Access to the fire stations will be prohibited “to help protect our firefighters and paramedics,” FCFRD says.

People interested in signing up to donate at any of the drives can register through the Inova Blood Donor Services website.

Images via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Inova Blood Donor Services

(Updated at 9:40 a.m.) One person and two cats died in a house fire in Vienna early this morning.

First responders with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and officers from the Vienna Police Department were dispatched to the 900 block of Lauren Lane SE around 2:05 a.m. Fire could be seen coming through the house’s roof when firefighters arrived on the scene, according to the FCFRD.

After working to extinguish the blaze, crews found one elderly woman and her two cats deceased inside the residence, Vienna police say.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by both the Vienna Police Department and the Fairfax County Fire Marshal’s Office.

2:05 AM units dispatched for house fire, 900 Block of Lauren Lane SE, in Vienna. Units arrived on-scene with fire though the roof. Firefighters located one occupant deceased in the home. Fire Investigators currently on scene to determine cause of fire. #FCFRD pic.twitter.com/4ISN9tRSav

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) January 12, 2021

Photo via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department/Twitter

Mixed-Use Development Near Dunn Loring Metro Sold — Avenir Place developer Mill Creek Residential has sold the property to two different buyers, with the residential portion going to Pantzer Properties and the retail going to Asana Partners. Asana says it “plans to pursue some physical changes to the retail, upgrading the outdoor areas and adding more gathering places.” [Washington Business Journal]

What Census Data Tells Us About Growth in Tysons — The Tysons Census Designated Place has added more than 7,000 new residents since 2010. Key changes include the number of people of Asian descent, who now make up 40% of the population, and people who speak a language other than English at home, a group that now constitutes more than half of all residents. [Greater Greater Washington]

Northam Allocates Additional $20 Million to Economic Recovery Fund — “This new funding will bring the program total to $120 million and will enable more than 300 small business and nonprofit organizations that applied before the last round of funding was exhausted in early December to receive grants.” [Office of the Governor]

Fire and Rescue Department Finishes Annual Holiday Toy Drive — “Via partners/donors, between 3,000-4K toys were given to over 55 schools, shelters and non-profits throughout Fairfax County.” [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department/Twitter]

Staff photo by Jay Westcott

Updated at 4:10 p.m. — The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department says the situation is now stable, and all people trapped in stalled elevators have been freed. There are no reported injuries or indications of natural gas issues at this time.

Police officers are assisting with traffic control in the area around Tysons Corner Center.

“Please use caution and follow police direction,” the Fairfax County Police Department says.

Earlier — A transformer caught fire in the 1900 block of Chain Bridge Road in Tysons, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reported just before 3:30 p.m. today (Friday).

The fire is now out after units responded to the scene, but electrical power has been cut off in the area, resulting in multiple calls from people stuck in elevators. Emergency responders are helping free them.

The FCFRD says crews have not detected any gas leaks or odors so far.

Units on scene of a transformer fire in the 1900 block of Chain Bridge Road in Tysons area. Fire is out. Power is out to area. Multiple calls for people stuck in stalled elevators. Crews helping free them. Crews also checking odor of gas. No gas/leaks/odor found so far. #FCFRD pic.twitter.com/8mfHsDFEGD

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) December 4, 2020

Dominion Energy crews are also on the scene working to isolate the transformer.

“We are working to get power back as quickly and safely as possible but I’m told the work will take a few hours,” Dominion spokesperson Peggy Fox said.

A map from Dominion Energy indicates that two power outages have affected 74 customers in the Tysons area. 68 people have lost power because a circuit is out, and an outage affecting six people has been attributed to an equipment problem.

Dominion Energy estimates that power will be restored in both cases between 5-8 p.m.

Map via Dominion Energy

Three occupants of a house in the 1000 block of Towlston Road in McLean have been displaced by a fire that occurred on Sunday (Nov. 22), the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reported today.

Emergency responders were dispatched to the two-story, single-family home at approximately 1:56 a.m. Fire was showing through the front door when units arrived on the scene.

Since the area had a limited number of fire hydrants, responders requested a tanker task force, and additional FCFRD units were brought to the area, along with fire and rescue crews from Montgomery County.

“Crews initially knocked the fire down from the outside,” FCFRD says. “They then entered the home to extinguish the fire.”

No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.

UPDATE – Cause of McLean House Fire Under Investigation. Three occupants were displaced. More: https://t.co/E9hQxaemIk #FCFRD @mcfrs pic.twitter.com/rxpJdTOCsK

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) November 23, 2020

Three residents of the house were home at the time of the fire, which they discovered in the basement upon smelling smoke. FCFRD says it did not find evidence of working smoke alarms.

The fire has displaced the three occupants, who accepted the Red Cross assistance that was offered, and it caused approximately $115,000 in damages.

“The cause of the fire is currently under investigation,” Fairfax County Fire and Rescue says.

Photo via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department