[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6482212,"mediaKeyId","5610135-41f2f84cbc77dbf233125ec8bdc670fa","parentId",5610135,"title","Lord Fairfax Health District presents Winchester community health assessment; mental health, housing top local priorities","audioSeconds",2499,"startMs",54000,"endMs",2553000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610135-41f2f84cbc77dbf233125ec8bdc670fa&start=54&end=2553","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610135-41f2f84cbc77dbf233125ec8bdc670fa/thumbnail_54000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6482212/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Lord-Fairfax-Health-District-presents-Winchester-community-health-assessment-mental-health-housing-top-local-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482212-0fbeca0cb1fbb06a3812c09fa78f6afb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415357&Signature=ewIjm4vbsLfX~7ED6p7hLIKUmwJpkeRDvs7boJentMKiqR25JFhbXKhULrblBtAwEJz9W6EwVIREJfWxUOsy98VI9OAVb1W43hiPqmQAyF2mgB1a1XcOTsIZ1xsRbivfPdAI2OTr~3kFxjGi96CsTNKyPh~B3DEDq5EavdEWYghPElytPsTYATWlBQNfgFcWWRBacZKX7YPZSRKf~Hg9ZPAMLAdp1202~GQWLi97xcGQSCLxImbv23VTuyFXCXH~49v0AOFnl5D~qJtVA8DWevMEoqqncI~3DiIhsOJdz6oEm0vZo9SvQWiiHwxulDhviuC9Nl13IULDJKyWyblMeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Winchester","date","2025-08-20T00:00:00Z","article","Catherine Schroeder, population health manager for the Lord Fairfax Health District of the Virginia Department of Health, presented the district's community health assessment (CHA) and described next steps for a community health improvement plan (CHIP), telling the Winchester City Health and Safety Committee that the CHA combines primary survey data and secondary public-health indicators to identify local priorities.

Schroeder said the assessment gathered 2,572 survey responses across the district, including 202 from Winchester City; Winchester respondents were 77% female and 72% white and skewed younger, with a predominant age range of 35 to 44.

The CHA found that Winchester respondents prioritized mental health, followed by access to health care and additional affordable housing; in contrast, the broader district more often prioritized physical health. Schroeder summarized: \"Winchester chose increased access to mental health services, increased access to health care, and additional affordable housing.\" She said the assessment also draws on about 90 secondary measures, including local rates of chronic disease and social drivers of health.

Why it matters: the CHA is intended as the evidence base for a community-led CHIP that sets objectives, strategies and measures the community can track over time. Schroeder said the steering committee has narrowed a longer list to 11 areas and will ask a broader community group to reduce that to three to five priorities for coordinated action.

Key findings and supporting data cited in the presentation included a Winchester chronic hepatitis C rate reported at about 210 per 100,000 (Virginia ~51 per 100,000); adult obesity at 37% (Virginia 35%); deaths due to diabetes at 52 (Virginia 33); children in poverty at 29% (Virginia 12%); teen pregnancy at 28.4 per 1,000 females (Virginia 15); and a violent-crime rate of 300 (Virginia 245). Schroeder said some of these measures \"raise an eyebrow\" and will be tracked through the CHIP.

Committee members urged caution in interpreting the survey because Winchester respondents were not demographically representative of the city's population. One councilor noted the low response count from some groups and recommended a “disclaimer” and careful use of the results; Schroeder agreed and said the CHA supplements surveys with community interviews, community health worker outreach and secondary data to broaden the evidence base.

Schroeder described outreach methods: the survey was distributed through Valley Health MyChart accounts, community health workers working with at-risk populations, and community organizations. She said that community health workers found lower participation among some disadvantaged groups and that the project team is keeping a lessons-learned record to refine future outreach.

Next steps: Schroeder said the steering committee will present background materials and draft priorities to a larger community group and aims to select three to five priorities; she announced a public meeting to discuss priorities on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 9:30 a.m. at the Frederick-Winchester Health Department and offered to send the full ~80-page report and indicator citations to councilors when the final report is ready.

Ending: Committee members thanked Schroeder and asked that the full CHA and future narrowing of priorities be circulated to the council when available. No formal committee action was taken during the presentation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Winchester - City Council - Public Health and Safety Committee - 5:00 PM - Aug 20 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Catherine Schroeder, population health manager for the Lord Fairfax Health District of the Virginia Department of Health, presented the district's community health assessment and proposed next steps for a community health improvement plan for Winchester City.","taxTitle","Winchester City, Frederick County, Virginia","taxId",5107,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6482203,"City updates automated traffic enforcement: stop-arm cameras face technical issues; red-light pilot targeted at Jubal Early and Pleasant Valley",1302,4265000,5567000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610135-41f2f84cbc77dbf233125ec8bdc670fa&start=4265&end=5567","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610135-41f2f84cbc77dbf233125ec8bdc670fa/thumbnail_4265000.jpg","/articles/6482203/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/City-updates-automated-traffic-enforcement-stop-arm-cameras-face-technical-issues-red-light-pilot-targeted-at-Jubal-Early-and-Pleasant-Valley","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482203-0d775ab3213bf04c3e007b6cba373853/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415357&Signature=EYMPBNx-7NZJ2ne~k0WI8GfVPHBivEL1ifZnse0ZOS9I66sVGi-FBHQI~Vmn0p7298KXxx-DFuhFh7r058r9JOTY~sCutjPo4W6qhdtLrhbMFconWD0tUKN6~cBJ9~5~Y5hlpxS2-fmEWr1xzHcpGww0QM5JMN9~lJSTQZ2k9YamCUDeUKzzkZTq~PS2QnztDKwmEJWlqDFGA7PT0HSpIqJ4TiPPJUSbRuhwWnpKwdRpiyGEVHw3mryAC5Jf5uHwbfGEzcaYC484-0M4H6uzyzjBahB9jhKeQRjtbASxWPcMJd55Jcc7TDUTUelfuyc01A2N2Cds97Sm2HLQ1fXvvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Patrick (city staff presenting the program) updated the committee on Winchester's Automated Traffic Enforcement Camera Program, which currently operates school-zone speed cameras and school-bus stop-arm cameras and is preparing a pilot red-light camera at the intersection of Jubal Early Drive and South Pleasant Valley Road.

Patrick said recent state law changes require additional documentation for school-zone citations (for example, confirming that flashing lights were active when a citation is issued) and the city and vendor have implemented a solution. He reported that school-zone camera citations since January total 3,189, a 47.8% decrease from 2024, and that year-to-date revenue received after vendor fees is $228,544 (down 28% year-over-year).

Stop-arm school-bus cameras: Patrick said the stop-arm camera program is currently on hold because the system is experiencing technical issues that cause it to capture fewer violations than bus drivers report; the vendor is investigating. He said clips still captured are reviewed by staff before citations issue.

Red-light camera pilot: Patrick said state law limits the city to two automated traffic-signal enforcement intersections based on population, and the city's first target is the Jubal Early / South Pleasant Valley intersection, which staff identified as the city's highest crash-prone location. The vendor is completing a traffic study that will be made public; once the final report confirms the problem and the equipment is installed, the city will run a public information campaign and at least a month-long warning period before issuing citations.

Committee discussion focused on pedestrian safety at the Jubal Early/Pleasant Valley location. One councilor urged inclusion of pedestrian counts in future studies and suggested interim measures such as targeted officer presence at peak hours, repainting crosswalks and reviewing signal timing. Patrick and other staff said the vendor study is vehicle-focused and that pedestrian counts would require separate manual or observational data collection; staff agreed to add a pedestrian-safety assessment to the follow-up list.

Ending: No enforcement or policy change was adopted at the meeting; staff will provide the vendor's final traffic study and pursue follow-up pedestrian and roadway-safety work as part of the implementation phase.","City staff reported school-zone speed cameras are reducing violations, stop-arm school-bus cameras are experiencing technical problems, and the city is pursuing a state-limited photo red-light pilot at Jubal Early and South Pleasant Valley Road with a warning period before citations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":46,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6482209,"New Fire Chief outlines staffing, volunteer standards and South End station timeline",1210,3763000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610135-41f2f84cbc77dbf233125ec8bdc670fa&start=2553&end=3763","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610135-41f2f84cbc77dbf233125ec8bdc670fa/thumbnail_2553000.jpg","/articles/6482209/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/New-Fire-Chief-outlines-staffing-volunteer-standards-and-South-End-station-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482209-25d888231f4f18b060564c3d767187a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415357&Signature=VMdCe6X5UzzgKktXrYVs-0IzNuzAvRxaIPDPd5lkjy7rDZXJjf9SwgtuQ9l2Epwue4vwVTGBR-1uyl0UKefFRNUIk7~GmcCXbtV-mpU3h~yt5XmMb~1ewyjB8~5wGATHzZlE3bEGJ2TQwIckSzI73wbXyXJGSvOaXIP40MAFLfHg4Xq0NnDlKd1iaf37h3lzkHKz5t7ghxbEkHXpwvzh8ccCv~NZQLnIeXA2vcAGq9xJ3B60VAJPVWDzvQS-SVTAxGIhsLnEIEaMVjBZlCxlbD75OSrGtM~H5cImOknX~1WwXGgWr8TtJf6trIht7kifoTM-7zrC2rbwS~3rC4rMpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Drew Savage, Winchester's newly appointed fire chief, told the Health and Safety Committee that he has spent his first three months reviewing department operations and beginning several initiatives including increases to career staffing, a promotional reclassification to add captains, volunteer-company standards, and long-range apparatus replacement planning.

Savage said the department's daily minimum career staffing is 15 personnel, all cross-trained in fire and EMS, and that an in-house fire academy is due to graduate a class in mid-September; additional hiring funded in last year's budget will support further staffing increases with a target class start in mid-October. \"Those members will get introduced operationally and that will begin the first phase to start enhancing that daily minimum staffing,\" he said.

Savage described newly funded captains: the department is interviewing candidates (he reported nine active candidates) and expects selections by early October. He said these rank changes will help modernize operations as the planned South End Station comes online and the department changes deployment models.

Volunteer companies: Savage emphasized the historical contributions of the volunteer companies but said recruitment and retention challenges persist. He described an existing, fully executed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Winchester Fire Rescue and volunteer companies and said the MOU defines three primary volunteer contributions: safe and habitable fire stations, fire apparatus aligned with community needs, and certified volunteer personnel. Savage said two volunteer companies have recently acquired apparatus that were not procured in consultation with the department and do not align with the department's apparatus replacement plan; he said the department will revisit the replacement plan and clarify acquisition practices.

Health and safety for volunteers: Savage said two recent medical events involving volunteers prompted the department to work with volunteer leadership to provide physical examinations and fitness evaluations comparable to the career force for volunteers who perform operational roles.

Programs and public engagement: Savage reported neighborhood canvassing from April through September with 317 doors contacted; fire public-education activities have reached about 1,800 participants, resulted in 27 smoke alarms installed and 16 child safety seats distributed. He also said the mobile integrated health/community paramedic program is being expanded to add a second position and that the city engine currently in production is scheduled for delivery in September 2026. The South End Station construction is progressing with a targeted move-in date of September 2026.

Committee members praised the progress and urged continued collaboration with volunteers and attention to apparatus planning, fitness standards and recognition of volunteer contributions. No formal committee action occurred during the update.","Fire Chief Drew Savage told the Health and Safety Committee that Winchester Fire Rescue is increasing career staffing, formalizing ranks, working with volunteer companies on standards and safety, and expects the new South End fire station and city engine deliveries in 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lord Fairfax Health District presents Winchester community health assessment; mental health, housing top local priorities

City updates automated traffic enforcement: stop-arm cameras face technical issues; red-light pilot targeted at Jubal Early and Pleasant Valley

New Fire Chief outlines staffing, volunteer standards and South End station timeline