The mission of the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department (FCVFD) is to aid in the preservation of life and property. This mission is completed in cooperation with the City of Falls Church government and the Arlington County Fire Department. Throughout the year, our volunteers participate and contribute to a myriad of functions related to the public safety of the citizens of the greater Falls Church community. We invite you to explore this site to learn more about our organization. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of service.

In honor of National Volunteer Week, FCVFD Firefighter/EMT Jeffrey Altice was honored yesterday by Arlington County as a 2011 Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. FF/EMT Altice contributed thousands of hours of volunteer time operationally as both a firefighter and EMT, provided public education to children and participated in training, both as a student and instructor. His collaborative approach, strong work ethic, and the respect that other members of the department have for him have proven invaluable to providing new and innovative approaches to firefighting and fire science. The FCVFD is proud to celebrate his continued accomplishments and service to our community.

Firefighter Altice is pictured with Arlington County Board Member Christopher Zimmerman (left).

The FCVFD want to remind everyone that home fires are more prevalent in winter than in any other season. This is due in part to an increase in cooking and heating fires. Winter storms that can interrupt electrical service and cause people to turn to alternative heating sources also contribute to the increased risk of fire in winter. Winter fires can be prevented! The following fire safety tips can help you maintain a fire-safe home this winter season.

• Keep anything that can catch fire - potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels, curtains or loose clothing - away from your stovetop or fireplace.
• If you do use candles, ensure they are in sturdy metal, glass or ceramic holders and placed where they cannot be easily knocked down. NEVER leave burning candles unattended.
• Inspect and clean your pipes and chimneys annually and check monthly for damage or obstructions. This will help prevent deadly chimney and roof fires.
• Keep combustibles at least three feet away from electric heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces.
• Make sure fires inside the home are completely out before leaving the house or going to bed.
• Store cooled ashes in a tightly sealed metal container outside the home.

The Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department is getting ready for Santa's annual ride through the streets of Falls Church. CLICK HERE for details.

Each year the volunteers decorate our reserve engine and drive Santa Claus around the Greater Falls Church area to visit residents. Between 6:30pm and 9:30pm each evening from December 15 through December 23 Santa visits each street in the City of Falls Church and, as time permits, neighborhoods on the fringes of the City. During the trips, FCVFD members hand out candy canes and fire safety literature to citizens.

Light and Air 103 was dispatched as part of a second alarm assignment for a working fire in an apartment building at 2900 South Glebe Road. Three FCVFD members responded with the unit and spent approximately two hours on scene refilling SCBA bottles for the suppression units working at the fire.

Career firefighters and EMS personnel from Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, the Airports and volunteers from FCVFD all contributed to the resolution of the incident. Units were on the scene for about 2 hours.

For more pictures of the incident visit ARLNow.

On Saturday, November 19, the FCVFD accepted delivery of a new unit from Atlantic Emergency Solutions. Light and Air 106 will be operated by our volunteers to provide scene lighting, breathing air replenishment, salvage, and firefighting equipment during emergency and non-emergency incidents. The vehicle was designed to respond to a wide array of incidents including natural and manmade disasters, structure fires, and fire or crime scene investigations. Some key features of the new unit include a 25kW Onan generator, a Command Light light tower, four portable tripod scene lights, a six cylinder breathing air cascade system enhanced by a Haskell Air Booster, an industrial salvage vacuum, and an array of small tools.

The Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department will host a day of fun -- and fund-raising -- at the Dogfish Head Alehouse in Falls Church (6220 Leesburg Pike, near Seven Corners). Volunteers will be giving free fire truck tours (weather permitting) and raffling off a chance to ride the Department's very own Santamobile. Drop by for lunch, dinner, happy hour or late night, and contribute to a great cause.

A portion of the proceeds that day will support the Department's purchase of a LIFEPAK 15, which is an advanced patient monitor/defibrillator used to treat victims of heart attacks (pictured left).

On Saturday, October 15th, 2011 the FCVFD opened its doors to the public on the final day of Fire Prevention Week. The Open House gives citizens an opportunity to tour the fire station, learn about the fire equipment, and gain knowledge on fire prevention. Volunteers and the ACFD career staff conducted demonstrations that included structure fire attack, vehicle rescue, emergency medical treatment, aerial ladder operations, and turnout gear donning. Displays of fire and EMS equipment were available for viewing. EMTs conducted blood pressure screenings and demonstrated the skills used during trauma emergencies. Also participating in the Open House were deputies from the Falls Church Sheriff's Office, who assisted parents with child fingerprinting and demonstrated their K-9 team capabilities.

This year's Fire Prevention Week Open House is at the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department this Saturday, October 15th, 2011 from 10am - 4pm.

The FCVFD would like ot thank those local businesses who contributed to the event to help make it a success. We encourage you to support the businesses that support us!

Since 1922, the week of October 9-15 has been dedicated to fire prevention by the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). This year's campaign, "It’s Fire Prevention Week. Protect your Family from Fire!” is all about keeping you, your family, and your community safer from fire. Though this week is focused on promoting fire safety and prevention, you should remember to practice fire safety all year long. Many potential fire hazards go undetected because people simply do not take steps to fireproof their home.

These fires caused 12,650 civilian injuries, 2,565 civilian deaths, $7.6 billion in direct damage. We encourage you to visit the Fire Safety section of our website where you'll find educational materials on the leading causes of home fires, information about protecting your home and families with life-saving technologies, and the importance of home escape planning.

Did you ever wonder what it's like to use a fire hose, sit in the driver's seat of a fire truck or have questions on how to protect your family from fire?

Join us at our annual Open House on Saturday, October 15 as we conclude Fire Prevention Week (October 9-15). Firefighters from the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department and the Arlington County Fire Department will conduct fire and emergency medical demonstrations, lead activities for those young and old, provide tours of our station, fire apparatus, tools, equipment and much more! There will also be invaluable fire safety and prevention information available to take home.

Sparky the fire dog is anxiously awaiting this exciting event!

This past weekend, the FCVFD joined police, fire and EMS departments from around the country at the 9/11 5k race in Crystal City. The FCVFD runners took 6th place out of 18 departments participating. A special congratulations goes out to Firefighter Greear who took 3rd place overall in the female firefighters category, and FF Doumas who took 6th place overall in the men's firefighter category.

FCVFD Ambulance 102 was also on site with the ACFD to provide medical support to the runners in the race.

The events of 9/11 will remain etched in our minds forever. This Sunday, we mark the 10th anniversary of the tragic events that changed a nation. We pause to remember and honor those who lost their lives that September day and the unselfish bravery of the first responders who risked their lives to help others.

We invite you to read a recent article in the Falls Church Patch, which highlights Assistant Chief James Fortner recalling the FCVFD response to the Pentagon.

The FCVFD would like to remind you that September is National Preparedness Month. Now in its eighth year, National Preparedness Month is a nationwide, month-long effort hosted by the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, encouraging households, businesses and communities to prepare and plan for emergencies.

To help our community prepare for an emergency, the FCVFD is encouraging residents to visit Ready.gov to ensure you and your family is prepared for any and all disasters. Ready.gov provides information on how to put together an emergency supply kit, develop a disaster plan and stay informed about emergency plans that have been established in our area by the state and local government.

For More information, please visit Ready.gov or contact the FCVFD for more information.

In anticipation of increased emergency needs of residents in the City of Falls Church, Arlington County or Fairfax County, should you have a specific emergency below, please utilize the numbers listed to notify emergency personnel:

• Fire and Medical Emergency: 911
• Power Outages: Dominion Virginia Power - 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357)
• Power Outages: BGE – 1-877-778-2222
• Power Outages: Pepco – 1-877-737-2662
• Natural Gas Emergencies: Washington Gas 703-750-1400 or 800-752-7520 (Remember, if you smell gas, leave and call 9-1-1)

Arlington County Specific Numbers
• Arlington Non-Emergency Line: 703-558-2222
• Trees Down: 703-228-6525
• Street Flooding, Water, Sewer and Storm Sewer: 703-228-6555
• Traffic Signal Outages: 703-228-6511

Fairfax County Specific Numbers
• Fairfax Non-Emergency Line: 703-691-2131
• Trees Down: 703-324-8594
• Flooding: 703-877-2800

The National Hurricane Center's latest projection for Hurricane Irene shows the potential for heavy rains and strong wind hitting the Washington, D.C., area early Sunday morning. Take steps to prepare you home and family for the storm. There are three major issues that you should be concerned with: Wind, Rain and localized flooding, and Power Outages. To prepare for a hurricane the FCVFD and FEMA recommend you should take the following measures:

• Keep Informed - Make sure you can arrange to get storm alerts in real-time.
• Make plans to secure your property. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
• Bring things inside that could blow around and cause damage to your or a neighbor's home.
• Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.
• Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed.
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
• Consider preparing a safe room if one exists at your residence
• Make sure you have a plan if you are advised to leave your residence
• In case the power may go out for a prolonged period of time, take time now to fill voids in your refrigerator and freezer and stock up on perishables.

For additional information regarding hurricane preparedness, please visit FEMA's Website or Ready.gov. For up to date information on Hurricane Irene, please visit the following websites:

Yesterday, the east coast experienced a 5.8 magnitude earthquake at 1:50 p.m. which extended all the way up the east coast from Richmond to the US/Canadian border. Locally, reports from City of Falls Church, Arlington and Fairfax Counties have indicated only minor damage to building structures. However, Arlington and Falls Church Fire Department units responded to dozens of calls yesterday ranging from medical emergencies, and gas leaks to structural concerns. Ambulances 102 and 106, and Utilities 106 and 116 were placed in service for a number of hours after the earthquake to assist with the elevated number of emergency calls.

The Falls Church VFD would like to remind you that if you smell gas, leave the building or area and call 9-1-1 immediately. If you have concerns regarding the safety of your building, please contact your building’s engineer, a structural engineer or licensed contractor. Some recommendations regarding both commercial and residential structures can be found at the Arlington County Emergency Management Website.

Members of the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department were recognized for their contribution to the community by the Falls Church City Council this month following the presentation of the annual report by Chief Paul Schomburg.

On Sunday evening, August 7th at approximately 20:20 hours, Arlington Emergency Communication Center dispatched units to Box 7002, Clarendon Blvd and N. Ode Street for a reported construction wall and crane collapse. ACFD Engines 110 and 103, Truck 104, Rescue 104, Medic 110 and 104, the Technical Rescue Team and EMS, Fire and Special Operations Chiefs responded within minutes. Upon arrival units found a retaining wall had failed causing dirt and debris to fall into the construction site, following the evening's heavy rains.

As with the summer months in the Washington, DC area, temperatures soar in cars, and even with a window cracked, the temperature in a car can beome life-threatening within minutes. As temperatures rise, so does the risk of children being forgotten in vehicles, still strapped in their carseats, and dying from excessive heat exposure. A child’s body temperature rises 3-5 times faster than an adult’s, making them more vulnerable to temperature changes and to heat stroke. Even with the windows partially down, the temperature inside a parked car can reach 125 degrees in just minutes.

On Saturday, July 9th, the 2011 Spring Recruit Class celebrated their graduation and successfully completing the Firefighter-1 program through the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. FCVFD members, Arlington County Fire Department (Station 6 A Shift) personnel, Cherrydale VFD, and recruits' family and friends were on hand to celebrate during a ceremony held at Station 6 that included speeches by FCVFD Dep. Chief Rob McCarry and Recruit Tully Minoski, a certificate presentation, and a video recap of the Recruit School.

Early Sunday Morning, June 26th, at 04:00, the Arlington Emergency Communications Center began receiving calls for heavy smoke coming from a single family home at the intersection fo 13th and Quincy Streets in the Douglas Park area of Arlington. Arlington dispatchers filled a box alarm which brought multiple ACFD units.

First arriving apparatus found the rear of a two story house fully involved with possible extension to the attic. Due to the extensive nature of the fire, the Battalion Chief on scene requested a Second-Alarm as a level 1 Rapid Intervention Team Response (RIT) which brought additional units from Arlington and Alexandria Fire Departments.

FCVFD Ambulance 102 was returning to quarters from another call when the second alarm was sounded. Ambulance 102 was re-routed to the call and was immediately tasked by Battalion 112 to assist EMS 112 with providing care to victims of the fire. A102 was then tasked with firefighter rehab at the scene.

On Thursday Evening, May 26th at approximately 11:15pm, Arlington ECC received multiple calls of heavy smoke coming from an apartment inside the Prospect House at 1200 North Nash Street in Fort Myer Heights. ACFD and Fort Meyer units were immediately dispatched and arrived on scene within minutes. Engine 110 & Medic 110 were first on scene and reported heavy black smoke and fire coming from the 2nd and 3rd floor. Battalion 112 immediately transmitted a 2nd-Alarm which brought additional fire and EMS units from around the county and Alexandria, including Truck 106, Light and Air 103 and Canteen 106.

ACFD units conducted a primary search of the building of the fire apartment. Crews from Engine 110 and 103 operated multiple hand-lines from the standpipes to extinguish the fire, while Truck 105, 106 and Engine 101 ventilated the structure. FCVFD units assisted with firefighter rehab and refilling air bottles.

Units cleared the scene around 1:00am.

On Saturday, May 21st at 11:30am, ACFD Engine 102 and Tower 104 responded to an Automatic Fire Alarm from The Carlin apartments at 4300 N. Carlin Springs Road. Upon arrival units discovered a sizable gas explosion had occurred in one of the apartments and which resulting in significant damage to one floor of the Carlin. A second-alarm and Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) was transmitted which brought multiple fire and EMS units from around the county. A Medivac was requested for one patient who received burns from the explosion. The patient was flown to Washington Hospitals Burn Center. No other injuries were reported.

The FCVFD today released its 2010 Annual Report. During the calendar year 2010, the volunteers orchestrated, led, developed and participated in a myriad of functions related to the public safety of the citizens of the greater Falls Church and Arlington communities. This report provides an overview of these incidents and events, as well as a summary of training and other activities that FCVFD members completed in order to provide a high level of professional emergency response and public education services.

National Emergency Medical Services Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine's "front line." During this week, the FCVFD wants to take the opportunity to salute our Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) who have contributed so significantly to our city, county and Nation’s welfare.

The Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), this week are working to raise awareness about arson and how to stop serial arsonists. The theme this year is "Working Together to Extinguish Serial Arson." Take this week to educate yourselves and your community about the value of a collaborative effort with law enforcement, fire and emergency service departments, and the community to battle serial arsonists.

Many communities across the country are experiencing a rash of serial arson-related fires. Serial arson is defined as an offense committed by fire setters who set three or more fires with a significant cooling off period between the fires. These types of fires are plaguing many rural and urban communities causing significant loss of life and millions of dollars in property damage, adding to the suffering already caused by the current economic climate. The USFA provides tools and resources to help you prevent arson in your community. Visit www.usfa.fema.gov/aaw to learn more and access these resources.

Late Friday Night, March 26th at 10:50PM, units from the Arlington County Fire Department were dispatched to a report of a structure fire at 4400 Lee Highway in the Cherrydale area of Arlington County. Units arrived on scene to find a 4-story apartment building with heavy smoke showing from a 3rd floor appartment. A second-alarm was transmitted by the incident commander, which brought additional fire apparatus from Arlington County, Fairfax County and Fort Myer as well as volunteer units Ambulance 102, Light and Air 103 and Canteen 106. Three residents were transported to the hospital Medic 110, Medic 106 and Ambulance 102. Units then turned the scene over to the ACFD Fire Marshal for investigation of the incident.

At approximately 02:30AM, ACFD units were dispatched back to the fire scene. Initial reports were for a small fire in the original fire apartment. A small fire was found on the 3rd floor in the ceiling of the original fire apartment. Shortly thereafter, units reported a larger fire on the 4th floor and extending into the roof area; the call was then upgraded to a 2nd alarm. Volunteer units Ambulance 102, Light & Air 103, Utility 106, and Canteen 106 responded along with other fire apparatus from around the county. Ambulance 102 and Canteen 106 assisted with firefighter rehabilitation, while Light & Air 103 provided air, lighting and logistical support on the scene.

In total over 25 county and mutual aid units responded to the incidents.