 We annually solicit your support for the ongoing operations of the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department (FCVFD) through a mailing to the Greater Falls Church area. This mailing is our Department’s only annual appeal. Since 1925, our citizen volunteers have been serving neighborhoods in the City of Falls Church and surrounding Counties of Arlington and Fairfax. Our organizational mission to aid in the preservation of life and property is accomplished through cooperative relationships with the City of Falls Church government and Arlington County Fire Department.
The proceeds of our fund drive are used to purchase and maintain our equipment, including emergency response vehicles, and for training, insurance and the upkeep of our offices and meeting facilities. Our 2007 fund drive generated revenues of over $45,000 and we must maintain this level of contributions to continue our operations. FCVFD is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Your contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
 Through your generosity, FCVFD provides emergency response equipment to serve our community, including a fire engine, an emergency utility vehicle, a canteen unit, and two ambulances – an advanced life support ambulance staffed by full time paramedics from the Arlington County Fire Department, as well as a basic life support unit staffed by our volunteers. We continue to provide the most modern equipment and the best-trained fire and rescue personnel available. During 2008, we replaced two older vehicles – an ambulance (at a cost of approximately $205,000) and a utility vehicle (at a cost of approximately $90,000).
 During 2007, FCVFD personnel contributed over 20,000 hours of service to the community. These hours included over 7,500 hours staffing emergency vehicles and responding to emergencies, as well as more than 8,100 hours training. In addition to emergency operations, the FCVFD also provides support for many local public events such as bicycle and running races, parades and high school football games. Throughout the year, volunteer personnel educate hundreds of citizens through visits to local schools, scout troops, and civic organizations. Our fire prevention and public education activities culminate at our annual Open House during Fire Prevention Week.
While we hope that you do not need our emergency services in the year ahead, we are always ready to serve you and your family. We are also happy to help with fire prevention tips, materials, and speakers for schools, youth groups, and civic organizations. Your past generosity has enabled us to carry on a long and proud tradition of community service. We appreciate your continued support.
** NOTICE **
We frequently receive inquiries about solicitations from individuals claiming to represent fire service organizations, unions, or other groups. The requests are for journal ads, benefit concert tickets, or other projects. Some solicitations have been fraudulent and we have reported them to proper authorities. Please note that the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department only receives donations mailed to the address printed on the return envelope or submitted online via PayPal. Approximately 85% of the donations received through our annual mailing are used for fire department purposes; the balance is used for printing and mailing.
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