 We annually solicit your support for the ongoing operations of the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department (FCVFD). Our mailing to the Great Falls Church area 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 and for training, insurance, and the upkeep of our offices and meeting facilities. Our 2006 fund drive generated revenues over $45,000, and we must maintain this level of contributions to continue our operations. Your contributions are used for public purposes and are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. We do not conduct phone or door-to-door solicitations, and we do not share our contributor list with anyone.
 The demand for emergency assistance continues to grow in our area due to the steady increase in our population. Through your generosity, our Department provides an advanced life support ambulance staffed by full-time paramedics from the Arlington County Fire Department, as well as a basic life support (BLS) ambulance that is staffed by volunteer personnel. The basic life support ambulance augments full-time emergency medical services on weekends, during weather emergencies, and at major events in the greater Falls Church area and Arlington. We continue to provide the most modern equipment and the best-trained fire and rescue personnel available. We are currently in the process of replacing an ambulance this fiscal year, at an estimated cost of $225,000.
 During 2006, FCVFD personnel contributed nearly 20,000 hours of service. These hours included over 7,300 hours staffing emergency vehicles and more than 7,400 hours engaged in training to prepare for responses. In addition to emergency operations, the FCVFD also provides support for many local public events such as local foot races, parades and high school football games. Throughout the year, volunteer personnel educate hundreds of citizens through visits to area schools, scout troops, and civic organizations with activities culminating during the annual Fire Prevention Week Open House. We will soon begin a community-based CPR program to broaden our education efforts.
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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