A Century of Service

The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department (VVFD) is one of the most successful and respected volunteer fire departments in Northern Virginia. Since its formation in 1903, when two hand-drawn chemical pumpers were stored under the Freeman House (home of the first chief), the department has provided the Vienna Community with the best available equipment and a well-trained, dedicated force to protect the lives and property of its citizens. The VVFD enters its second century of service in a new era. Concern for public safety and the need for well-equipped, well-trained first responders have put renewed emphasis on maintaining our century old standards.

Always Ready, Always There

The VVFD works in partnership with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Fairfax County provides the professional, dedicated, career staff that respond from the Vienna fire station twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The VVFD purchases and owns all the emergency response equipment and owns and maintains the fire station. Volunteers also provide staffing for additional fire and EMS units, supplementally staff frontline units, and provide support for community events, such as Viva Vienna. They work closely with county staff to prevent the loss of life and property throughout the year. Volunteers receive the same training as Fairfax County personnel and spend many hours in training and drills at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Training Academy. Last year, this partnership of county and volunteer staff, and volunteer-owned equipment responded to more than 3,750 calls for assistance - a continually increasing number.

In an effort to prevent fires and accidents, County personnel stationed at Vienna perform regular walk-through inspections of buildings and businesses. Our fire station Open House each Fall and Kids Safe Day each Spring help educate our youth on how to prevent fires and accidents. Literature and advice are provided at no cost along with the opportunity for children to experience fire engines up close.

Beyond its service to the Vienna community, the station serves as a backup to neighboring fire stations in responding to major emergencies. For instance, the department's front-line fire engine and medic unit were sent to the Pentagon during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and volunteers helped staff the Vienna Fire Station and were also deployed to the Falls Church area to fill in for other units dedicated to the Pentagon incident.

A Community Cornerstone

Surrounded by ever-expanding suburbs that serve a growing population but do little to create a sense of community, the citizens of Vienna are dedicated to maintaining the values and feel of their historic town. The VVFD and its century-old community relationship between volunteers, town merchants, and residents is at the heart of this small-town environment. Our volunteers realize that the financial and moral support of the community have been vital to this department's success. The community continues to support its volunteer firefighters, because Vienna's residents understand that an investment in the VVFD is an investment in a community-centered lifestyle.

Meeting A Challenge

Faced with an outdated, substandard facility that must be brought up to code, and the need to replace equipment used beyond its life expectancy, the VVFD must make approximately $2.5 million in equipment and capital improvements over the next year.

Chief among these challenges is the need to renovate and expand our 1958 fire station at 400 Center Street South. Parts of the electrical and plumbing systems are original to the building and no longer meet building and safety codes. Automated systems strain electrical capacity, and existing plumbing will not support needed living quarters. The living quarters themselves, which originally housed only volunteers (primarily male), now accommodate County personnel as well. Staff and volunteers include an increasing number of females. The condition of the living quarters is a deterrent to retaining quality staff, and our current female quarters are unsafe in the event of a fire. Before 2004, the building had no sprinkler system to protect our community's fire and rescue staff and our $1 million investment in equipment. Both a decontamination room and an expanded training facility are necessary additions to address modern threats to safety.

State-of-the art equipment is a hallmark of the VVFD and a critical element in the protection of its citizens. Recently, the department used reserve funds, which we must replenish, to replace an aging fire engine and advanced life support (ALS) ambulance, and basic life support (BLS) ambulance at a cost of more the $636,000. These two units are used every day by the Fairfax County staff and VVFD volunteers to provide fire and emergency medical services.

Additional equipment purchases are needed to replace a 15-year old reserve fire engine. This unit is approaching its life expectancy and suffers from poor mechanical reliability.

Providing Tangible Support - The Need is Now

The bulk of support for the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department comes directly from the community, as it has for the past century. Funds from weekly bingo games, rental of the community hall for social events, direct tax-deductible contributions and special gifts are supplemented by contributions from the federal, state, county and town governments

Facing a critical need for equipment and facility upgrades, the VVFD enters its second century with confidence that the people it serves will understand and appreciate our community's needs. With substantial improvements to the station and the acquisition of much-needed equipment, Vienna residents and merchants can continue to enjoy the protection of a state-of-the-art fire department, within their own community.

For more information, call us at (703) 938-2678 ext. 4

To make a gift to the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department Capital Campaign, send a check or pledge form to:

Vienna Volunteer Fire Department Capital Campaign Committee PO Box 1115 Vienna, VA 22183