City of Alexandria government offices and facilities are closed Tuesday, Feb. 9. Emergency services personnel should report as scheduled. Trash and recycling collection scheduled for Feb. 9 will not be collected until Feb. 16. DASH will be operating a Saturday schedule beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9th, with some route modifications. See the DASH Web site for details.
The Alexandria Fire Department holds a special place in the history of The City of Alexandria. Founded in 1774, it counts George Washington among its early members. The first paid professional firefighters were hired in 1855.
Today, the department employs more than 300 professional personnel, which include firefighters, paramedics, code enforcement and administrative support. A network of eight stations protects 15 square miles. Among the department’s specialized teams are the Northern Virginia Regional Hazardous Materials Team, Technical Rescue, Marine Operations and the Special Operations Team.
Alexandria also has a volunteer organization, the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD). The AVFD has served the citizens of our fine City for more than two hundred years. AVFD members provide assistance in the areas of firefighting, emergency medical services, communications, canteen and administration.
Members of the Alexandria Fire Department are dedicated to our Community, Our Profession and Each Other. We Value:
Professionalism
Preparedness
Community
Dedication
Unity
To learn more about the operation and functions of the Alexandria Fire Department, we invite you to spend some time browsing through our web site. Not only will you find numerous "links of information" but a breakdown and explanation of the services we provide. There is something for everyone -- from safety tips for kids to adult educational topics. Have fun! And remember, "Be fire safe, NOT a fire statistic."
Each year fires occurring during the holiday season injure 2,600 individuals and cause over $930 million in damage. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), there are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. By following some of the outlined Holiday Safety Tips, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty.
The Alexandria Fire Department will again be collecting toys for needy families and underprivileged children during the 2009 holiday season. We have for many years worked with the United States Marines, to make the holiday season a little better for kids and their families.
All City of Alexandria fire stations will serve as “drop off” sites for new unwrapped toys, including those toys to be used for the regional 2009 Toys for Tots Campaign in conjunction with the United States Marines.
New, unwrapped toys, will be accepted for the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots campaign beginning November 23rd through December 24, 2009. They will not accept any toys that may be either used as weapons or considered to be weapons (i.e., toy guns or knives of any kind). The toys are intended to go to children from infants and toddlers to seventeen (17) years of age.
More information on the Toys for Tots campaign can be found at the following Tots for Tots websites: National Capital Region campaign: http://www.dctoysfortots.org/National campaign: http://www.toysfortots.org/
Potomac Yard Fire Station 209 Opens November 1, 2009 - Coverage of Del Ray Area Assured
On October 17, 2009 Alexandria’s newest fire station 209 will be dedicated. Fire station 209 will be fully operational by November 1, 2009. Fire engine 202 currently housed at 213 East Windsor Ave will be relocated to fire station 209 and will continue to serve and protect the Del Ray area. The medic unit assigned to 213 East Windsor Ave will not be relocated. The Del Ray Citizens Association (DRCA) understands the challenges presented with the move. To read an article from the DRCA’s newsletter The Citizen printed June 2009, titled “From Windsor Avenue to Potomac Yard”, click here.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors Save Lives
Recently, Alexandria Fire Department Medics responded to a routine EMS call in a row house. Upon entering the residence, a portable carbon monoxide (CO ) monitor attached to their medical equipment went into alarm and began sounding. The CO readings were well above acceptable levels. Additional fire department resources were summoned to assist in locating the source. A faulty furnace was located and shut down. Adjoining addresses were checked and found that CO had leached into those addresses as well. Five residents were checked and one was transported. The EMS call was unrelated to the CO leak, quick thinking and proper tools helped avoid a potentially fatal outcome. This incident underscores the importance of having a working carbon monoxide detector installed in your home. Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely. Click here for more information on carbon monoxide.
Two CERT classes will be conducted in the Fall. Participants attend one class each week for
eight weeks on either Monday or Wednesday night. The ninth and final class is held on Saturday
from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Click here for more information and 2009 CERT schedule.
Did you know that 50 percent of child fire deaths affect children under the age of 5? Escaping from a fire can be difficult for very young children because they generally lack the motor skills and mental capabilities needed to quickly escape a burning building. Additionally, some children are unable to awake from a deep sleep when a smoke alarm sounds. Protect your most precious assets... install and maintain smoke alarms and practice home fire escape plans to ensure your children will be safe if a fire were to start in your home.
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The Alexandria Fire Department holds a special place in the history of The City of Alexandria. Founded in 1774, it counts George Washington among its early members. The first paid professional firefighters were hired in 1855.
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