Been a few since the last entry as we’ve been inundated with the most snow I think has ever hit the Lower Sho’. I was about to ask the county to please take my children back to school. Guess they will be going until July at this rate. Understand, this place is not equipped for a snowpocalyse as the biggest plow is a Ford "F-250". During the first inundation (weekend of 1/30 -10") they quite plowing before it was over. I called and asked why and was told “cause its snowin!” Stupid me. In any event, here’s an expanded upon topic I was involved in on one of my favorite bulletin boards. The question asked was regarding the Falls Church VFD in sort of Arlington County Virginia. Were they actually first part of Fairfax County? The short answer is yes sort of but do read on and you’ll get the long and short of it.
The town of Falls Church incorporates as such on March 30, 1875 its territory mostly in Fairfax County but a portion also within Arlington then Alexandria County. In 1898, the Falls Church VFD organizes the same year the Cherrydale VFD forms in Alexandria County that county’s first beyond Alexandria. Falls Church VFD begins service in summer 1899 with two hand pulled hose carts and a ladder wagon kept in three private garages about the town.
In 1918, the company adds its first motorized a Ford “Model T” chemical engine kept at the local lumberyard. In January 1925 a house fire leads to a calamity when the Falls Church VFD tries to respond but is unable as the “apparatus” is missing or as in the case of the chemical engine buried under piles of lumber. The department promptly re-organizes incorporating February 27. They then place in service a new Republic chemical engine housed in a new one-story, single-bay, cinder block station on Washington Street (Lee Highway) opposite their later and current home. In 1920, Alexandria County is re-named Arlington after the Custis-Lee estate last occupied by Robert E. Lee and turned into a national soldiers cemetery in honor of his cough, cough, “service to the union”. That year records suggest the Falls Church VFD may have added a 1916 city service chemical ladder possibly from the District of Columbia FD.
On September 17, 1935, the Arlington-Fairfax Volunteer Fireman’s Association votes to dissolve and create two separate associations for each county (there were only 5 fire compaiues in Fairfax then Falls Church not included). On December 14, the Arlington County Fireman’s Association begins at which time a station company numbering system is implemented. This assigns numbers alphabetically Arlington VFD No 1, Ballston VFD No 2 etc. The Falls Church VFD joins both associations and is designated No 6 in Arlington County. The company also moves that year across the street to a one-story, two-bay brick and block believed flat roofed building at 555 Washington Street. In 1936, East Falls Church is retro ceded back to Arlington County leaving Falls Church with only its Fairfax County portion.
On July 15, 1940, the first paid personnel of the Arlington County FD (there already is a paid Chief Fire Marshal) report to duty including at the Falls Church VFD. In 1943, the firehouse is expanded a sort of second floor added. In 1948, Falls Church becomes a city separating entirely from Fairfax County as a stand-alone municipal entity. The fire department remains largely volunteer with Arlington County paid personnel assigned. In 1941, the Falls Church VFD assists in sponsoring formation of the Baileys Crossroads VFD. Under rules of new fire company formation in Fairfax County, this at first must operate as an auxiliary or No 2 station of the Falls Church VFD. They begin service in 1942 later meeting all criteria (apparatus, staffing and financial) to become the stand alone Baileys Crossroads VFD in Fairfax County.
In 1950, the Falls Church VFD adds an open cab forward new ALF “700 Series” 75-foot midmount aerial ladder. This is believed to replace their by then motorized ‘16 city service chemical ladder that reportedly goes to nearby Baileys Crossroads VFD in Fairfax County. I've seen no photos of this at either company so lets call this info "un-confirmed". In 1951, it is believed company numbers are assigned in Fairfax County the sequence based on when companies incorporate. McLean VFD is No 1 with Vienna VFD (that formed before but incorporated later) becomes No 2. The Falls Church VFD that often runs into Fairfax County is assigned No 6 as in Arlington County. That year, the Falls Church Police Boys Club begins ambulance service quickly turning the operation over to the Falls Church VFD. While not confirmed the first ambulance may have been an all-white Ford panel van as photos show they did run one. Somewhere in the late 1950s early 1960s (I’m guessing here) they built a shed out back as the fleet had gotten quite large (4 engines, 1 truck, 2 ambos) and the old two-bay station has limited space.
In early 1973, the Falls Church VFD for whatever reason withdraws from the Fairfax County Association remaining solely with the Arlington County Association. Station 6, for some time staffed with Arlington County FD career personnel ends automatic response into Fairfax County doing so only upon request. Tensions mount with talk of forming a Falls Church City FD. Later that year, the Arlington County Department enters into a comprehensive mutual aid pact with Fairfax County whereby the closest company is now called regardless of boundary. This is the beginning of the NoVa Mutual Aid system with new numbering system to follow. (Falls Church becomes company 76 an Arlington County number designation) About this period full-time medics are assigned to the ambulance Rescue 76. As for the number "6" in Fairfax it is still unused. As a sidenote to this, No 7 was back then assigned to OWL VFD of Prince William as they ran across the river a lot before the Lorton VFD formed in Fairfax. That number later went to the Fairfax County FRS Training Academy.
On July 14, 2000, the Falls Church VFD moves into a new and spacious two-story, five-bay brick peak roofed Station 6 built behind their previous old house on Washington Boulevard. At first, the apparatus exits from the rear until the old station and rear apparatus shed are razed the front paved into a parking lot. This facility a vast improvement over the previous is funded and owned jointly by Arlington County, the City of Falls Church and the Falls Church VFD.
Coming soon from Rusty’s Rosters a detailed History of Arlington County and its Fire Rescue Service. This will be available on CD and hopefully soon as a downloadable E-book. See above links to order or connect here at Bayside Boyz. -RG
