Cherrydale Station 3

From arlingtonva.us

By Rusty

On July 18, 2011, Arlington County FD's Cherrydale Station 3 moved to its new home. About a block west it is now at 4100 Old Dominion Drive at Lee Highway.  In addition to Engine 103, Battalion Chief 112 has also moved in vacating Clarendon Station 4. The previous firehouse at 3900 Lee Highway was built in 1919 and is on the National Historic Register. It was the oldest and last volunteer company built firehouse in Arlington County. 

The original Cherrydale FD was the first fire company in then Alexandria County organized in 1898. (Falls Church formed then too but was considered in Fairfax County). Cherrydale at the time is not much more than a small farming village and crossroads along a popular road and rail line. The company with little in the way of apparatus operated from members homes adding a hand pulled hose and bucket wagon in 1904. In 1906, the company moved to its first fire station. In 1913, they add their first motorized a chemical engine -the first in the county as well. By 1914, the Cherrydale FD has expanded to 4 stations about the community operating 3 hose carts, a motorized chemical engine and a hook and ladder wagon.This is the best equipped department in Northern Virginia beyond Alexandria. By 1918, the CFD is fully motorized believed with three Ford "Model T" chemical engines. Late the following year, the company consolidates operations moving to its recently vacated then "central station" at 3900 Lee Highway as addressed today.  

In 1920, the company re-organizes taking the name Cherrydale VFD. It is designated Company 3 in late 1935 with the first paid personnel assigned in 1940 the beginnings of the Arlington County FD. The Cherrydale VFD was well known back in the day often at most big fires throughout Northern Virginia. The fleet did not grow much past a two-piece engine company although the CVFD did run an ambulance back in the 1960s. One unique apparatus addition was a 1988 Ford "CF-700" Hackney known as Light Unit 73 later 103. While owned by the CVFD this was kept at Halls Hill Station 8 as Station 3 was of limited space. It was last reported at Falls Church Station 6 no longer in service.  

The NoVa Station Apparatus Roster has been updated accordingly as has the Arlington County History that now includes photos. Visit the storefront to grab yours. For more info on Station 3 and the Cherrydale VFD visit acfd3.com and check out the "apparatus" and "gallery" for great old photos. See also the "history" section at cherrydalevfd.org. You can also follow Arlington County fire service  goings on and history stories at arlingtonfirejournal.blogspot.com.   

UPDATES

Fairfax County Station 25 Reston

Arlington County Station 5 Crystal City

Just uploaded to our storefront are updates for the following. The Baltimore Annapolis Roster -a few changes especially in Baltimore County. The NoVa Metro Roster -some new ambulances in Fairfax County. History of Aerial Trucks in Fairfax County -brought current with the latest Tower 436. DC-MD Metro Roster update to follow soon with new Montgomery ambulance assignments plus various updates for DC.

Firefighting History of Washington DC

Just released our third or Part 3 if you will eBook on the History of Fire Rescue in Washington DC. Originally one work (of over 100 pages) it was broken into 3 parts. The latest covers World War II to Present Day. Company organizations and movements, new stations, changes at the top, major incidents as well as other milestones of development in our Nations Capital. No photos as yet but plan to add some eventually (contact me if you have any you would like to contribute). Go to our storefront to order.

History of EMS in Washington DC

Just released, our latest eBook on the History of EMS in Washington DC. This chronology covers the evolution of hospitals the initial source of public ambulance service for our Nation's Capital. Details the opening and expansion facilities like Emergency, Casualty, Doctors, Garfield, Gallinger, and Freedmen's Hospitals some long gone others under new names and missions. Details ambulance unit evolution from the early rescue squad ambos to the DCFD public service takeover in 1957, to Mobile 25, the Rapids and the latest Paramedic Engine Companies. Covers unit additions and movements over time. Also touches on the multitudes of Civil War Hospitals (around 85) and some of the bigger mass casualty events and mutual aid and campus EMS agencies like B-CCRS, GERMS, EMeRG & AUFRT. Includes several unit location maps. Go to the Rustys Rosters Storefront and download yours today. NOTE this eBook does not have photos as yet. Anyone wishing to submit please contact me via email. Old or new DC ambo pics with proper photographer credit.