History

Click Here to View Historical Photographs of the Arlington County Fire Department

arlington county fire department

Arlington County, Virginia is a 26 square mile County located in the Northern Virginia area just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC.  Arlington County shares boundaries with Alexandria, VA., Fairfax County, VA., Falls Church, VA., and Washington, DC. Within the boundaries of Arlington are located Washington Reagan National Airport, Arlington National Cemetary, Iwo Jima Marine Memorial, the newly constructed Air Force Memorial and The Pentagon (yes, the Pentagon IS located in Arlington and NOT in DC!!!!!!)   Interstate 66 and 395 run through the County as well as the Metro Subway System with 8 underground and 3 above grade stations in Arlington. The business districts of Arlington (Ballston, Clarendon and Crystal City) is comprised of numerous high rise office and residential buildings. The tallest buildings are currently the "Twin Towers" located in Rosslyn and reaching 32 stories. Plans are under way for the construction of a 40 story building in Rosslyn. The daytime population of Arlington is 279,000 while the night time population is 194,000.

The Arlington County Fire Department was a total volunteer system until 1940 when the department went to a fully paid department, supplemented by a volunteer force. Currently the ACFD, under the command of Fire Chief James Schwartz, staffs ten fire stations with approximately 300 personnel, including the command staff. ACFD runs nine engine companies, two ladder companies, one tower company, two heavy rescue squads and seven ALS units. The County is divided into two battalions: The North Battalion (stations 3,4,6,8,10) and the South Battalion (stations 1,2,5,7,9). Each Battalion has a Battalion Chief and EMS Supervisor. The ACFD also has the only fire department based explosive ordnance unit in the state of Virginia which is run by the Fire Prevention Division. ACFD also has two specialty teams: The Technical Rescue Team which is located at Station 4 and 10 and the Hazardous Materials Team which is located at Station 9 and 1.
Click Here for additional information

Over the years, Arlington County has been the scene of many spectacular fires. Some of them occurred so long ago that they have reached "cult" status amongst the older, retired members of the department. Mention the "Murphy and Ames Fire" or the "Congressional School Fire" to members of today's department and you will most likely get a blank stare in return. Remembering the past is as important as defining the future. As time permits we will be adding historical fires from Arlington's past. Anyone that has photos or other information to share please e-mail it to me.

nations first aircraft fatality

On September 17, 1908 the first recorded aircraft fatality occurred on the drill field of the Fort Myer Army Base in Arlington County. Lt. Thomas Selfridge was killed when the Wright Flyer, piloted by Orville Wright, suffered a propeller separation, resulting in the aircraft crashing. Orville Wright suffered broken ribs a fractured femur and pelvis.   Ironically, almost 93 years to the date, Arlington County experienced another tragic airline crash on September 11, 2001.



mid-air collision

November 1,1949-- A former United States Air Force P-38 was being test-flown prior to purchase by the Bolivian Government. An Eastern Airlines Douglas C-54, on final approach to Washington National Airport (now Reagan National Airport) slammed into the P-38 that flew directly into their path. A horrific crash resulted, which killed all 53 aboard the Eastern Airlines plane. Of those killed were US Representatives George Bates (MA) and Michael Kennedy (NY).

Click Here for additional information

5-alarm fire at pentagon

July 2, 1959--A 5-alarm fire at the Pentagon resulted in 7 million dollars in damages. All Arlington County apparatus, including Engine 3, responded. Up until the Pentagon attack in 2001 this was the largest fire loss in Arlington County.



Click Here for additional information

Click on any link to view the complete historical story at

The Arlington Fire Journal

Rosslyn Burning

Arlington Beach and Roaches Run

High Rise Fires and Collapses

Daring Rope Rescue

Line of Duty

Tanker Truck Inferno

First Female Firefighter

First Paramedics

civil unrest in washington, dc

April 4, 1968--Following the assassination of Martin Luther King, civil unrest struck the entire Country. Washington, DC was the hardest hit city in the nation with over 470 building fires resulting in 7 civilian deaths and 149 firefighter injuries. The DCFD requested assistance from Arlington County and surrounding areas to help with the fires. ACFD sent Wagon's 2, 9, and 10, Engine's 4 and 10, Truck 2, Battalion Chief 6 and 7, the Assistant Fire Chief and the fuel truck to assist the DCFD.

Click Here for additional information

air florida crash

January 13, 1982 --Arlington County Fire units responded to the 14th Street bridge after Air Florida flight 90, a Boeing 737, struck the bridge and plummeted into Potomac River. Several people were killed on the bridge as they sat stuck in traffic during a blizzard which was covering the area with several inches of snow . Over 80 people were lost on the plane. The crash was due to ice build-up on the wings.



Some photos from various websites. Bottom photo shows Truck 79 on the scene.

Click Here for additional information

nation under attack

September 11, 2001--Arlington County Fire Department responded on the initial alarm after American Airlines flight 77, piloted by hijackers, slammed into the Pentagon. Members of the Arlington County Fire Department and surrounding mutual aid company's spent most of the next two weeks at the crash site. This was the largest incident to ever face the ACFD.



These are some photos from various websites showing the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. Unlike our brothers in FDNY, we were extremely fortunate not to lose any of our members on this day.

Click Here for additional information

regional numbering system

In the Northern Virginia area the fire departments of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax Countiy, Fairfax City, Metropolian Washington Airports Authority (Reagan National and Dulles International) Airports, Fort Myer (US Army) and Fort Belvoir (US Army) comprise the "NOVA Departments". They respond together on automatic mutual aid regardless of the jurisdictional boundaries. This automatic mutual aid is a seamless operation that works very well.
As you can imagine it could be very confusing for Arlington Engine 1, Fairfax Engine 1 and Alexandria Engine 1 to all be on the same call  trying to communicate on the radio. To help eliminate the confusion the NOVA departments re-numbered all of their apparatus. Arlington County adopted the 100 series (i.e. engine 1 became engine 201),   Alexandria adopted the 200 series (i.e Engine 1 became engine 201),  Fairfax County and Fairfax City adopted the 400 series (engine 1 became engine 401). Fort Myer adopted the 100 series along with Arlington, the Airports adopted the 300 series and Fort Belvoir adopted the 400 series with Fairfax. Although they are not yet a part of the NOVA Departments, Prince William County adopted the 500 series, Loudoun County adopted the 600 series and Fauquier County has adopted the 1100 series. These Department will probably become a part of the NOVA Departments soon since they run with the NOVA units on a regular basis.