August 31, 2017 – The RVFD membership elected a new fire chief at their regular meeting on August 30, 2017. Deputy Chief James Vagonis was elected as the new fire chief after Chief Scott Emmons stepped down after 6 1/2 years in the position. Chief Emmons will still serve as a deputy chief. Chief Vagonis moved to the Potomac area from the Detroit, MI area in 1990 and joined the RVFD in January of 1991. He has served in multiple… Read more »
June 14, 2017 – Several RVFD members were honored at the Rockville Public Safety Awards Luncheon, sponsored by the Rockville Chamber of Commerce, held at Lakewood Country Club. A HUGE and heartfelt congratulations to the following RVFD members. The citations from the program are below: Fire Chief Scott Emmons – Distinguished Service Citation: Chief Scott E. Emmons joined the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department over 27 years ago. Not only does he make a contribution to day-to-day fire-rescue operations, but he… Read more »
January 12, 2017 – RVFD is pleased to announce our newest vehicle is now in service. Known as Support Unit 703, it is a multi-function 4-wheel drive specialty unit that is equipped to support fire/resuce incidents, emergency medical incidents, special events and mass casualty incidents. The unit was purchased using donated and grant funds and cost, equipped, $100,000. The unit is equipped with a wide variety of tools and other equipment such as: Elevator rescue equipment Power saws EMS supplies Special event… Read more »
December 20, 2016 – Incorrectly discarded fireplace ashes caused a fire that gutted a Rockville home on Tuesday night. RVFD Station 3 and other Rockville and Montgomery County units were alerted for a house fire at about 9:40p. Due to numerous calls to 911, PSCC alerted the rapid intervention dispatch units prior to any first alarm units’ arrival. When Station 3 units arrived, they found a large 2-story single family home with heavy fire showing in the attached garage with… Read more »
November 2, 2016 – RVFD and MCFRS Haz-Mat units were dispatched to a reported diesel leak on a train in the vicinity of the Randolph Rd. crossing at about 5:30p. Upon arrival, and after walking abut 1/2 mile down the tracks, Station 23 personnel found a MARC (Maryland commuter rail) train stopped after experiencing a diesel lead in the engine compartment of the locomotive. The engineer advised it had likely been leaking for several miles. There appeared to be a… Read more »
October 10, 2016 – Officers and Members of the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department presented ALS703 to the Rockville Mayor and Council. The unit which was recently placed in service was purchased with grant funding from the City of Rockville. The RVFD would like to thank Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton and the council for their support to the RVFD and the citizens we serve. ALS703 staffed with a Paramedic responds to reported critical emergency medical calls alongside an ambulance staffed with Emergency Medical Technicians. ALS703 allows the paramedic to… Read more »
RVFD is pleased to announce we have place in service an advanced life support chase car to be known as ALS703. The chase car will be staffed with RVFD volunteer paramedics, when available. This new service will supplement existing ALS service now being provided with a paramedic transport unit (Medic 703) and the paramedic-staffed engine. The chase car, a 2016 Chevy Tahoe, was purchased in part from grant funds received from the City of Rockville. The unit will carry the… Read more »
July 21, 2016 marks the 60th anniversary of the only line of duty death in RVFD history. RVFD members pause today to remember Private Elwood H. Smith who gave his life in during an attempted rescue of trapped flood victims. On July 21, 1956, the Washington area was hit with heavy rainfall, causing flash flood conditions. RVFD was kept very busy answering calls for assistance throughout the Rockville area. At approximately 3:30am, Rescue Squad 3 and Boat 3 were dispatched for a… Read more »
June 25, 2016 – RVFD units responded at 6:53a to a reported collision with entrapment on I270 between W. Montgomery Ave. and Shady Grove Rd. Upon arrival they found a car had struck an Maryland State Police car on a traffic stop, trapping the state trooper in his vehicle. The main lanes of I270 were closed down while crews extricated the trooper from the heavily damaged car and a Maryland State Police medevac helicopter landed. The trooper was transported by helicopter… Read more »
June 9, 2016 – The Rockville Chamber of Commerce honored several RVFD volunteers at their annual Public Safety Awards ceremony held at Lakewood Country Club on Wednesday, June 8, 2016. Six RVFD members were presented the Meritorious Service Citation for their volunteer efforts supporting the Greater Rockville Community. The Meritorious Service Citation is presented to a public safety member for service rendered that does not fall within the guidelines of one of the other awards but is, in the opinion… Read more »