June 5, 2018 – Rockville Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton and the other members of the Rockville City Council presented certificates of recognition to the RVFD and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service at their meeting on June 4, 2018. The departments were recognized for their exceptional service rendered to the community during and after a large fire at the Fireside Park Apartments on February 2, 2018. The fire was reported around 1:30pm on February 2, 2018. While enroute to the… Read more »
2017 Run Statistics
RVFD had another busy year in 2017. Response statistics are now available. Station Responses Station 3 9618 Station 23 7922 Station 31 3883 Station 33 2904 Unit Responses Station 3 EMS Units A703-3076 A703B-819 A703C-307 ALS703-673 M703-2049 TOTAL-6924 Station 3 Fire Units AT703-1829 E703-149 E703B-314 PAT703-96 PE703-699 PE703B-1897 PRS703-107 RS703-1631 SU703-51 T703-14 TOTAL-6787 Station 23 EMS Units A723-3022 M723-2690 TOTAL-5712 Station 23 Fire Units AT723-1963 E723-206 PAT723-23 PE723-2592 T723-73 TOTAL-4857 Station 31 EMS Unit M731-2041 Station 31 Fire… Read more »
Fire Safety Tip – Discard Fireplace Ashes Properly
Every year fire departments in the Washington, DC area respond to house fires caused by improperly discarded fireplace ashes. RVFD and MCFRS personnel have responded to multiple fires this winter causes by improperly discarded fireplace ashes. FACT: Many people don’t realize the length of time required for ashes to cool enough for disposal. Coals and ashes from fires can remain hot enough to reignite and start a fire for many days after the fire is out. The exact amount of… Read more »
Updated Maryland Smoke Detector Law in Effect
The final phase of Maryland’s revised smoke detector law requiring homeowners to replace their older-style removable battery detectors with the newer sealed-in battery detectors went into effect on January 1, 2018. For more information about this law, click here. The law originally went into effect in 2013 and outlines a phased-in approach that started with new construction. The final phase affects all smoke detectors in all homes. The sealed battery detectors do not require or allow battery replacement or removal. After… Read more »
Capt. Sander Cohen Funeral – Thank You
The Rockville Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank all those who participated in the funeral services and procession for Capt. Sander Cohen. Capt. Cohen, a volunteer at RVFD, was also a Deputy Chief Maryland State Fire Marshall, was killed in the line-of-duty on Friday December 8, 2017. While a very sad day for Capt. Cohen’s family, friends and colleagues, both in the fire/rescue service and law enforcement communities, we took strength from the large show of support from… Read more »
Help Hurricane Harvey Victims
The Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, Rockville City Police and FOP Lodge 117, in partnership with Top Dog Services, are asking for community support in donating items to help victims of Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas. Donations of personal hygiene items and other supplies will be accepted at Saint Mary’s Church, 520 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, Maryland, from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 8, 2017. Donations will be loaded on a truck and delivered to the Houston area providing much… Read more »
RVFD Elects New Fire Chief
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 »
Rockville Chamber Honors RVFD Volunteers
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 »
New Support Unit Placed in Service
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 »
Discarded Fireplace Ashes Cause Fire
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 »