News and Events

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 »

The Rockville Volunteer Fire Department placed our new 2022 Seagrave fire engine in service on Saturday February 4, 2023. The new engine was dedicated in memory of past Chief Scott Emmons. Unlike many other Montgomery County fire engines, the new Engine 703 is owned by the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department. Engine 703, capable of pumping 2,000 gpm, was built by Seagrave Fire Apparatus in Clintonville, Wisconsin. Within three minutes of being placed in service, the engine was dispatched on its… Read more »

Unlike in past years, RVFD will not be selling Christmas trees this year. If you would like to support another volunteer fire/rescue department, the following are selling trees this year: Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad – 5020 Battery La. Bethesda, MD Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad – 2400 Arcola Ave. Wheaton, MD Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department – 8001 River Rd. Bethesda, MD Read more »

Beginning October 1, 2022, the Move Over Law in Maryland will expand to require motorists to make a lane change or slow down when approaching any stopped, standing, or parked vehicle displaying warning signals – including hazard warning lights, road flares, or other caution signals including traffic cones, caution signs, or non-vehicular warning signs. The expanded law is in place to protect law enforcement, emergency responders, and any motorist that may encounter a roadside emergency and must stop near travel… Read more »

RVFD members participate in training almost every day. Some attend classes at the Montgomery County Public Service Training Academy (PSTA), some attend outside conferences or seminars and most participate in training on their duty shift. Occasionally special training is conducted, such as on Saturday June 11, 2022 when RVFD members went to the Maryland Fire/Rescue Institute (MFRI) in College Park to improve their skills during a “live burn”. A live burn is an exercise where members can experience live fire… Read more »

The Rockville Chamber of Commerce honored several RVFD volunteers at their annual Public Safety Awards ceremony held on Wednesday June 8, 2022. The award ceremony, now in its 33rd years, recognizes the outstanding achievements by the members of the public safety agencies based in the City of Rockville, which include RVFD, Rockville City Police, Montgomery County Sheriffs and Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation. RVFD volunteers who were honored were: Distinguished Service Citation – Master Medical Attendant Albert Tang… Read more »

Check out Montgomery History‘s upcoming webinar – George W. Meads: “Rockville’s One-Man Fire Department.” From 1895 through 1920, Prior to the founding of the RVFD, the volunteer fire department in Rockville consisted of a dedicated group of civic-minded Black men led by the first Fire Chief in the town’s history: George Meads. Archivist Sarah Hedlund relates the story of Meads’s extraordinary life as a fireman, deputy sheriff, school trustee, entrepreneur, and family man, intertwined with the early history of firefighting… Read more »

It is with profound sadness that RVFD announces the death of Life Member and past President Earle B. “Benny” Poole at the age of 83. Mr. Poole joined RVFD on March 27, 1957 and served as President in 1996. In addition to his volunteer contribution to RVFD, Mr. Poole was hired by RVFD in March 1963 and assigned to Station 223 when it opened the same year. He left RVFD’s employ in 1964 and went to work for Montgomery Count… Read more »

Standard Time starts at 2:00am on Sunday November 7, 2021 When changing your clocks, remember to check your smoke detector. The new Maryland Smoke Detector law went into effect on January 1, 2018. It requires that all homeowners replace their older style battery-type detectors with the new long-life detectors. These new sealed detectors do not require a battery change and last up to 10 years. If you still have a battery-type detector, change the battery.  Don’t wait, the life you… Read more »

Kidde is recalling 226,000 TruSense Smoke Alarms and Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarms.  The recalled units are Kidde Model Series 2040, 2050, 2060 and 2070 Smoke and Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide alarms.  Only alarms with the TruSense logo or “AMBER=FAULT” printed on the front of the alarm are included in this recall.  The model number is printed on the back of the alarm. The recall was initiated because some sensors in these series failed to alert. NOTE: RVFD and Montgomery County Fire/Rescue… Read more »

In February 1921, a major fire at a store on East Montgomery Ave. in old downtown Rockville threatened to rage out of control and burn the entire block. The fire was only contained with the assistance of apparatus and firefighters from the Washington, DC fire department. A local barber whose shop was on the same block as the burned store went to the town council to request that a fire department be formed to protect the town. On March 9,… Read more »