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 »

  Past Chief Russell W. Dawson was inducted into the Maryland State Firemen’s Association Hall of Fame at their annual convention on June 20, 2023. Chief Dawson, who has been a member of RVFD since 1977, was honored for his contribution to RVFD, Montgomery County and the fire service in Maryland. During the same ceremony, RVFD President Eric Bernard and RVFD members presented the Marberry Gates Service Cup, which is sponsored by RVFD, to Charles J. Simpson, Jr. from the… Read more »

Several RVFD members were honored by the Rockville Chamber of Commerce at their annual Public Safety Awards ceremony held on June 14, 2023 at Lakewood Country Club. Past Chief and current Deputy Chief James Vagonis, First Deputy Chief Christopher Hinde, Captain James Shank, Master Firefighter John McGowan, Firefighter III Ben Chen and Firefighter Ameen Alhamdani were awarded the Meritorious Service Citation for their contributions to RVFD, the residents of Rockville and the surrounding community. “The Meritorious Service Citation is presented… Read more »

On Memorial Day 2023, RVFD members participated in a ceremony re-dedicating the RVFD Firefighters Memorial. The memorial was originally installed in 1994 in Vinson Park on E. Jefferson St. in Rockville, adjacent to the old Rockville Library. When the library and park were demolished to make way for the new District Courthouse, the memorial was placed in storage pending a new location. When it became apparent that a new location would be difficult to find, RVFD decided to re-install the… 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 »