Fire Department

The Alexandria Fire Department holds a special place in the history of The City of Alexandria. Founded in 1774, it counts George Washington among its early members. The first paid professional firefighters were hired in 1855.

Page updated on Jun 30, 2017 at 10:42 AM

Dedicated to Our Community, Our Profession & Each Other

Chief Robert Dube image

Today, the Alexandria Fire Department employs more than 250 professional personnel, which include firefighters, paramedics, fire prevention staff and administrative support. A network of 10 stations protects nearly 16 square miles. Among the department's specialized teams are the Northern Virginia Regional Hazardous Materials Team, Technical Rescue, Marine Operations and the Special Operations Team.

Alexandria also has a volunteer organization, the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD). The AVFD has served the citizens of our fine City for more than two hundred years. AVFD members provide assistance in the areas of firefighting, emergency medical services, communications, canteen and administration.

Chief Robert C. Dubé

What's New

CPR Saves Lives

June 1-7 is National CPR and AED Awareness Week. Established in 2007, this federally designated week spotlights how lives can be saved if more Americans know cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Earlier this year, the Alexandria Fire Department and Metro honored citizens and first responders who used CPR and an AED to save the life of a cardiac arrest victim at the Braddock Road Metro Station. This incident showed how immediate action – CPR, followed by advanced cardiac care and transportation to a medical facility – can help save a life. The incident also revealed the importance of community education and training in CPR, a technique that helps preserve blood flow to the brain and heart, and can help "buy time" until more advanced care arrives.

Learn how you can help save a life.  For information on local CPR training, visit:


Celebrate EMS Week

In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation's communities. In recognition of EMS Week (May 21-27), the Alexandria Fire Department will present brief videos, featuring Alexandria's EMS providers explaining their roles and the special skills they possess to help make the Alexandria Fire Department's EMS system one of the best in the region.

EMS Week 2017 Videos:

  • Response to STEMI (Heart Attack) and Stroke
    Alexandria Fire Department EMS Battalion Chief Brian Hricik discusses the coordination between EMS personnel and the hospital in caring for heart attack and stroke victims.
  • Special Events Team
    Alexandria Fire Department EMS Captain Brian Meckes talks about his role as the Coordinator for the EMS Special Events Team, the history of the Team, and its duties.
  • Dr. Marfori, the Operational Medical Director
    Dr. Benjamin Marfori explains his role and responsibilities as the Operational Medical Director (OMD). Dr. Marfori will also discuss how his position plays a huge part in Fire, Police, and Department of Emergency Communications’ daily operations.
  • Emergency Medical Services Simulation Lab
    Alexandria Fire Department Paramedic Leddyanne Dell discusses the Professional Development Center East training SimLAB, and its uses and capabilities.

Alexandria Fire Department, Friendship Firehouse, and Red Cross Team Up to Launch Smoke Alarm Initiative

The Alexandria Fire Department (AFD) and Friendship Firehouse are partnering with the local Red Cross for a smoke alarm installation initiative to help prevent fire deaths and property loss in the City of Alexandria. On Saturday, March 18, at 8 a.m., a kickoff event for the ASSIST (Alexandria Smoke Alarm Safety Installation Support Taskforce) program will be held at the Alexandria Fire Department Professional Development Center, 1108 Jefferson St.ASSIST is a program designed by the Alexandria Fire Department, Friendship Firehouse, and the Red Cross to proactively install smoke alarms throughout the city of Alexandria. During Saturday's event, Alexandria Fire Department personnel, and volunteers from Friendship Firehouse and the Red Cross will install smoke alarms in homes in the nearby community.   Learn More

Spring Forward: Time to Change Your Smoke Alarm Batteries

Daylight savings time begins Sunday, March 12 at 2 a.m. Spring into the season by setting your clock forward, making sure your smoke alarms are functioning, and changing your smoke alarm battery.


Alexandria Fire Department Celebrates its 150th Anniversary

The year 2016 marked the 150th anniversary of the Alexandria Fire Department.  From water buckets and horse drawn steamer engines to state-of-the art fire stations, equipment, apparatus, and technology, the Fire Department has enjoyed a storied history.  

Firefighter-Medic Program and Dual Role Medic Providers FAQs

In 2014, the Alexandria Fire Department began transitioning from a single-role staffing model to a dual-role or "all-hazards" model. The primary purposes of this transition are to provide a higher level of service to our community by ensuring that at least one member of every fire or ambulance crew will be certified to provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) care, and that all fire engines and trucks will have a crew of four instead of three. Learn more by reading frequently asked questions, an infographic, and updates. 

Alexandria Fire Stations 

In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, call 703.746.4444

The following is a listing of the 10 stations of the Alexandria Fire Department. 

Our Mission

The mission of the Alexandria Fire Department is to plan for and deliver responsive and caring emergency service, mitigate emergencies and disasters, prevent the loss of life, protect property and enforce applicable construction, fire, and building maintenance codes for the City residents and the general public in order to maintain and enhance public safety. 

Vision Statement

Dedicated to our Community, Our Profession and Each Other​

Core Values

Unity - Community - Dedication - Professionalism - Preparedness


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