The Alexandria Fire Department is dedicated to fire prevention and life safety in the City of Alexandria. The department offers a variety of fire safety programs and resources throughout the year. Through the Community Outreach Unit, AFD proudly participates in various community events to inform, educate, and prepare the citizens of the City of Alexandria for emergency situations.

Some of AFD's community outreach programs include Read Across Alexandria, smoke alarm installations, and the Community Fire Academy. The Community Outreach Unit of the Alexandria Fire Department is a part of the Community Risk Reduction Division.

NOTE: The Alexandria Fire Department can no longer support attending kids' birthday parties or hosting birthday parties at our fire stations. We do not have the proper facilities to have birthday parties at any Alexandria Fire Department fire station. We have tried to visit or host parties in the fire stations in the past, but the demand has necessitated a change in policy. However, we welcome groups to schedule a fire station tour (See station tour information) or contact Friendship Firehouse Museum to make birthday party arrangements. Thank you for your support and for understanding our position on this matter.

For additional information about the Community Outreach Unit, contact Firefighter Ashley Whisonant, Community Outreach Coordinator, at 703.746.5217 or ashley.whisonant@alexandriava.gov.

Given the various measures in place to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the City of Alexandria Fire Department is looking at different ways to interact with the community and still maintain social distancing. All station tours and public access to AFD Fire Stations are suspended until further notice. Two opportunities open to any resident in Alexandria are our virtual fire station tours and our virtual Community Fire Academy.

Residents may have noticed other area fire departments doing parades where the fire trucks drive by houses with their lights and sirens on. While popular, these drive-by parades have been identified as a safety risk to our personnel and residents. One of the fire department’s main missions during the COVID-19 pandemic is to keep our first responders healthy and safe. Keeping our first responders healthy and safe will enable them to continue to respond to emergencies and to ensure that our fire and emergency medical resources are available for those most in need.

As we all continue to do our part to help slow the spread of COVID-19, please know that your fire department is eagerly awaiting the time when it is safe to resume our traditional outreach opportunities such as fire station visits, touch-a-truck events and other ways we interact with our community. Until then, please stay safe and we thank you for your continued support.