Burke Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department

Burke, VA

UPDATE TO SANTA RUNS

 

Due to long term mechanical issues with Santa’s sleigh, we unfortunately need to cancel the previously posted Santa runs for this week (December 11 – December 15).

We sincerely apologize for having to cancel as we know you look forward to this every year, so in lieu of the runs this week, will be hosting a Meet & Greet with Santa and the members of BVFRD at our fire station hall (9501 Old Burke Lake Road) on Thursday, December 13 and Friday, December 14 from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm both days.

We will provide an update on the remaining dates as soon as we hear from the north pole on the fixes to the sleigh.

Please continue to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on BVFRD news and events. 

Name the Ambulance

 

Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department is in need of a new ambulance to service our growing community. We invite you to participate in our Name the Ambulance Contest to help select the title for our new set of wheels! In order to participate, follow these steps:

  1. Like our Facebook page at Burke Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department
  2. Comment on the Name the Ambulance post with your suggested name
  3. For double the votes, share the post onto your Facebook page
  4. Invite your friends to like our page and your suggested name to build more votes for your idea

 

After the voting period ends, the BVFRD membership will survey the popular contestants and select the winner. The winner will be notified and the station will drive to your house for a personalized picture with the newly named ambulance.

Want to help even more? We will be raising funds for the new ambulance starting on November 27th for Facebook’s #GivingTuesday event through December 31st. All donations made Tuesday November 27th will be eligible for Facebook to match the contribution. This is a great way to get a head start on our fundraiser goal!

Please note, donations are appreciated but not required to enter the contest. We hope to raise $2000 this holiday season. Thank you for considering us for donation, and we look forward to continuing to service the Burke community.

2018 Fire Prevention Open House

 

We are less than one week away from our biggest event of the year… Fire Prevention Open House! We promise a fun day of learning about fire prevention, driving a fire truck, kids’ firefighter obstacle course, Sparky the Fire Dog… and many other activities.

See you there!

Letter from our President

 

Dear BVFRD Community,

We have a very exciting fall planned this year! We have become a part of the Combined Federal Campaign for the first time and you can choose to donate, if you are a federal employee or retiree, using our CFC #35202. As always you can continue to donate through this website and the PayPal Giving Fund. It is great to be able to be a part of the world’s largest worksite fundraising campaign.

We also have some exciting events to participate in here at the station and across the community. Our annual Open House will wrap up Fire Prevention Week on Saturday, October 13th, at the fire station, 9501 Old Burke Lake Road, from 10 AM to 4 PM. We will also have our second annual Pancakes with Santa breakfast on Saturday, December 8th. The pancake breakfast will come in conjunction with the beginning of our long-standing tradition of Santa runs through the community.

Look out for these great opportunities to engage with us at the station or come out to see Santa as the holiday season approaches.

Looking forward to seeing you,
Ian

Ian R. Dickinson
BVFRD President

2018 BVFRD Spring Fund Drive

 

The Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department Spring Fund Drive is here! 

Click here to read our letter and learn about the many ways your donations are used to help support the operations of the Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department (BVFRD). BVFRD is a nonprofit organization and relies on community contributions – please use the secure PayPal link to donate today. Thank you for your support!

Our 70th Anniversary

 

January 29, 2018 marked 70 years since the Burke Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) was incorporated.

Burke VFD assumed responsibility for an area of 91 square miles and a population of about 9,000 residents on January 29, 1948.

Starting with only 26 calls in its first year, now the department includes medical response as well as fire, and the BVFRD responds to over a hundredfold more emergencies each year. The department is strong, growing, and just as dedicated to its community as the original founders, as echoed in a statement from Chief Tom Warnock:

“The people who live and work in Burke, Department members and the public we serve, are what makes Burke a special place. As we mark our 70th year, I’m proud that our Department continues to faithfully serve this community, be part of the community, and reflect our community. In cooperation with our career counterparts from Fairfax County, we look forward to carrying this tradition of service forward for many years to come.”

For a more in-depth look at our department’s long-standing history, visit our About Us page.

On behalf of the members of the Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department: “It is an honor to be able to serve this Department during its historic 70th year of service to the Burke community. Our predecessors and fellow members have served with distinction through challenging times over the last 70 years and we look forward to continuing to serve.” — President Ian Dickinson

 

https://bvfrd.org/1101-2/

We  are set and ready to see you for Pancakes with Santa, snow or shine! Breakfast will be served from 8-11am.

Click here for additional details.

 

Santa Claus

 

Santa Claus is coming to town!!

The annual BVFRD Santa Runs will start on Monday, December 2 at 6:00 p.m. And new this year, we will be hosting several Meet and Greets with Santa at the fire station.

We will also be hosting our annual Pancake with Santa on Saturday, December 14 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Details on the Santa Runs and Meet and Greets as well as Pancakes with Santa can be found on our Santa page.

 

Now Recruiting

 

Volunteering at Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department is an opportunity to serve the community but it is also a place to challenge yourself as an Operational Member (EMT or Firefighter) or an Administrative Member (committees, fundraising, community outreach. etc.).

We are currently recruiting for both Operational (EMT/Firefighters) and Administrative Members. Our Administrative Members help us with our fundraising initiatives (Bingo and Hall Rentals) and assist with the daily operations of running the department.

Operational Members typically serve a minimum of 240 hours a year/20 hours a month by attending membership meetings, serving at community service events, assisting with our fundraising initiatives, in addition to their required training and riding time.

Click here to find out more detailed information on what it takes to become a volunteer!

Now Recruiting for IT and Website/Social Media Managers

 

BVFRD is now recruiting for members to oversee the department’s IT and Website/Social Media needs.

The IT Manager requires working knowledge of Microsoft Operating Systems and Office applications, Small Business Networking, WiFi Routers, computer security, anti-virus software, printers and cloud based applications. Requires the ability to configure and update various hardware platforms throughout their life-cycle. In addition, make recommendations to Senior Leadership of technology upgrades and process improvements.

Website/Social Media Content Manager requires basic background knowledge WordPress, WYSIWYG, and must be familiar with basic code languages (HTML, CSS and JAVA). Ability to make timely updates to multiple websites and social media accounts administrated by the Department. Responsible for the overall look and feel of the external web presence. Some basic knowledge of Photoshop and design software to improve the look and user experience of the public website. Knowledge of social media and the ability to leverage those platforms in managing the Department’s message.

Interested individuals will need to apply and go through the department’s application process and become active members of the department. These jobs can be done by Operational (those participating in fire and EMS activities) or Administrative (non-riding) Members.

We hold Information Meetings the third Monday of every month beginning at 7:30pm where you will learn about the process of becoming a volunteer, time and training commitments. To attend one of our information sessions, please submit your interest by going https://vms.fcvfra.org/recruitment.cfm?action=info  and submitting the information request form for Burke VFRD or by contacting join@bvfrd.org.

Resolve to Make a Difference in Your Community

 

The Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department is comprised of both career staff and volunteers. Our volunteers are firefighters, aides, drivers, EMTs and administrative personnel, who give hundreds (in some cases, thousands) of hours each year for the benefit of Burke, Fairfax and Springfield residents. If you are interested in learning new skills, being part of a dynamic organization and giving back to the community, click here to receive an email inviting you to the next information session. These sessions, which are generally held the first Monday of the month, explain the commitment required to join Station 14. The video below, “Sparking Community,” was produced by member Alisha Sunde, explains why many members feel that Burke is the place for them!

[youtube_sc url=”8YYjkmF0CBI”]

A Commemoration 150 Years in the Making

 

Historical Marker DedicationWhile visitors may flock to famous battlefields in nearby Manassas and Antietam, Burke residents can discover a piece of Civil War history right in their own backyard.

An appreciative crowd of 100 gathered at the Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department (BVFRD) on Saturday, Feb. 14, to honor the Wood Cutters and the Teamsters who came to Burke to aid the Union Army. The event culminated in the unveiling of a plaque at the entrance to Fire Station 14 dedicated to the freed and escaped slaves who risked their lives for the cause of freedom.

Years of research and planning went into the creation of the marker, a process that was not lost on John Powers, BVFRD vice president. “This is a very unique place, and the marker needs to reflect the values of this department and the men and women who volunteer here,” he said.

Debbie Robison, Fairfax County History Commission member (Sully District), explained who the Wood Cutters were and their contribution to the war effort. Thousands of slaves made their way north and settled into camps in Burke to help the Union Army cut trees used for fuel, railroad ties and bridge tresses, up to 1,000 cords per month. Because they were outside Union lines, the Army did provide soldiers for protection, but the men knew they were risking their freedom. In fact, some were captured by the Confederate Calvary, and returned to the South. To sidestep having to return the men as part of the Fugitive Slave Act, the Army classified the Wood Cutters as “contrabands.”

Robison then told the story of a wagon master, several contrabands and 25 mules, who were captured on Oct. 28, 1863, by Confederate “guerillas” and were forced to lead their captors back to the station guard. One of the contrabands managed to escape and warn the Union garrison that they were soon to be under attack, and the Army was able not only to repeal the Confederates, but also recover the wagon master, contrabands and mules, who were left behind in retreat.

The current Burke fire station stands where the Orange and Alexandria Railroad served as a major Federal timber transportation center. The dual significance of the property was not lost on Fairfax County Chairman Sharon Bulova and Fairfax County Fire Chief Richard Bowers. “It’s a long-standing tradition in the fire service to honor those who have shown acts of courage and valor,” said Chairman Bulova. “That is so demonstrated by the people we are honoring today.” Added Bowers: “This is a great opportunity for Fairfax County, [Burke] Station 14, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, and our brothers and sisters to honor the past and pave the way for the future.”

Captain Charles Pullen, president of the Progressive Firefighters of Fairfax County, closed the event noting the courage, heroism and sacrifice of the Wood Cutters and Teamsters. “It took a lot of courage for those men to do what they did. I think that this marker is fitting that it’s here at the fire station, where we have co-workers, both career and volunteer.”

The Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department wishes to thank the Rev. Dr. James T. Murphy, Jr., and the Male Choir of the Greater Little Zion Baptist Church for providing the Invocation and inspirational music for the ceremony, and Virginia Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) and Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) for attending.

The marker is on permanent public display at the entrance to the Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, 9501 Old Burke Lake Road, in Burke.

Contact Information

Burke Volunteer Fire & Rescue Dept.
9501 Old Burke Lake Rd
Burke, VA 22015

Follow Us

Phone

Emergency: 911
Phone: 703-978-9200
Hall Rentals: 703-764-8842

Website Statistics

Visits Today: 225
Visits Yesterday: 486
Visits Past Year: 91,247