September 2011 - Featured Department
Atlantic Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company, Inc.
Station 4
The following article was submitted by the
Atlantic Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company
AVF&R History
In 1957, members of the Atlantic community rallied together in the Atlantic Baptist Church hall to form the Atlantic Volunteer Fire Company. Recent fires had intensified concerns from community members about the long firefighting response times. To address this issue, the Atlantic Volunteer Fire Company was organized in March 1957 with 46 Charter members and 43 Ladies Auxiliary members. The original members were farmers, business owners, students, etc – in fact, two of the charter members are still active.
The original trucks – a 1942 Diamond T & 1939 Open-Cab Ford - were kept in two of the members’ garages. Both trucks were purchased from Rehoboth Beach, DE, for a total of $3,800. In 1963 the company purchased its first new truck – a 1963 International John Bean Pumper which is still in reserve status.
The company purchased the land for the fire house in 1957 as well. The original fire house was a 30’ by 50’ concrete block building at the current site which housed two engine bays. In three separate additions over the years, a third engine bay, kitchen and meeting room were added. The building was totally expanded and renovated in 1993 at a cost of $80,000 to house additional equipment. Current station amenities include: 3 engine bays, a kitchen plus outside cooking area, a decontamination room, a meeting/community room, restrooms and various office and storage areas. The station is also equipped with a back-up generator to provide emergency power.
The company was re-named the Atlantic Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company, Inc. when extrication services were added in the 90’s. Apparatus in the fire station today includes: 1995 Pierce Saber Engine, 1979 Ford Plain Jane Engine, 1963 International/John Bean Reserve Pumper, 1975 Ford LT-800/1986 4-Guys 2200 gallon Tanker, 2006 Ford F-350 Brush/Medical Assist Truck, and a 2006 Pierce Saber Heavy Rescue. The company also operates a mobile fire safety house to educate the community, including local school children, on fire prevention techniques.
Today Atlantic Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company, Inc. consists of 43 Active, 16 Associate, 18 Auxiliary, 5 Junior, and 6 Life members. In 2010, the company responded to 396 calls – 94 fires, 204 medical assists, 40 hazardous conditions, 37 public service calls and 21 other types of emergencies. On average, 10-16 members respond on calls. In addition to emergency response, volunteers participate in monthly training drills on important fire and EMS topics. To further support company activities, members hold several fundraisers throughout the year including breakfast with Santa/Easter Bunny, a fishing tournament, bingo sessions, an annual letter drive and various other events.
The Atlantic Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company, Inc would like to recognize the 46 Charter Members, eight of whom are alive today, and 43 Ladies Auxiliary members, ten of whom are alive today. Their foresight and dedication have made it possible for the company to provide fire and rescue services to the Atlantic community for the past 54 years.
Editor's Note:
We we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the members the Atlantic V.F.R.C. for their gracious hospitality shown to us during our visit to the station. Special recognition is given to President Donn Rodgers and his wife Jen, Secretary & Past Chief Herman Chesser, Deputy Chief Timothy McCready, and members Rodney Click & David Coulbourne for their invaluable assistance in making this profile possible. All of the photographs appearing in the slide show were provided courtesy of the Atlantic Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company.
2011 Administration & Line Officers:
President: Donn Rodgers
Vice-President: Kenny Godwin
Secretary: Herman Chesser
Treasurer: Joe Maher
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Chief: David Grant
Deputy Chief: Timmy McCready
Assistant Chief: Bradley Watson
Captain: Jeremy Donovan
1st Lieutenant: Cindy Smith
2nd Lieutenant: Justin Revell
Rescue Captain: Carol Hammonds
Assistant Rescue Captain: Donn Rodgers
Chief Engineer: Mark Gaskins
Contact Information:
Atlantic Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company, Inc.
10071 Atlantic Road
P.O. Box 207
Atlantic, Virginia 23303
757-824-4844
Fleet of Apparatus
ENGINE 4-6
1995 PIERCE SABER
1250 GPM PUMP / 1000 GALLON WATER TANK
CARRIES EXTRICATION EQUIPMENT
ENGINE 4-5
1979 FORD PLAIN JANE
1000 GPM PUMP / 750 GALLON WATER TANK
ENGINE 4-3
1963 INTERNATIONAL / JOHN BEAN
750 GPM PUMP / 1000 GALLON WATER TANK
RESERVE PIECE
(Delivered in the color Red, was later changed to Yellow and then Lime-Green)
TANKER 4-7
1975 FORD LT-800 / REFURBISHED IN 1986 BY 4-GUYS
500 GPM PUMP / 2200 GALLON WATER TANK
BRUSH 4
2006 FORD F-350 4X4
250 GPM PUMP / 200 GALLON WATER TANK / 10 GALLON FOAM TANK
STATE LICENSED MEDICAL ASSIST VEHICLE
RESCUE 4
2006 PIERCE SABER
HEAVY RESCUE
