MARCH 2011 - FEATURED DEPARTMENT

PARKSLEY VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
STATION 7

Parksley Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

    The Parksley Volunteer Fire Company was chartered in August 1935, under the name "Parksley Volunteer Fire Department, Inc."  Located in Accomack County, the town of Parksley is located approximately 2.5 miles from Lankford Highway (U.S. Rt. 13).  It is home to the Eastern Shore Railway Museum, as the town itself was founded in 1885, shortly after the arrival of the railroad.     
    
    The department's first firehouse was located on Dunne Avenue, in Parksley. The building was a former Ice Cream factory. It housed Parksley's first apparatus, a 1935 Ward LaFrance engine that was purchased by the Town of Parksley. In 1940, the buildling was enlarged to include two (2) engine bays and meeting room on the first floor, and a community room and kitchen on the second floor. This building would serve as the towns fire station for over 55 years.   

    The present, modern brick facade station was actually constructed in two separate phases. The first phase completed in 1995, included four (4) engine bays, one of which is drive-thru in design. At the time, this portion housed all of Parksley's apparatus. Features also included several offices, restrooms and a large Banquet Room, complete with a fully equipped kitchen. 

    In 2003, the 1940 station, located adjacent to the existing building, was demolished to make room for a new addition. The new addition would encompass three (3) apparatus bays, to house the company's ambulances; a lounge, combination meeting/training room, restrooms, a spacious drive-in engineers bay, and a large storage area, located on a mezzanine level. 

    In an effort to preserve the heritage of the company, the facade of the new addition was designed to replicate the apperance of the former 1940 fire station. Once construction was complete, in order to accommodate 24 hour staffing the former lounge was renovated to serve as a bunk room for the county stationed personnel. Other station amenities include a communication/watch room, restrooms, and various storage & office areas. Behind the station, in 2009 a separate metal storage building was constructed, to accommodate the company's numerous miscellaneous storage items, and it has the capability of housing apparatus, if needed.   

    As is the case with almost all of the volunteer stations throughout the Commonwealth, the members of Station 7 hold numerous fundraisers each year to augment their income. Annual events include a Bike Rally, Chicken BBQ's, and several Texas Hold'em Poker Tournaments. In addition, their formal Banquet Hall facility is available to the public, and is rented numerous times throughout the year.

    Along with being very active in their hometown, the members of Parksley have always been very active in the Del-Mar-Va Volunteer Firemen's Association. For instance, several of their members have served as President of the Association and, in addition; the company has hosted both the Annual Convention and Fire Prevention Parades countless times over the years. 

    During 2010, the membership of the Parksley Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. commemorated their 75th Anniversary; the highlight of celebration being the first ever open house sponsored by the company, held at the Fire Station, that was attended by numerous departments from throughout the Eastern Shore.

    Currently, the Parksley V.F.C. operates a total of eight (8) pieces of modern emergency apparatus, including two (2) Engines, one Brush unit, one Rehab unit, one support unit, and three (3) Advanced Life Support Ambulances. Station 7 also houses the county-owned Air-Trailer, which is requested during numerous working incidents. In addition to serving Parksley, members also provide primary Fire and EMS protection to all or portions of Hopeton, Clam, Whitesville, Bayside, Zion Church, Fox Grove, Leemont, Greenbush, Accomac, and various outlying rural areas. 

     The dedicated volunteers of Station 7 responded to 288 fire incidents and 1420 EMS calls during 2010.  As most of you are aware, Parksley is routinely the highest run station on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. They proudly protect 7900 people living in an area of 96 square miles. Current membership includes approximately 35 active members, and numerous support and Life members complete the roster. Parksley's neighboring mutual-aid departments are Station 6 -Bloxom to the north; and Station 8 - Tasley, Station 9 - Onancock and Station 18 - Onley to the south.         

    We we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Parksley V.F.C. President Freddie Matthews, and Past Chief Thomas Berry, for their assistance in compiling this profile. All of the photographs appearing in the slide show were provided courtesy of the Parksley Volunteer Fire Company. 
 

Contact Information:
Parksley Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. 
18431 Dunne Avenue
P.O. Box 14
Parksley, Virginia 23421
Phone: 757-665-6977
Fax: 757-665-5245


Visit Parksley V.F.C. online at:
www.parksleyvfc.org