History
Understanding our department as it exists today can only be accomplished by remembering its beginning and appreciating the efforts of those who came before us. The contributions of the brave men and women who established these organizations will never be diminished by the progression of time. The selfless dedication and personal sacrifice of those who came before us should be a template for every member of this organization to follow.
Organizing a Fire Department
On August 7, 1946, men and women met in the auditorium of the King George Courthouse to organize a fire department. According to the meeting minutes, the Superintendent of King George and Stafford County Schools, T. Benton Gayle, brought in some firemen from Falmouth and Fredericksburg “who explained very thoroughly the importance of a fire department in a community”.
The group of 25 dedicated, community-minded individuals who met a second time on August 14, 1946 became the charter members of the King George Volunteer Fire Association, which was later renamed King George Volunteer Fire Department (KGVFD). The first Fire Chief of this organization was Frank T. Hudson. The primary mission of this volunteer department was to provide fire protection for the citizens of King George County.
In 1954, the Dahlgren Rescue Squad (DRS) was created to provide rescue and emergency medical services to the community. This organization became one of the most cutting-edge EMS agencies in this region. DRS was the first organization in the region to provide advanced life support services, perform telemetry and hire career EMS providers to supplement volunteer coverage during daytime hours.
Company 2 & Continued Growth
In the early 1960s, eight young men decided that, due to the growth in the area, it was time for Dahlgren to get its own fire protection. Until then, the Dahlgren area had been served either by Company 1 out of King George or by the federally funded fire and rescue team on the Navy Base. Company 2 began operating out of a bay at the Texaco gas station. When Company 2 was officially absorbed by KGVFD around 1980, its membership totaled 12.
In 1966, a substation for KGVFD was established in Fairview Beach. The substation was a boat shed that was purchased from Fred Slick and located on the site next to what is now Sam's Pizza and Subs. KGVFD had just purchased a new truck, and they relocated a 1949 Chevrolet (Number 1) to Fairview Beach. In 1972, the personnel at Fairview Beach requested that they be released from KGVFD and allowed to start their own department named Fairview Beach Volunteer Fire Department (FBVFD). Mack Frye was the first Fire Chief of this organization, and Calvin Garner was the first Fire Captain. This department provided fire service until the merging of FBVFD and KGVFD in 2000, which then became known as King George Fire and Rescue Incorporated.
In the early 1970s, KGVFD hired a career firefighter to supplement volunteer coverage during daytime hours. This single firefighter was responsible for getting the appropriate fire apparatus to the incident and taking care of day-to-day tasks. This remained a single firefighter position until 1999.
Department of Emergency Services
In 1999, King George County created the Department of Emergency Services under County Administrator Tom Harris and brought the four Paramedics and one firefighter employed by the two volunteer organizations into this department. These five individuals were intended to supplement the volunteer rescue squad and fire department during daytime hours as both firefighters and EMS providers. As the needs of the county continued to increase, the department grew, and in 2003, career personnel began supplementing the volunteer organizations 24/7.
In 2005, the Dahlgren Rescue Squad and the King George Fire and Rescue merged. This merger was a difficult political transition as many volunteers struggled with becoming a part of something new.
King George Department of Fire Rescue & Emergency Services
In September of 2008, the King George County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance establishing the King George Department of Fire, Rescue & Emergency Services as we know it today. This department unites the career and volunteer organizations into one operational entity with a clearly defined mission, line of authority & chain of command. The County Fire/Rescue Chief at the time this ordinance was enacted was David W Moody.