Name: Potomac Valley Fire Company
Item: Potomac Valley Fire Company
Author: Erin Ward

The Potomac Valley Fire Company known as the “Protector of the Valley” have been serving the citizens in an area known as “The Valley” since 1966. In 2000 the Potomac Valley Fire Company moved into the new station which is attached to the original station. This new 4-bay station includes office space, a kitchen, a lounge, men’s and women’s locker room, and bunk rooms. Today the station houses a wide range of emergency equipment to better handle the wide range of calls we respond to in our a very diverse first due area. The PVFC serves 42 sq miles of rural and mountainous area in southern Washington County with a population of 4,800 citizens. This area known as “The Valley” is nestled between the Potomac River and the southern end of the Catoctin Mountains in southern Washington County, Maryland. We are responsible for not only protecting the citizens of “œThe Valley” but we also serve the thousands of daily commuters on Route 340; a major commuter route from the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia to Interstates 70 and 270 towards Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.

A major East/West branch of the CSX Railroad also passes through our first due response area. This line is a major freight line in and out of the Port of Baltimore, Maryland hauling numerous hazardous materials among its cargo. Thousands of commuters use the Marc train on this same rail line daily to and from Washington, D.C. The Historic C&O Canal runs alongside the Potomac River attracting hundreds of hikers, bikers, and visitors to the area. The Appalachian Trail also passes through our first due area; again attracting numerous hikers. Maryland Heights; a large rocky outcropping overlooking the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers in our area brings hundreds of hikers, rock climbers, and campers. The Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers attract thousands of fisherman and white water rafters to our first due response area year-round. The other end of the area borders the Historic Antietam Creek and Antietam Battlefield which attracts thousands of visitors to the area.

Another historic attraction in our area is the Kennedy Farm House located on the Historic John Brown Farm. The PVFC due to its location has a mutual aid agreement with Frederick County, Maryland, Loudon County, Virginia and Jefferson County, West Virginia which adds additional communities and thousands of citizens to our service area. While our daily first due area population is around 4,800 people, it increases to well over 10,000 on the weekends as visitors come to our first due to enjoy all the local attractions. Along with visitors to our area, a major commuter route passes through our area bringing an additional 30,000+ commuters through our area daily.

Having such a diverse area the Potomac Valley Fire Company, Inc provides numerous emergency services such as EMS First Responder, Structure Fire, Auto Collisions and a wide range of “Special operations” such as Water rescue and Mountain and Trail Rescues. Check out our Website: www.PotomacValleyFire.Com for additional information and to view our wide range of emergency apparatus including Rescue Boats, ATVs and our High Water Rescue unit.

Why Potomac Valley Fire Company?

The Potomac Valley Fire Company has a one-of-a-kind Response area, where no two calls are ever the same. Having such a diverse area all of our calls give you something different. Don’t like Riding an ambulance? Don’t worry we don’t have one./ EMS Transport is handled by a neighboring EMS Company, We only provide First Responder Service and Support. Even with no EMS Transport Unit, over half of our members are Certified EMTs and even Para-Medic status. Do you like being on the River or Water, Like Hiking, or being outdoors? Want to learn Specialized rescue? Well, we have you covered. Interested in Joining a Fire/Rescue Company where you will be treated Like Family? Look No Further. Don’t Live in the response area (Lower Washington County area or within 30 mins?) Don’t worry We take people from all over.

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Potomac Valley Fire Company

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