Fair
Oaks Volunteer 
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are there volunteer fire companies in
Fairfax? Isn't the Fire Department part of Fairfax County services?
A: Fairfax County operates its fire and rescue services using a
combined system. Each station in the county has, at a minimum,
a fire engine and EMS unit (ambulance or medic) assigned that is staffed
24x7x365 by the dedicated career personnel of the Fairfax County Fire
and Rescue Department.
At stations associated with the 12 volunteer fire companies in the county, the volunteer corporation provides:
- Facilities. Many of the county's fire stations are actually
owned and managed by the volunteer fire company.
- Personnel. Volunteers staff safe-staffing positions on career
units and provide additional staffing for volunteer units placed in
service to cover peak demand, stand by at community events, or
backfill for major incidents and training activities. Volunteers are
typical members of our community who offer time and expertise to
improve the safety of our county.
- Vehicles. Vehicles owned by the volunteer fire companies are painted in the color scheme for that volunteer fire company and includes the volunteer company logo and information in the vehicle paint scheme. Vehicles owned by the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department are painted in traditional fire engine red and includes the county logo and information in the paint scheme.
Whether owned and staffed by the county or by a volunteer fire company, career personnel, or a combination all emergency personnel operate under the jurisdiction of the Fire Chief of the Fire and Rescue Department and are trained to the same levels of qualification and certification.