Colonial Beach Vol. Fire Department

Colonial Beach, VA

  • Home
  • Events
  • Gallery
  • File Downloads
  • Videos
  • Ladies Auxillary
  • Members
  • About Us
  • Apparatus
  • Contact Us

About Us

History of the CBVFD

The Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department got its start in March 1894, with a resolution passed at the 35th meeting of the town council, promising cooperation with the property owners in raising funds to purchase a fire extinguishing apparatus to be operated by a volunteer fire company. A committee was appointed in October 1895, to ascertain the cost and determine how much money interested citizens would contribute towards its purchase.

A request was received in July 1896, from the Howe Pump and Engine Company of Indianapolis, in to demonstrate a piece of fire apparatus in Colonial Beach, VA. The apparatus was to be drawn by a team of two horses, and would be operated by eight men four on each side of the pump by cantilever action. It would be capable of dispensing 60 gallons of water per minute and was equipped with 500 feet of 2 ¼ inch hose. One of the rear wheels had a striker, which hit a gong with each revolution of the wheel. The apparatus was purchased in August 1896, for $875, a far cry from the $250,000 to $800,000 required to purchase one today. Since the fire department did not own any horses, it was agreed to purchase a set of double harnesses and that a premium of $2 be given to the first person to reach the fire house with two good fast horses and hookup to the apparatus.

Today’s fire sirens, beepers, and radios are a far cry from the way fire alarms used to be sounded. The first alarm used in colonial Beach, was by striking a metal triangle with a hammer and later on a large ring was struck with a sledge hammer. Both the triangle and the ring are displayed at the fire station on Colonial Avenue.

In August 1896, a bid was submitted by Charles Pfeil to build the first fire house for a sum of $24. A year later, Pfeil was appointed fire chief at a salary of $3 per month. His duties were to keep the apparatus, fire house, and fixtures clean and in ready condition. The fire house was moved to the old town hall in March 1907 and did not move again until another fire house was built in 1940. In 1952, a second story was added with the help of the Ladies Auxiliary. A brand new building was built in 1961 on Colonial Ave and is the current firehouse, which has had numerous renovations including a new bay floor in 1999.

During early 1993 discussions had begun among the members of the department about the lack of qualified apparatus driver/operators available during the day to respond to calls. It was decided it was in the best interest of public safety to explore hiring a full time driver/operator to work weekdays 7am to 3pm. February 1993, Teddy Trowbridge was hired as the department’s first full time firefighter. In 1995, the department received its basic life support non transport EMS license from the state, which enabled the department the chance to assist the rescue squad on all life threatening trauma or illness calls. In April 1996, the Colonial Beach Vol. Fire Department suffered a great loss with the sudden death of their fire chief, Charles Catlett Jr. Charles had been a member for over 16 years and fire chief for 7 years. Charles played a huge role in the growth and development of the department in the early 90’s. He will always be missed and never forgotten. 

In April of 2001 Engine Co. 1 was dispatched to a working fire at the Colonial Beach Yacht Center. Thus the hard work from the department and surrounding departments this would come to be the largest dollar amount fire losses in CBVFD history. The Marina was written off as a total loss and many boats were destroyed. Several years later, in 2004 the department decided to buy its first fire boat, a 24 foot Monarch, aluminum hull. The department also purchased its first tanker in 2005, which replaced engine 11.

The first 113 years of the Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department have been an exciting time of service and growth. The department has always stayed one step ahead of its peers with new, innovative thinking and proactive programs. Their members have committed themselves for over 100 years now with a sense of pride, tradition and service to all those in their community. The Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department vows to continue to carry the high level of professional service that has become their hallmark into the next century, protecting the citizens of the community through the next 100 years.

Upcoming Events

Jun 08

67th Annual Potomac River Festival Fire/Rescue Parade

June 8 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

View More…

Weather Forecast

Colonial Beach, VA
56°
partly cloudy
59% humidity
wind: 11mph SE
H 64 • L 51
59°
Tue
68°
Wed
66°
Thu
61°
Fri

Facebook Feed

Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department shared Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary's post.

16 hours ago

Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department

LAST CHANCE!! We will be at Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department today at 5pm to take final orders and payment for our custom Tervis tumblers! ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Google PlusShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 0
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department

4 days ago

Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department

🔥🔥💨💨 FIRE/WIND DANGER 💨💨🔥🔥

INCREASED FIRE DANGER ACROSS EASTERN AND SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING. THE COMBINATION OF LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY LEVELS FALLING TO 25
TO 30 PERCENT, AND STRONG, BREEZY WEST WINDS GUSTING TO 25 TO 35MPH, WILL RESULT IN ELEVATED FIRE DANGER CONDITIONS THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING ACROSS EASTERN AND SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA.

VIRGINIA RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT OUTDOOR BURNING IS PROHIBITED BEFORE 4PM EACH DAY THROUGH APRIL 30TH, AND ANY OUTDOOR BURNING IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED ALL DAY ON THURSDAY. EXERCISE CAUTION HANDLING ANY POTENTIAL IGNITION SOURCE...INCLUDING MACHINERY CIGARETTES...AND MATCHES. BE SURE TO PROPERLY DISCARD ALL SMOKING
MATERIALS. ANY DRY GRASSES AND TREE LITTER THAT IGNITE WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO SPREAD QUICKLY.

Issuing Office: Wakefield
Source: National Weather Service
Issued: Wed, Apr 18, 11:00 PM EDT
... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Google PlusShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 3
  • Shares: 5
  • Comments: 0

 

Comment on Facebook

Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department shared Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary's post.

5 days ago

Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department

Last chance to order a tumbler!!This is your last chance to order a custom Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department Tervis! All orders are due this week. Don't miss out! ... See MoreSee Less

Last chance to order a tumbler!!
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Google PlusShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 2
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 1

 

Comment on Facebook

When can I place my order? Do I come by the station?

Load more
View on Facebook

Monthly Calls

2017Fire
TTL
Jan21
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Contact Information

Colonial Beach Fire Department
312 Colonial Ave
Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Follow Us

Phone

Emergency: 911
Phone: 804.224.7255

Account

  • Billing
  • Check Email

Member Links

  • Member Only News
  • Member Login
Site proudly maintained by the Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department
Site designed and hosted by FireCompanies.com

Copyright © 2018