Chief's Message

The Washington Volunteer Fire Department was formed in 1939.  Abner Barker was our first fire chief.  

Since that time, there have been hundreds of volunteers who have stepped up to become firefighters and who have risked their lives to protect the citizens of Washington and the surrounding communities. Each sacrificed countless hours away from family and friends to be a firefighter.  

Although today’s firefighters are compensated for the calls they respond to, they are still considered volunteer.  Most of our firefighters have families and hold down regular jobs on top of responding to calls and training.  Volunteer firefighters leave their warm beds at night, or get up from family dinners to serve the citizens of Washington during emergencies.  They risk life and limb to protect lives and property in our community during all sorts of weather.

For some, firefighting is a family legacy and if you look at the list of names on the department’s 70-year roster, you will see generations of family members. For all volunteer firefighters it is a way to serve their community.  However, if we did not have the community support that the Washington Volunteer Fire Department has received over the past 70 years, we would not be here today.

I would like to personally thank the citizens of Washington for the support given the Washington Volunteer Fire Department. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the past and present members and their families for all of their hard work and dedication to the Department. If you have ever considered firefighting to serve your community, please speak to an officer about applying to the Department.

Thank you for your continued support of our Department — we look forward to serving you in the years to come!

Chief