La Plata Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

La Plata Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. La Plata VFD provides fire and emergency medical services to residents, businesses, and visitors of La Plata, MD and surrounding areas.

Tickets are selling fast, there’s a very limited amount left. Get yours today! 🎟️
09/17/2026

Tickets are selling fast, there’s a very limited amount left. Get yours today! 🎟️

It is with deep regret that the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department announces the passing of Past President/Past Deputy F...
09/17/2026

It is with deep regret that the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department announces the passing of Past President/Past Deputy Fire Chief William “Bill” F. Eckman, a life member, leader, instructor, and devoted supporter of the fire service and the La Plata community.

Bill’s service to the La Plata VFD spanned decades and included serving as President in 1973, 1974, 1976, and 1977, as well as Deputy Fire Chief in 1974. He served on numerous department committees and played an instrumental role in the design of several department apparatus, including the current Tanker 1.

Bill was a dedicated advocate for training and water supply operations. During the 1990s, he taught the department’s regional water supply drills, which were conducted several times each year. His knowledge and willingness to share that knowledge helped strengthen the capabilities of firefighters throughout the region.

For more than 30 years, Bill served as an instructor with the University of Maryland, Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI). Throughout his career, he taught Basic Fire and Fire Behavior courses and was instrumental in writing the University Pumps Training Program manual. He was particularly well known for teaching pump operations classes throughout Southern Maryland during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

Bill’s expertise in water supply extended far beyond La Plata. As a water supply consultant, he assisted fire departments throughout the East Coast, including his work on the 1995 Charles County Water Supply Study.

Bill also devoted nearly five decades to serving the Town of La Plata as a councilman and mayor. Throughout those years, he remained a steadfast supporter of the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department and its leadership, particularly regarding the town’s water system, building codes, and development.

His contributions reached far beyond the positions he held. Bill shared his knowledge, experience, and passion for the fire service with generations of firefighters and helped shape the department and the community he served for so many years.

We extend our deepest condolences to Bill’s family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and learning from him.

Today, as we remember the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attack on our nation, members of La Plata VFD and C...
09/11/2026

Today, as we remember the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attack on our nation, members of La Plata VFD and Charles County VRS paused to mark each moment of impact by standing in front of the firehouse. We remember those lost and those brave enough to respond without hesitation to these horrific incidents.

Many thanks to the folks at Burke & Herbert Bank for the special treat delivery!

Thank You, Green Acres Nursing & Rehab!Our Department would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the staff at Gree...
09/06/2026

Thank You, Green Acres Nursing & Rehab!

Our Department would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the staff at Green Acres Nursing & Rehab for providing lunch to our members this past Friday.

Their generosity was a heartfelt way of expressing their gratitude for our department’s response to their facility during the early morning hours of August 28, when a fire was reported coming from the roof.

Thanks to our volunteers maintaining around-the-clock staffing, our crews were able to respond quickly, locate the fire, and extinguish it before it could develop into a more serious incident.

Gestures like this mean a great deal to our members. We are proud to serve our community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we truly appreciate the kindness and support shown by the staff at Green Acres.

Thank you for thinking of our members—and, most importantly, we’re thankful everyone was safe.

Early this morning, units responded to Green Acres Nursing facility for a reported fire. Engine 12 arrived on the scene ...
08/28/2026

Early this morning, units responded to Green Acres Nursing facility for a reported fire. Engine 12 arrived on the scene to find fire in the attic. Simultaneously while fire attack was in progress, additional units removed 32 patients to another wing of the building. One patient was transported to a local hospital. Due to the nature of the call, a second alarm and mass casualty dispatch was alerted. Chief 1B has command.

La Plata Road is closed from Charles Street to Agricopia Drive due to fire department activity.
08/28/2026

La Plata Road is closed from Charles Street to Agricopia Drive due to fire department activity.

This past Saturday, our Department was proud to help our friends at the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department celebrate ...
08/10/2026

This past Saturday, our Department was proud to help our friends at the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department celebrate an incredible milestone — 100 years of service to their community!

Representing La Plata in their 100th Anniversary Parade was a special piece of our own history, our 1962 B-Model Mack, former Engine 12.

More than six decades after serving the citizens of La Plata, the Mack still proudly represents the generations of volunteers who have come before us. It was an honor to have this piece of La Plata VFD history on the parade route for such a significant celebration.

As we helped North Beach celebrate their centennial, it was also a reminder that our own 100th Anniversary is now just three short years away. Seeing another volunteer fire department reach this historic milestone makes us even more excited to honor our own century of service when La Plata VFD celebrates 100 years in 2029.

We congratulate the officers and members of the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department on their 100th Anniversary. A century of volunteer service, sacrifice, and dedication to a community is an accomplishment worthy of celebration.

Thank you for allowing the La Plata VFD to be a small part of your historic day.

Congratulations, North Beach VFD, on 100 years of service — and here’s to the next 100!

House Fire – Issue, MarylandAt 1037 hours this morning, our Department was dispatched to a reported house fire in the 11...
08/09/2026

House Fire – Issue, Maryland

At 1037 hours this morning, our Department was dispatched to a reported house fire in the 11700 block of Cuckolds Creek Road in the Issue area. Engine 12, Truck 1, Foam Tanker 1, and Chief 1B responded with eight volunteers.

Upon arrival, La Plata crews found units from Cobb Island and Newburg already operating at a 2½-story farmhouse with fire involving two floors of the residence.

Engine 12 assisted with establishing the water supply before its crew advanced into the structure and made an attack on the second floor. The crew from Truck 1 performed searches and opened up the structure to expose hidden fire and support the engine companies operating inside. Foam Tanker 1 assisted with an extensive water supply operation necessary to support the fireground.

Chief 1B assumed Incident Command and coordinated operations throughout the incident.

Despite an aggressive interior attack by crews, conditions inside the farmhouse continued to deteriorate, requiring personnel to be withdrawn from the structure and operations to transition to a defensive strategy.

Fortunately, there were no injuries reported during the incident. La Plata crews operated for several hours before returning to quarters at approximately 1400 hours.

We thank our eight volunteers who dedicated a significant portion of their Saturday to serving our community, as well as the numerous departments and personnel who worked together throughout the incident.

Address

911 Washington Avenue
La Plata, MD
20646

Telephone

+13019349201

Website

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