Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

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Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

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Founded in 1921, the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department has grown to become the largest volunteer fire department in Maryland, with a membership exceeding 350 individuals. In 2024 RVFD’s Station 3 had a total of 15,140 unit responses making Rockville Volunteers some of the most active firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics in the nation.

09/26/2026

🚑 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟕𝟎𝟑 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞!

Today, during City of Rockville Rocktobierfest in Rockville Town Center, members of the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. were joined by the Rockville Mayor, City Council and City of Rockville Government to officially place our newest ambulance into service.

It was a fitting setting for an important milestone. RVFD placed its first ambulance in service in 1950, beginning more than 75 years of providing emergency medical services to the Rockville community. Now, as we celebrate our 105th year of service, we are proud to continue that tradition with the addition of Ambulance 703 Bravo.

Our new 2024 Ford F-550, equipped with a Horton Emergency Vehicles Custom ambulance body, incorporates the latest advancements in technology, safety, and patient care - providing our members with the tools they need to continue delivering high-quality emergency medical services to our community.

This new unit was made possible through the continued support and partnership of the City of Rockville. We were honored to have members of the City Council with us today to mark the occasion and recognize this continued investment in public safety.

“𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒈𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒚, 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝑨𝒎𝒃𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝟕𝟎𝟑 𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒐 𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆.”

Ambulance 703 Bravo is now officially ready to serve Rockville. 🚑

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years ago today, our nation was forever changed.

On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 lives were lost, including hundreds of firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and other first responders who answered the call that morning.

Members of the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department were among the thousands of first responders across our region who mobilized in the hours that followed. RVFD personnel participated in the response at the Pentagon, while others helped ensure emergency services remained available here at home and across the National Capital Region, providing backfill and support in Montgomery County and Washington, D.C.

For those who served that day, and in the difficult days and weeks that followed, the memories remain deeply personal. Twenty-five years later, we continue to honor those who were lost, those who responded, and the families whose lives were forever changed.

We also remember the extraordinary sense of service, sacrifice, and unity that emerged in the face of tragedy.

Today, the members of the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department pause to remember.

𝑾𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕.

09/11/2026

We continue to these members who made the supreme sacrifice 25 years ago today as well as the many others have & continue to lose their lives due to 9/11 related cancers. the courage and dedication they displayed on September 11, 2001. They will forever be

08/28/2026

𝐑𝐕𝐅𝐃 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐎𝐗 𝟓’𝐬 𝐙𝐢𝐩 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩!

This morning, the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. joined Fox 5 DC at The Square Rockville as Zip Trip made its stop in Rockville!

As part of FOX 5’s segment, RVFD President Eric Bernard and Vice President Ian Weston joined representatives from the Rockville City Police Department and Montgomery County Maryland – Fire & Rescue Service, along with career and volunteer fire and rescue crews serving Rockville.

It was a great opportunity to showcase the men and women who help keep Rockville safe and highlight the strong partnership among our volunteer and career fire and rescue personnel, law enforcement, and the community we collectively serve.

Thank you to FOX 5 DC and the City of Rockville Government for shining a spotlight on Rockville and its first responders!

08/22/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Captain Christopher Hallock & his wife April on their marriage!

Chris joined the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department at the age of 16 as a Junior Member. He later served as a live-in member while attending the University of Maryland and today serves as Captain of our Sunday Night Crew.

Please join the officers & members of the RVFD in congratulating Chris and April and wishing them a lifetime of happiness together!

08/05/2026

Last night, members of the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. were proud to participate in National Night Out, attending more than 20 neighborhood events throughout Rockville and the surrounding communities.

We were honored to partner with the Rockville City Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department, and the Montgomery County (MD) Sheriff's Office to strengthen relationships with the communities we proudly serve. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to meet our members, tour the apparatus, and learn more about fire and EMS safety.

While connecting with our community, our commitment to emergency response never stopped. Throughout the evening's events, RVFD members also responded to 10 calls for service, including a personal injury collision at East Gude Drive and Taft Court, reinforcing that while we enjoy connecting with our community, we remain ready to respond whenever we're needed.

Thank you to everyone who made National Night Out such a success. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

07/21/2026

Today, we pause to remember one of our own.

Seventy years ago today, Private Elwood H. Smith of the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the citizens and visitors of Rockville. His courage and selfless dedication remain an enduring part of our department's history.

July 21, 1956 — The Washington Metropolitan area was struck by heavy rainfall, resulting in widespread flash flooding and numerous calls for assistance throughout the Rockville area. At approximately 3:30 a.m., Rescue Squad 3 and Boat 3 were dispatched to reports of multiple people trapped in vehicles by rapidly rising floodwaters near the Rockville Bridge over Rock Creek.

Crews accessed the creek from the entrance to Parklawn Cemetery on Veirs Mill Road. Upon arrival, the members of Rescue Squad 3 found two vehicles stranded in the floodwaters. They immediately went to work, successfully rescuing two Rockville residents trapped in the first vehicle.

As the crew attempted to reach the occupants of the second vehicle, Private Elwood H. Smith was swept away by the powerful current. Despite the desperate efforts of his fellow firefighters to reach him, Fireman Smith was quickly carried downstream by the rushing waters. It was later determined that the second vehicle was unoccupied, as its occupants had already self-extricated.

Overcome by the floodwaters, Private Elwood H. Smith made the ultimate sacrifice while attempting to save the lives of others.

On May 30, 1957, the City of Rockville Government dedicated Elwood H. Smith Park, located at 601 Harrington Road in the Hungerford neighborhood, in his honor.

Today, 70 years later, we remember Private Smith's sacrifice and the countless volunteer firefighters who have answered the call before and after him. The Rockville Volunteer Fire Department remains proud to serve this community with more than 300 volunteer members who continue to dedicate their time, skills, and compassion to protecting the citizens of Rockville and Montgomery County.

As we remember Private Smith, we also ask our community to remember that behind every emergency response is someone who left their family to help another. Please keep all of our firefighters and emergency responders in your thoughts, and when severe weather strikes, never drive through flooded roadways. Turn around, don't drown.

Never Forget.

Maryland State Firefighters Association
Montgomery County Maryland – Fire & Rescue
Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association
Montgomery County MD Council
Greater Rockville Chamber of Commerce
National Volunteer Fire Council
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

07/11/2026

Engine 34 & Engine 232 attended the 50th Annual Pennsylvania Pump Primers INC. Muster in Harrisburg, PA.

This annual event has been a staple that draws spectators from all over the country. Since 1976 Pump Primers has been one of the most notable fire musters thanks to its picturesque location along the Susquehanna River. Rockville has been a proud participant in the event on multiple occasions.

Engine 34 a 1963 B Model Mack has been continuously owned by RVFD since 1963. It was restored in 1986. It is the last RVFD Mack to graduate the destinct "Rockville Cab". We are fortunate to have had E34 operated at this event by RVFD Past President & Current SPAAMFAA President T. Cosgrove Jones.

Engine 232 a 1969 R Model Mack is one of 4 identical pumpers delivered to RVFD. They shared consecutive serial numbers from Mack Trucks. Today E232 is Proudly owned by RVFD Life Members Chris & Laura Jeffery. We are thankful for their dedication to preserving RVFD's history and for representing us at events.

07/04/2026

Yesterday afternoon, Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. personnel were among the first to respond to a townhouse fire on Copperstone Court in Rockville (Box 03-02).

Engine 703 arrived first to find visible fire from a two-story townhouse with flames extending throughout the attic. Due to the combination of a working attic fire and extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 100°F, a Second Alarm was requested to ensure adequate staffing for firefighting operations and firefighter rehabilitation. RVFD Chief 703H assumed Command of the incident.

Through an aggressive, coordinated attack - including Tower 703’s roof operations, firefighters prevented the fire from extending to the adjoining townhomes, protecting neighboring families and minimizing property loss. The fire was brought under control in less than an hour.

We are proud of the outstanding work by all responding personnel, whose teamwork, and dedication led to a successful outcome under extremely challenging conditions.

06/06/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝟕𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐕𝐅𝐃 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐠 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐔𝐰𝐞 𝐊𝐮𝐡𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐧!

For 24 years, Chief Kuhlmann led the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Pinneberg with dedication and vision. In 1991, a simple letter he mailed to Rockville helped establish what would become one of the most enduring and meaningful international fire service relationships imaginable.

More than 35 years later, the bond between our two Sister City fire departments has grown far beyond official exchanges. It has created lifelong friendships, family connections, and countless visits across the Atlantic for celebrations, weddings, birthdays, and more. What began with one letter has evolved into friendships that have transcended generations, connecting members and families who continue to share experiences and traditions across continents.

Chief Kuhlmann's leadership and friendship helped build a lasting bond that continues to enrich the lives of members and their families in both Rockville and Pinneberg.

From all of us at the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, thank you for your remarkable legacy and friendship. We wish you a very Happy 75th Birthday and many more years of health, happiness, and camaraderie.

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Chief Kuhlmann!

Address

380 Hungerford Drive
Rockville, MD
20850

Website

http://www.rvfd.org/, http://rvfd.org/volunteer/

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Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

09/26/2026

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08/28/2026

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