WOODBRIDGE, Va. — In September 1938, the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department was officially incorporated.
It marked two years of hard work for a group of concerned citizens who recognized the need for a fire department in the area. Many of them put up personal property and their own money to secure loans to build a building to house the apparatus and start the department.
Sometimes they had to “pass the hat” to pay electric and other bills monthly.
Before OWL VFD the closest fire departments were in Pen Daw (Fairfax Station 11) to the north, Manassas to the west and Fredericksburg to the south. The first station was in Occoquan on the corner of Washington and Mill streets, which was dubbed Station Two in Prince William County.
You can still see the concrete pad where it was located. From there they built a building that is now the VFW in Occoquan. In 1958 they opened a second Station on U.S. 1 in Woodbridge, and numbered the Occoquan station “2-1” and the Woodbridge station “2-2.”
From there, OWL moved to the current Station 2 on F Street in Woodbridge, opened up the Lake Ridge Station 14, and Station 12 on U.S. 1 which was later relocated to Montgomery Avenue.
OWL VFD’s continued success is because of the foresight and hard work of those who built the foundation and the dedication and commitment of our members who serve today. Even from our humble beginnings, OWL VFD has historically strategically planned for disaster events, keeping up on the latest training, equipment and education available.
OWL VFD invests thousands of hours in professional training and certification courses. Our care and dedication to Fire and Rescue is reflected in our efforts of staying up to date and ready for the task.
OWL VFD is one of the largest and busiest volunteer fire and rescue departments in the United States. OWL VFD provides fire suppression, EMS care, and rescue services to 80,000 residents in our 27 square mile area through the operation of three fire stations. OWL volunteer Firefighters and EMTs work the 6 pm to 6 am shift, five days a week, plus 24 hours on holidays and weekends.
-Press release
