Our Volunteers Fight Fires, Teach Lessons and Demonstrate Fire Safety

The job our volunteers do each day, serving and protecting the community, is impressive on its own. But did you know they do more? They aren’t just fighting fires and responding to emergencies; they’re also serving as educators and bringing the community together through a variety of events and demonstrations. Those who serve with us […]

Volunteer Firefighters: A Call to Service That Spans the Centuries

In our line of work, we say, “No one does it for the fame.” Our volunteers have a variety of reasons for giving their time — to save people, to serve their community, to advance their education — but you won’t find “to become famous” in that list of reasons. Our volunteers are quiet heroes […]

Tones, Rewards and Challenges: An Interview With Sara Khurshid Part 3

EMT Sara Khurshid took a leap and jumped out of her comfort zone into the volunteer rescue world. And she hasn’t looked back since. What she has done, though, is learn the ropes, face challenges and continue to grow.   Receiving the Call From the moment “the tones drop,” signaling an alarm, Khurshid and the […]

Take a Leap: An Interview With EMT Sara Khurshid, Part 2

Each volunteer has his or her own reasons for volunteering. Sara Khurshid had three. First and foremost, she wanted to step outside of her comfort zone to experience growth. Secondly, she felt a responsibility as a female, Pakistani, Muslim Asian-American to serve in her community. “In my observation, I think sometimes local community outreach within […]

Interview with Andrew Sauer, Rescue Lieutenant, Part I

When Rescue Lieutenant Andrew Sauer with the Nokesville Volunteer Fire Department started volunteering, he was aiming to do something unique, build a skillset and take on a challenge. Looking back, he notes he never realized just how much work goes into staffing an ambulance or fire engine. By day, he’s an IT systems administrator for […]

Name That PWCFRS Department Quiz

Here at Prince William County Fire and Rescue System (PWCFRS), we are proud of and grateful for all of our volunteers. Each department proudly serves its surrounding areas and makes a positive difference in the lives of our citizens every day. And while all of our teams perform the same jobs, each department features a […]

Rural, Suburban and Urban Volunteer Fire and Rescue Departments? Prince William County Has Them All!

We often say in Prince William County, “We have it all.” While realtors think of convenient locations and incredible amenities, volunteer firefighters and first responders interpret that a bit differently. By “all,” we mean we’ve got rural, suburban and urban areas to serve and protect — and PWC is a big county! With 336 square […]

Training All Around! Prince William Fire and Rescue System Volunteer Positions Part I

Many people hear “volunteer” and don’t realize the rigorous jobs that volunteer firefighters and rescue workers perform. Prince William County Fire and Rescue System (PWCFRS) offers a variety of positions and advancement opportunities, providing our volunteers with extensive training and on-the-job experience. You can rise through the ranks while performing rewarding duties within our organization. […]

Women in Firefighting: A Long, Strong History

When we talk about women in firefighting, most people assume that this is a fairly recent achievement for females. But what if we told you women have actually been fighting fires for almost 200 years? Yep, it’s true. Ladies have had roles in firefighting since the 1800s. The Earliest Accounts Molly Williams, a slave in […]

Volunteer Firefighting: Rich History, Steady Service…Great for Quizzes

Did you know? Volunteer firefighting began in 1736 in Philadelphia. The man who is credited with the idea also invented bifocals and helped draft the Declaration of Independence. You might have heard of him — Benjamin Franklin. Yep, ‘ole Ben wasn’t just out flying kites to test electricity in the atmosphere; he was also brainstorming […]