The mission of Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue(AVFR) is to provide 24-hour 7 days a week fire-fighting services for structural fires, vehicle fires, boat fires, and wild land fires. AVFR firefighters provide the initial hazardous material incident response within the district. AVFR operates 3 boats, each with a separate but overlapping mission, conducts marine rescue operations such as firefighting, search and rescue in the waterbodies and waterways in and around southern Gloucester County. This includes the York River and adjacent Chesapeake Bay. Firefighters also provide support for EMS by providing lifting assistance, vehicular extrication, and tactical rescue operations. They also respond as needed for any type of call that requires our skills. AVFR provides mutual aid as needed to neighboring jurisdictions.
Within the AVFR there are approximately 100 individuals that provide Emergency Medical Service and Fire suppression. All fire members must be CPR certified and have passed the Emergency Vehicle Operators Class to operate any AVFR equipment. Members are also expected to become certified as Pump Operators per NFPA specifications prior to operating Class I pumpers used at structure fires. All are required to pass the Virginia Department of Fire Programs Fire Fighter I and II level certification to engage in interior firefighting. AVFR currently operate four Class A pumpers, two rescue trucks, a 65 foot Quint, a 3000 gallon tanker and various utility vehicles in addition to our 4 Advanced Life Support Medic units.
Fire members, on active membership status, are expected to meet a minimum amount of activity of all fire calls, attend monthly training, and are assigned to a group to go over apparatus to maintain operational readiness. All members are provided full NFPA standard turn out gear for their membership level and a belt tone pager to alert them to calls.
