Virginia Beach Fire Department


The Virginia Beach Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia. The department protects an area of as well as of inland waterways and of shoreline. The independent city is home to a population of 450,882, not including the summer population growth due to tourism, making it the most populous city in Virginia and the 39th largest city in the United States.

Operations

USAR Task Force 2

The Virginia Beach Fire Department is the founding member of one of Virginia's two FEMA [Urban Search and Rescue Task Force]. Urban [Search and Rescue Virginia Task Force 2|Virginia Task Force 2] is available to respond to natural or man-made disasters around the country and the world to assist with search and rescue, medical support, damage assessment and communications.

Marine Operations

The VBFD Marine Operations Team is responsible for patrolling of inland waterways as well as of shoreline. The team also provides mutual aid to parts of North Carolina as well as the U.S. Coast Guard. The operations team has three fireboats at their disposal:
  • Fireboat 1 is a Argus Class Northwind with an enclosed cabin and a pump docked in Lynnhaven Inlet.:
  • Fireboat 6 is a Metal Shark aluminum response vessel with a pump docked at Station 6 in Creeds.
  • Fireboat 12 is a former USCG utility boat that is designed to operate under rough weather and sea conditions where its speed and maneuverability make it an ideal platform. It is kept at the City Dredge Ops marina located in Owls Creek.