A Guide to the Records of the Arlington County Volunteer Fire Department, 1919-2001 Arlington County Volunteer Fire Department, Records of RG 4

A Guide to the Records of the Arlington County Volunteer Fire Department, 1919-2001

A Collection in Arlington Public Library, Center for Local History

Collection number RG 4


[logo]

Arlington Public Library, Center for Local History

Arlington Public Library, Center for Local History
1015 N. Quincy Street
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 228-5966
Email: localhistory@arlingtonva.us
URL: https://library.arlingtonva.us/center-for-local-history/

© 2005 Arlington Public Library, Center for Local History

Heather Crocetto

Repository
Arlington Public Library, Center for Local History
Collection number
RG 4
Title
Records of the Arlington County Volunteer Fire Department, 1919-2001
Extent
15 boxes .
Creator
Arlington County Volunteer Fire Department
Language
English

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Records of the Arlington County Volunteer Fire Department, Collection # RG 4, Arlington Public Library, Center for Local History

Acquisition Information

Largely a gift of Harold LeRoy and Vincent Del Giudice

Historical Information

Arlington County has seven volunteer fire departments that help the official county fire department respond to fire and medical emergencies, assist in public education demonstrations, and participate in fundraising activities, administrative duties, and equipment maintenance, among other duties. These volunteer companies began around the start of the 20th century in response to the growing need for organization during a fire emergency. These volunteer companies were eventually supplanted by career firefighters who worked for the County Fire Department, and the volunteers became supplemental staff. The volunteers assist during a large emergency or staff additional units during peak call periods. Each volunteer company has its own staff and board; they also own fire and EMT equipment and vehicles. Many of these companies built station houses at the time of their incorporation; Station 3 (Cherrydale) is on the national and state registers of historic landmarks.

In the 1920s, the individual volunteer fire companies decided to form an association for mutual education and benefit: the Arlington County Fireman's Association. Besides organizing training sessions for the county's volunteer firefighters, it also sponsors many social events such as an annual dance in the spring and a summer/early fall barbeque.

As of 2005, these are the Arlington County volunteer fire departments:
Station 1: Arlington
Station 2: Ballston
Station 3: Cherrydale
Station 4: Clarendon
Station 5: Jefferson District (Aurora Hills)
Station 6: Falls Church, serving both Arlington and Fairfax Counties and Falls Church City
Station 7: Fairlington

Scope and Content

This collection contains materials from both Volunteer Department #5 (Jefferson District) and the Arlington County Fireman's Association (ACFA). The donor has been heavily involved with the ACFA and Department #5, and these papers reflect his involvement. However, as new materials from other departments arrive, they will be added to this collection. The entire collection currently measures 6.26 linear feet.

The Department #5 materials cover the years 1926 to 1996, but the bulk date from the 1950s to the 1970s. There are chronological files that contained meeting minutes, receipts, vouchers for purchases and other administrative documents. Loose material includes membership materials, correspondence, notes, and financial records that were not included in the chronological files. There are many vouchers and accompanying receipts for money spent by volunteers on things like food and equipment. The activity logs hold sheets filled out every time the volunteers went on a call. They are split into fire calls and first aid calls. These sheets contain information such as address and names involved in the emergency, extent of damage, medical actions taken, staff on the call, and notes. There are also duty logs for the department, where staff signed in and out and made notations on activities done around the station house.

The ACFA materials focus on Harold LeRoy's activities organizing the association's social gatherings. This subgroup covers 1960 to 2001, and the bulk of the material is from the 1990s. There are administrative records such as meeting minutes, by-laws and correspondence, but the bulk of the material are receipts and contracts created while putting together training sessions for Volunteer Fire Department members and a variety of social events.

There are a small amount of photographs in each subgroup, showing actual emergencies, new vehicles and equipment, training sessions, and the ACFA baseball team in action. There is also a small amount of material from other departments filed at the end of the collection.

Arrangement

This collection has three subgroups, each split into several series. Subgroup 1 has the records for Department #5. Series 1 contains the chronological files for the department. They are labeled and arranged in the manner originally formed by Department #5. In Series 1 , portions of folder titles in brackets ([]) have been added by the archivist for clarification. The subsequent eight series, for a total of nine, are arranged by the archivist according to type of material: Constitution and By-Laws, Membership, Financial Records, Correspondence, Events, Activity and Log Books, Trial Board, and Miscellaneous. Photographs have been filed in Series 9, Miscellaneous . Any folders or envelopes labeled by a member of Department #5 in all series except Series 1 are put into quotes (''"); otherwise, the archivist created the folder titles for these series.

Subgroup 2 holds the records for the Arlington County Fireman's Association, and is split into four series. This subgroup was arranged by the archivist according to the subject and type of the material. The four series are Administrative Files, Training, Events, and Photographs. Series 3, Events , is split into three subseries, Spring Dinner Dance, Summer Barbeque, and Other Events. The material for Series 2, Training , and Series 3, Events , was originally filed in envelopes with the event name and date written on them. In these cases, the title of the folder reflects the title written on the envelope, and is put into quotes ("").

Subgroup 3 has some materials relating to other companies and has been sorted by company. As additional materials are donated, this Subgroup will expand.

There are some oversized materials in this collection, which have been moved to appropriate housing. Separation sheets have been added to mark their original placement. An asterisk (*) at the end of the folder title denotes oversize materials found in this location.

Related Material

Researchers can find related information in RG 82, The Personal Papers of Herb and Mayme Smith . Herb was involved with the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department #3, and the majority of the collection reflects his work with them. Researchers should also see RG 32, County Manger's Library, Subgroup 2, Fire Department , for more information on the County's official Fire Department.

Subjects:

  • Arlington (Va.)
  • Arlington County (Va.)
  • Fire departments.
  • Volunteer fire departments
  • Volunteer fire fighters

Significant Places Associated With the Collection

  • Arlington (Va.)
  • Arlington County (Va.)

Contents List

Subgroup 1: Records of Jefferson District Volunteer Fire Department #5
  • Series 1: Chronological files
    • Box 1
      File 1: [Meeting Minutes, 1933-1935]
    • Box 1
      File 2: Minutes of Meetings, 1945, [1943-1945]
    • Box 1
      File 3: Minutes of Meetings, 1946
    • Box 1
      File 4: Minutes of Meetings, 1947
    • Box 1
      File 5: [Disbursement Vouchers,
      1946-1947]
    • Box 1
      File 6: Minutes, 1948
    • Box 1
      File 7: Minutes of Meetings, 1949
    • Box 1
      File 8: Minutes of Meetings, 1950
    • Box 1
      File 9: Minutes of Meetings, 1951
    • Box 1
      File 10: Minutes of Meetings, 1952
    • Box 1
      File 11: Minutes of Meetings [Vouchers], 1952
    • Box 1
      File 12: Minutes of Meetings, 1953 [1]
    • Box 2
      File 13: Minutes of Meetings,
      1953 [2]
    • Box 2
      File 14: Vouchers [Accounts Disbursement, January-June], 1953
    • Box 2
      File 15: Vouchers [Accounts Disbursement, July-December], 1953
    • Box 2
      File 16: Vouchers [Accounts Received], 1953
    • Box 2
      File 17: [Meeting Attendance Sheets], 1954
    • Box 2
      File 18: Minutes of Meetings, 1954
    • Box 2
      File 19: Vouchers [Accounts Disbursement, January-June], 1954
    • Box 2
      File 20: Vouchers [Accounts Disbursement, July-December], 1954
    • Box 2
      File 21: Vouchers [Accounts Received], 1954
    • Box 2
      File 22: 1955
    • Box 2
      File 23: [Canceled Checks], 1955
    • Box 2
      File 24: [Vouchers, January-June], 1954
    • Box 3
      File 25: [Vouchers, July-December], 1955
    • Box 3
      File 26: Board of Directors Minutes, 1955
    • Box 3
      File 27: Company Meeting Minutes, 1956
    • Box 3
      File 28: 1956
    • Box 3
      File 29: [Meeting Minutes], 1956
    • Box 3
      File 30: [Vouchers - Accounts Disbursement], 1956
    • Box 3
      File 31: [Vouchers - Accounts Received], 1956
    • Box 3
      File 32: 1957
    • Box 3
      File 33: [First Aid Squad Report, August], 1957
    • Box 2
      File 34: [Vouchers - Accounts Disbursement, January-June], 1957
    • Box 3
      File 35: [Vouchers - Accounts Disbursement, July-December], 1957
    • Box 3
      File 36: Vouchers [Accounts Received], 1957
    • Box 3
      File 37: Minutes and Vouchers, 1958
    • Box 3
      File 38: Minutes and Vouchers [Accounts Disbursement, January-June], 1958
    • Box 3
      File 39: Minutes and Vouchers [Accounts Disbursement, July-December], 1958
    • Box 3
      File 40: Minuts and Vouchers [Accounts Received], 1958
    • Box 4
      File 41: Vouchers and Minutes, 1959
    • Box 4
      File 42: Vouchers [Accounts Disbursement] and Minutes, [January-June], 1959
    • Box 4
      File 43: Vouchers [Accounts Disbursement] and Minutes, July-December], 1959
    • Box 4
      File 44: Vouchers [Accounts Received], 1959
    • Box 4
      File 45: Minutes and Vouchers, 1960
    • Box 4
      File 46: Minutes and Vouchers [Accounts Disbursement, January-May], 1960
    • Box 4
      File 47: Minutes and Vouchers [Accounts Disbursement, June-December], 1960
    • Box 4
      File 48: Minutes and Vouchers [Accounts Received], 1960
    • Box 4
      File 49: Vouchers and Minutes, 1961
    • Box 4
      File 50: Vouchers [Accounts Disbursement] and Minutes, January-April], 1961
    • Box 4
      File 51: Vouchers [Accounts Disbursement] and Minutes, May-August], 1961
    • Box 5
      File 52: Vouchers [Accounts Disbursement] and Minutes, September-December], 1961
    • Box 5
      File 53: Vouchers [Accounts Received], 1961
    • Box 5
      File 54: 1962
    • Box 5
      File 55: [Vouchers, Accounts Disbursement, , January-April], 1962
    • Box 5
      File 56: [Vouchers, Accounts Disbursement, May-August], 1962
    • Box 5
      File 57: [Vouchers, Accounts Disbursement, September-December], 1962
    • Box 5
      File 58: [Vouchers, Accounts Received], 1962
    • Box 5
      File 59: Minutes and Miscellaneous Papers, 1963
    • Box 5
      File 60: Minutes and Miscellaneous Papers [Accounts Disbursement], 1963
    • Box 5
      File 61: Minutes and Miscellaneous Papers [Accounts Received], 1963
    • Box 5
      File 62: Minutes and Records, 1964
    • Box 5
      File 63: Minutes and Records, [Meeting Minutes], 1964
    • Box 6
      File 64: Minutes and Records [Accounts Disbursement, January-June], 1964
    • Box 6
      File 65: Minutes and Records [Accounts Disbursement, July-December], 1964
    • Box 6
      File 66: Minutes and Records [Accounts Received], 1964
    • Box 6
      File 67: 1965
    • Box 6
      File 68: [Vouchers, Accounts Disbursement, January-June], 1965
    • Box 6
      File 69: Vouchers, Accounts Disbursement, July-December], 1965
    • Box 6
      File 70: [Vouchers, Accounts Received], 1965
    • Box 6
      File 71: 1966
    • Box 6
      File 72: [Vouchers, Accounts Disbursement], 1966
    • Box 6
      File 73: [Vouchers, Accounts Received], 1966
    • Box 6
      File 74: 1967
    • Box 6
      File 75: [Vouchers], 1967
    • Box 7
      File 76: [Bank Statements/Canceled Checks], 1967
    • Box 7
      File 77: 1968
    • Box 7
      File 78: [Meeting Minutes], 1968
    • Box 7
      File 79: 1970*
    • Box 7
      File 80: [Bank Statements/Canceled Checks], 1970
    • Box 7
      File 81: [Vouchers, Accounts Disbursement, January-June], 1970
    • Box 7
      File 82: [Vouchers, Accounts Disbursements, July-December], 1970
    • Box 7
      File 83: [Vouchers, Accounts Received], 1971
    • Box 7
      File 84: 1971
    • Box 7
      File 85: [Bank Statements/Canceled Checks], 1971
    • Box 7
      File 86: [Vouchers, Accounts Disbursement, January-June], 1971
    • Box 8
      File 87: [Vouchers, Accounts Disbursement, July-December], 1971
    • Box 8
      File 88: [Vouchers, Accounts Received], 1971
    • Box 8
      File 89: 1972
    • Box 8
      File 90: [Vouchers, Accounts Disbursement], 1972
    • Box 8
      File 91: [Vouchers, Accounts Received], 1972
    • Box 8
      File 92: 1975
    • Box 8
      File 93: [Vouchers, Accounts Disbursement], 1975
    • Box 8
      File 94: [Vouchers, Accounts Received], 1975
    • Box 8
      File 95: 1977
    • Box 8
      File 96: 1978
    • Box 8
      File 97: [Bank Statements], 1978
    • Box 8
      File 98: [Canceled Checks], 1978
    • Box 8
      File 99: [Vouchers], 1978
    • Box 8
      File 100: 1979
    • Box 8
      File 101: Minutes, etc., 1983
    • Box 9
      File 102: Minutes, etc., [Meeting Minutes], 1983
    • Box 9
      File 103: Minutes, etc., [Vouchers], 1983
    • Box 9
      File 104: [1984]
    • Box 9
      File 105: [Meeting Minutes, 1984]
    • Box 9
      File 106: [Vouchers, 1984]
    • Box 9
      File 107: 1985
    • Box 9
      File 108: [Meeting Minutes], 1985
    • Box 9
      File 109: [Vouchers], 1985
    • Box 9
      File 110: Minutes, etc., 1983
    • Box 9
      File 111: [Meeting Minutes], Records, 1987
    • Box 9
      File 112: [Vouchers], Records, 1987
  • Series 2: Constitution and By-Laws
    • Box 9
      File 1: Certificate of Incorporation, 1919
    • Box 9
      File 2: Constitution and By-Laws, 1950, 1951, 1976
    • Box 10
      File 3: Constitution and By-Laws with LeRoy Annotations 1946, 1976, 1981, 1985, 1986, 1988
  • Series 3: Membership
    • Box 10
      File 1: Membership, 1952
    • Box 10
      File 2: Co. 5 Honor Roll
  • Series 4: Financial Records
    • Box 10
      File 1: Bank Statements/Canceled Checks, 1968
    • Box 10
      File 2: Bond Certificates, 1928[1]
    • Box 10
      File 3: Bond Certificates, 1928[2]
    • Box 10
      File 4: Bond Sale Receipts, 1928
    • Box 10
      File 5: Receipts, "Asst. Receipts Co. 5", 1991-1992
    • Box 10
      File 6: Receipts, "Co. 5 Blank Checks and Receipts", 1993-1994
    • Box 10
      File 7: Receipts, "EMT Cours", 1993
    • Box 10
      File 8: Vouchers, 1946-1947
    • Box 10
      File 9: Vouchers, 1948
    • Box 10
      File 10: Vouchers, 1949
    • Box 10
      File 11: Vouchers, 1950
    • Box 11
      File 12: Vouchers, 1951
    • Box 11
      File 13: Vouchers, 1967[1]
    • Box 11
      File 14: Vouchers, 1967[2]
    • Box 11
      File 15: Vouchers, 1968[1]
    • Box 11
      File 16: Vouchers, 1968[2]
    • Box 11
      File 17: Vouchers, 1977
    • Box 11
      File 18: Vouchers, 1979
    • Box 11
      File 19: Miscellaneous, 1956, 1968
    • Box 11
      File 20: Account Books, 1928-1931, 1947-1960
  • Series 5: Correspondence
    • Box 11
      File 1: Correspondence, 1927-1930
    • Box 11
      File 2: Correspondence (Typed Copies), 1927-1930
    • Box 12
      File 3: Correspondence, 1945-1948, 1950-1952, 1972, 1977, 1992
    • Box 12
      File 4: Correspondence, Miscellaneous, 1946, 1949
  • Series 6: Events
    • Box 12
      File 1: 70th Anniversary Dinner, 1996
    • Box 12
      File 2: "Annual Dinner", 1986
    • Box 12
      File 3: "Annual Dinner", 1991
    • Box 12
      File 4: "Annual Dinner", 1992
    • Box 12
      File 5: "Annual Dinner", 1994
    • Box 12
      File 6: "Association Meeting", 1992
    • Box 12
      File 7: "Association Meeting", 1994
    • Box 12
      File 8: "Association Meeting", 1996
    • Box 12
      File 9: "Dinner Dance", 1982
    • Box 12
      File 10: "Dinner Dance", 1983
    • Box 12
      File 11: "Dinner Dance", 1984
    • Box 12
      File 12: "F.F.I. Expenses", 1992
    • Box 12
      File 13: Calendar, 1985
  • Series 7: Activity and Log Books
    • Box 12
      File 1: Log Books, 1931-1969
    • Box 12
      File 2: Activity Reports, January-June, 1951
    • Box 12
      File 3: Activity Reports, July-September, 1951
    • Box 12
      File 4: Activity Reports, October-December, 1951
    • Box 12
      File 5: Activity Reports, January-March, 1952
    • Box 12
      File 6: Activity Reports, April-May, 1952
    • Box 13
      File 7: Activity Reports, June-July, 1952
    • Box 13
      File 8: Activity Reports, August-October, 1952
    • Box 13
      File 9: Activity Reports, November-December, 1952
    • Box 13
      File 10: Activity Reports, November-December, 1957
    • Box 13
      File 11: Activity Reports, Miscellaneous, 1952, 1954, n.d.
  • Series 8: Trial Board
    • Box 13
      File 1: "Trial Board - James Douglas," August-September, 1994
    • Box 13
      File 2: "Trial Board - Pifilo," November 1994
  • Series 9: Miscellaneous
    • Box 13
      File 1: State Corporation Commission, 1950, 1979
    • Box 13
      File 2: "Certificate of Incorporation of Arlington-Fairfax Fireman's Association", 1928
    • Box 13
      File 3: Fire Calls, 1926, 1927
    • Box 13
      File 4: Virginia Law on Lights and Sirens, n.d.
    • Box 13
      File 5: "Smuzynski - Fire Department Sale of Old Building", 1976-1978, 1986
    • Box 13
      File 6: Photographs, 1960, n.d.
Subgroup 2: Arlington County Fireman's Association
  • Series 1: Administrative Files
    • Box 13
      File 1: By-Laws with LeRoy Annotations (1), 1981, 1989
    • Box 13
      File 2: By-Laws with LeRoy Annotations (2), 1960, 1981, n.d.
    • Box 13
      File 3: Correspondence, 1992
    • Box 13
      File 1: Meeting Minutes, 1926-27
    • Box 14
      File 5: Membership, "Binns Problem", 1992
    • Box 14
      File 6: Membership, "Patricia Copeland - Dropped)", 1992
    • Box 14
      File 7: Miscellaneous, 1990, 1998, n.d.
    • Box 14
      File 8: "Steward's Fund", 1994-1997
    • Box 14
      File 9: Supplies, 1982, 1998
  • Series 2: Training
    • Box 14
      File 1: "B. L. S. Training Course", 1995
    • Box 14
      File 2: "E. M. T. Course", 1996
    • Box 14
      File 3: "F. F. I Course", 1994
    • Box 14
      File 4: "F. F. I Course", 1996
    • Box 14
      File 5: F. F. I/II Course", 1995
    • Box 14
      File 6: "Firefighter II Expenses", 1992
    • Box 14
      File 7: "Hazmat Course and F. F. I and II Certification", 1992
  • Series 3: Events
    • Subseries 1: Spring Dinner Dance
      • Box 14
        File 1: "Dinner Dance - 50th", 1985
      • Box 14
        File 2: "Dinner Dance", 1987
      • Box 14
        File 3: "Dinner Dance", 1988
      • Box 14
        File 4: "Dinner Dance", 1989
      • Box 14
        File 5: "Dinner Dance", 1990
      • Box 14
        File 6: "Dinner Dance", 1991
      • Box 14
        File 7: "Dinner Dance", 1992
      • Box 14
        File 8: "Dinner Dance", 1993
      • Box 14
        File 9: "Dinner Dance", 1994
      • Box 14
        File 10: "Dinner Dance", 1995
      • Box 14
        File 11: "Dinner Dance", 1996
      • Box 14
        File 12: "Dinner Dance", 1997
      • Box 15
        File 13: "Dinner Dance", 1998
      • Box 15
        File 14: "Dinner Dance", 1999
      • Box 15
        File 15: "65th Anniversary Year Commemoration" Dinner Dance, 2000
      • Box 15
        File 16: "Dinner Dance", 2001
    • Subseries 2: Summer Barbeque
      • Box 15
        File 1: "Swim Party - Barbecue", 1991
      • Box 15
        File 2: "Barbecue Swim Party", 1992
      • Box 15
        File 3: "Barbecue Swim Party", 1993
      • Box 15
        File 4: "BBQ Swim Party", 1994
      • Box 15
        File 5: "Barbecue Party", 1995
      • Box 15
        File 6: "Barbecue", 1996
      • Box 15
        File 7: "Assoc. Swim Party BBQ", 1998
      • Box 15
        File 8: "BBQ", 1999
      • Box 15
        File 9: "Barbecue", 2000
    • Subseries 3: Other Events
      • Box 15
        File 1: "Las Vegas Night and Barbeque", 1988
      • Box 15
        File 2: Dinner Social, 1990
      • Box 15
        File 3: "Assoc. Annual Meeting and Dinner", 1992
      • Box 15
        File 4: "Training Academy Dedication", 1992
      • Box 15
        File 5: Chief Dove's Dinner, 1993
      • Box 15
        File 6: "Hawkins Good-by Reception", 1993
      • Box 15
        File 7: "President's Fund Receipts", 1995-1999
  • Series 4: Photographs
    • Box 15
      File 1: 1951, 1953, 1954, n.d.
    • Box 15
      File 2: 1959-1963, n.d.
Subgroup 3: Other Companies
  • Box 15
    File 1: Station 1 - Arington, 1998
  • Box 15
    File 2: Station 2 - Ballston, 1991, 1992
  • Box 15
    File 3: Station 4 - Clarendon, 1984
  • Box 15
    File 4: Station 7 - Fairington, 1992