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This video was originally shot on 8mm film during a 3 month
period from December 1952 through February 1953. Fairfax
County was largely rural but the rapid growth after the end of
World War II was continuing. There was no "Fairfax County Fire
Department" per se, but rather a loose affiliation of several
volunteer fire departments who operated under state charter and
informal agreements to "serve the public good."
The first "paid men" had been hired only 3 years before and
served primarily as drivers and custodians for the individual
volunteer fire departments that hired them.
During the video you'll see 17 different fire stations as
well as video of some long-forgotten "firemen's festivals" and
parades. For those familiar with the current Fairfax
County Fire and Rescue Department, notice that Occoquan (then
Company 7) and Falls Church (then Company 6) were a part of the
organization that served Fairfax County. Those departments
long ago dropped that affiliation and were never replaced in our
current numbering system. You'll also notice the station
at "Forestville". For those unfamiliar, "Forestville" was
the original name of the area now referred to as "Great Falls" -
Station 12.
These were the times, then , when this film was made - the
early 50's - when the pace was a little slower the and the fire
service was just beginning to enter the "modern" era.
So sit back, reminisce, chuckle, but most of all .... enjoy. |
