Onancock Volunteer Fire Department

Onancock Volunteer Fire Department History

The Onancock Volunteer Fire Department Inc. traces its history to 1884 when a fire destroyed the barn and carriage house at Kerr Place. That fire prompted talk among the townspeople about organizing a fire company, but it would take a devastating fire in 1887, which left the business district of the town in ashes, to make the fire department a reality. In April of 1887, the Town Council called for establishing a volunteer fire company. A resolution was passed directing the council to purchase five fire extinguishers for five hundred dollars, which would be paid for over four years. This is believed to be Virginia’s Eastern Shore’s earliest attempt to provide organized fire protection. In May of 1887, the volunteer fire company was established, and Mr. G.G. Joynes was named fire commissioner and asked to recruit volunteers. He would become the first fire chief of what would later become the Onancock Volunteer Fire Department Incorporated.

The Onancock Volunteer Fire Department Inc. operates from our 9 Pine Street, Onancock, Virginia station, providing Fire and Advanced Life Support ambulance service to the Town of Onancock and surrounding areas. Our apparatus fleet consists of two Horton ALS-equipped ambulances, Medics 91 and 92, and an EMS first response vehicle, Unit 99. The fire apparatus comprises Engine 95, Tanker 97, Ladder 9, and Brush 9. They also provide a utility vehicle for members to attend classes or provide ambulance duty staffing. The station is staffed by dedicated Volunteer professionals in cooperation with paid Fire Medics from the Accomack County Department of Public Safety to serve the citizens of our community. The OVFD is always looking for people who want to help with its mission. If you want a challenging but rewarding experience, please contact them about volunteer membership opportunities.