The Occoquan Woodbridge Lorton (OWL) Volunteer Fire Department is one of the largest volunteer departments in the country. With over 200 members and three fire stations in operation, OWL runs approximately 14,000 calls a year. We serve over 80,000 people in our first-due area.
We are part of the combination career/volunteer fire and rescue service in Prince William County, Virginia which is located approximately 22 miles south of Washington, D.C.
OWL is among the eight volunteer departments that own and operate fire and rescue stations that serve Prince William County. Members staff apparatus from 6:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and 24 hours a day on weekends and holidays alongside paid staff from the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue. Volunteer and paid staff work together under the auspices of the Prince William County Fire and Rescue System.
OWL is headed by a President and Fire Chief who are responsible for the administrative and operational functions, respectively.
Our department has a vast apparatus fleet that includes:
- 6 Engines
- 110′ Aerial Ladder Truck
- 105′ Tower Ladder
- Heavy Rescue Squad
- Collapse Rescue Unit
- 3 Boats
- 4 Ambulance/Medic Units
- 2 Brush Trucks
- All-Terrain Ambulance (ATA)
- Mobile Air and Light Unit (MAU)
- Mobile Ventilation Unit (MVU)
- 2 Utility Trucks
- Stake Body Utility Truck
The apparatus is divided among the three stations and a maintenance facility.
Membership is open to residents age 18 years or older, who are willing to donate their time and energy to a progressive organization. For citizens aged 16 and 17 year and 11 month, OWL has a Junior Fire Department.
OWL has many different needs from active members who ride the emergency apparatus to administrative members who provide support to the operational side of the department.
Active members are assigned to one of six duty crew who may choose to run fire or EMS, but cross-training is always encouraged. During the week, our shifts start at 6 p.m. and end at 6 a.m. On weekends and holidays, the shifts start at 8 a.m. and run for twenty-four hours. Family members are always encouraged to visit when our members are on duty.