Formed in 1872
Incorporated in 1924
Warrenton’s Fire Companies
The Town of Warrenton, chartered in 1810, recorded its first effort to provide fire protection in 1852. That year, the Town purchased buckets, ladders, axes and other equipment. That same year, eight men were hired to patrol the town nightly from 10 p.m. until daylight, serving as an early fire watch. In those days, the ringing of the courthouse bell served as the Town’s fire alarm, summoning both firefighters and citizens to respond.
This system remained in place until 1872, when the Town appointed a committee to explore organizing a formal hook and ladder company. Around that time, the town purchased 7 fire extinguishers, which were distributed among responsible residents in different parts of town for quick response. At that time, the town limits were an area about the current size of old town today.
By 1891, the completion of a public water system and the purchase of several hundred feet of hose improved firefighting capabilities. Equipment was stored beneath the courthouse steps in Courthouse Square. In 1899, Warrenton added two “Little Giant” hand-operated fire engines, each a 50-gallon barrel on wheels with a two-handed pump.
Between 1852 and 1924, the Town appointed a number of men as Fire Chief. At one time, two groups operated simultaneously known as the “Old Men” and the “Young Men.”
The most destructive blaze of the era was the Great Warrenton Fire of 1909, which destroyed much of the west end of Main Street – to include homes and businesses on Lee, Ashby, Waterloo and Winchester streets. A firehouse built in the mid-1890’s in Courthouse Square was also destroyed. Citizens used dynamite to level buildings in the fire’s path to create a break and halt the spread of flames.
In 1921, Warrenton purchased its first motorized firefighting equipment: a 1916 Chevrolet truck fitted with a 50-gallon chemical tank & hose carriage. This marked the beginning of modern fire suppression in the town.
All firefighting efforts up to October 1924 remained under the direction of the Town of Warrenton.
As early as 1922, a group of members of the current Town’s fire department met to discuss reorganization. For years, a fire chief had existed in name, but there was no organized body.
By October 1924, the newly formed department was already responding to alarms, proving its worth before it was fully formalized. Then, on December 3, 1924, an organizational meeting was held to form the Warrenton Volunteer Fire Department. W.G. Bartenstein was elected Chief, B.H. Smith-Captain, A.S. Hamilton-Lieutenant, W.A. Ash-Lieutenant, Lester Burke-President, C. Irving Garrett-Secretary/Treasurer and C.C. Butler-Official Truck Driver.
A committee was soon appointed to draft the department’s constitution and bylaws. Drills were scheduled twice a week, held every Monday and Wednesday evening. Attendance was mandatory unless an excuse had been granted. Any member with an unexcused absence was fined 10 cents. To support the department financially, dues were established at 10 cents per month or $1 a year.
By this time, the firehouse was located at 81 Main St in a building owned by the town, which also contained the municipal offices. The fire department was given use of the left side of the lower floor, where the town’s 1916 Chevrolet firetruck was housed. The building also accommodated the town’s steam roller, used for street construction. In time, the town granted the fire department full use of the building, which included 2 apparatus bays capable of holding 3 pieces of equipment, a lounge, an upstairs meeting room with kitchen and a billiards room. A hose-drying tower was added, extending from the first floor through to the attic.
By this period, the method of notifying the fire department was a steam whistle placed on a boiler at the Warrenton Ice & Electric Plant on Franklin St. The plant’s owner, M.J. O’Connell, granted permission for his employees to sound the whistle when emergencies were phoned into the plant. A system of signals was adopted: A single blast of the whistle indicated a fire within the town’s limits, while 2 blasts signified a fire out of town. As technology changed, a siren was erected on top of the firehouse on Main St. Emergency calls were taken by a telephone operator who had the ability to activate the siren. In 1961, a central alarm system was established for the county fire and rescue companies. Emergency calls were received on a dedicated phone line at the Warrenton Police Dept, giving them the capability of activating sirens and dispatch county wide. This continued until the county established a dispatch center in the newly built Fauquier County Jail.
Fundraising was of utmost importance to the young Warrenton Volunteer Fire Department, as it provided the means to purchase much needed apparatus and equipment. The company’s first fundraising event raised $400-a significant sum for the time. The First carnival (held at the current Warrenton Horse Show grounds) was held in 1930 and was an annual fundraising event, lasting for 6 decades, which also included a parade. It was held every first weekend in June-second only in size to the Winchester’s Apple Blossom Firefighter’ s parade.
Other fundraising events included weekly Bingo, car shows, bluegrass shows, monthly breakfasts, & photo fund drives.
The Ladies Auxiliary, formed in 1929, assisted with department fundraising. Their first event was a showing at the newly opened Pitts (walk-in) Theater on Main St. Other events included the food booth at the carnival, spaghetti dinners with auction, and an annual fundraising mailer. They also provided the membership with an annual banquet, presenting them with a check resulting from their fundraising efforts. The auxiliary dissolved in the mid-1990’s.
A Junior membership was established in the 1950’s for teenagers between the ages of 14-17, creating the Junior Company. This tradition continues to this day. Since 1984, with only 2 exceptions, every member that served as Chief began as a junior member.
In the mid-1960’s, The Warrenton Volunteer Fire Department was incorporated and became the Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company.
Over the years, with an increasing fleet and larger sized apparatus, the company outgrew the facilities on Main St. In 1949 a large garage type structure was built on Lee St (current location Fauquier County Sheriff s Office) to house 3 apparatus. In 1976, a new fire station was constructed at 167 West Shirley Ave., to house all apparatus and operations in one building. WVFC, the property, was purchased by the company in 1955. The building was remodeled in 2011, to expand amenities for 24hr staffing.
The Warrenton Rescue Squad, which was formed in 1958, merged with the fire company in 2008.
