The Abingdon Fire Department is situated in southwest Virginia’s Washington County, part of the Appalachian Region. The Department was formed in 1808 and chartered in 1949. The all volunteer department of 40 active members is located several miles from any other fire department and operates in 60 sq miles of over 50% forested rolling to steep rural countryside of southern Washington County. Headquartered in a Southwest part of the county with 16000 people in our district, the department faces the challenges of structure fire control in a small commercial district, several assisted living facilities, school buildings, small apartment complexes, several small manufacturing facilities, along with several hundred rural residences and wildland interfaces.