Frequently Asked Questions
General
Where is the Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Company located?
Our fire station is located at 3500 Sweet Air Road in Phoenix, Maryland. It is a large tan building across from the entrance to the Manor Shopping Center just East of the “Four Corners” intersection. Parking is available on the side and to the rear of the station. For more specific directions, visit the Contact Us page.
How can I contact the Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Company?
We can be reached by phone, fax, mail, and e-mail. Detailed contact information is available on our Contact Us page.
How can I get involved with the Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Company?
We are always looking for emergency responders and administrative members. For information on joining us, please visit the Join Us page.
Fundraising, Reports, Billing, and Insurance
How can I donate to our local firefighters and EMTs?
Please visit our Donate page for more information about giving to support our non-profit organization.
How can I obtain a copy of a fire or EMS incident report?
To obtain an incident report, use the Baltimore County Fire Department Online Report Request System. For more information, or to file a written request, call the BCoFD Records Division at 410-887-2071.
Will I get billed for calling an ambulance or a medic unit?
You may. Baltimore County bills private insurers, Medicaid and Medicare for ambulance transport costs for both career and volunteer units. County residents will not be personally responsible for these costs and should not receive a bill. For more information visit the Baltimore County Ambulance Billing page.
How do I obtain fire station information for my insurance company?
Most insurance companies want to know the career or volunteer station nearest you. Visit the Baltimore County fire station map or use their My Neighborhood feature to find the one closest to you.
Sign Rental, Hall Rental, Birthdays, Fireworks
Can we rent your sign to display a message?
Yes, please visit our Sign Rental page for more information.
Can we rent your hall for an event such as a reception?
No, unfortunately we do not have a hall. Nearby stations that do include the Hereford Volunteer Fire Company and the Long Green Volunteer Fire Company.
Do you host birthday parties for children?
Sorry but we are no longer hosting birthday parties at our station.
When is the fireworks display in Jacksonville?
The fireworks display is organized by the Greater Jacksonville Optimist Club. The event is held on the Saturday before July Fourth of every year. The fireworks are at dusk.
Car Seats, Tours, CPR Classes, Community Service
Can someone at your fire company help me install my child’s car seat?
No, unfortunately we do not install car seats due to liability reasons. We often host the Baltimore County Police Department team of countywide child passenger safety technicians for monthly car seat check up events. These check up events give caregivers the opportunity to have their car seat or booster seat double-checked for correct usage and installation by a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technician. Check up events are free. They are held the third Wednesday of every month and locations vary throughout the county. Appointments are necessary. Visit the Baltimore County Car Seat page for details.
How do I schedule a tour or a fire/ injury prevention education program for my community group?
Please contact us if you would like us to schedule a tour or would like us to assist with a fire or injury prevention program. We regularly give tours and presentations to the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and other groups.
Can I receive CPR training through the fire department?
No, we do not. CPR classes (for a fee) are offered through the Baltimore County Fire-Rescue Academy located in Sparrows Point as well as numerous local private training providers.
I need to do community service for school or for a court order. Can I do it at your fire station?
Yes, there are occasionally opportunities for non-members to perform community service at our station. Unfortunately, tasks are often limited because, although there are individuals at the station nearly 24/7, it is a dangerous environment and we cannot allow non-members to remain at the station unsupervised if we need to respond to an emergency. If you would like to inquire about opportunities, please contact us for more information.
Emergency Operations
How many stations and trucks do you have?
The Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Company operates out of one station. The fire station houses nine pieces of equipment including two engines, an ambulance/medic unit, brush unit, special unit, two utility trucks, and two trailer-mounted ATVs. For more information on our apparatus, please visit the Current Equipment page.
Why did you send a fire engine or other truck when I called for an ambulance?
Our ambulance/medic unit is sometimes unavailable, out on a call, or returning from a hospital away from our first due response area. The fire dispatcher’s goal is to provide emergency help to 911 callers as quickly as possible. Sometimes dispatchers will send a first responder unit, which carries trained first responders, emergency medical technicians or paramedics, to a medical call if the unit is closer than the nearest medic unit or ambulance.
Why do your apparatus use their emergency lights and siren then turn them off?
Apparatus responding to calls are frequently cancelled or told to proceed to the scene in a non-emergency mode. We are sometimes even cancelled before the equipment leaves the station.
When an emergency vehicle is approaching, what should I do?
When safe, slow down, pull over to the right, and stop. Never slam on the brakes and stop in the middle of the road or make any sudden moves when you see apparatus approaching. Try not to stop on a blind curve or the crest of a hill. If an emergency vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction, you should pull over and stop. You have no idea if they are proceeding down the road, or are planning on turning into a driveway or intersection right in front of you.