Timberville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

P.O. Box 101, 217 S. Main St., Timberville, Virginia 22853

Our History

The Timberville Volunteer Hose Company No. 2 originated sometime around 1916, but the lack of manpower and equipment forced the Company to discontinue.

The hose company was a small operation. The main piece of equipment was a hand drawn hose reel that in later years could be hitched to a vehicle when needed. When there was a fire, a red flag was hung outside the window of the switchboard office. Later a red light was installed in the same spot by the town.

J.B. Minnich, who is a long time resident of the town, remembers the hose reel being used to battle a fire at the Timberville Brethren Church in 1928. The hose reel was stored in Will Hoover's butcher shop in those days.

Most of the men in town fought in World War II, which led to the disbanding of the Hose Company, bringing on the end of Timberville Hose Company No. 2.

In 1948 the men in town reorganized and formed the Timberville Volunteer Fire Department.

An army surplus truck was located in Baltimore and was fitted with a tank and with a donation of 500 feet of hose from the Rockingham County Board of Supervisors, the truck was placed in service.

In 1951, the Timberville Volunteer Fire Department purchased a Ford fire truck that was in service until 1967, and then it was sold. Firefighters and community members contributed to a campaign to buy the truck back in 1987, and it has been completely refurbished.

The current fire station on South Main street began as a two bay building. An additional engine room was added later followed by a kitchen and office spaces. In 1983 another engine bay, training room and storage rooms were added.

Today, there are about 35 active members in the Timberville Volunteer Fire Department. Timberville is one of three volunteer fire companies in Rockingham County without paid personnel.

The Timberville Volunteer Fire Department handles calls in both Rockingham and Shenandoah Counties. The Department has mutual aid agreements with Broadway, New Market, Harrisonburg and other county companies.

U.S. Army Surplus truck and 1951 Ford Pumper