Department of Fire and Rescue

 

POTOMAC RIVER FIRE & RESCUE BOAT PROGRAM

The shores of Prince William County are located some 25 miles south of Washington D.C. and stretch over 15 miles along the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers. Once a heavily used commercial waterway, the Potomac has now been established as a very well used recreational waterway.

Prince William abuts the navigable waterways of the Occoquan River to the north, the Potomac River to the east, and Chopawamsic Creek to the south. In addition, four principle creeks - Marumsco, Neabsco, Powell’s, and Quantico -flow through eastern Prince William to the Potomac.

 

Resources

The Department of Fire & Rescue's Potomac River Boat Program is operated in conjunction with OWLVFD and is located primarily in Station 12. Each year vessels are dispatched approximately 20 times during career staffing hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The primary response uses are: search and rescue, boat and shore fires and to support dive operations.

 

Fireboat 512, FireStorm

Firestorm is a Class “C” fireboat that is powered by dual Cummings diesel engines (430hp each) and Hamilton Hydro jets. It is 36’ long and can run upwards towards 37 knots (42mph) on open water/ 10 knots (11mph) while operating the fire pump. The fire suppression system (2 rear discharges, 1 roof monitor) is supplied by a Darley PSM 1500 gpm pump. The vessel has a full compliment of equipment as required by NFPA 1925 and can be deployed with paramedics to have Advanced Life Support capabilities.

 

 

Fireboat 502, Phoenix

Phoenix is also a Class “C” fireboat and is powered by dual Yanmar Diesel engines (315hp each) and Hamilton Hydro jets. It is 27’ long and can run at 34 knots (39mph)on open water/ 8 knots (9mph) while operating the fire pump. The fire suppression system is a Hale 1000gpm pump and supplies three monitors.  The vessel has a full compliment of equipment as required by NFPA 1925 and can be deployed with paramedics to have Advanced Life Support capabilities.