Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department: How to Help or Join

The Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department is an all-volunteer, nonprofit company that has protected Arbutus and its neighbors since 1938, and it turns 88 on November 21. Neighbors can help by donating to its annual fund drive, joining as a volunteer or simply stopping by one of its community events.

What does the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department do?

According to the Arbutus VFD website, the department protects about 50,000 people across a 40-square-mile area of southwest Baltimore County. It provides fire, rescue and emergency medical services, and in its 2026 fund drive letter it says it averages more than 5,000 calls a year.

How did the Arbutus fire department get started?

The department's history page tells a great hometown story. AVFD was incorporated on November 21, 1938 with 16 founding members. The Arbutus Community Association leased them land on Linden Avenue and donated its carnival dance floor, which the members cut up and used as lumber for the walls of the first firehouse. They started holding Country Store Bingo to pay off the debt, and bingo stayed a big part of fundraising for decades.

How can I donate to the Arbutus VFD?

The department's annual fund drive is its main direct request to the community each year. A few things it wants neighbors to know:

• Donations are tax deductible, and the department handles the campaign itself so 100 percent of your gift goes to AVFD.
• AVFD does not make telephone solicitations, so if someone calls asking for money in its name, that is not the department.
• Ask your employer about matching gifts, which can double what you give.
• Past support helped the department set money aside for a new Pierce fire engine and a new medic unit.

How do I become a volunteer firefighter or EMT in Arbutus?

AVFD welcomes new members. Its join page asks you to read the department's history and application information first, then complete the online application and the required forms. There are forms for adults and for applicants under 18. Questions go to volunteer@arbutusvfd.org, and the office number is 410-242-6601. For emergencies, always call 911.

What does a strong fire company mean for homeowners and buyers?

When you are buying a home, it is comforting to know a busy, well-trained fire and EMS company is close by. The Arbutus VFD is also part of what makes this a real hometown. In my 15 years in Arbutus, the firehouse was always a place where neighbors showed up for each other. The department also hosts community events, like its weekly Wednesday food truck nights from 4 to 8 p.m., so check the AVFD food truck page and its Facebook page for updates before you go. While you are at it, take a minute for a smoke alarm check, and learn more about Arbutus on the Neighborhoods page.

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