BURTONSVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT INC

What BURTONSVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT INC does

The Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department Inc. (BVFD) is a non-profit volunteer fire, rescue, and EMS organization founded on May 12, 1947, operating from Fire Station 15 at 13900 Old Columbia Pike in Silver Spring (Burtonsville), Montgomery County, Maryland. It is part of the Montgomery County combination fire rescue system, with its 70+ active volunteers working alongside MCFRS career firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics. The department responds to more than 6,000 emergency calls per year serving 50,000+ residents across Burtonsville, Silver Spring, and adjacent communities, with mutual aid into Howard County and Prince George's County.

BVFD's service portfolio comprises fire suppression, technical rescue (vehicle extrication, water and ice rescue, confined-space operations), and Basic Life Support ambulance response, delivered through a fleet of six front-line apparatus: Engine 715B (2008 Pierce Arrow XT with 1250 GPM pump and CAFS), Truck 715 (2016 Pierce Arrow XT with 105-foot aerial), the 2020 E-One Cyclone II Heavy Rescue Squad (Genesis hydraulic tools, $1.4M total capitalization), Brush 715 (2006 Ford F-350 for off-road access), Chief 715 (2021 Chevrolet Tahoe command platform with Motorola Digital Vehicular Repeater System), and Ambulance 715 (2016 Freightliner), supplemented by county-owned Engine 715 and Medic 715. The station itself sits on a 4.5-acre parcel and includes 8 apparatus bays, dorm rooms, and training facilities built in 1995 with a 2011 addition.

The organization's revenue model is community-funded: over half of the operating budget derives from direct citizen donations collected via annual fund-drive mailers and online giving, with the balance from an annual carnival, community events, the Charles "Rick" Gentilcore Memorial Tuition Reimbursement Scholarship, and federal SAFER grant funding (which underwrites a full-time Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator). There are no commercial products, no pricing models, and no software platforms. Go-to-market is fundamentally community-led, anchored by the Live-In Program (free housing for college students and full-time workers in exchange for duty shifts), free Firefighter I/II/HazMat/EMT-Basic training through the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, and engagement channels including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, an annual Open House, and earned local press.

Name

BURTONSVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT INC

Legal name

Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

Website

https://bvfd.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department Inc. is a non-profit volunteer fire, rescue, and EMS organization serving 50,000+ residents across Montgomery County, Maryland, responding to over 6,000 emergency calls annually with 70+ volunteer members operating from Fire Station 15.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Services

NAICS

Fire Protection (92216), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire & Rescue Services (Fire Suppression, Rescue) (BPAIAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Safety Administration (Fire/EMS, Emergency Management) (BPAIACAL), Wildfire Suppression & Incident Response (AFAMAEAE)

Keywords

• Volunteer fire services
• Emergency medical response
• Fire suppression services
• Technical rescue services
• Public safety services

Headquarters

HQ city

ESPERANCE, New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Community Donations: Over half of the operating budget comes from direct donations from citizens. The department sends out annual fund drive mailers and accepts tax-deductible donations via PayPal or check.
2. Fundraising Events: The department conducts various fundraisers throughout the year including an annual carnival and community events to support operations.
3. Memorial Scholarships: The Charles 'Rick' Gentilcore Memorial Tuition Reimbursement Scholarship accepts memorial contributions to support BVFD members pursuing educational opportunities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department Inc. provides fire suppression, technical rescue, and basic life support (BLS) emergency medical services to over 50,000 residents across a 40+ square mile coverage area in eastern Montgomery County, Maryland. The all-volunteer organization responds to more than 6,000 calls per year using a comprehensive apparatus fleet, and supplements direct emergency response with a Live-In Program, volunteer recruitment, and firefighter/EMT training pipelines funded in part by the federal SAFER grant.

Product overview

The Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department operates as a combination fire rescue system providing fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services. The department staffs a fleet of six front-line apparatus vehicles: Engine 715B (2008 Pierce Arrow XT), Truck 715 (2016 Pierce Arrow XT 105ft aerial), 2020 Heavy Rescue Squad (E-One Cyclone II), Brush 715 (2006 Ford F-350), Chief 715 (2021 Chevrolet Tahoe), and Ambulance 715 (2016 Freightliner), plus three county-owned units (Engine 715, Medic 715, and an additional ambulance). Beyond emergency response, the department offers volunteer training programs for firefighters and EMTs, and a live-in program providing housing in exchange for duty shifts. The organization functions as a non-profit and does not offer software products or technology platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS)coreOthersBVFD operates as part of the Montgomery County combination fire rescue system, with volunteers working alongside career firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics. The department responds within the county's emergency services framework.
• Public Safety Training AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBVFD members complete EMT and Fire training through the Public Safety Training Academy. Members also trained at facilities in Rockville and College Park.
• Burtonsville Lions ClubminorOthersBurtonsville Lions Club has historically supported BVFD, including donating the first rescue boat in 1959. They continue to honor BVFD members at their annual community awards dinner.
• Heroes, Inc.minorOthersHeroes, Inc. held an event at The Fillmore in Silver Spring honoring fallen Montgomery County heroes including Master Firefighter Rick Gentilcore.
• Glen Echo Fire Department (Station 11)minorOthersGlen Echo Fire Department hosted a stop on the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride where fallen firefighter Rick Gentilcore was honored.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad: Volunteer rescue squad serving Wheaton and surrounding communities in Montgomery County, Maryland. Comparable to BVFD as a volunteer emergency response organization operating within the same county combination fire rescue system with similar volunteer-driven service model.
• Gaithersburg-Washington Grove Volunteer Fire Department: Volunteer fire department serving Gaithersburg and Washington Grove in Montgomery County, Maryland. Comparable to BVFD as a volunteer fire organization within the same county combination system with similar operational profile, volunteer model, and community funding structure.
• Glen Echo Fire Department: Sister volunteer fire department (Station 11) in Montgomery County, Maryland with overlapping mutual aid partnerships. Comparable to BVFD as a volunteer fire organization within the same county combination system providing similar fire and rescue services.
• Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Department: Volunteer fire department serving Takoma Park in Montgomery County, Maryland. Directly comparable to BVFD as a volunteer fire department within the same county combination system, providing fire suppression, rescue, and EMS services with a community-funded model.
• Rockville Volunteer Fire Department: Volunteer fire department serving Rockville in Montgomery County, Maryland. Comparable to BVFD as a volunteer fire organization within the same county combination fire rescue system, providing similar fire, rescue, and EMS services to a comparable suburban community.
• Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad: Volunteer rescue and EMS organization serving Bethesda and Chevy Chase in Montgomery County, Maryland. Directly comparable to BVFD as a volunteer emergency services provider operating within the same county combination system, with similar mission focus on rescue and EMS response.
• Laytonsville District Volunteer Fire Department: Volunteer fire department serving Laytonsville and surrounding district in Montgomery County, Maryland. Comparable to BVFD as a volunteer fire organization within the same county combination system with similar community-funded operational model and apparatus profile.
• Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department: Volunteer fire department serving Sandy Spring in Montgomery County, Maryland. Comparable to BVFD as a volunteer fire organization within the same county combination system providing fire, rescue, and EMS services to a similar suburban response area.

Broad incumbents

• Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service: The county-wide fire and rescue service that BVFD operates within. Career firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics work alongside BVFD volunteers in the combination fire rescue system, providing broader county-level oversight, dispatch, and coordination that BVFD operates within.

Others

• National Volunteer Fire Council: National association representing volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services across the United States. Industry association supporting volunteer emergency services organizations like BVFD with training, advocacy, and recruitment resources.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/BVFD15
• Facebookfacebook.com/BVFD15
• Instagraminstagram.com/burtonsvillevfd15
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/burtonsville-volunteer-fire-department-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BURTONSVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT INC