Who we are

Organization History- The first Fire Department established in Belington, WV was the Enterprise Hose Company. In 1900, the Enterprise Hose Company purchased their first unit, a horse drawn hose cart equipped with a hose reel, one nozzle, one axe, and one wrench. If the fire was close and they were able to connect a hose to the water supply, they were in luck.

The first motorized unit was purchased in 1939 and was a 1939 Ford open cab manufactured by the Oren company, with a 150-gallon tank and a 250 gallon per minute pump. In 1939, the Enterprise Hose Company officially became the Belington Volunteer Fire Department.

In 1952, the engine purchased in 1939 was replaced with a new pumper equipped with a 500 GPM Pump and 500 gallons of water. When that unit was purchased all the members really cared about or wanted was a piece of equipment that had a cab.

In 1963, another Ford pumper was purchased, equipped with a 500 GPM pump and 500 gallons of water. During the purchase of this apparatus, members not only wanted something with a cab but also a heater. During the purchase of the 1963 pumper, due to financial reasons several members of the BVFD put their personal homes up as collateral to secure the loan to purchase the new pumper.

In 1970, the 1952 Ford was replaced with an International pumper equipped with a 750 GPM pump and 750 gallons of water.

In 1974, the first mini pumper manufactured by Pierce was purchased and remained in service until 1986. All the fire trucks purchased by the BVFD were red until 1974 when the mini pumper was purchased. This apparatus was chrome yellow and from that day forward, all new purchases were painted chrome yellow. In 2001 the mini pumper was replaced with a mid-size, 4x4 International rescue/pumper manufactured by Pierce, equipped with a 500 GPM pump and 500 gallons of water.

In 1981, the 1963 Ford was replaced with a "White" engine equipped with a 1000 GPM pump and 1000 gallons of water.

In 1987, an International pumper manufactured by Pierce was purchased to replace the 1970 International pumper. This engine remained in service until 2019.

In 1998, the first custom pumper in the history of the Belington Volunteer Fire Department was purchased from Pierce manufacturing, equipped with a 1500 GPM pump and 1000 gallons of water.

The first sets of personal protective gear were ¾ length boots, long rubber coats, and helmets. The department was only able to afford 10 sets and when there was a fire call, whoever got to the firehouse first were able to use the gear. Today, every member is equipped with their own personal set of turn out gear.

Today there are over 20 members in the BVFD, and we proudly remain a total 100% volunteer fire department.