Assistant Fire Chief Michael P. Neuhard has been appointed Acting Fire Chief. The new position became offical in May 2003. Neuhard, 46, is a 26 year veteran of the Department.He has served as Assistant Fire Chief since July 15, 2000 when he was promoted.
During the World War II era, the department was formed. Chief John Carper of the McLean Volunteer Fire department was hired by Fairfax County to serve as the first Chief.His main duty was to manage the War Materials Board,and see that the 11 Volunteer Departments would get tires, gasoline and other rationed items.
On July 1, 1949, after becoming a Department, the first career firefighters were hired at an annual salary of $2,500.00.
On January 10, 1968, tragedy struck Fairfax County Fire Department with their first LODD, Firefighter Earl Warren Kane.Firefighter Kane was a member of the Dive Team. He was performing an underwater search for a child which had fallen through the frozen Lake Anne, in the Reston area.He became seperated from his diving partner and his safety line. He experienced trouble with his air supply and due to the thick ice covering the water was unable to surface.
The Department continued to grow, by 1985 firefighters now numbered 1,000. Today, Fairfax Fire and Rescue has 1,200 uniformed firefighters, 200 civilians and 350 volunteers serving.
