For more than 75 years the Gaithersburg - Washington Grove Volunteer Fire Department has served the communities of Gaithersburg, Washington Grove, Derwood and Montgomery Village. We are a "combined" department. Career firefighters, who are employees of the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service, make up the backbone of our firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians. Volunteers supplement this staffing, primarily on nights and weekends.

Many of our volunteers are are involved as operational firefighters and emergency medical technicians. Others provide administrative and auxiliary services. Many have served for more than 20 years.

The GWGVFD operates two stations. Station 8, on Montgomery Village Avenue across from Lakeforest Mall, is the busiest station in Montgomery County. In 2004 Station 8 answered 10,973 calls. Engine Companies 81 and 82 are quartered at Station 8, along with Tower 8, Medic 89, Ambulances 88, 87 and 86 and Brush 85.

Station 28, at the corner of Muncaster Mill and Shady Grove Roads, is home to Engine Company 281 and Ambulance 289. Station 28 is also a "satellite" hazardous materials unit. Station 28 responded to 3,512 calls in 2004.

The GWGVFD is run by a Board of Directors and operational officers who are elected by the membership.