The Alexandria Fire Department is seeking former employees ahead of the 50th anniversary of its Fire Alarm Headquarters, set to be celebrated in 2026.
The department began hiring its first civilian dispatchers in January 1976 to handle all fire and emergency medical calls within the city 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The change allowed firefighters previously assigned to Fire Alarm Headquarters to return to suppression duties or retire.
Alexandria later joined the regional 911 system, which went fully operational in December 1981 after the city unanimously agreed to participate.
“In 2026, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the modern FAH and the people who were and are the true ‘first responders,'” the department said in a Facebook post.
The Fire Alarm Headquarters later evolved into the Department of Emergency Communications, which now handles both fire and police communications.
The department wants to contact as many past employees as possible for the anniversary celebration. Former dispatchers and Fire Alarm Headquarters staff can contact Jeanne Rexroad at [email protected] with their name, address, email and years of service.
The milestone marks nearly five decades of civilian emergency dispatch services in Alexandria, recognizing the role of dispatchers as first responders who connect residents with emergency services.
