Alexandria firefighters have begun working under a new schedule that reduces their weekly hours from 56 to 49, the culmination of a staffing overhaul that has dramatically improved retention at the fire department.
The shift to a four-shift, 49-hour work week marks a significant change for first responders who have worked under one of the longest schedules in public service for decades, according to a news release provided to ALXnow on Saturday from Alexandria Firefighters Inc. IAFF Local 2141.
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.
Here’s a rundown of our top stories.
Our top story this week is on the Thursday, Sept. 11, announcement that Systems Planning and Analysis (SPA) will expand its Alexandria headquarters and create 1,200 new jobs over the next five years as part of a $46.9 million investment across Northern Virginia. The defense contractor bought, and will renovate, a 239,000-square-foot office building at 2001 N. Beauregard Street. Attendees at the announcement included Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay.
Alexandria leaders commemorated the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on Thursday, Sept. 11, and reflected on the personal and societal impacts that followed.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins was joined by Sheriff Sean Casey, Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez, Jr., and Police Chief Tarrick McGuire onstage at Market Square in front of City Hall (301 King Street). Gaskins urged the audience to “remember the lives lost on 9/11 and to look forward with hope and a call to action for peace and a better world.”
A dog died in a high-rise apartment fire at 1202 S. Washington Street on Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 9).
The Alexandria Fire Department responded to the blaze at an apartment on the eighth floor just before 4 p.m. and found “dark smoke conditions,” as well as a smoldering mattress and a deceased dog in a cage by the bed, according to AFD dispatches.
The Alexandria Fire Department will soon open its doors to the public as part of its free eight-week fall fire academy.
The deadline is Sept. 20 (Saturday) to apply for the hands-on program, which runs from Oct. 6 to Nov. 10, and space is limited to 12 participants who are at least 18 years of age. The classes are held on Mondays from 6 to 9 p.m., and participants can expect to learn about fire safety, the history of the department, daily life within AFD, and more.
Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Sunday, Aug. 24, the 236th day of 2025. There are 129 days left in the year.
🌧️ Today’s weather: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 3 p.m., then a slight chance of thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 8 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
Alexandria Fire Department extinguished a car fire in the West End on Wednesday, Aug. 13.
The fire was reported at a car parked in the 200 block of S. Reynolds Street at around 5:30 a.m. The 911 caller reported that a black Honda Accord was on fire.
The Alexandria Fire Department was honored with a featured documentary at Fire-Rescue International 2025, the premier conference for fire and emergency service leaders currently underway in Orlando, Florida.
The department announced Tuesday on social media that WebsEdge IAFC TV produced a five-minute film titled “Stronger Together: The Alexandria Fire Department Story,” highlighting the department’s commitment to service and leadership. The documentary was showcased at the International Association of Fire Chiefs conference, which runs through Thursday at the Orange County Convention Center.
Alexandria firefighters responded to a serious motor vehicle accident on the Capital Beltway near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge early Sunday morning, rescuing a driver who became trapped underneath a tractor-trailer.
The accident occurred just before 6 a.m. on the Maryland side of the bridge, according to a Facebook post from Alexandria Firefighters, Inc. IAFF Local 2141. When crews arrived, they found one vehicle pinned under the rear of the tractor-trailer with the driver trapped inside.
We made it to Friday, Alexandria! Here’s a look at this week’s top stories.
Our most-read post is on a proposal to open a 24-hour Mexican restaurant in the city’s Del Ray neighborhood. The effort is facing some pushback from neighbors wary of potential crime and safety issues. In July, Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita officially announced in a special use permit application that it wants to open at 529 E. Howell Avenue, the former home to Bark Social. It would be the fourth restaurant for the local chain, and while the restaurant won’t serve alcohol, outside patio hours would be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, according to the application. The inside area is proposed to be open 24 hours a day.
