McLean Volunteer Fire Department Holds Coloring Contest For Kids

MCLEAN, VA — In lieu of a canceled open house and postponed centennial celebration, the McLean Volunteer Fire Department is holding a coloring contest.

Local elementary school students are encouraged to participate in the contest in October. Students can download the image of the fire station, color it in any way they'd like and mail it back to the fire station by the end of October. The return address is McLean VFD, PO Box 291, McLean VA 22101. All entries will be entered into a drawing for a visit to their neighborhood by McLean VFD’s antique Pirsch fire truck.

The contest coincides with Fire Prevention Month in October. This year also marks the 100-year anniversary of the volunteer fire department. While government records were limited during its early years, 1921 considered the year of incorporation.

Public events to celebrate the centennial will be delayed until 2022 for pandemic reasons, according to volunteer fire department leadership.

The volunteer fire department engages with the community in other ways throughout the year. The fire department supports events such as McLean Day, Winterfest, and other local parades, block parties, festivals and even birthday parities. One of its most popular events is escorting Santa atop the antique Pirsch fire truck during the holidays. The Santa rides have been conducted for over 30 years.

According to the volunteer fire department leadership, McLean VFD is made up of 100 percent volunteers. It provides fire, rescue and emergency services in partnership with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department as well as fire-life safety education to families, schools and organizations. Volunteers contributed over 14,500 hours alongside county career firefighters and paramedics in 2020 and responded to over 6,400 calls.

For more information, visit www.mcleanvfd.org.