The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department was formed in 1903 as an association of neighbors in the Town of Vienna to respond to fire emergencies as they arose. Leon Freeman, the town's mayor and VVFD's first fire chief, stated it was "the duty of every able bodied man to join the department". The following year, VVFD purchased of the first fire apparatus - a large wheeled extinguisher.
The extinguisher was used as an upgrade to the "bucket brigade" of neighbors using buckets and hoses, whatever they could find, to help neighbors put out a fire. The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department had its first apparatus! At that time, there was no fire station, so the extinguisher was kept under Leon Freeman's porch which still stands today as the Freeman House on Church Street.
While the specifics of the apparatus are unknown, VVFD still owns it! It has been renovated to be a show piece many times over the years and in the process lost the pedigree of the manufacturer and specifications. However, similar wheeled extinguishers, often called "chemical carts", carried about 40 gallons of soda acid, which was an effective extinguishing agent. It is unknown exactly how Vienna's extinguisher was used most often, however the cart could be pulled by hand or pulled by horse.
VVFD still proudly displays this apparatus in the fire house today, prominently yet unobtrusively, available for all to see as they enter the side doors to the bingo hall upstairs or the living quarters downstairs. It is a beautiful remembrance of the the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department's rich history.
Ornament Details and Specifications:
This beautiful ornament is made in the USA by Beacon Design, the same company behind the annual White House ornament.
Delivery Options
As with many manufactured items, we are experiencing delays. We are expecting full stock and there for shipping to be available the first week of December.
Retail Options
Prior year ornaments are not available at retail locations.
Prior Year Ornaments
Looking for prior year ornaments? We have a very limited supply still available. You can add them to your order and combine shipping! (Full Store)
The extinguisher was used as an upgrade to the "bucket brigade" of neighbors using buckets and hoses, whatever they could find, to help neighbors put out a fire. The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department had its first apparatus! At that time, there was no fire station, so the extinguisher was kept under Leon Freeman's porch which still stands today as the Freeman House on Church Street.
While the specifics of the apparatus are unknown, VVFD still owns it! It has been renovated to be a show piece many times over the years and in the process lost the pedigree of the manufacturer and specifications. However, similar wheeled extinguishers, often called "chemical carts", carried about 40 gallons of soda acid, which was an effective extinguishing agent. It is unknown exactly how Vienna's extinguisher was used most often, however the cart could be pulled by hand or pulled by horse.
VVFD still proudly displays this apparatus in the fire house today, prominently yet unobtrusively, available for all to see as they enter the side doors to the bingo hall upstairs or the living quarters downstairs. It is a beautiful remembrance of the the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department's rich history.
Ornament Details and Specifications:
This beautiful ornament is made in the USA by Beacon Design, the same company behind the annual White House ornament.
- Three dimensional ornament measuring 1.55" W x 2" D x 3.5" H
- Solid brass finished in 24k gold, etched design with enamel ink screen printing
- Black ribbon for hanging
- Packaged in a gold window box measuring 4.75" x 4.75" x 2.5", with the VVFD Logo printed in foil on box top
Delivery Options
As with many manufactured items, we are experiencing delays. We are expecting full stock and there for shipping to be available the first week of December.
- Santa Delivery - Looking for a special delivery by Santa this year? Back by very popular demand, you can have your order delivered by Santa on our 1946 Maxim fire engine! Add this product to your cart instead (delivery comes with one 2023 ornament).
- USPS shipping - Environmentally friendly padded mailer, $5 for up to 4 ornaments, $10 up to 6, $15 up to 10, $20 for 11+ ornaments. (2022 and 2021 ornaments each count as 2 due to the increased size of the box).
- Vienna local business pickup - Free pickup at a local Vienna Business!
Retail Options
Prior year ornaments are not available at retail locations.
Prior Year Ornaments
Looking for prior year ornaments? We have a very limited supply still available. You can add them to your order and combine shipping! (Full Store)
- 2020 - 1946 Maxim
- 2021 - 1946 Maxim 75th Anniversary - limited stock!
- 2022 - 1904 Extinguisher First Apparatus
- 2023 - Church Street Station
- 2024 - VVFD Logo
- 5 Year Bundle
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