Bowie Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad Inc.: What It Does and How to Get Involved
The Bowie Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad Inc. (BVFD) is a volunteer fire and rescue organization serving Bowie and the surrounding area in Prince George's County, Maryland. Its members respond to fires and medical emergencies at any time of day or night, in all types of weather. If you live in or near Bowie and want to serve, you can join as an operational volunteer (firefighter/EMT) or as a non-operational administrative volunteer. If you'd rather support the department financially, it runs two fundraising drives per year and does not solicit donations by phone.
What the Department Does
BVFD describes itself as a department "rich in tradition, camaraderie, and built on commitment." Its core function is emergency response:
- Fire response — members respond to fires at any hour and in any weather.
- Medical emergency response — the rescue squad component handles medical emergencies.
- Training — the department tracks and rewards training hours. In September 2026, BVFD's Training Committee Chair accepted the George Webster Training Award at the Prince George's County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association Convention. The award goes to the multi-station volunteer fire department that completed the most training hours through the Maryland Fire Rescue Institute over the previous year.
The department also maintains an active event calendar. One example listed on its site is a BVFD Executive Board Meeting on 09/24/2026.
How to Get Involved as a Volunteer
BVFD frames volunteering as a direct commitment to the community, with two broad paths.
Operational volunteers (Firefighter/EMT)
This is the hands-on emergency response role. The site notes that members are "called upon when our community needs help" and that volunteers gain "a strong sense of belonging" as part of a team. The department does not publish a step-by-step application process on the page evidence available, so the practical next step is to contact the department directly to ask about current openings, training requirements, and scheduling expectations.
Non-operational (administrative) volunteers
If becoming a Firefighter/EMT isn't for you, BVFD states it has an administrative branch that "will graciously utilize your skills and time." This is the path for people who want to support the department without running emergency calls. The department emphasizes that any dedicated volunteer, operational or not, has an immediate effect on both the department and the community.
How to Support BVFD Financially
BVFD is explicit about how it raises money — and how it does not.
| Fundraising method | Details |
|---|---|
| Door-to-door Photo Fund Drive | Held in the spring |
| Mail Fund Drive | Held in the fall |
| Phone solicitation | Never used — the department states it does not and never will solicit donations by telephone |
| Donation pickup from your door | Never used — the department states it never calls to ask you to tape a donation to your door for pickup |
If you receive a call asking for a donation on BVFD's behalf, that is not the department's practice. Questions about fundraisers can go to [email protected] or the office at 301-809-0122.
Contact and Next Steps
- Fundraising questions: [email protected] or 301-809-0122
- Volunteering: contact the department through its official website (bowiefire.org) to ask about current operational and administrative openings
- Events: check the department's event calendar for meetings and other activities
The clearest way to decide whether BVFD is right for you is to reach out directly — ask what training and time commitment the role you're considering actually requires, and confirm which volunteer path currently has openings.