Thank you for visiting the web page of the Caroline County Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 4314.  We are a proud union of 20 men and women who are dedicated to protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Caroline County, Virginia.  Our members provide a wide range of services, including but not limited to emergency medical services, fire, rescue and hazardous materials instruction, fire suppression, prevention and education to the community.  Our members are thoroughly trained Professional Fire Fighters, Emergency Medical Technicians and Medics. 

Caroline County is a beautiful county that is located 30 miles north of Richmond, Virginia.  According to recent population estimates the current population for the county is 25,563 (2005). The county's two incorporated towns of Bowling Green and Port Royal have populations of 766 and 204 respectively.  The County occupies 549 square miles, 77,000 acres of which belong to the Ft. A.P. Hill military reservation.  261,700 acres of this area are commercial forest land, 51,605 acres farm land.  Caroline County is one of the last largely untapped localities between Richmond, Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland along the I-95 and US Rt. 1 corridor.The members of our Local are a dedicated and hard working team with a broad range of experience from departments all over the Commonwealth and the United States.   Our goal is to provide a valued and quality service to the citizens and transient population of Carline County.  While still a relatively new Local within the International Association of Fire Fighters and the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters, our Local has been active in the State and Federal Legislative process in order to assure better working conditions, appropriate retirement and disability benefits for all Emergency Services Personnel and a safer environment for our citizens to live and work in.  Additionally, we have been involved in raising funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and are currently looking to become involved in the Central Virginia Burn Foundation later this year. 

Who is the IAFF:

The IAFF was formed in 1918 to unite fire fighters—for better wages, improved safety, and greater service for their communities. At a time when fire fighters worked seven days a week, had little benefits, and safety meant putting a wet towel over your face before running into flames, the IAFF became the voice of the fire fighter, the protector of the protector.

IAFF history is this legacy—of safety achievements, political accomplishments, and every success our locals achieve. The IAFF is always on the frontline and has been the leader in advancements that have improved the service and lives of our members. Collecting our history and sharing it, especially with new members, is important in continuing our legacy.

The International Association of Fire Fighters, now headquartered in Washington, DC, represents more than 287,000 fire fighters and emergency medical personnel, who protect 85 percent of the nation's population. The IAFF includes more than 3,000 locals in more than 3,500 communities in the United States and Canada. 

In addition to city and county fire fighters and emergency medical personnel, IAFF members include state employees, federal workers and fire and emergency medical personnel employed at certain industrial facilities. 

The IAFF is the driving force behind nearly every advance in the fire and emergency services in the 20th century—from the introduction of shift schedules early in the last century to the enactment of SAFER in 2003. With extremely active political and legislative programs, and with recognized experts in the fields of occupational health and safety, fire-based emergency medical services and hazardous materials training, the IAFF has established professional standards for the North American fire service. 

Today, the IAFF is the primary advocate for providing fire fighters and paramedics with the tools they need to perform their jobs. The IAFF provides a strong voice in the development and implementation of new training and equipment, and has worked hard to ensure the proper staffing of fire and EMS departments. The IAFF is a member driven organization—for fire fighters, by fire fighters.

Looking Forward

Located in a rapidly growing locality in a critical location, our department of 20 full time Firefighter/EMT’s  and Medics was comprised of 4 members just 5 years ago and is also experiencing rapid growth. Local 4314 is comprised of highly motivated members dedicated to the service of the citizens and property of the communities that we protect.  We are currently looking forward to a bright future for our local, our department and our community.

 

We hope that you enjoy your visit to our website.  Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or if you would like to help us raise funds for one of the charities that we support.

Ed Bonham, President
Caroline County Professional Fire Fighters

ebonham@iaff4314.org

PO Box 595
Bowling Green, Virginia 22427

804-994-1595