Donations

The Onancock Volunteer Fire Department is an all-volunteer fire and EMS (emergency medical services) department and, a 501(c)3, non-profit organization. This means that any donations made to our department is tax deductible as a charitable contribution.

Costs have risen astronomically over the last several years and, it makes operating incredibly difficult. Onancock only receives approximately $175,000 annually from Accomack County tax dollars and, our operating budget well exceeds that amount, rising every year. 

A fire engine only 10 years ago was approximately $550,000 and in today, would cost nearly $1.2 million. Thats over a 100% increase. The same can be said for an ambulance. What was at one point less than $200,000, it is now between $360,000 to $400,000 to replace. These apparatuses are not only expensive, but they can also take over 3 years for delivery. 

The equipment we place in those trucks have seen the same increase in cost. Our fire department provides ALS (advanced life support) care with our ambulances and provide that service 24 hours a day / 365 days a year. We carry multiple pieces of equipment in those ambulances that save lives every day. One of which is a cardiac monitor that can not only shock someone’s heart back into beating, but can also take tracings of the heart, called a 12-Lead ECG, take blood pressures, measure the gas exchange from the lungs (Carbon Dioxide – CO2) and much more. These devices alone have risen from $35,000 to over $60,000 today. The stretchers and load systems we use on every call to safely transport a patient from their place of need into a hospital costs nearly $45,000 as well.

It is a very expensive business to save lives in our community. We do it for you at no cost however, we are always in need of financial support. We would greatly appreciate any donation that can be made to help maintain, restock and replace our equipment when needed. You can donate to us through our Stripe account through the link provided here.

Direct donations via check or money order to:

Onancock Vol. Fire Department, Inc.

PO Box 28

Onancock, VA 23417-0028

Thank you for supporting you Onancock Volunteer Fire Department.