KVFD, 10620 Connecticut Avenue

Prominently situated at the northwest corner of Connecticut Avenue and Plyers Mill Road is the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department. The Department had its origins in a bucket brigade started by town residents around 1894. Volunteers stored firefighting equipment in their homes and church bells sounded the alarm when fire emergencies arose. The fire department is still a volunteer organization, but it provides many more community-oriented services today, in addition to fighting fires.

Imagine this station in 1947, when it was built on the two-lane Connecticut Avenue. across a two-lane road. Its construction enabled the fire department to expand from a basement garage in the Armory to larger, modern quarters. Additions since then accommodate more volunteers and equipment. Note the two memorial gardens in front of the building. To the left of the main doors is the Member Memorial Garden with engraved bricks naming fireman who have served at this station. The garden to the right is a solemn memorial to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. This KVFD 9/11 Memorial includes a gnarled, sixteen-foot-tall steel beam from the original World Trade Center. It was acquired through the considerable efforts of local firefighters and the community. The beam memorializes their New York compatriots and others who lost their lives that day. This garden also includes a large limestone fragment from the Pentagon attack. It is a reminder of the victims at the Pentagon and those on Flight 93 in Pennsylvania, and all firefighters who risk their lives for us with every call to service.