Santa Goes On Final Ride Of 2019 For Falls Church Fire Department

FALLS CHURCH, VA — The Santamobile made its final trip through Arlington Monday night before Santa Claus is scheduled to head to the North Pole to pick up toys and presents from his workshop. Prior to dashing north, Santa relaxed atop a fire truck, waving to children and adults as his little helpers collected donations for the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department (FCVFD).

Last week, the Santamobile made its rounds in Falls Church before coming to Arlington over the weekend and into Christmas week. Along with getting people involved with the FCVFD, the annual Santamobile travels through the community on a public education and safety mission. Santa's helpers, who walked alongside the Santamobile, handed out winter and holiday fire safety tips to residents.

The city of Falls Church fire station is staffed by Arlington career firefighters who are supplemented by the members of the FCVFD. The department's volunteers fall into two categories: operational and administrative volunteers. Both types of members volunteer to participate in fire and life safety events or to help maintain facilities, raise funds and perform other administrative functions for the department. The volunteer fire department works in cooperation with the city of Falls Church and the Arlington County Fire Department.

The Santamobile serves to educate the public about fire safety and brings awareness to the work of the volunteer fire department. The FCVFD's funding needs are extensive, including replacement of its medic unit every five years, which costs $250,000. Its fire gear costs $2,500 per person and must be replaced every 10 years. The department purchases about five sets each year to be on schedule. Annual maintenance of its defibrillators costs about $3,000 per year.

Along with donations from residents, the Santamobile's 2019 mission was sponsored by local businesses, including Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do - Falls Church, MoBu Kids and Winn Design+Build. The fire department, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, depends on contributions from individuals and local businesses and organizations to sustain its operations.