[3] The ACFD operates nine stations and is a signatory to an automatic regional response plan with neighboring Fairfax County as well as the city of Alexandria, and participates in a regional mutual aid pact with the District of Columbia and the Maryland counties of Montgomery and Prince George’s.

In addition to ACFD, other fire departments operate and provide emergency and support services to Arlington County.

Staff was hired, first to augment the volunteers, then finally to provide the full range of services required in a modern, urban, fire department.

The Arlington County Fire Department uses the volunteer apparatus for staffing during peak call volume times and for providing support services, such as special event stand-bys, storm and natural disaster staffing, and scene lighting, air replenishment and canteen services for long duration incidents.

[8] This classification denotes that the bomb squad has the following equipment available:[9] The Arlington County Fire Department was the lead agency in the response to the Pentagon attack.

[10] ACFD Assistant Chief James Schwartz implemented an incident command system (ICS) to coordinate response efforts among multiple agencies.