First Ward Volunteer Fire Company (West Virginia)

== History ==
The First Ward VFC was the fourth VFC organized in Wheeling, Virginia. They were organized by 102 men on April 22, 1843 operating from a rough shed on Main Street in North Wheeling. In 1844 the village council appropriated $125 to purchase a hose reel and other equipment. They had several nicknames starting with the 76 Hose Company, then the Independence Hose Company, and finally in 1869 the Vigilant Steam Fire Company Number 3 as part of the Wheeling Fire Department. In 1849 the council donated a parcel of land at 650 Main Street and allocated funds to construct a brick firehouse. This replaced the dilapidated wooden shed they had been using. In 1853 they put their first engine into service, a rowboat type hand pumper requiring 32 men to operate. In 1868 they received a steam engine and adopted their final name. The company was merged into the Wheeling Fire Department.
=== Companies ===
Company 	Address 	In Service 	Notes
First Ward Fire Company	Main Street 	April 22, 1843 - 1849	Demolished.
First Ward Fire Company	650 Main Street	1849 - 1869 	Transferred to Wheeling FD, demolished.
===Apparatus ===
* 1868 Steam engine
* 1853 Hand engine
* 1843 Hose reel
Category:Defunct fire departments of Ohio County, Virginia
Category:Defunct fire departments of Ohio County, West Virginia