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Join us at the Glen Echo Fire Department Open House!

Join us for the Glen Echo Fire Department Saturday October 3 2026 – 11:00am to 2:00pm! This is a fantastic opportunity to meet the dedicated firefighters and EMTs who serve our community.

Here’s what we have planned:

  • Life-Saving Demonstrations: Watch our team perform CPR and first aid demonstrations that could help you in critical moments.
  • Touch-a-Truck: Let the kids explore our fire truck and ambulance up close and even see inside!
  • Station Tour: Take a guided tour of our fire station and learn more about what we do.
  • Kids’ Games & Fire Safety: We’ll have fun games for the kids and teach them important fire safety tips.
  • Volunteer Information: Adults, learn about the vital role of volunteers and how you can get involved.
  • Food & Fun: Enjoy refreshments and a great time meeting your local heroes!

 

When: Saturday, October 3 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: Glen Echo Fire Department

 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Santa with Glen Echo Fire Department

 

Date: TBD
Location: Glen Echo/Bethesda neighborhoods. See below.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!
GEFD Holiday Runs Schedule 2025The Glen Echo Fire Department is honored to host Santa Claus during his annual visit to support our community-wide celebration of the Holiday Season! Please come out to join us as we escort Santa through our Glen Echo/Bethesda neighborhoods December 9th through December 14th. If makeup days are required due to inclement weather or because Santa’s helpers are called out to attend to an emergency, they will be scheduled on December 15th and 16th. The schedule is subject to change and updates will be published on this site.
Each evening, the celebration will start at about 6:00 PM and continue until 9:00 PM, or until Santa completes his schedule scheduled route. If Santa is unable to complete a neighborhood on the scheduled night (this sometimes happens due to weather conditions or emergencies requiring response from the Glen Echo Fire Department, he will make every effort to finish the schedule route on one of the makeup dates listed on his schedule posted above. Please monitor our social media (Facebook and Instagram) and this website for schedule updates.
Safety: Santa knows this is a wonderful and exciting time of the year and he wants everyone to be safe. Please watch out for your children and neighbors. Everyone should remain on the sidewalk or near the curb as Santa and his escort’s approach and pass.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
#1 When will Santa be in my neighborhood? We have posted Santa’s schedule on this website. Santa will typically arrive between 6:00 PM and he ends his visit around 9:00 PM to allow the little ones time to dream. You will know he is coming because his excited escorts from the Glen Echo Fire Department trumpet their horns and sirens as they arrive in your neighborhood.
#2 Changes to Schedule. Santa will make every effort to be there as scheduled, but sometimes bad weather or emergencies requiring help from the Glen Echo Fire Department Volunteer Firefighters and EMTs may cause delay. If this happens, Santa will make every effort to reschedule your neighborhood on one of the makeup days. Please check gefd.org or Facebook and Instagram frequently for updates.
#3 Can I make a donation to Santa’s Glen Echo Fire Department’s Escorts during his visit? Santa is always thrilled when his fans support the Glen Echo Fire Department which depends on community support to pay for the volunteer fire and EMS operations. Donations can be made at gefd.org.
#4 What happens if Santa misses our neighborhood’s scheduled night due to rain or an emergency call? Check the schedule on this site for makeup times and dates.
#5 Will Santa go down my street? Santa tries to cover the major streets in each neighborhood, but some side streets are too narrow or crowded to safely accommodate Santa and his escorts. Sometimes time constraints prevent Santa from visiting small side streets and cul de sacs. If you live on a side street (particularly one with a dead-end or cul de sac, we suggest you walk down to one of your neighborhood’s primary streets to see Santa.
#6 Will Santa stop in my neighborhood? For everyone’s good health, Santa is unable to stop to visit neighbors this year.
#7 Can I become a volunteer EMT, paramedic or firefighter at the Glen Echo Fire Department? Santa’s friends, the volunteers at the Glen Echo Fire Department, have been providing fire, rescue and emergency medical services to Glen Echo, Bethesda, and the surround communities for nearly__ and they are always looking for new volunteers. Training and equipment are provided in exchange for your commitment to help your community. Learn more on this website.
#8 We heard Santa coming but his escort’s sirens stopped and they did not make it to my side of the neighborhood. Will he be back? Depending on the number of streets, Santa sometimes divides neighborhoods into sections for purpose of scheduling visits. Also on some nights, Santa is delayed and has to leave before completing a neighborhood. When this happens, Santa and his helpers try to reschedule the following night or on one of the prescheduled makeup nights. Please check this website for updates.
#9 Should I bring my pet out to visit with Santa? Santa loves pets! However, the loud sounds, lights, and crowds can cause pets to become distressed. Please consider whether your pet will be safe and comfortable.
#10 Santa drove by my house four times last year, what’s up with that? Santa tries to cover as many streets as possible and that sometimes requires passing the same spot several times during the parade.

Just a reminder, Santa’s sleigh and his Glen Echo Fire Department entourage need to able to safely pass through your street. On the night Santa is scheduled to come through your neighborhood, please consider parking off the street if at all possible. If you must park on the street, it will help Santa if you pull as close to the curb as possible and retract side view mirrors.

Fire Department Bingo!

Date: TBD
Location: Walt Whitman High School, cafeteria, 7100 Whittier Blvd. Bethesda, MD

Glen Echo Fire Department celebrates the return of its annual family-friendly fundraising Bingo and Silent Auction TBD.

All ages are always welcome and there are prizes appropriate for all age groups. Parking is free and there is no admission charge, but there is a requested donation per bingo card. Additional contributions are welcomed.

Food trucks will be on hand to feed the family.

In addition to prizes, there are always great silent auction items to bid on, a 50:50 raffle, and the fun of winning! Money raised is used exclusively for the support of the Glen Echo Fire Department.

Doors open and silent auction begins at 5:00pm. Bingo starts about 5:30 and runs until all the prizes are gone (about 9pm).

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