Sandbridge is a small rural community located on a strip of land that lies between the Atlantic Ocean and an area called Back Bay in the southern part of Virginia Beach. Sandbridge is home to some of the most expensive real estate in the City. Fire Station 17 is the ONLY oceanfront firehouse in the City of Virginia Beach!
A two-bay firehouse was built in the early 1970s by the residents of Sandbridge who wanted to start a volunteer fire department to protect their community. These residents request was granted by the Virginia Beach Fire Department and in June of 1975 the station was officially opened.
In April 2002, a 13,500 square foot building with a three apparatus bay replaced the old station.
Today, the station is manned by four Virginia Beach Fire Department personnel - one Captain and three Firefighters. The Virginia Beach Police Department has a satellite office located within the station and has an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) to patrol the beachfront. The Virginia Beach Department of EMS uses building space for the Sandbridge Lifeguard Service during the summer months. The Sandbridge Fire Station also houses the Sandbridge Volunteer Rescue Squad who provides emergency medical service to the Sandbridge Community.
There is currently a 2002 American LaFrance Tele-Squrt, as the front line apparatus, a Ford Brush Truck, and a spare Tanker with a 2,000 gallon Boardman housed at the station.