in 1976, a large wildfire occurred within the Smithsonian Conservation & Research Center - an extension of the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Shortly after, a seventeen member fire brigade, consisting of the Center's employees, was established to provide fire protection to the facility. The fire brigade would perform initial fire suppression until the arrival of automatic aid companies from Front Royal and Warren County. Fire and emergency medical services has been provided by Chester Gap and Front Royal Volunteer Fire Companies after the fire brigade disbanded in the early 2000's.