Virginia Department of Fire Programs

REMINDER! 🚨 Virginia’s 4 p.m. burning law is in effect until April 30. Note that some localities may have even more restrictive regulations on outdoor burning, so check with your locality before starting any outdoor burning. More info here: bit.ly/3FbZ7BR

Is your fire department interested in contributing apparatus or Honor Guard for the 2026 Virginia Fallen Firefighters & EMS Memorial Service? Contact the VDFP at  pio@vdfp.virginia.gov. The event is taking place June 6 at the Richmond Raceway Complex: bit.ly/3SdiDkp

Course Alert! 🔥 Response to Aviation Accidents for First Responders (RAAFR) is scheduled for April 11-12 in Franklin. Register here: bit.ly/4lyIK3p

#VDFP welcomes Sarah Kenny as Community Risk Reduction Coordinator. Kenny previously served as an intelligence analyst with the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis. VDFP thanks Ken Brown for his work under the previous administration.

Virginia State Weekend at the National Fire Academy has been canceled due to the continued federal funding lapse in DHS appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026. With the lapse, the NFA remains closed so we cannot hold State Weekend.

Registration is open for Department of Forestry's annual Interagency Wildland Fire Academy May 26-30 at Longwood University. Offered courses range from basic wildland firefighter training to advanced engine operation. Registration before 3/27: bit.ly/4sD3WHG

Chesterfield Fire and EMS will host a National Traffic Incident Management Responder train-the-trainer course June 10-11. Another train-the-trainer course will be held in Blacksburg June 13-14. You can find more information here: bit.ly/4rwn3ST

VDFP Special Operations opened up its 2026 schedule in the forecasted cold, wintry weather of February. Each hosting locality provided excellent support and students persevered despite the frigid temperatures.

Nine students from the Nottoway High School's Fire Science program participated in and passed their Firefighter I burn on Feb. 28. Congratulations to these students and good luck as you move on to Firefighter II!

The Virginia Fire Safety Summit is happening now in Chesterfield! It’s a day dedicated to collaboration, public education and community risk reduction. The event is sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association.

New Podcast Alert! 🚨 This week, host Chief Jamey Brads, facilitator Sandra Parker, and guest Spencer Willett dig into the latest legislative issues facing Virginia's fire service. Want to listen? Click here: bit.ly/4i2pqcS

A 4 p.m. burning law is in effect through April 30. This law bans open-air burning prior to 4 p.m. if the fire is within 300 feet of the woods or dry grass, which could carry fire to the woods. Read more information on the 4 p.m. burning law here: bit.ly/4rVaOQN

We are excited to welcome Jonathan Kibler to VDFP as the Deputy Chief of Special Operations. Chief Kibler forged through 23 years as Chief of the Elkton Volunteer Fire Company and 25 years of engineering expertise in the industrial facilities sector.

The 2026 Virginia Fallen Firefighters & EMS Memorial Service is taking place June 6, 2026 at the Richmond Raceway Complex. For those unable to attend in-person, the ceremony will be live streamed on the VDFP YouTube and social media pages.

Have you registered for the Confined Space Tech I Course happening at Division 1 Rescue Week? The 16-hour course will take place April 13-14 and April 15-16 at the Virginia Public Safety Training Center (PSTC) in Hanover. Register today: bit.ly/436Fgx6

Carroll County High School held a Firefighter 1 class Feb. 28 at the Pulaski Fire Department training facility. Students trained on ladder operations, search and rescue techniques, and interior searches in a limited visibility environment. Good work, CCHS!

The Rockingham County Fire & Rescue Department is holding its 2026 Regional School on April 10-12 & April 18-19. Registrations, pre-requisites and equipment requirements will be on Cornerstone On-Demand unless otherwise noted.

Here's an updated list of open classes at the Caroline Regional Fire School, which is taking place March 21-22 at Caroline Middle School. A $50 NON-REFUNDABLE fee is required to register. Register here: bit.ly/3ZtqC0A

Nominations for the 2026 Governor's Fire Service Awards are now open! The Governor’s Fire Service Awards were established in 2002 as a formal recognition of excellence in Virginia's Fire Service. The deadline to submit is December 1. Submit a nomination: bit.ly/3uSsJPE

A Fire Life Safety Educator I course is taking place March 6-8 at Pulaski Fire Department. Registration for the class will close on Monday, March 2. Register here: bit.ly/4u4T9HZ