HEADS UP!
A Train-the-Trainer Course is taking place June 13-14 in Blacksburg, Virginia.
The TIMS Training Program was developed by responders for responders to promote consistent training of all responders to achieve three objectives:
🚨 Responder safety
🔥 Safe, Quick clearance
🚒 Prompt, reliable, interoperable Communications
Date: June 13-14
To register, email Frank Cheatham at [email protected]
Class limit is 24. Please provide a copy of a class certificate that is no more than 24 months old.
Registration closes June 1.
HAPPENING TODAY! Another VDFP NERIS Support Webinar to help support your department's transition.
⌚ 12 PM ET
💻 Host: Sarah Kenny
📝 Presenters: Baylie Scott, Chief Broscious, Chief Stephens
Want to join? Click the link in our bio!
Congratulations to students of the Hillsville Firefighter 1 class who successfully completed their Firefighter 1 Final Burn on Saturday, May 9 at the Galax Fire Training Center!
21 students representing Carroll County, Grayson County, Patrick County, and the city of Galax, demonstrated dedication, teamwork, and commitment to serving their communities.
A special thank you to lead instructor Mike Ayers and the outstanding instructional team: Chad Stanley, Dale Edmonds, Roger Watson, Jaci Thomas, Brandon Ayers, and Nathan Largen for helping guide the next generation of firefighters.
Thank you to Jeffrey Kimble for serving as Safety Officer and documenting the day’s accomplishments.
Good work, Hillsville! 🔥👏
Rescue Challenge was held May 4-7 in the Shenandoah Valley. Hosting localities included: the city of Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Augusta County, the city of Waynesboro and the city of Staunton.
There were over 200 participants making up 12 teams from departments from all over the Commonwealth of Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey.
The teams participated in two separate rescue scenarios each day during the four-day event. The scenarios are built to challenge teams and participants with skill, critical thinking, logistical management, and team building. This year's scenarios included: Cave Rescue, Machinery Rescue, Rope Rescue, Large Animal Rescue, Heavy Vehicle Rescue, Ski Lift Evacuations and Rescue, Wide Area Search and Rescue, Trench Rescue, Structural Collapse, Tower Rescue, and the annual favorite O Course, featuring the JACK!
This event could not run without the dedicated Shenandoah Valley planning team, vendors, and hosting sites. Great work everyone! 🔥
HAPPENING TODAY! VDFP NERIS SUPPORT WEBINAR
⏰ 10 AM ET
💻 Host: Sarah Kenny 📝 Presenters: Director Creasy, Baylie Scott, Chief Broscious, Chief Stephens
Click the link in our bio to join us!
VDFP is saddened to announce that former Division 1 Chief John Fugman passed away Saturday morning as a result of his ongoing battle with cancer.
Fugman spent nearly 23 years working for the agency, recently retiring to focus on his health. During his tenure, Chief Fugman played a role in course development, test development, reaccreditation support, and the development of specifications for vehicles, trailers, and fire equipment to support the agency's mission. He also served as the program manager for ARFF, Firefighter I & II, Course Coordinator, Water Rescue, EVOC, Hazardous Materials Program, Motorsports Program, Fire Attack Series, and Compliance Officer. Additionally, throughout his time with the agency, he routinely staffed the ESF-4 desk during EOC activations. Fugman also served as a member of the Central Virginia Incident Management Team.
The agency asks that you keep John’s wife Tina, friends, and colleagues in your prayers. Arrangements will be announced when available.
Congratulations to Adjunct Instructor Jeff Kimble on receiving a Special Service Award at this year’s Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis.
With more than 40 years of service in the fire and rescue community, Kimble has dedicated his career to training, leadership, and volunteer service through the Virginia Department of Fire Programs and Laurel Fork Volunteer Fire Department.
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
Time is winding down to apply for the VDFP Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Smoke Alarm Distribution Program.
Through this partnership, VDFP will provide smoke alarms to selected localities. Each alarm will have a QR code affixed, which will bring up a short, online installation form that needs to be completed.
�All alarms must be installed prior to Dec. 31, 2026.
Application Deadline: May 15, 2026
Awardees Announced: June 1, 2026
Apply at the link in our bio!
#VDFP is here to support with your department's transition to NERIS. We are hosting four webinars to answer all of your questions. Click the link in our bio for the links to join each webinar!
The second annual Virginia Trench Safety Summit was hosted by the Roanoke Fire-EMS April 21 in Roanoke.
#VDFP Special Operations Division collaborated with the Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) -- where 100+ students participated in trench rescue scenario (Roanoke Fire-EMS Technical Rescue Team), trench shielding and shoring demonstrations (National Trench Safety) and vacuum truck demonstration (Western Virginia Water Authority).
VDFP Executive Director Brad Creasy provided opening remarks. Attendees also heard from Eric Giguere (The Buried Truth Uncovered), Michael Chambers (Foundation of a Competent Person), and VDFP Adjunct Instructors David Gayhart and Brian Heinsman (Tabulated Data).
VDFP Special Operations Division also collaborated with Ross Vandenburg (National Trench Safety) to host a Trench Competent Person training on April 20, which had 75 participants from all over the commonwealth and several other states.
It's Tuesday -- so that means a new podcast episode is out!
Sandra Parker and Chief Jamey Brads introduce Jonathan Kibler, the new Deputy Chief of Special Operations for #VDFP. We're chatting about Kibler’s fire service background, his approach to technical rescue and training, and the agency’s vision for supporting departments of all sizes across the Commonwealth.
Want to listen? Click here: https://bit.ly/4i2pqcS
Check out these pictures from #VDFP's Division 1 Spring Rescue Week from April 13-19.
The training was held at various locations within Division 1, including the Virginia Public Safety Training Center (PSTC) in Hanover, Novo Nordisk in Petersburg, and the James River in the city of Richmond.
Programs included: Machinery Rescue, Rope Technician, Confined Space Technician, Heavy Vehicle Technician, Trench Operations and Technician, and Paddle Craft.
Thank you to our collaborating partners who made Division 1 Rescue Week so successful!
Robinson's Towing and Recovery
Petersburg Fire Department
Henrico Fire Department
United Rentals
