Henrico County Fire Department

Henrico County Fire Department Firehouse 13

Volunteer fire brigades were the initial source of fire protection for Henrico County. These personnel were supplemented by the rapidly growing City of Richmond in the early 20th century. In 1930 the first formal, paid, fire station in Henrico County was opened. At the time, this station consisted of three paid firefighters and was complemented by twenty-five community volunteers. This station, Sanitary District #1, was located on Maple Avenue. Decades, later, in 1951, the county appointed its first paid Fire Chief. By the early 1960s the department had grown to offer service and coverage countywide. The 1970s saw the important transition from a predominantly volunteer force to a career department. In 1974 the department also transitioned away from red fire apparatus and selected lime yellow paint schemes. In 2018, Henrico Fire transitioned back to traditional red apparatus.[2]

Emergency Medical Services with Basic Life Support were added to the department's responsibilities beginning in 1988. This service grew in importance to Henrico County and today the department operates 16 ALS transport units, around the clock providing life-saving care. Further growth to Henrico County in the 1990s and 2000s necessitated the development of specialized response teams. Today the department operates a Water Rescue Team, Technical Rescue Team, Hazardous Incident Team and special events resources. These specialized teams are supported by three heavy rescue squads and accompanying apparatus.[3]

In 1998, Henrico Fire was one of the first departments in the world to achieve international accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). In 2014, the Division of Fire responded to 46,310 emergency incidents.

Henrico County Fire Department Firehouse 12

Each of the twenty-one fire stations across the county are equipped with an engine company, staffed with a minimum of three personnel. Additionally, there are three heavy rescue squads, a heavy rescue (HR1), and six ladder towers, also staffed with a minimum of three personnel. The Division operates sixteen advanced life support ambulances and six command officers. Arranged across three shifts, the operations personnel maintain an on-duty minimum staffing across the county at 123 personnel.

Henrico Fire is one of the partner agencies in the Central Virginia Technical Rescue Team and is home to the regional Hazardous Materials Response Team. Henrico Fire also maintains a Search, Rescue, and Dive Team along with a Mass Casualty/Special Events Team.

• Henrico County Division of Fire (official website)