Henrico County Fire Department

The Henrico County Division of Fire serves a population of more than 325,000 residents in Henrico County, Virginia in the United States, across a diverse community of 244 square miles. Ranging from metropolitan development and commercial districts to rural farms and forested areas, Henrico Fire maintains a comprehensive, all-hazards capability. The Division is responsible for fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, technical rescue, water rescue, fire prevention, fire investigation, public education, disaster preparedness and emergency management.

Henrico County Division of Fire
Operational area
Country United States
State Virginia
County Henrico
Agency overview[1]
Annual calls53,859 (2018)
Employees570 – Uniformed
31 – Civilian
Annual budget$64,769,866 (FY 2020)
Fire chiefAlec Oughton
EMS levelALS
IAFF1568
Facilities and equipment
Battalions3
Stations21
Engines21
Platforms6
Rescues3
Ambulances18
Tenders5
HAZMAT1
Wildland7
Fireboats1
Website
Official website

History
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.

ISO rating and international accreditation

During 2015, Henrico County received a Class 1 designation from the Insurance Services Office (ISO) which is the highest rating available to any community. Henrico Fire has been continuously accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) since 1998. In 2015, Henrico County became the first county in America to receive accredited status and an ISO rating of Class 1 at the same time. Henrico Fire's strategic planning document, the Continuous Improvement Strategy, serves as a roadmap for the Division's future.[4]

Firehouses and units
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.

Firehouse Number Address City and Zip Code Units Assigned
Firehouse 1 110 E. Azalea Ave Richmond, VA 23222 Engine 1, Truck 1, Fire Medic 1, Heavy Rescue 1
Firehouse 2 2400 Darbytown Rd Henrico, VA 23231 Engine 2, Fire Medic 2, Search and Rescue Dive Team, EMS 2
Firehouse 3 1310 E. Washington St Highland Springs, VA 23075 Engine 3, Fire Medic 3, Ambulance 89, Battalion Chief 2, Brush 3
Firehouse 4 8112 Strath Rd Henrico, VA 23231 Engine 4, Fire Medic 4, Tanker 4, Brush 4
Firehouse 5 6911 Lakeside Ave Henrico, VA 23228 Engine 5, Fire Medic 5, Battalion Chief 3
Firehouse 6 4600 S. Laburnum Ave Henrico, VA 23231 Engine 6, Truck 6, Fire Medic 6
Firehouse 7 2701 E. Laburnum Ave Richmond, VA 23223 Engine 7, Fire Medic 7, Utility 7
Firehouse 8 8000 Patterson Ave Henrico, VA 23229 Engine 8, Attack Pumper 8
Firehouse 9 9401 Quioccasin Rd Henrico, VA 23238 Engine 9, Fire Medic 9, Attack Pumper 9, Ambulance 88
Firehouse 10 6313 Horsepen Rd Richmond, VA 23226 Engine 10, Truck 10
Firehouse 11 1754 Hungary Rd Henrico, VA 23228 Engine 11, Fire Medic 11
Firehouse 12 3803 West End Dr Henrico, VA 23394 Engine 12, Truck 12, Fire Medic 12, EMS 1
Firehouse 13 12491 Church Rd Henrico, VA 23233 Engine 13, Rescue 13, Fire Medic 13
Firehouse 14 5210 Technology Blvd Sandston, VA 23150 Engine 14, Fire Medic 14, Tanker 14, Brush 14
Firehouse 15 3820 Mountain Rd Glen Allen, VA 23060 Engine 15, Fire Medic 15, Tanker 15, Mass Casualty Unit, Special Events Trailer
Firehouse 16 5381 Shady Grove Rd Glen Allen, VA 23059 Engine 16, Fire Medic 16, Tanker 16
Firehouse 17 110 N. Gaskins Rd Henrico, VA 23238 Engine 17, Search and Rescue Dive Team
Firehouse 18 4410 Darbytown Rd Henrico, VA 23231 Engine 18, Rescue 18, Tanker 18, Brush 18, Hazmat 3
Firehouse 19 12324 Kain Road Henrico, VA 23059 Engine 19, Truck 19, Fire Medic 19, Tanker 19, Brush 19, Robotics Team
Firehouse 21 1201 Virginia Center Pkwy Glen Allen, VA 23059 Engine 21, Rescue 21, Chief 10, Haz-mat 1, Hazmat 2,
Firehouse 22 3790 Westerre Pkwy Henrico, VA 23233 Engine 22, Truck 22, Fire Medic 22, Battalion Chief 1
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References
  1. "Annual Report (2014)". Henrico County. Henrico County Division of Fire. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  2. Henrico Fire Annual Report 2018. 2019.
  3. "About Us - County of Henrico". henrico.us. Retrieved 2016-02-15.
  4. Henrico Fire Annual Report : 2018. 2019.
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