The Virginia Department of Fire Programs is one of ten agencies within the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security. The Agency is organized into three branches with seven division offices throughout the Commonwealth.
Mission Statement
The Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) will be a nationally recognized leader in providing the highest level of fire services professional development and statewide risk reduction efforts.
Vision Statement
We, the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP), will strive to expand our services to meet the growing needs of Virginia’s fire service, ensuring that Virginia’s communities remain safe from fire and reducing community risk.
Code of Ethics and Core Values
The Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) abides by ten values and ten ethical guidelines. All VDFP employees and adjunct instructors are expected to operate under the agency’s Code of Ethics and Core Values.
The Virginia Department of Fire Programs provides:
- Funding: The Agency provides financial assistance to Virginia’s fire services through the distribution of the Aid-to-Localities (ATL) grant program as well as through various other grant programs (i.e. Live Fire Training Structure grant).
- Professional Development: As a nationally-accredited fire service training entity in Virginia, the Agency provides training programs for both career and volunteer emergency responders throughout the Commonwealth.
- Research: As the managing agency for the Virginia Fire Incident Reporting System (VFIRS), the Agency is responsible for data collection, analysis, and information reporting to Virginia’s fire services, Virginia’s policy makers, and nationally to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). The Agency also utilizes the data it collects to both identify and promote fire services best practices.
- Operational Support & Technical Assistance: As a Virginia Emergency Support Team (VEST) agency, VDFP provides both operational and technical assistances to communities in need during emergencies of all types. This includes both support in the Virginia Emergency Operations center (VEOC) and in-the field.
- Fire Prevention Inspections: The State Fire Marshal’s Office [SFMO] has the responsibility of protecting life and property for the citizens of the Commonwealth through the utilization of inspectors to complete fire safety inspections; by conducting building plans reviews for fire safety measures; and by conducting construction inspections for fire safety systems in all state buildings.
VDFP also provides technical assistance and consultation services to Virginia’s localities through the completion of fire and emergency medical services (EMS) studies. The Agency, in collaboration with the Virginia Fire Services Board, Department of Forestry and Office of Emergency Medical Services performs Fire & EMS Studies at the request of a locality to examine various operational and organizational issues within the locality.
Office of the Executive Director
The Executive Director is responsible for executive level supervision to agency staff; budgeting guidance; strategic planning; validation of programs; coordination of policy; guidance on state preparedness issues; assistance with coordination of statewide training and education programs; and agency response to large scale emergencies to support local jurisdictions.
VDFP is headquartered in Glen Allen, VA and has seven regional training offices that house both our training support staff and State Fire Marshal Office (SFMO) staff. The seven regional division offices are located in Glen Allen (Division 1), Culpeper (Division 2), Farmville (Division 3), Marion (Division 4), Hampton (Division 5), Roanoke (Division 6), and Fairfax (Division 7).
VDFP currently has 77 full–time staff, 17 part time staff and over 400 state-certified instructors who deliver our training programs through site-specific mobile training, at any of the regional training facilities, or at locality training centers. The agency administers an annual budget of $41 million.
Agency Administration
Agency Administration oversees the Finance, Information Technology, Statistics, Grants and Local Aid, and Government Affairs sections of the agency.
This branch, in conjunction with the Department of Human Resource Management, also handles all personnel and employee relations. Additionally, the activities of the Virginia Fire Services Board are administered by Agency Administration.
Information Technology
Training and Development
Training and Development coordinates and delivers fire emergency services education and training programs for the fire and emergency response community, public, law enforcement and industry for the purpose of protecting and defending the commonwealth against the loss of life and property.
Training and Development is organized into General Fire Service Training and Specialized Training. To deliver General Fire Service Training as efficiently as possible, VDFP has 7 Division Offices throughout Virginia.
Each Division represents the fire departments within their designated region and provides training course work and instruction for firefighters, emergency service personnel and citizens. Specialized Training consists of Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) and Technical Rescue (TR) Programs.
State Fire Marshal's Office
The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) provides many services to provide safety to life and property from fire for the citizens of the Commonwealth. The SFMO currently has seven regional offices throughout Virginia. Additional Information on the State Fire Marshal’s Office:
