The Specialized Training Branch oversees, Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF), National Incident Management System (NIMS), and Technical Rescue (TR) Programs. Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighter – Our state-of the art trainer is a computer controlled system that simulates realistic aircraft fire and emergency scenarios. The mobile unit travels throughout the state delivering on-site live fire training. Prior to the ARFF program, localities had to routinely send aircraft firefighters out of state to receive their mandatory training. Incident Management (NIMS) – The National Incident Management System (NIMS) has been developed to provide a common system that emergency service agencies can utilize at local, state and federal levels. NIMS consists of five major sub-systems that collectively provide a total systems approach to all risk incident management. Technical Rescue Program – The TR Chief provides the comprehensive oversight for the Technical Rescue Program in the Commonwealth. In addition, the TR Chief provides the specialized training for Virginia ’s Fire Service in relation to the TR Program. The TR Chief maintains a comprehensive list of the instructor cadre, locations of logistical trailers for support, and the on-going training sites throughout the Commonwealth.

Throughout the fiscal year, each VDFP Division Office will assist designated localities around the Commonwealth with multi-course offerings to training the emergency service providers. These venues allow the locality to select a number of courses to be offered at a central location which is advertised primarily on the VDFP Website in conjunction with localities marketing the programs locally. The VDFP Division Office will furnish Administrative staff for pre-registration and during the event and will work closely with key representatives of the hosting jurisdiction to insure quality training is offered to all in attendance. As defined in the Local Training Obligations guidelines, it is the responsibility to acquire logistical support for each of the programs that have been identified. If a registration fee is being requested, these fees will cover all cost associated to the school outside instructor fees and services. Registration guidelines It is the responsibility of the individual student or department to register for a specific class and forward any associated fee to the appropriate VDFP Division Office. If registration fees are associated with a specific regional school, on-line registration will not be available. In this case the candidate or department will be required to forward completed applications and fees prior to being registered by the Division Office. Once the capacity for pre-registration to a class has been met the course will be closed and no additional students will be admitted. It is not the policy of the VDFP Division Office to hold a waiting list for courses, any late registrations and fees will be returned to the sender. It is the policy of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs to close pre-registration of each approved course 10 days prior to the designated start date. If insufficient preregistration numbers are identified at this time, the course will be cancelled. Registration Notification If there are pre-course assignments or additional information that needs to be forwarded to the candidates, a letter will be generated to allow sufficient time for the student to prepare. The Division Offices will make every effort to notify individuals in a timely fashion. Printed Materials Printed materials and books will be made available during the first day of class or in advance through the VDFP Bookstore. It will be the responsibility of the student to cover all cost associated. If personal or Department checks are being written to cover these charges, the checks will need to be made out to Commonwealth of Virginia. Local information Occasionally additional information outside of the information listed within may be required. This information will traditionally be identified on the Regional School flyer or by local marketing. The key to the presentation of a Regional School is communication and good working relationship with the VDFP Division Office. If additional information is needed regarding your involvement with a Regional School venue, contact the VDFP Division Office.

Needs Assessment Volume XIII – January 2017 Needs Assessment Volume XII – January 2016 Click here to see Needs Assessment archives.

These are the dates that the Virginia Fire Services Board are scheduled to meet throughout the year. These meetings are open to the public. These dates and locations are subject to change. For more information regarding these meetings, please click the meeting agenda. Meeting Dates Code Subcommittee Meeting Tuesday, January 22, 2019 10am VDFP HQ Glen Allen Agenda  Minutes  Virginia Fire and Rescue Conference  February 20-24, 2019 February 20-24, 2019 Virginia Beach Convention Center Training and Education Committee Meeting Thursday, February, 21, 2019 12pm Virginia Beach Convention Center Room 3E Agenda Minutes Live Structure Committee Meeting Thursday, February 21, 2019 2:30pm Virginia Beach Convention Center Room 3E Agenda Minutes Stakeholder Meeting Thursday, February 21, 2019 4pm – 5:30pm Virginia Beach Convention Center  Room 3E VFSB Full Board Meeting Friday, February 22, 2019 10am Virginia Beach Convention Center – Rooms 5 A, B, & C Agenda  Minutes Governors Fire Services Awards Saturday, February 23, 2019 8am Virginia Beach Convention Center – Rooms 1 A, B, & C Code Subcommittee Meeting February 28, 2019 10am VDFP HQ Agenda Minutes Excel Worksheet – DRAFT Code Subcommittee Meeting March 28, 2019 10am VDFP HQ Agenda Minutes Enclosure – Worksheet Draft Code Subcommittee Meeting Thursday, April 11, 2019 10 am Hanover County Fire Station 5, 13326 Hanover Courthouse Road, Hanover VA 23069 Agenda Minutes Enclosure – Worksheet Draft Motion   Fire Prevention and Control Committee Monday, April 22, 2019 10am VDFP HQ Agenda Minutes Motion Enclosure 1 Code and Standards Subcommittee Meeting Tuesday, May 14, 2019 10am VDFP HQ Agenda Minutes and Enclosure Motion Live Structure Committee Friday, May 31, 2019 9am VDFP HQ Agenda Minutes, Enclosures and Motion Fire Prevention and Control Plan Committee Friday, May 31, 2019 9:30am VDFP HQ Agenda Minutes, Enclosures and Motions Training and Education Committee Friday, May 31, 2019 10am VDFP HQ Agenda Minutes and Enclosures Full Board Meeting Friday, May 31, 2019 12:30pm VDFP HQ Agenda Minutes and Enclosures 2019 Virginia Fallen Firefighters & EMS Memorial Service Saturday, June 1, 2019 12pm Richmond Raceway Complex 600 E Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23222 Code Subcommittee Meeting Friday, June 21 10am VDFP HQ Agenda Minutes Code Subcommittee Meeting Thursday, July 18 10am VDFP HQ Agenda Minutes and Motions First Responder Virginia Conference August 6-10, 2019 Hampton Roads Convention Center VFSB – Training and Education Committee Meeting Friday, August 9, 2019 9am – 9:50am Hampton Roads Convention Center (Conference Room D) Agenda Minutes Full Board Meeting Friday, August 9, 2019 10am Hampton Roads Convention Center (Conference Room D) Agenda Minutes Code Subcommittee Wednesday, September 25, 2019 10am VDFP HQ Agenda VFSB – Fire Education and Training Committee Meeting Friday,      December 13, 2019 9:30am VDFP HQ Agenda VFSB- Live Structure Committee Meeting Friday,      December 13, 2019 9:00am VDFP HQ Minutes VFSB- Fire Prevention and Control Committee Friday,      December 13, 2019 10:00am VDFP HQ Agenda VFSB- Code Subcommittee Meeting Monday,   December 2, 2019 10:00am VDFP HQ Minutes Virginia Fire Service Board Meeting Friday,      December 13, 2019 10:30am VDFP HQ Minutes 2018 Board Meetings and Minutes: Board minutes and enclosures from 2018. *All individual committee meetings are included on each of the four full board meeting minutes. Example: For committee meetings that occurred at the end of April 2018 – June 1, 2018 – you can find the minutes in the June 2018 full board meeting minutes. 2017 Board Meetings and Minutes: Board minutes and enclosures from 2017.