Virginia Fire Fund – Aid to Localities (ATL) Financial assistance is provided to cities, counties and incorporated towns through out the state by offering a variety of grant opportunities. The Virginia Fire Programs Fund is derived from one percent of fire-related insurance coverage. Approximately 75 percent of the total fund goes directly to counties, cities and incorporated towns within the Commonwealth as Aid to Localities (ATL). ATL provides Virginia cities, towns and counties with funds to pay for training, construction of training centers, fire fighting equipment and protective clothing. Allocations are population-based. Virginia Code §38.2-401 – Fire Programs Fund Aid to Localities Entitlement Program Aid to Localities Specific Publications FY2023 Audit Sheets FY2023 Disbursement Schedule Aid to Localities Specific Forms ATL Annual Report FY2022 ATL Disbursement Agreement ATL Payments Quarterly Update FY2023 Quarterly Update posted  06/27/2022 FY2022 Annual Update posted 6/27/2022 Virginia Fire Programs Fund – Allocation Report Virginia Fire Programs Fund – FY 2023 Allocation Report Updated 6/27/2022 Virginia Fire Programs Fund – FY 2022 Allocation Report Updated 6/28/2021 Virginia Fire Programs Fund – FY 2021 Allocation Report Updated 8/07/2020 Virginia Fire Programs Fund – FY 2020 Allocation Report updated 07/22/2019 Virginia Fire Programs Fund – FY 2019 Allocation Report posted 12/12/2019 Virginia Fire Programs Fund – FY 2018 Allocation Report posted 10/05/2018 Virginia Fire Programs Fund – FY 2017 Allocation Report posted 10/05/2018 Virginia Fire Programs Fund – FY 2016 Allocation Report posted 09/18/2017 Virginia Fire Programs Fund – FY 2015 Allocation Report posted 10/03/2016 Virginia Fire Programs Fund – FY 2014 Allocation Report posted 05/29/2015 Virginia Fire Programs Fund – FY 2013 Allocation Report ATL Statistics ATL Statistics – FY 2023 Minimum Comparisons Actuals  Posted 6/27/2022 ATL Statistics – FY 2022 Minimum Comparisons Actuals posted 6/28/2021 ATL Statistics – FY 2021 Minimum Comparisons Actuals posted 8/7/2020 ATL Statistics – FY 2020 Minimum Comparisons Actuals posted 7/22/2019 ATL Statistics – FY 2019 Minimum Comparisons Actuals posted 07/19/2018 ATL Statistics – FY 2015 Minimum Comparisons Actuals posted 07/07/2014 ATL Statistics – FY 2014 Minimum Comparisons Actuals posted 07/07/2014 ATL Statistics – FY 2013 Minimum Comparisons Actuals posted 06/29/2013 ATL Statistics – FY 2012 Minimum Comparisons Actuals posted 06/29/2013  

The following are a reports or studies impacting members of Virginia’s fire and rescue community. The Department of Fire Program did not author any of these reports. However, the Department was an active participant in the conversation and development of the reports listed below: Thumbnail Report/Study Railroad Safety and Security Task Force Report (April 2015 Draft) – Created shortly after a freight train derailment near Lynchburg in April 2014, the Task Force seeks to make Virginia a national leader in preventing, preparing for, and responding to similar events. The Task Force includes state agencies, officials, and subject matter experts who will make recommendations and take action to enhance Virginia’s capability to protect lives, property, and the environment along our many rail lines. The Executive Director of Fire Programs served as a member of this Task Force. In April 2015, the Task Force adopted its report and policy recommendations to the Governor. External Link Virginia’s Line of Duty Act (December 2014 Draft) – The 2014 General Assembly directed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the costs, structure, and administration of Virginia’s Line of Duty Act and to identify recommendations to improve the program’s design and implementation. Interest in this topic was spurred by the rising cost of benefits to the state and localities, and concerns over the long-term financial sustainability of the program. The Line of Duty Act provides a death benefit and lifetime health insurance benefits to the families of public safety officers who were killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The state and localities paid a combined $12.2 million in Line of Duty Act benefits to 952 beneficiaries in FY 2013. External Link 2015-04-23-Missing-Persons-FINAL (November 2014) – The 2014 General Assembly directed the Virginia State Crime Commission to study the current state of readiness of Virginia’s law enforcement and Search and Rescue efforts for rapid and well-coordinated deployment in all missing, endangered, and abducted person cases. Among other things, the Crime Commission researched how to increase coordination efforts for large-scale rapid search and rescue and how to institute immediate notification to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management when a person is determined to be endangered or abducted. External Link Line of Duty Act Report HD21 (December 2012) – The 2012 General Assembly tasked the Governor’s Chief of Staff to lead a working group to review the current process for determining eligibility of state and local Line of Duty Act recipients and the funding responsibility between the Commonwealth and its localities. The purpose of this study is to examine cost efficiencies and determine a fair and equitable division of financial responsibility for Line Duty Act program costs. External Link

The Code of Virginia is a compilation of Virginia’s statutory laws, enacted through legislation of the Virginia General Assembly. The 1950 Code of Virginia is the revision currently in force and is amended annually. A searchable version of the Code of Virginia is available on the Legislative Information System. VDFP Related Code Provisions: Title 9.1 – Commonwealth Public Safety Chapter 2 ~ Department of Fire Programs Chapter 2.1 ~ Reduced Cigarette Ignition Propensity Chapter 4 ~ Line of Duty Act Title 18.2 – Crimes and Offenses Generally Chapter 5 ~ Crimes Against Property Article 1 – Arson and Related Crimes Title 27 – Fire Protection Chapter 1 ~ General Provisions Chapter 2 ~ Fire/Ems Departments and Fire/Ems Companies Chapter 3 ~ Local Fire Marshals Chapter 4 ~ Relief for Fire Fighters and Dependents Chapter 5 ~ Safety Provisions Generally Chapter 6 ~ Department of State Police; Public Building Safety Law; Arson Reporting Immunity Act Chapter 9 ~ Statewide Fire Prevention Code Act Title 32.1 – Health Chapter 4 ~ Health Care Planning Article 2.1 – Statewide Emergency Medical Services System and Services Article 3.1 – Emergency Medical Services Patient Care Information System

Government Affairs The Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) is a Virginia state agency under the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security. VDFP interacts with all levels of government by providing timely and accurate information regarding Virginia’s fire and emergency services. The Government Affairs staff act as legislative liaisons between the Fire and EMS community and members of the Virginia General Assembly, Governor’s Policy Office, and the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security. Government Affairs is also responsible for tracking legislation and other policy developments related to the fire and emergency services community, regularly updating VDFP’s strategic plan and performance metrics to reflect changes in operating environments, priorities and emerging issues. Virginia Government Resources Virginia.gov Governor of Virginia Virginia General Assembly Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Services Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission Virginia Department of Planning and Budget The Commonwealth Calendar Federal Government Resources FirstGov White House United States House of Representatives United States Senate The Library of Congress –Congress.Gov

The VDFP Communications, Public Affairs and Public Outreach Office is responsible for effectively communicating fire and emergency services information to the general population, members of the fire and emergency services community, the media and local governments in a timely, accurate and consistent manner. Keeping the public informed is a critical component of fire prevention. Through news releases, public service announcements and radio and television interviews, the Public Affairs Office ensures that the latest information is released to the appropriate target audience. As an additional responsibility of this office, VDFP produces a variety of informational pieces in an attempt to keep citizens informed as to operations and available programs and services. These include regular newsletters, brochures, annual report, and course catalog, among other informational outlets. Click here to access our publication library. If you are a media representative in need of information, please email pio@vdfp.virginia.gov. The Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) provides technical assistance to local fire departments, health educators, medical and public health professionals, classroom teachers, elder service providers, community and service organizations, parents, caregivers, and anyone else interested in collaborating on fire and life safety education. VDFP assists fire prevention efforts by: Conducting research to identify statewide fire safety education needs utilizing the Virginia Fire Incident Reporting System (VFIRS). Coordinating existing statewide fire and injury prevention efforts. Developing goals, programs, and partnerships to increase statewide fire and injury prevention efforts. Serving as liaison between federal, state, and local agencies and organizations involved in fire and life safety. Developing public education materials in several forms and by making the materials available for statewide use. Resources Activities – Coloring pages, puzzles, games and more for you to download and reproduce! Virginia Fire and Life Safety Coalition – a group of educators from across the Commonwealth dedicated to fire and life safety.

Download the following activity and coloring book: Kids Activity Book

Fire and Life Safety Education The Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) works to communicate fire and emergency services information to the general population, members of the fire and emergency services community, the media and local governments in a timely, accurate and consistent manner. Keeping the public informed is a critical component of fire prevention. Through news releases, public service announcements and radio and television interviews, the Office ensures that the latest information is released to the appropriate target audience. SFMO assists fire prevention efforts by: Conducting research to identify statewide fire safety education needs utilizing the Virginia Fire Incident Reporting System (VFIRS). Coordinating existing statewide fire and injury prevention efforts. Developing goals, programs, and partnerships to increase statewide fire and injury prevention efforts. Serving as liaison between federal, state, and local agencies and organizations involved in fire and life safety. Developing public education materials in several forms and by making the materials available for statewide use. Resources Fire is Everyone’s Fight™ is designed to unite the fire service and many others in a collaborative effort to reduce home fire injuries, deaths and property loss. It invites fire departments, safety advocates, community groups, schools and others to rally behind a common and compelling theme. United States Fire Administration and its partners will communicate and reinforce key lessons across many proven fire safety and prevention initiatives and programs. Vision 20/20 –  With funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Fire Fighters Fire Prevention and Safety Grant program, the Institution of Fire Engineers US Branch has established a Vision 20/20 Steering Committee comprised of noted fire service and related agency leaders to guide a national strategic planning process for the fire loss prevention that results in a national plan that will coordinate activities and fire prevention efforts. Mesothelioma + Asbestos Awareness Center  and Mesothelioma Justice Network – Being a firefighter is a dangerous occupation for many reasons. Unfortunately, exposure to toxins like asbestos on the job is a serious risk. Virginia Fire and Life Safety Coalition – a group of educators from across the Commonwealth dedicated to fire and life safety. External Resources The United States Fire Administration (USFA) an entity of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), provides leadership, coordination and support for the nation’s fire prevention and control, fire training and education, and the emergency medical services activities. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers many fire and life safety education programs. NFPA is the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week.

VFIRS Knowledge Center Training Virginia Fire Incident Reporting System (VFIRS) online training is also available to fire departments through the VDFP Knowledge Center virtual classroom. The training gives fire service the ability to take a course online using their computer at home or at the station. The VFIRS online training course takes approximately 30 min. to complete and includes a knowledge check to test your knowledge of the information. Course Title: VDFP FST VFIRS Please click on the following link to go to our webpage for information on taking classes on-line through the VDFP Knowledge Center. VDFP Virtual Classroom The webpage contains information on how to register and setup an account and also includes instructions on taking a class for the first time. To Take the Course When you logon to the VDFP Knowledge Center, go to “Learning Center” in the top bar menu and then click on <Course Catalog>. Enter <VDFP FST VFIRS> under Search Text and click <Search>. You should then see “VDFP FST VFIRS”. Click on the course to take the VFIRS training. After you view the presentation, there is a knowledge check quiz at the end in which you have to score at least 80% (8 out of 10 questions correct) to successfully pass the course. To Print your Certificate After you have completed the training, go to <My Workspace> and then click on <My Transcript>. Find and click on <VDFP FST VIFRS> from your list of completed courses. Click the <View Certificate> button to open/save and print your certificate.