It’s Fire Prevention Week. Get your safety tips from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs.

It’s Fire Prevention Week. Get your safety tips from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is “Serve up Fire Safety in the Kitchen.”

RICHMONDOctober 5, 2020 – The Virginia Department of Fire Programs’ (VDFP) State Fire Marshal’s Office reminds Virginians to keep safety at the forefront while cooking and using appliances in the kitchen. As we spend more time in our residences, the chances of fire-related accidents and injuries increases. “There have been 29 civilian fire fatalities in Virginia as of September 30. Of those fire fatalities, 3% were caused by cooking. 48% occurred in single-family homes,” said Virginia State Fire Marshal Garrett Dyer. “We often think of the stove and the safety around that appliance, but smaller appliances such as deep fryers and microwaves can start fires that are equally as destructive.” According to the U.S. Home Cooking Fires Report by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking caused an average of 172,900 reported home structure fires per year (49 percent of all reported home fires in the US). These fires resulted in an average of 550 civilian deaths (21 percent of all home fire deaths) and 4,820 civilian injuries (44 percent of all reported home fire injuries) annually. Victims of Cooking Fires In the report, it is noted that high-risk populations include those 55 years of age and older. In Virginia, 24% of the total reported civilian fire fatalities victims were between 56-80 years old. Dyer continued, “The statistic translates to one out of four Virginians over the age of 55 are at a higher risk of a fire-related casualty or injury. Check on your neighbors that fit this category, bring them a meal from time to time. Make sure the meal is prepared using safe cooking practices. And, don’t forget to wear your mask as you enter their homes.” People ages 25-44 are the leading age group to suffer from cooking fire injuries in U.S. homes nationwide. Cooking Safety Tips

  • Never leave cooking food unattended. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling. If you have to leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove. Leaving food unattended is the leading factor in cooking fires and related casualties.
  • If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
  • You have to be alert when cooking. You won’t be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.
  • Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when you’re cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame. Turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.
  • Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

“We hope that the message resonates before we head into the holiday season in a few weeks,” said Dyer. Thanksgiving and Christmas Day are the leading days for cooking fires in the home.

VDFP Resumes Previously Cancelled Courses Effective July 18

VDFP Resumes Previously Cancelled Courses Effective July 18

The Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) resumed in-person training courses that were cancelled at the onset of COVID-19 in mid-March. VDFP will not be accepting new course requests until January 1, 2021. Prior to the pandemic, VDFP had more than 500 classes scheduled throughout the Commonwealth. With the fluidity of COVID-19 and local policies around use of training facilities and available resources, courses will be offered in conjunction with VDFP local partners.
To view VDFP-funded courses that are available for registration, visit Cornerstone OnDemand. You must log in with a new or existing account to view available courses.
VDFP Training Policies
In preparation for participation with the resumption of VDFP training courses, VDFP recommends that students and instructors review its training policies to navigate current operations, procedures, and agency expectations.
  • VDFP Pandemic Operations Policy – The Pandemic Operations Policy addresses the most common questions localities, students, and instructors may have about training procedures amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
  • VDFP Live Fire Training Policy – The Live Fire Training Policy includes the prohibition of the use of oriented strand board (OSB) containing PMDI (poly-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) and how to perform decontamination at the end of live fire training with medical evaluation procedures following live fire training events.
  • VDFP Extreme Weather Policy – The Extreme Weather Policy is an existing policy that outlines training procedures for instructors and students in extreme heat and cold conditions. Temperatures are expected to be higher than normal during the week of July 19.

VDFP Code of Ethics and Values VDFP remains committed to providing members of Virginia’s Fire Service quality programs and resources, while ensuring that VDFP staff are operating under the utmost ethical guidelines and principles.

Review the newly updated VDFP Code of Ethics and Core Values.

COVID-19: What You Need to Know

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is a declared pandemic that is evolving throughout the U.S. and abroad at a rapid pace. As with many localities and government agencies in the Commonwealth, the Virginia Department of Fire Programs is remaining flexible and working proactively to announce changes to agency training programs and operations as they occur. Visit this page for real-time updates on VDFP-specific actions and decisions. March 21, 2020

  • Effective March 23, 2020VDFP will cease providing funded staff for testing and to support live burns. 

March 20, 2020

  • April 20-27, 2020: Driver Aerial Operator (NFPA 1002-14) course being held by the Williamsburg FD is postponed.
  • Offices in Divisions 3, 5, and 6 are closed until further notice. You can conduct VDFP business with Divisions 3, 5, and 6 by contacting those divisions directly by email or phone.
  • We are also taking measures to practice social distancing and adhere to Governor Northam’s mandate that bans gatherings of 10 or more people in a location. In-person and walk-up visitors at all VDFP offices are discouraged. Conduct VDFP business by email or phone.

March 19, 2020

  • April 6-10, 2020: Virginia Fire Marshal Academy Environmental Crimes course is cancelled.

March 17, 2020

  • April 17-26, 2020: Rockingham Regional Fire School is postponed.
  • May 4-7, 2020: Rescue Challenge 2020 is postponed. There will be a conference call held on Monday, April 6 between TRAVA, VDFP, and Regional Hosting Agencies to determine a reschedule and/or cancellation options. Please do not contact them until information is forwarded to you from the April 6th conference call. Review the details.

March 16, 2020

  • March 16-April 3, 2020: Effective immediately, all VDFP Funded and Reimbursable Courses that are currently in progress or beginning, up to and including April 3, 2020 are cancelled or postponed. In addition, at this time VDFP will not be accepting any new course requests. Further guidance will be provided by April 1, 2020.

March 13, 2020

  • Albemarle County Regional School scheduled on March 21-22, 2020 has been cancelled.
  • The 1031 Fire Inspector course scheduled on Monday, March 16, 2020, has been cancelled due to the local state of emergency declared by the City of Portsmouth. Please be advised that there are other 1031 Fire Inspector course offerings available this year and we welcome you to register for those classes. Please indicate during registration that your class was cancelled due to this state of emergency and you will be given preference in registering.
  • The joint Fire Services Board Meeting and DHCD meeting scheduled for Monday, March 16 has been cancelled.
  • The Virginia Fallen Firefighters & EMS Memorial Service Committee meeting scheduled on Tuesday, March 17 will occur as scheduled. Members will be advised of the meeting process.
  • The Virginia Fire Services Board Live Structures meeting scheduled on Friday, March 20 will be postponed until further notice. However, the Code Subcommittee meeting will occur as scheduled and members will be advised of the process.

 

VDFP Triples its Accredited Course Offerings for Virginia’s Fire Service

VDFP Triples its Accredited Course Offerings for Virginia’s Fire Service

GLEN ALLENFebruary 4, 2020 – The Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) announced today that it offers 16 courses accredited by the International Fire Services Accreditation Congress (IFSAC). IFSAC is the accrediting body that recognizes and standardizes competencies in fire and emergency services programs worldwide. In 2019, VDFP offered five IFSAC accredited courses.

Reaccredited Courses Newly-Accredited Courses 
  • (R) Fire Inspector I NFPA 1031 (2014 edition)
  • (R) Fire Inspector II NFPA 1031 (2014 edition)
  • (R) Fire Investigator NFPA 1033 (2014 edition)
  • (R) Fire and Life Safety Educator I NFPA 1035 (2015 edition)
  • (R) Fire and Life Safety Educator II NFPA 1035 (2015 edition)
  • Firefighter I NFPA 1001 (2013 edition)
  • Airport Firefighter NFPA 1003 (2017 edition)
  • Hazardous Materials Awareness NFPA 1072 (2017 edition)
  • Hazardous Materials Ops Core (5) NFPA 1072 (2017 edition)
  • Hazardous Materials Ops MS: PPE (6.2) NFPA 1072 (2017 edition)
  • (I) Hazardous Materials Ops MS: Product Control (6.6) NFPA 1072 (2017 edition)
  • Firefighter II NFPA 1001 (2013 Standard)
  • Driver Operator – Aerial I NFPA 1001 (2013 Standard)
  • Driver Operator – Pumper
  • Incident Safety Officer
  • Marine Firefighter

“The word ‘accreditation’ means a widely recognized measurement that symbolizes quality. Accredited courses are huge incentives for firefighters, particularly firefighters who have invested years into their own education and earning credentials outside of Virginia, for reciprocity,” said VDFP Executive Director Michael Reilly. “By increasing the number of accredited courses we offer, we will attract current and future firefighters who wish to advance to higher positions later in their careers, anywhere in the world.”

See the latest VDFP course offerings by visiting: https://www.vafire.com/training-and-courses/csod-page/.

Students asked to review transcripts in FSTRS

Students asked to review transcripts in FSTRS March 14, 2019 VDFP is currently preparing student data in order to transfer it to the new learning management system — Cornerstone OnDemand — scheduled to launch this summer.

Students are encouraged to review their existing transcripts in FSTRS before Friday, March 22, 2019 to ensure information is accurate. If you have questions or concerns, contact your respective VDFP Division Chief.