Virginia Officials Stress Firework Safety This 4th of July Holiday

VDFP News Release logo

Virginia Officials Stress Firework Safety This 4th of July Holiday

Contact:
Will Merritt
VDFP Public Information Officer
804-249-1986

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (July 1, 2025) – As communities across Virginia prepare for Fourth of July festivities, state officials are urging residents to prioritize safety and celebrate responsibly. Fireworks continue to pose a significant risk during holiday festivities. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 14,700 people across the U.S. were injured by fireworks last year — an increase of about 52% compared to 2023. While public fireworks displays are the safest option, many still choose to light fireworks at home. The Virginia Department of Fire Programs and Virginia Department of Forestry are reminding everyone to take precautions if they plan to use fireworks on their own. Remember, even seemingly harmless items – like sparklers – can cause severe burns. Temperatures from sparklers can reach more than 2,000 degrees.

“The Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office strongly encourages Virginians to celebrate safely and responsibly by leaving fireworks to the professionals,” said Chief State Fire Marshal Billy Hux. “In general, any firework that explodes, moves on the ground or in the air, or shoots a projectile is illegal unless you are licensed pyrotechnician in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Possession or use of illegal fireworks in Virginia is a Class 1 misdemeanor per item possessed or used. Each Class 1 misdemeanor conviction carries a fine of up to $2,500 and one year in jail.” “Both legal and illegal fireworks can quickly ignite wildfires that put entire communities at risk,” said Chief of Fire and Emergency Response John Miller. “Only use fireworks in safe spaces away from people, houses and flammable material (dry grass, leaves, storm debris). Fireworks are also the cause of thousands of personal injuries each year. Celebrate safely this Fourth of July and remain mindful of your surroundings, neighbors and community.”

Some localities completely ban the sale, possession and use of any type of fireworks, including sparklers. Contact your local fire marshal, fire officials, or law enforcement about local restrictions and laws in the area you plan to use. If you are found responsible for having started a wildfire with fireworks, you may be liable for suppression and reclamation costs and could even face fines and imprisonment.

Visit the Virginia Department of Fire Programs' website to learn more about fireworks laws and what fireworks are approved by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Fireworks safety tips:

  • Children should never be allowed to handle fireworks. Keep flammable materials out of reach.
  • Only legal consumer-grade fireworks should be used.
  • Never point fireworks at anyone else.
  • Maintain a safe distance after lighting.
  • When lighting fireworks, never place any part of your body over them.
  • Never pick up or re-light fireworks that haven’t gone off.
  • Do not use fireworks that appear damaged or altered.
  • Keep a bucket of water or charged hose nearby to douse spent fireworks or in case of mishaps.
  • Pets may be frightened by fireworks. Plan accordingly.
  • Note: No fireworks of any kind are EVER allowed on federal lands.

For more information on fireworks safety, visit the Virginia Department of Forestry website at https://dof.virginia.gov/wildland-prescribed-fire/wildfire-prevention/fireworks-safety/.

NFIRS Modernization Release: Update

NFIRS Modernization Release: Update

USFA has released the new E-NFIRS. It is now available for users to begin (or continue) entering incidents manually. Users who are using a third party vendor software should refrain from using the Bulk Import Utility (BUI) until further notice. Users also should not export large quantities of data.

USFA priority at this time is to address the Bulk Import file validation:

The eNFIRS release includes checks to enforce the 2015 (current) NFIRS specification: specifically, a check on each data value’s length, and whether it exceeds the maximum length allowed for the field. During imports, each time the check finds a value too large, the incident fails with a generic “system error occurred” message written in the .log file. The check was put in place to enforce the 2015 specification and move toward improving system-wide data quality; however, based on the quantity of errors being reported, the USFA determines the check for max length to be too strict, especially for fields involving local-level data and non-required fields. 

  • For a short term solution, the USFA will unrestrict the max length checks on text (string, or data type: X) fields.
  • The data in these fields will be truncated to the field’s specified length. The NFIRS Design Documentation contains records and field format length specifics: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/data/nfirs/support/documentation.html  Details on the long term solution will be made available at a later date.

The adjustment for the max length value check is underway and planned for the coming weeks.

If you encounter any import issues, please forward the original import file AND the results .ZIP with a description and vendor (if known) to FEMA-NFIRSHELP@fema.dhs.gov.

VDFP Trainings at VFRC 2020

The Virginia Department of Fire Programs is offering NFPA 1031/1033 Continuing Education and Cornerstone OnDemand introduction courses during the Virginia Fire Rescue Conference. To attend these courses, you must register with the Conference to attend. Visit the VFR Conference Registration page to register.

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

NFPA 1033 Recertification Training 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Get to Know Cornerstone OnDemand: VDFP’s New Learning Management System 10 a.m.-noon

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Friday, February 21, 2020

NFPA 1031 Recertification Training 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Get to Know Cornerstone OnDemand: VDFP’s New Learning Management System 3 p.m.-5 p.m.

 

In Memoriam: Chief David Creasy, Sr.

In Memoriam: Chief David Creasy, Sr. 

On October 15, 2018, we lost our fire services brother and mentor, retired Richmond fire marshal Chief David ‘Chico’ Creasy, Sr.

In 1968, Chief Creasy began his career in the fire service as a volunteer with Chesterfield Fire and EMS and in 2008 accepted the Fire Marshal position in the City of Richmond. In the summer of 2014 Chief Creasy was diagnosed with cancer. Even after his diagnosis he continued to serve as Richmond’s Fire Marshal for three years before retiring in 2017. Read more about Chief Creasy’s career in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Chief Creasy was an advocate for taking action against cancer in the fire service and throughout the years his words and actions have touched the lives of many.

Visitation will be held on October 21 from 12:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Morrissett Funeral and Cremation Service, 6500 Iron Bridge Rd. N. Chesterfield, VA 23234. The funeral service will be held on October 22 at 11:00 am at Victory Tabernacle Church of God, 11700 Genito Rd. Midlothian, VA 23112.

VDFP closing at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 11

VDFP Early Closing
The Virginia Department of Fire Programs is closing at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 11 due to inclement weather. The impacts of Tropical Storm Michael may result in flash floods, tropical storm force winds, tornadoes, and power outages in Virginia.

Virginians should visit www.VAemergency.gov to learn about how to prepare for hurricanes, tornadoes and flood threats. Remember to “turn around and don’t drown.” Do not drive across any flooded roadway, as it only takes six inches of water to move a vehicle and roads may be washed out beneath the floodwaters. Visit www.511Virginia.org or call 511 for real-time road conditions.

To learn more about what a state of emergency declaration does and does not do, visit http://www.vaemergency.gov/what-we-do/state-of-emergency/.

To read the text of the Governor’s Executive Order declaring this state of emergency visit https://www.governor.virginia.gov/executive-actions/.

 

24th Annual Caroline County Fire Regional School

Registration is now open for the 24th Annual Caroline County Regional School!

The Virginia Department of Fire Programs, the Caroline County Department of Fire and Rescue and the Caroline County Volunteer Emergency Units Organization will conduct the 24th Annual Caroline County Regional School on April 14 and 15, 2018. Eighteen different courses are planned for this year’s event. Review the 2018 Spring School Brochure for all the details.

 

 

2018 Course Offerings:

  • Confined Space, Level II
  • Trench, Level I
  • Machinery Search and Rescue
  • EMT-Basic Required Topic Hours
  • S215 Fire Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface
  • 350’ Line: Engine Ops Back to Basics
  • Fire Marshall Academy 1033 CFFI Module II
  • Health and Safety Officer (HSO)
  • NFA: Decision-Making for the Initial Company Officer (DMICO)
  • Fire Instructor I TTT
  • Driver Operator Pumper TTT
  • Driver Operator Aerial TTT
  • Response to Aviation Accidents for First Responders
  • Clandestine Drug Lab Operations, Virginia State Police
  • VAVRS Introduction to Swift Water Rescue
  • Traffic Incident Management
  • STIHL Saw Operator
  • STIHL Saw Operator TTT

Central Virginia Firefighter Conference

The Metro Richmond area is pleased to announce a three-day conference for firefighters held in Henrico, Virginia on March 19th-21st, 2018. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from five fire service leaders on a range of topics:

– Tactical Thermal Imaging for Today’s Firegrounds.
– Leadership: Trust, Love, and Thermodynamics
– Hydrants2Nozzles
– Improving Fire Ground Communications
– All Things Engine
– Victories do not come by accident: Tactical Resiliency Training

Registration is $150 for 3 days of conference and lunch each day.
More information including registration, full class descriptions and instructor bias can be found at:  www.EmbraceTheResistance.com

Click here to view the event flyer