FYI - At a Glance
Goochland Volunteer Fire-Rescue at a glance:

• Founded 1951 in Manakin with privately owned fire truck.
   
• First rescue squad formed 1965.
   
• Swift Water Rescue Team formed 1978 (James River forms Goochland County's entire southern border).
   
• Today six fire and five rescue companies are housed in six stations throughout the county.
   
• Combining fire and rescue in one organization not only provides economy (one building to house both fire trucks and ambulances) but allows members to become cross trained in both fire fighting and pre-hospital emergency care skills.
   
• In 2009, our 309 call-running Volunteers and 11 Career Firefighter/EMTs responded to 2,421 rescue and 879 fire calls.
   
• Volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians and firefighters receive the same training as paid personnel in other jurisdictions and must obtain State certifications.
   
• Received the Life Safety Achievement Award from the Residential Fire Safety Institute because there were no residential fire fatalities in Goochland County during 1998.
   
• Funded by a combination of tax dollars, grant funds, and tax deductible donations.
   
• Volunteers come from all walks of life and all corners of Goochland as well as Hanover, Henrico, and Louisa counties.
   
• Both firefighter and EMS courses are offered in alternating years as part of the curriculum at Goochland High School. Minimum age to volunteer is 16.