About the Fire & EMS Department

The City of Colonial Heights Fire and EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Department provides fire suppression and prevention services and promotes fire safety and related services. The department also provides emergency medical and rescue services for residents, workers, and visitors to the city.

History of the Department

The Fire and EMS Department (CHFD) has a long and storied history in Colonial Heights. Initially created to only provide basic fire suppression / prevention services, the department has evolved into a high-functioning, multi-faceted safety service operation providing a myriad of safety services. In fact, more than 70% of the total incident responses made by the CHFD each year are for emergency medical services.

Integrated Operations

Colonial Heights Fire & EMS incorporates fully integrating Fire and EMS operations into one cohesive organization. Fire & EMS services are provided by a staff of cross trained firefighter emergency medical technicians that provide various levels of care from basic to advanced life saving skills. CHFD provides quality top notch patient care for residents, workers, and visitors to the City.

Staff

The Colonial Heights Fire and EMS Department provides around-the-clock public safety services for the city and is staffed by three platoons that work 24 hours each shift. During each shift, two fire units and two medics are fully staffed by career, part-time, and volunteer personnel. One fire unit is cross staffed with a medic to assist with high call load should it be needed. When available, career staff are supplemented with part-time and volunteer personnel in both operational and administrative roles.

Divisions

The CHFD supports a training division, Fire Marshal’s Office, and general administrative services. CHFD also supervises the Communications Department and Emergency Management Department.