Crater Regional Technical Rescue Team

05/05/2026

This week, the Crater Regional Technical Rescue Team is proud to be participating again in Rescue Challenge 2026, hosted throughout the Shenandoah Valley, including the Harrisonburg area and surrounding jurisdictions.

Our team is training alongside 12 other highly specialized technical rescue teams from across the region, engaging in complex, scenario-based evolutions that span the full spectrum of technical rescue. These scenarios include confined space, trench rescue, rope rescue, water rescue, wide area search, large animal rescue, cave operations, tower rescue, and more—designed to push skillsets, decision-making, and teamwork to the highest level.

So far this week:
• Monday: Confined space and trench rescue operations
• Tuesday: Wide area search and rescue, along with rope rescue scenarios conducted on chairlifts at Massanutten Ski Resort

The Crater Regional Technical Rescue Team is made up of highly skilled personnel representing Prince George, Hopewell, Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Fort Lee, and our newest partner, Dinwiddie. This level of regional collaboration continues to strengthen our capabilities and readiness to serve our communities.

A sincere thank you to Technical Rescue Association Of Virginia and for Virginia Department Of Fire Programs for delivering what is, without question, the best technical rescue training in the nation. Your dedication to excellence directly enhances the safety and effectiveness of responders across Virginia and beyond.

We also extend our appreciation to the Chiefs and leadership of our respective departments for recognizing the importance of advanced, hands-on training opportunities like this. Their continued support ensures our teams remain prepared for the most complex and demanding incidents.

We’re proud of the work being done this week and remain committed to bringing that knowledge and experience back to better serve our communities.

Dinwiddie Fire & EMS
Prince George County Fire and EMS
Colonial Heights Fire, EMS & Emergency Management
Hopewell Fire & EMS
Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services
Fort Lee Fire and Rescue
Technical Rescue Association of Virginia
Virginia Department of Fire Programs

04/15/2026

We are excited to officially welcome Dinwiddie Fire & EMS to the Crater Regional Technical Rescue Team. Dinwiddie has long been a strong and valued partner across many of our regional initiatives, and we are proud to strengthen that relationship through their addition to the team.

We are excited to add and share knowledge, experience, and professionalism that will further enhance the capability and depth of our already well-rounded team. We look forward to working alongside them as we continue to serve our region with excellence.

04/14/2026

This morning, the Crater Regional Technical Rescue Team was requested to assist Prince Geroge Police and Fire and EMS with a reported missing individual. Crews arrived on scene to find an active search already underway.

Utilizing their specialized training, knowledge, equipment and experience in large-area search operations, teams quickly integrated into the existing effort. Personnel were organized into coordinated grid search assignments to ensure thorough coverage of the area.

Despite challenging conditions, including thick and difficult terrain, crews worked diligently and methodically to search each designated grid. Their professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to the mission were evident throughout the operation.

We are proud to report that the missing individual was located safe. This successful outcome is a direct result of strong interagency cooperation and the dedication of all personnel involved.

Outstanding work by all agencies on scene.

Prince George County Fire and EMS
Colonial Heights Fire, EMS & Emergency Management
Dinwiddie Fire & EMS
Hopewell Fire & EMS
Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services
Prince George County Police Department
Fort Lee Fire and Emergency Services

03/21/2026

This morning at approximately 0920 the Crater Regional Technical Rescue Team was requested by Dinwiddie Fire & EMS to assist with rescuing an injured kayaker on the Appomattox river. Team assets arrived on scene quickly and began to assess. The patient was located on a rock in swift water. While awaiting the arrival of rescue swimmers and boats crews were able to get a throw rope to the victim and provide him with a PFD. Due to the complaints of the patient it was determined the safest rescue would be from a boat. Rescue swimmers from Colonial Heights Fire, EMS & Emergency Management and U.S. Army Fort Lee entered the water down stream while Chesterfield Fire/EMS put their boat in the water. The patient was successfully retrieved in the boat and moved to shore where is was placed in the care of Dinwiddie Fire and EMS for treatment and transport. Units operated on scene for approximately 1 hour before being released.
Responding agencies : Colonial Heights Fire/EMS, Fort Lee Fire and EMS, Prince George County Fire and EMS, Dinwiddie Fire/EMS (Co 4, Co 2), Petersburg Fire/Rescue, Chesterfield Fire/EMS, Dinwiddie Sheriffs Office, Virginia Conservation Police.

02/20/2026

Crater Regional Technical Rescue Team – Monthly Drill

The Crater Regional Technical Rescue Team held their monthly drill in Hopewell, focusing on critical rescue disciplines that prepare us for the most complex emergencies our region may face.

During this drill, members trained on:
🔹 Confined Space Entry
🔹 Breaching & Breaking
🔹 Patient Packaging
🔹 Rope Operations
🔹 Tripod Operations

These are not basic skills , they are high-risk, high-precision operations that demand confidence, competence, and teamwork.

What makes this team exceptional is not just the equipment or the certifications — it’s the commitment. Members from across the region continue to dedicate their time to sharpening their craft, mentoring newer technicians, and ensuring our collective capability continues to grow stronger.

Experience is earned. Skills are maintained. Standards are upheld.

Proud of the dedication shown by every member who continues to invest in readiness, professionalism, and the safety of the citizens we serve.

Prince George County Fire and EMS
Hopewell Fire & EMS
Colonial Heights Fire, EMS & Emergency Management
Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services
U.S. Army Fort Lee
Technical Rescue Association of Virginia

11/19/2025

10/10/2025

Today at approximately 1247 hours, The Crater Regional Technical Rescue Team was requested by Prince George County Fire and EMS for a vehicle into a structure. Units from Fort Lee Fire & Emergency Services, Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services, Prince George Fire/EMS, Colonial Heights Fire, EMS & Emergency Management, and Hopewell Fire & EMS responded. Once on scene team assets worked to stabilize the structure and remove the vehicl. Crews utilized commercial struts initially to gain access to the structure. After ensuring the building was clear the 2nd floor was supported and the vehicle removed. After the vehicle was removed the team utilized lumber to build more permanent shores to stabilize the building. After the structure was made safe units began to demobilize and return to their respective agencies.

09/12/2025

Today at approximately 1708, the Crater Regional Technical Rescue Team was requested to assist with the extrication of a driver heavily entrapped in a tractor trailer on I95 in Prince George County. PGFEMS units had been operating for approximately 1 hour prior to the arrival of team assets. Team members from Prince George County Fire and EMS, Fort Lee Fire and Emergency Services, and Petersburg Fire/Rescue worked together to free the driver. Crews operated for an additional hour after arrival before the driver was freed. Team members worked with assets from the VDOT Trip program that brings in heavy wreckers. WS Campbell Towing & Repair as well as Johnny Oakley Towing. The patient once extricated was passed off to Life Evac where he was then flown to a trauma center.

06/23/2025

The Crater Regional Technical Rescue Team was requested and deployed to Prince George County to assist county assets in the search of a missing child with autism. In conjunction with county resources, team assets, and volunteers the child was located and is being evaluated by EMS.

Great teamwork by all:
Prince George County Fire and EMS
Fort Lee Fire and Emergency Services
Colonial Heights Fire, EMS & Emergency Management
Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services
Prince George County Police Department

06/13/2025

***UPDATE*** The patient has been located.

06/13/2025

At approximately 1300 hrs the Crater Regional Technical Rescue Team was requested and deployed to Charles City County to assist with a missing persons search. Members from Colonial Heights Fire Department, Fort Gregg-Adams Fire and Emergnecy Services, Prince George Fire/EMS, and Petersburg Fire/Rescue responded with UTVs, rescue equipment, and 4x4 trucks. While most searches were performed on foot, having the resources available to perform any rescue needed is essential.
The CRTRT worked with local and state partners in the ongoing search. The search is still ongoing.