The Powhatan County Fire and Rescue Department is an integral part of the public safety system in Powhatan County. Each of the six companies (Company 1 – Powhatan Volunteer Fire Department; Company 2 – Huguenot Volunteer Fire Department; Company 3 – Macon District Volunteer Fire Department; Company 4 – Fine Creek Volunteer Fire Department; Company 5 – Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Department; and the
Powhatan Volunteer Rescue Squad) has its own leadership team and is completely staffed by volunteers. As a primarily volunteer system, we are always accepting new members who have a desire and compassion to serve others. There are several positions available to provide services to the community: Firefighting, Emergency Medical Services, and Auxiliary membership. The training is free and available for each position. There are positions available for people aged 12 and up. Our younger volunteers (12 – 15 years old) are introduced to public safety through the Junior Emergency Technicians (JET) program. (Check out their page at www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011466933319). Members 16 – 18 years old have the opportunity to serve in a station as a junior firefighter. Once members are age 18 or older, they become full members and can be designated as firefighters. The duties of firefighter can include:
• Helping protect the public in emergency situations.
• Responding to a wide variety of calls, such as car crashes, chemical spills, flooding, water rescue and general rescue as well as fires.
• Providing first aid until the arrival of ambulance personnel
• using new technology firefighting and rescue equipment
• Promoting fire safety via talks, advice and training sessions
• Demonstrating the use of firefighting equipment/extinguishers
• Performing practice drills
• Working with police and ambulance service personnel
• Undertaking physical and academic training
• Checking and maintaining vehicles and equipment
The work can be stressful but there is a great deal of job satisfaction to be gained from providing such a valuable service to the community. For those who have more of an interest in providing first aid or advanced medical care, the Powhatan Volunteer Rescue Squad serves the community by responding to incidents on the transport unit and concentrating on medical treatment and transportation of the sick and injured. Duties can include:
• Responding to calls of general illness, vehicle accidents, or trauma
• Working with the firefighters and police
• Providing basic or advanced medical care
• Providing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation
• Transporting the sick and injured to local hospitals
• Utilizing modern medical equipment
• Training designed to provide the most recent technologies
• Stand-by at large events, such as the County fair
• Checking and maintaining vehicles and equipment
Again, the work can be stressful but there is a great deal of job satisfaction to be gained from providing such a valuable service to the community. For those who wish to serve “behind the scenes” positions are available in the Auxiliary program. These dedicated individuals provide services to the companies by providing:
• Food and drink at incidents
• Assistance to the companies for fund raising
• Assisting the company with special events
• Assisting with general maintenance and upkeep of buildings and equipment
If you need any information about a position that would best suit you, you can: Check out our website at www.volunteerpowhatan.org; contact your local fire company; call the Powhatan County Fire and Rescue Department Recruitment and Retention Officer at 804-598-5646, ext. 2816; or click the button on our home page to send us an email!
