Spotsylvania County Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management

06/14/2026

As we get underway with the 2026 Virginia Fire Officers Academy, we'd like to continue introducing the outstanding staff members who help make this academy a success. We will continue highlighting members throughout the duration of the academy.

This afternoon, we'd like to recognize the individual who works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our technology running smoothly. Our Information Technology Chief, Lieutenant Daniel Oursler from Spotsylvania County Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management

A graduate of the 2022 Virginia Fire Officers Academy, Lieutenant Oursler immediately stepped up to serve the academy following his graduation. From managing technical systems to troubleshooting unexpected issues, he plays a critical role in ensuring our staff and students have the resources they need throughout the week.

Thank you, Lieutenant Oursler, for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to the Virginia Fire Officers Academy. We appreciate all that you do!

06/14/2026

06/12/2026

Register your devices to receive critical information related to road closures, severe weather, and other emergency-related incidents: https://member.everbridge.net/453003085614481/login

We expect thunderstorms to start forming after 3PM today and persist through this evening. Damaging winds are the primary hazard, but isolated hail is also possible. Ensure you have a safe place to go if your area is in a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.

06/12/2026

As he prepares to retire, Chief Jay Cullinan looks back on a career in public safety and his years leading Spotsylvania Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services. The chief discusses how the county has grown, and how fire and rescue continues to meet needs.

06/12/2026

Join us in celebrating “National Emergency Management Professionals Week” by thanking our very own Don Willis! As our County Emergency Management Coordinator, Don is the bridge between local, state, and federal teams working to keep us safe through disaster preparedness, mitigation, and recovery.

Want to know more about Don’s vital work and access the helpful community safety resources he manages? Click here: https://www.spotsylvania.va.us/530/Emergency-Management

06/12/2026

06/11/2026

Please join us in welcoming our 2026 Operations Section Chief, Steven Cooper, Deputy Fire Chief of Operations with the Spotsylvania Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services.
A third-generation firefighter, Chief Cooper brings 35 years of experience in both career and volunteer fire service to this year's Virginia Chief Officer Academy Command Staff.
🔥 Professional Highlights
▪️ 35 Years of Fire Service Experience
▪️ Deputy Fire Chief of Operations
▪️ Bachelor's Degree in Fire Administration
▪️ Master's Degree Candidate in Business Management with a concentration in Public Administration
Throughout his distinguished career, Chief Cooper has remained dedicated to serving others and developing future leaders within the fire service.
🔥 Leadership & Instruction
▪️ Served on numerous department committees
▪️ Instructor for entry-level firefighter training
▪️ Leadership development instructor
▪️ Driver/Operator training instructor
▪️ Technical Rescue instructor across multiple disciplines
▪️ Mentor to countless firefighters and officers throughout his career
Chief Cooper's leadership philosophy is built on service, teamwork, mentorship, and a steadfast commitment to preparing the next generation of fire service professionals.
Outside of the firehouse, he enjoys studying history—particularly military history—and spending time metal detecting for Civil War relics. His passion for preserving history reflects the same respect for tradition, service, and legacy that has defined his career.
We are honored to have Chief Cooper serving as the Operations Section Chief for the 2026 Virginia Chief Officer Academy and helping shape the future leaders of the fire service.
Please join us in welcoming Steven Cooper to the VCOA Command Staff Team!

06/11/2026

Did you know that hundreds of roadside workers and first responders are struck and injured every year just for doing their jobs? 🛑

Our highways are unpredictable, and when our fire and rescue crews are responding to an incident, a distracted or fast-moving car can change everything in a split second.

For Move Over Awareness Month, we're asking a small favor that makes a massive difference:

👉 If it’s safe, move over a lane.
👉 If you can't move over, slow way down.

Let’s keep the people who save lives safe.

Photo (L to R): EMT Peyton Epps (SVRS), Firefighter Brandon Murray, Tech I Sean Robertson, Lieutenant Philip Joe, Tech I Austin Urbine, and Firefighter Alexander McIntyre, all of Station 8 (B-Shift)

06/10/2026

Please join us in welcoming our 2026 Deputy Incident Commander, DJ Epps, Battalion Chief with Spotsylvania Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management.
Chief Epps brings more than two decades of fire service experience and a passion for leadership development to this year's Academy.
🔥 Professional Highlights
▪️ VFOA Graduate – 2016
▪️ VCOA Graduate – 2023
▪️ Third Year Serving on VCOA Staff
▪️ Bachelor's Degree in Fire Administration
▪️ 23 Years of Fire Service Experience
Throughout his career, Chief Epps has demonstrated a commitment to servant leadership, professional growth, and developing the next generation of fire service leaders.
As a graduate of the Virginia Chief Officer Academy, he understands firsthand the impact the program can have on an officer's career and leadership journey.
💬 "I am excited for the opportunity to give back to the fire service and make a difference in a program that helped guide me professionally and grow as a leader."
Chief Epps' dedication to mentorship, leadership development, and service makes him an outstanding addition to the 2026 Virginia Chief Officer Academy Command Staff Team.
Please join us in welcoming Deputy Incident Commander DJ Epps as we continue our mission of developing the future leaders of the fire service.

06/10/2026

Think the Move Over law is just for fire trucks and police cars? Think again! 🚗💨

The law is designed to protect anyone working or stranded on the hard shoulder. That means you need to slow down and move over for:

🚒 Fire Engines & Ambulances
🚓 Law Enforcement
🚧 Tow Trucks & Highway Maintenance
⚠️ Stranded motorists with their hazard lights blinking

Anyone standing on the side of a highway is vulnerable to passing traffic. Let's give them the space they need to stay safe.

Photo (L to R): Tech II Scott Bain (F/R 5), Firefighter Grayson Child (F/R 9), Tech II Corey Williams (F/R 9), Firefighter Jonathan Steele (F/R 9), and Tech II Matthew Wood (F/R 9)