History of Spotsylvania County Fire/EMS Services

by

Chief Chris Eudailey, Spotsylvania Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services

Approximately 60 years ago (1947) the SVFD was established after a large fire occurred in the courthouse area. While waiting for Fredericksburg FD to arrive, the building burned to the ground. In 1956 other county citizens along the route 3 corridor identified a similar need and established the CVFD to serve the residents in this area. Additional stations were added around the county to enhance the service to the residents. In 1974 other county residents saw a need to establish medical first response for the citizens of the county. Up to this point Fredericksburg VRS had provided this service. Between 1947 and 1980 the dedicated volunteer Fire and EMS providers provided all Fire and EMS services to the residents of this county.

From this point, until 1980, dedicated volunteer Fire and EMS providers delivered service to the citizens of the county. In 1981 the county hired its first career firefighters. Two of these were assigned to FC4 ( Mine Rd.) and two were assigned to FC6 (Spotsylvania Mall). These employees worked M-F from 8-4. Between 1981 and 1988 these four providers, in conjunction with the volunteer providers, delivered service to the county residents.

In 1989 the county hired five additional firefighters and some administrative staff. The additional field providers allowed for a three person crew to be assigned to FC4, FC6 and at FC1 (Courthouse Station). Again these field providers continued to work M-F from 8-4. In 1990 the county hired its first four EMS providers. All four of these employees were assigned to RS1 (Courthouse) and they provided coverage with one crew from 5am- 1pm and the second crew worked from 10am – 6pm M-F.

During the early 1990’s career staffing was added to other EMS stations (RS4 and 5) and two person crews were added to Brokenburg and Partlow stations. During the late 1990’s the staffing at the rural stations was enhanced from two to three.

Since 1990 the county has replaced two fire stations (2 and 6), built two new EMS stations (2 and 5), added an EMS bay and associated space to FC6 to make this a consolidated station and built three new combined fire/EMS stations (7, 8, and 9). Also, since 1990 there has been 79 (77 uniform and 2 admin.) staff added to provide coverage at all fire and EMS stations for daytime coverage.

In the early 1990’s there were three EMS stations staffed around the clock using our combined resources at RS 1, 4, and 5. Currently there are five and sometimes six EMS stations covered. As you can see, improvements have been made in this area. CVFR has enhanced coverage at the Wilderness station while SVRS has helped fill a void at RS2 with night and weekend coverage. Rescue station 2 will have around the clock coverage once we are able to add four additional staff for daytime response.

During this same period there were no fire stations covered around the clock with providers in the stations. The career staff did work M-F from 8-4 and volunteers did also provide some duty crews at selected buildings during this period. Today there are 3-4 stations that have around the clock coverage.

Also, during this period a replacement schedule for fire/ EMS vehicles was developed and numerous vehicles have been purchased during this period. Major purchases during this period also included complete replacement of self contained breathing apparatus, purchase of thermal imaging cameras, purchase of additional cascade systems, procurement of emergency generators at selected stations and the addition of several oxygen refilling stations.

As you can see much energy and funding has been invested into the combination system in the past to get the system to where it is today. These improvements would not have been realized without support of the providers, County Administration and the Board of Supervisors. Work is continuing to make continued enhancements in the combination system and to realize 24/7 coverage from each Fire and EMS station in the county.

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