King George Fire and Rescue- “From Humble Beginnings to Humbly Progressive

By Jon Burroughs Photo credits: King George Fire and Rescue

On August 14, 1946, twenty-five individuals were sworn in as the first firefighters of King George County, Virginia. Originally called the King George Volunteer Fire Association, and later renamed the King George Volunteer Fire Department, the King George Fire Fighters occupied a two bay building in the heart of downtown King George. Later, in 1966, the KGVFD purchased a new pumper truck and the two-bay building expanded to three bays. The inaugural KGVFD building still stands today and is home to King George Tire.

In 2008, the King George County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution creating King George Department of Fire/Rescue and Emergency Services. The first, and current, Fire/Rescue Chief is David W. Moody. Today, KGFR has grown beyond its humble beginnings. King George Fire and Rescue sports 52 full-time employees, 14 parttime employees and 65 Fire & EMS volunteers. Their vehicle arsenal is expansive and includes 7 ambulances, 2 boats, 4 pumper trucks, 3 tanks, and 2 brush trucks among others.

The County’s first Fire/Rescue Chief, David Moody, is a native Virginian. Growing up in his native Portsmouth, Chief Moody entered the emergency services field as a volunteer before rising to the rank of Station Captain for the Department of Defense. Chief Moody is a 2014 graduate of the prestigious National Fire Academy

King George Fire and Rescue Station Location Map Open Burn Sign Executive Fire Officer Program. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire & Emergency Services Administration as well as two associate degrees. Chief Moody resides in King George County with his wife and two children.

Fire safety and prevention is a passion for Chief Moody and the men and women of King George Fire and Rescue. According to the Chief, your home should have one smoke detector per floor and one per bedroom. While many modern smoke detectors are hardwired to the home’s electrical system, a battery back-up is always important to maintain readiness. Chief Moody recommends changing your smoke detector’s battery when you adjust your clock for daylight savings time.

The risk of injury due to fire or propane gas increases significantly in dense communities like Hopyard Farm. Things like fireworks and gas powered generators pose a significant danger to not only you, but your neighbors as well. In Virginia, any firework item that explodes or leaves the ground is illegal. KGFR reminds you when operating a gas-powered generator-- remember to position it away from your home and your neighbors’ homes. Portable generators, when positioned close to a home or inside a garage, can expel exhaust back into a home. The risk of carbon monoxide poising resulting from generator exhaust is significant. Using a propane grill inside an enclosed space such a garage or shed also poses a risk of carbon monoxide poising. When using gas-fueled equipment, always work in a well ventilated area.

According to King George Fire and Rescue, Hopyard Farm community is well structured for fire prevention. With homes within 1000 feet of a fire hydrant and only miles from King George Fire and Rescue Company 1, Hopyard Farm is well protected. As King George County continues to expand and grow, Chief Moody and his staff are constantly assessing the needs of King George citizens and rising to the challenge of being progressively prepared. n

Hopyard Hall is the community’s center for activities. It contains a fitness center, media center, business center, billiards room, reception room, dining room, kitchen, and the community manager’s office. Hours of operation are: Monday through Fridays: 9a.m.-5p.m. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult when visiting the main clubhouse facilities.

The fitness center is available on a 24-hour basis and is accessed using a key fob, which is issued to residents by the community manager. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult when using the facilities. The pool is opened from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Pool hours and applications are on Town Square. Picture ID pool passes are issued to new homeowners in the late spring by the community manager and must be validated each year for the current pool season.

The Hall may be leased by residents for private parties and meetings. Leasing documents can be found on Town Square or at the manager’s office. Please contact the on-site community manager for questions.

Assessments Assessment payments are due on the first day of each quarter (January, April, July, and October). A $25 late fee will be charged if assessment payments are not received by the 10th day of the month. Please either pay through Town Square or submit CMC coupon with checks made payable according to coupon book directions. You may contact CMC’s customer service department concerning any problem related to the payment of your community association fee. (Ref Section 6.2, HOA Manual)

lawns Grass must be cut (maximum height of six (6) inches and a minimum of two (2) inches and maintained on a regular basis. This includes trimming the high grass from the house, fence edges, AC units, mailbox, and light posts, as well as the grass areas along the sidewalks. Planted beds must be kept in an orderly manner. Owners are responsible for maintaining the neat and orderly overall appearance of their individual properties. (Section VI, HOA Manual)

Trash removal Trash removal is included in the HOA assessment fee paid by homeowners. Collection days are Friday. Recyclables need to be placed in the recycling container. Containers are provided by the trash company and may be obtained by calling them directly. Trash containers shall not be placed curbside prior to 6p.m. on the previous evening and shall be removed by 6p.m. the day of pickup. Trash containers and recycle bins must be stored out of public view on all non-pickup days and should be stored inside your garage, shed, or backyard. The contractor will pick up furniture, appliances, and other bulky household debris by appointment. Advance notice must be provided when large and/or heavy items are being disposed. There will be an additional charge to a homeowner for such disposal services. (Ref Section V, HOAManual)

Dee Garner, Chair deaniebg@aol.com

Hopyard Farm is surrounded by the Rappahannock River and is home to many species of birds, reptiles, mammals, fish, and rodents. The Backyard Wildlife Management Committee’s functions are to create, maintain, and protect wildlife habitats that surround the Rappahannock. In addition, the BWMC promotes and encourages backyard wildlife habitats with residents and provides assistance as required utilizing guidelines set forth by the National Wildlife Federation. They have on occasion, arranged seminars on composting, bird house building, tree planting, water conservation and best landscaping practices to support wildlife. They’re a committee that cares about promoting and protecting the wildlife with your help.

BWMC is always looking for additional members. They meet as needed for about an hour and occasionally are involved in functions as required to support the committee’s goals. Membership is free, you just need a good heart and have an interest in promoting and protecting the wildlife and the beauty of the Rappahannock River.

FINANCE Committee

Chris Werle, Chair Cwerle1@verizon.net

The Finance Committee advises the Board on HOA financial matters. They review the monthly financial reports and participate in the annual budget process. They meet as needed. Financial reports can be found on Town Square.

Covenants Committee Marietto Jeffries, Chair Mariettoj@hotmail.com

The Covenants Committee is appointed by the Board. It is responsible for ensuring the aesthetic quality of the homes and their environs by establishing and monitoring the architectural review process. Any exterior alterations, permanent or temporary, require approval. Committee approval is not limited to major alterations, but also includes such items as changes in color, materials, etc. Approval is also required when an existing item is to be removed.

Submission of an exterior alteration application by the owner proposing the project is required. Please refer to the Hopyard Farm Homeowner’s Association Owner’s Manual for additional information and a copy of the application form or contact the HOA office.

Pool & Rec Committee Dara Johnson, Chair hopyardfarmpr@gmail.com

The Pool and Rec Committee plans social events to bring the neighborhood together. They have coordinated both family and adult events, including cook-outs, yard sales, pool parties, and holiday gatherings. This committee also reviews and revises, as necessary, the policies and regulations of the community center, fitness center, and pool. The Pool and Rec Committee always needs more committee members and volunteers to help at specific events. The committee meets as needed.

volunteers If you enjoy meeting people and would like to contribute to your neighborhood then why not become a volunteer? Hopyard’s committees include Backyard Wildlife Management, Covenants, Finance, and Pool and Recreation. These committees help make Hopyard Farm a pleasant and active community in which to live. Your help will go a long way in achieving this goal. Your ideas and support will help make this community a healthy, attractive, and a happy place in which to live, whether you are retired or raising children or somewhere in between. Help make a difference right here in Hopyard by becoming a volunteer and joining a committee!

clubhouse rentals

Reserve Your Space Early!

$300.00 Deposit (Non-Alcohol Events) $600.00 Deposit (w/ Alcohol) *ABC Permits May Be Required

Rental Fee is $100.00 Per Hour and Available on a First Come First Serve Basis to Homeowners in Good Standings.

Please contact Elizabeth Panzano, Community Manager for more information.

Items Our Local Food Pantry NEEDS: • Canned fruit • Canned vegetables • Canned soup • Pet food • Shampoo • Conditioner • Body wash • Toilet paper • Deodorant • Dishwashing liquid

*Non-perishable items can be put in the Love They Neighbor donation barrel at the King George YMCA. Monetary donations can be made at www.kg-ltn.org

Utilities Dominion Virginia Power: 866-366-4357 Service Authority: 540-775-2746

PUBLIC SERVICE PHONE #S Animal Control: 540-775-2120 Building Permits & Inspections: 540-775-7111 L.E. Smoot Memorial Library: 540-775-2147 King George Sheriff’s Office: 540-775-2049 Service Authority: 540-775-2746 Solid Waster & Recycling (Landfill): 540-775-3267 Fire, Rescue Emergency Services: 540-775-8900

RECREATION #s King George Parks & Recreation: 540-775-4386 https://www.kinggeorgecountyva.gov Caledon Natural Area: 540-663-3861

More Useful Phone #S Commonwealth Constituent Viewpoint Line: 800-889-0229 Social Security Administration: 800-772-1213

King George County Schools KG County School Board: 540-775-5833

King George High School: 540-775-3055 10100 Foxes Way, King George, VA 22485

King George Middle School: 540-775-2331 8246 Dahlgren Road, King George, VA 22485

State Informational Websites Listing of State Agencies: http://virginia.gov Dept of Taxation website: www.tax.virginia.gov State Parks: www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/index Dept of Motor Vehicles: www.dmv.state.va.us Court System: www.sbe.Virginia.gov/cms/ Dept of Health: www.vdh.state.va.us State Board of Elections: www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms VA Sex Offender’s Registry: www.sex.offender.vsp.virginia.gov/sor

Other Local Resources CVS Pharmacy 11458 Kings Hwy King George, VA 540-775-2288

KG Co Historical Museum & Research 9483 Kings Hwy King George, VA KGHISTORY@verizon.net

Dahlgren Heritage Museum 17267 Dahlgren Rd (Rt 301) Dahlgren, VA http://dahlgrenmuseum.org

KG Emergency Alert System and state websites King George County uses the KGALERT system to Immediately contact you during a major crisis or emergency. KGALERT delivers important emergency alerts, notifications, and updates to you on all your devices and email accounts: cell phone, email, etc.

This system is solely for the use of King George County residents and people working for businesses located in King George County. Registration is FREE of charge. To learn more about King George Alert, log in at https://www.kgalert.com and go to FAQ section.

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construction issues Any questions or concerns related to construction problems with your home or the lot on which it is located should be addressed directly to the customer service division of your builder. The Hopyard Farm Homeowner’s Association has no legal jurisdiction in such matters.

leased homes The Association requires that the owner of any home file with Board of Directors a copy of any lease executed on any home. If you are leasing your home, a copy of the lease should be provided to the on-site management office. The homeowner will be deemed responsible for failure of the tenant to abide by any rules or regulations or other duty-adopted regulations of the Association. If you are an investor owner, please ensure that CMC has your correct mailing address.