Spreading Holiday Cheer: VDFP’s Annual Holiday Party
The holiday spirit was in full swing at this year’s Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) Holiday Party! Our team gathered to celebrate the season with great food, laughter, and camaraderie, creating memories that will carry us into the new year.
Our Mission and Vision Statement
The Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) recently released our 2024-2026 Strategic Plan, which charts a clear course for the future of our agency supporting the safety and well-being of our communities.
Spreading Holiday Cheer: VDFP’s Annual Holiday Party
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A Festive Luncheon
The celebration began with a delicious luncheon, where team members shared a meal and reflected on the year’s accomplishments. The room was filled with joy and a sense of togetherness, a perfect way to close out another successful year at VDFP.
White Elephant Gift Exchange
No holiday party is complete without a little fun, and this year’s White Elephant gift exchange did not disappoint! The event brought out everyone’s playful side as participants unwrapped quirky, creative, and sometimes surprising gifts. From thoughtful treasures to surprises, the exchange was a highlight of the celebration and kept the room buzzing with laughs.
The holiday party was more than just a celebration—it was a reminder of the strength and unity within our agency. As we head into the new year, we carry forward the connection and positivity fostered during this special gathering.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the party a success.
Here’s to a joyful holiday season and an incredible 2025 ahead!
Employee
Spotlight:
Sarah Davis, General Administrative Assistant
Our employee spotlight this month is Sarah Davis, General Administrative Assistant. Through a series of questions, Sarah explains what she loves about her job, her interests outside of work, and a few extra questions for good measure:
What do you love most about your job?
I absolutely love being in out in the field and having the opportunity to “stay a student”. I love observing and participating in our Special Operations courses and providing support for students & instructors in real time. So far, my happiest place is propped up in a camping chair with my laptop at a trench at PSTC!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I enjoy finding new parks and hiking trails within a 2-hour drive of the house. Most times, my days are spent burning the energy of my two little boys.
Where do you think you can have the biggest impact in your role?
I aim to bridge the gap between online education and the needs of our stakeholders while staying informed about developments in the field. My goal is to meet learners where they are and provide them with the valuable information that our instructors gather from their experiences in the field.
What’s the best trip you’ve ever been on and why?
Cruising along I-101 in Oregon and Northern California, making pit stops through the costal towns along the mountain side. I highly recommend stopping in Depot Bay and going whale watching for the resident grey whale pod. The wildlife is unmatched, and they have the best clam chowder at the local restaurant next to the docks.
If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
It would be a dream to do a guided tour through the Amazon. I would nerd out over all the creepy crawlies!
Anything else, career or personal, that you want us to include?
I feel so lucky to have a position that allows me to connect with my husband who is a new fire fighter, have a great time laughing with amazing co-workers that are now friends, and stay a student.
IT Corner
Greetings VDFP Colleagues,
Recently, we’ve noticed a few IT items—such as power cords, docking stations, keyboards, and mice—being borrowed from unoccupied desks. If you find yourself in need of a replacement or a temporary loan because something was forgotten at home during telework, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can stop by the IT department or email us at itsupport@vdfp.virginia.gov, and we’ll do our best to assist you. While we may not always have every item in stock, we usually have the essentials on hand to help.
We understand these situations can be frustrating for both the IT team and the staff member whose equipment was borrowed. Your cooperation helps ensure that everyone has access to the tools they need to work efficiently.
Additionally, as we settle into colder, damp weather, we kindly remind you to avoid leaving IT equipment—like laptops, iPads, or phones—in your car for extended periods. Cold and damp conditions can lead to condensation, which may damage devices. Unfortunately, repairs for this type of issue are classified by VITA as Customer Induced Damage (CID), which means VDFP must cover repair costs or buy out the lease on affected equipment.
Thank you so much for helping us keep our technology running smoothly. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out.
On behalf of the VDFP IT Department, Robert Steele
Our Mission and Vision Statement
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The Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) recently released our 2024-2026 Strategic Plan, which charts a clear course for the future of our agency. This plan reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing fire services across the Commonwealth and supporting the safety and well-being of our communities.
This updated plan focuses on expanding our services, advancing professional development, and reducing risk across Virginia. At the heart of this plan are our newly updated vision and mission statements.
Our Vision Statement
We, the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP), will strive to expand our services to meet the growing needs of Virginia’s Fire Service, ensuring that Virginia’s communities remain safe from fire and reducing community risk.
Our Mission Statement
The Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) will be a nationally recognized leader in providing the highest level of fire services professional development and statewide risk reduction efforts.
These guiding principles serve as the foundation of our strategic initiatives, which include enhancing training programs, fostering community partnerships, and adopting innovative approaches to risk reduction.
As we move forward, we encourage all team members to align their efforts with the goals outlined in the strategic plan. Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact on the safety and resilience of Virginia’s communities.
Thank you for your dedication and hard work in helping us achieve this shared vision.
Here’s to a successful road ahead!
Virginia Retirement System Defined Contribution Plan
In January 2025, your Virginia Retirement System Defined Contribution Plan will introduce a new enhanced DCP website, powerful new plan features and a new record keeper, Voya Financial® (Voya).* No action is required, but here are some ways you can be prepared.
Watch for an information package coming soon.
Be sure to read the transition newsletter, mailed to your home address the week of October 21. This newsletter explains how your plan record keeper is changing and what to expect.
Register for a transition information session, hosted by Voya Financial. These sessions will introduce you to Voya, and discuss new enhancements, key dates, next steps and available resources. Several virtual sessions are available. Visit the dcp.varetire.org/ transition and go to the “Webinars” tab to sign up for the session that best fits your schedule.
Learn more about Voya and future enhancements.
Visit dcp.varetire.org/transition for additional details about what’s new, key transition dates and to learn more about Voya, including their retirement readiness tools and resources.
Be aware of upcoming “blackout dates.”
To move the plans to Voya, there will be a brief period, starting on or around December 20 and ending on or around January 6, 2025, when your account access will be restricted.
Questions about the transition?
• Visit dcp.varetire.org/transition to stay informed throughout the transition to Voya.
• Contact a Voya customer service associate at 833-625-0115 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., ET, excluding stock market holidays, for questions related to the transition to Voya.
*Voya Financial (NYSE: VOYA) is a premier retirement, investment and insurance company servicing the financial needs of millions of individual and institutional customers throughout the United States. Voya Institutional Plan Services, LLC (VIPS), a member of the Voya® family of companies, is the Plan’s recordkeeper. VIPS provides you with Plan information, saving and investing education, transaction processing and more on your journey to retirement.
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