Heavy Vehicle Program
VDFP Special Operations Division closed out its 2024 teaching schedule with a Heavy Vehicle program in Wytheville (Dec. 5-7).
The program was hosted by Complete Towing and Recovery in Max Meadows. They provided classroom, lunches, heavy wreckers and equipment along with operators. When temperatures dipped below freezing with windchills near 0 degrees, Complete Towing and Recovery moved all the required training props indoors at their facility for our instructors and students to have the best teaching and learning experience.
Supporting Our Communities Through Winter Storm Blair
When Winter Storm Blair swept through the Richmond region, it left significant challenges in its wake, including power outages and a widespread water shortage.
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In response, emergency managers swiftly established Points of Distribution (PODs) to provide bottled water and potable water from tanker trucks to residents under a boil water advisory. The Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) staff played a role in supporting this emergency response.
Mobilizing Resources and Expertise
Staff members Dave Jolly, Marc Brady, and Troy Bower led the initial deployment, utilizing agency logistics vehicles to deliver pallets of bottled water to PODs across the region. They were later joined by additional staff and adjunct personnel: Glenn Akers, Harris Archer, Pat Buyers, Luke Hoover, Paul King, and Wade West, who worked tirelessly to ensure that supplies reached those in need.
This team provided a tremendous amount of support for the Richmond water treatment facility failure. In total, the team delivered 162 pallets of water, which included 82 cases of water per pallet, providing 13,284 cases of water to the citizens of Richmond through 13 pod locations set up throughout the city. In total, they traveled 1,659 miles and worked a combined total of 231 hours.
Supporting Emergency Operations
As the response expanded, Will Merritt and Jamey Brads were requested to deploy in support of Henrico County. Will Merritt joined the Henrico Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as Ground Supply Supervisor, where he tracked existing orders of both bottled and potable water, and monitored bottled water supplies at the PODs across the county. Meanwhile, Jamey Brads worked in the field, managing numerous logistics requests to maintain the flow of resources.
Efforts responding to the water outage continued through Jan. 11.
Preparing for the Next Storm
VDFP staff were also preparing for the next winter storm. Joey Bona, JP Calhoun, and Tom Berry monitored weather developments from the State EOC, ensuring readiness for any additional challenges.
Commitment in Action
The efforts during Winter Storm Blair underscore VDFP’s commitment to assisting communities in times of need. From distributing essential supplies to managing logistics and planning contingencies, VDFP’s employees demonstrated their readiness to step up and support our region in critical moments. This collaborative response is a testament to the strength and dedication of our agency in serving Virginia’s communities.
February VFRC Conference
VDFP will attend and support the Virginia Fire Rescue Conference in February at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. As usual, multiple VDFP sections will support the conference:
• Logistics will provide technical set-up and assistance for each of the classrooms
• Training and Operations and the State Fire Marshal’s Office will offer several classes for attendees
• Staff from Training and Operations and Marketing and Communications will interact with attendees in the exhibit hall
• Government Affairs will support the Virginia Fire Services Board meetings during the conference
For more information about the conference, visit:
Virginia Fire Rescue Conference - Virginia Fire Chiefs Association
W-2s Now Available in Cardinal!
W-2s for state employees who receive paychecks from Cardinal are online. To access your W-2:
1. Use the “HCM” link on the left.
IT Corner
Happy New Year, VDFP! 2024 was a pivotal year for Information Technology at the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. Antonio Crew took a promotion at the Department of Medical Assistance Services, and I accepted the role of IT Manager here at VDFP. We thank Antonio for his time and paving the way to bring VDFP into the 21st Century. VDFP also hired its first dedicated Information Security Officer (ISO), Phil Napier. It has been interesting navigating and learning this landscape with another fresh recruit, and we work together very well. As we move swiftly into 2025, the IT Support team has assisted in several IT projects, here are a few:
Working with the Community Risk Reduction Coordinator, Ken Brown, IT has been assisting with ESRI, the online reporting system for fire departments across the commonwealth. IT has provided a dedicated resource for this and hopes to go live in 2025.
QuestionMark, the new computer-based testing application. Working with David Jolly and Amanda Kennedy, as well as several other contributors in Training and Operations has been a pleasure and we look forward to continuing the partnership for future endeavors.
The IT team also worked with the State Fire Marshal’s Office to sunset the rugged Dell tablets that SFMO were using and distributed iPad tablets to assist in their daily routines.
In conjunction with our Public Information Officer, Will Merritt, Tommy Rollins was brought onboard to lead our website modernization project. Tommy has been tasked to bring the VDFP website up to accessibility standards and give it a much-needed face lift. Not only is this required by law, but the outcome will be a more user-friendly interface for our agency’s webpage. Tommy is also working on an intranet site for VDFP employees. More to come on both efforts.
VDFP IT also welcomed Hima George, our new IT Project Coordinator. Hima quickly dove into our current IT projects and has proved to be a great asset and resource.
Our most recent project is upgrading the large conference room near reception and the training rooms. The rooms will be outfitted with new monitors, speakers, cameras and in-ceiling microphones for meetings and training activities. We’re excited to get this one completed and should be ready by summer.
The VDFP IT team is here to assist and support the agency as best as possible. We have a dedicated staff who are ready to help when the need arises. Please remember to contact ITSupport@vdfp.virginia.gov for any issues, concerns and questions regarding current occurrences or ideas for a future state.
Thanks for a wonderful 2024, I look forward to what 2025 will bring us. Robert Steele
VDFP IT Manager | Deputy ISO
VRS Update: Transition from MissionSquare to Voya is Complete
The recordkeeper transition from Mission Square to Voya is complete. Participants can log back into their accounts and create a new userID and password. Explore the new website features, resources, and information. Please see additional information below.
New url for DCP information
https://dcp.varetire.org/
To create a new user id and password (If no phone or email on file you will need the PIN code Voya Financial sent to you)
Log in to your DCP
Account
Call to get information at Participant Services
877-327-5261 (Option 1)
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
For the deaf and hard of hearing: 800-579-5708.
Tools and Resources
VRS Defined Contribution Plans | Tools & Resources
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