Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, Inc.

06/05/2026

At our monthly business meeting, Chief Engineer Gordon Townsend (pictured right) was recognized for having served the citizens of, and visitors to Gloucester County as a member of GVFRS for 55 years! As Chief Engineer, Townsend is responsible for keeping all fire apparatus, medic units and utilities along with the equipment carried on them in proper working order. He not only tends to maintaining our fleet, he also maintains the breathing air compressors in our three stations along with making sure everything else is in top shape! This man is a true genius having an almost encyclopedic memory and vast knowledge about almost everything mechanical. If he doesn’t know the answer to a question immediately, the next time you see him he will have researched the issue and have a full explanation and answer. Over the years, Townsend has saved our company untold thousands of dollars by making necessary repairs himself instead of us having to send broken equipment out for repairs. Townsend continues to actively tend to these duties as well as responding to emergency calls! Pictured to his left is Awards Committee Chairman W.L. Johnston.

06/03/2026

This morning at Gloucester High School’s Senior Awards Program, three graduating seniors were recognized for the numerous hours they spent serving their community as members of Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad. Pictured from left are: Kennedy Wilhite Junior EMS, Fire Cadet Deican O’Brien, Fire Cadet Kenneth Field and GVFRS President Bruce Soles.

GVFRS has two programs for teens aged 16 to 18 looking to learn more about how first responders are able to effectively and safely render aid to other members of, and visitors to, our community on what possibly may be the worst day of their lives. Through the Junior EMS program, they go on medic and public assist calls on a medic unit. Junior members can become “full-fledged” EMTs either through the high school or through GVFRS at Rappahannock Community College. Fire Cadets are trained by Officers and experienced members of our Company and are exposed to the many different facets of the fire service. They are provided personal protective equipment, ride fire apparatus to most calls (there are certain types of calls that we do not allow them to respond to) and provide important assistance to “exterior” firefighters and driver operators on the fire ground. (They are not permitted to go inside any burning structure.)

Many, but not all of our Junior Members and Cadets have gone on to become career firefighter-EMTs in surrounding counties. Some of those that are career still volunteer with us or with Abingdon. Others have pursued other career opportunities and still volunteer with us. And of course, some have learned that being a first responder “wasn’t for them”.

If you are coming up on your 16th birthday or, if you know of someone who is, stop by Station 1 in the Courthouse Village or go to our website at www.GVFRS.org to find out more!

06/01/2026

The first Monday of every month, members of Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue attend our monthly business meeting at Station 1 in the Courthouse Village. Generally, members will show up and gather early in the engine bay to socialize and “catch up” with one another.

We’re always looking for new members, and if you have ever wondered about becoming a firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician, or both, feel free to drop by Station 1 to find out more, or go to our website www.GVFRS.org and look around. If you’re really interested and ready to take the next step, applications for membership can even be completed online!

05/24/2026

At every one of our Fire Prevention Presentations we stress the importance of EVERYONE SLEEPING WITH BEDROOM DOORS CLOSED! Well here’s an interesting video of an attached garage fire showing how the closed door between the garage and living quarters kept dangerous smoke and flames at bay!

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1RLicZdCNc/?mibextid=wwXIfr

05/18/2026

GVFRS is conducting joint tanker shuttle drill with our mutual aid partners. Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue Inc. Upper Middlesex fire, Lower Middlesex fire, Middlesex Fire, Lower King & Queen Fire, Mathews fire, York County fire and Deltaville fire.

05/15/2026

HEY FOLKS! WE ARE OFFICIALLY ENDURING DROUGHT CONDITIONS HERE IN GLOUCESTER, MATHEWS, MIDDLESEX, KING AND QUEEN AND PRETTY MUCH THE ENTIRE STATE!

PLEASE REFRAIN FROM OUTDOOR BURNING!!!

Click on the story below if you want more details. The “short story” is, coupled with the windy conditions we’ve been seeing on a daily basis, the potential exists for wildfires to spread burning large areas of vegetation, woodlands and burning your and your neighbors real property (buildings)!

https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/deq-drought-warning-advisory-expands-may-14/?fbclid=IwZnRzaAR0aNdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEevX7R31hrgARmriOHdXIcf7OPZFeWSMMaXzX4YKvwWFmA2lrchMNsPYgFg60_aem_p-BP9Y4be8LdyjLPR4xNWw

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is expanding its drought warning to 94 counties and 33 cities due to continued drought conditions across the state.

05/05/2026

GVFRS ANNOUNCES THE PROMOTION OF AJ HAMILTON TO THE RANK OF CAPTAIN!

Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue is proud to announce the appointment of Alan Jordan “AJ” Hamilton to the rank of Captain at last night’s General Membership Business Meeting. AJ was born and raised in Gloucester. Not only is he a “native son”, he was “a firehouse kid” growing up as his father, Captain David Hamilton, has been a top responding member of our company for over forty years! AJ first joined the company as a Cadet in 2012 and became a probationary firefighter in 2014. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2024. Our older members have thoroughly enjoyed watching the evolution of AJ from small child into a skilled firefighter and exceptional leader! We know that he is going to do an outstanding job serving the citizens and visitors of Gloucester in their time of need! AJ is pictured with Assistant Chief Jon Williams receiving a Captain’s Shield for his helmet.

05/05/2026

PLEASE REFRAIN FROM OUTDOOR BURNING TODAY!

With the lack of rain we have near drought conditions throughout the county already. Couple that with low humidity and a steady breeze today, and the conditions are ripe for catastrophic brush fires that can result in burning more than brush and woods - such as burning down your or your neighbors' homes and other structures! Please don’t engage in outside burning today!

05/04/2026

Last Monday evening Cadet Instructors Brian Van Atta and Sean McNulty took engines 10 and 14 out to teach several Cadet firefighters how to safely and effectively advance charged (flowing) fire attack lines. They were assisted by firefighters William Lenderman and Christopher Potter under the supervision of Lt. A.J. Hamilton.

Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad has two programs for teenagers age 16 to 18 who might be interested in pursuing a career in public safety. Our Cadet Program exposes teen agers to various aspects of firefighting. The second program was really our first for interested teens. It is called our Junior Squad and exposes them to various aspects of Emergency Medical Response. If you are a teen who may be interested, or know of one between the ages of 16 to 18 who may be interested in a possible career in public safety, check out our website at www.GVFRS.org or stop by Station 1 on Main Street in the Courthouse Village to find out more!

04/29/2026

Here’s some important information concerning a part of your clothes dryer that you might never have thought about needing attention!

Neglecting this habit can actually be a hazard to your home (and no, it's not your lint trap).