Hopewell Fire & EMS

05/10/2026

Shelter in Place has been lifted. There is no active leak. Thank you for your cooperation.

05/10/2026

Hopewell Fire is investigating odors in the area of Ramsey Ave. If you are in that area, shelter in place- all others should avoid this area. Updates will follow as soon as more information becomes available. Go inside close windows and doors.

05/05/2026

🚨 Increased Fire Danger Today 🚨

The National Weather Service is advising that central and eastern Virginia are at an increased risk for fire danger today.

Dry conditions combined with breezy afternoon winds will make it easier for fires to start and spread quickly.

🔥 Please use extreme caution with anything that could spark a fire.

Even small fires can spread rapidly under these conditions. Help us keep our community safe.

A warm and breezy day is expected across the region today. Mostly sunny and dry conditions will prevail, with afternoon high temperatures reaching the lower to mid 80s for inland areas. Immediate coastal locations will remain slightly cooler, with highs in the 70s.

Increased Fire Danger: Please be advised that there is an increased risk of fire danger today for central and eastern Virginia. The combination of dry conditions and breezy afternoon winds will make it easier for fires to start and spread. Please exercise caution and follow local burning regulations.

Looking Ahead: Moisture will begin to increase Wednesday into Thursday, bringing the potential for beneficial rainfall and a few scattered thunderstorms.

04/26/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2026 - Appomattox River Rescue

On April 25, 2026, the Hopewell Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call reporting that an adult male had entered the water and had not resurfaced at City Park, located at 205 Appomattox Street.

Units from Hopewell Fire & EMS and the Hopewell Police Department were dispatched and arrived on scene within four minutes. Upon arrival, crews located the individual approximately 400 yards from the shoreline, standing in the Appomattox River and walking in the mud flats. While personnel continued to monitor the individual from shore, Hopewell Fire & EMS deployed a drone to assist with locating and tracking the subject’s movement in the water.

Due to the location and conditions of the incident, Hopewell Fire & EMS requested a boat response from Chesterfield County Fire & EMS to assist with the rescue. Chesterfield County units launched a rescue boat from the Hopewell Marina and had it in the water within 30 minutes of the initial 911 call.

Working in coordination with personnel operating on land, in the air, and on the river, Chesterfield County Fire & EMS boat crews were guided to the individual’s location. Once on scene, a rescue swimmer entered the water and made contact with the subject. During the rescue effort, the individual became unresponsive.

The adult male was assisted onto the rescue boat, and life-saving measures were initiated immediately by Chesterfield County Fire & EMS personnel. The patient was transported by boat to the Hopewell Marina, where he was transferred to awaiting Hopewell Fire & EMS crews for continued advanced medical care. He was then transported to TriCities Hospital in Hopewell.

At the time of this release, the individual is listed in critical but stable condition.

Hopewell Fire & EMS would like to thank Chesterfield County Fire & EMS for their rapid response and assistance during this incident. The successful coordination between agencies and the use of aerial and marine resources played a critical role in the rescue effort.

Hopewell Fire & EMS would also like to remind the public to practice water safety when visiting rivers, lakes, and other open bodies of water. Safety recommendations include wearing a life jacket when appropriate, avoiding alcohol or drugs while swimming or boating, being aware of water conditions such as currents and mud flats, and never entering the water alone.

For additional information, please contact the Hopewell Fire Marshal at [email protected].

04/13/2026

The National Weather Service has issued an elevated fire danger rating for our area due to dry conditions and increased winds. These conditions make it easier for fires to start and spread quickly.

Reminder: Open Burning is NOT permitted within the city limits.

State Burn Ban in Effect Daily Until 4:00 PM
Due to ongoing windy conditions, open burning is prohibited each day until 4 PM across the state. Even small fires can quickly get out of control under these conditions.

Please do your part to help prevent wildfires:

Avoid any outdoor burning
Properly dispose of smoking materials
Use caution with equipment that may produce sparks

Let’s work together to keep our community safe this spring.

Dry and warm conditions are expected across the area this week, with relative humidity values dropping to 30% or less for inland locations in the afternoon starting Monday. This dry airmass, combined with gusty winds and the lack of rainfall may lead to elevated fire danger.

03/25/2026

PSA: City Employees will be holding their annual 5K run and walk on Fri, Mar 27, from 2 pm - 3:30 pm, at the Atwater Soccer Complex. Please be aware of heavy foot traffic in the area

03/17/2026

***SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING***

Until 915 PM EDT.

* At 819 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Bumpass to near Sutherland to 6 miles north of Purdy to near Radium, moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and powerlines.

* Severe thunderstorms will be near...

Richmond, Petersburg, Colonial Heights, University Of Richmond, Chester, Downtown Richmond, Virginia State University, Tuckahoe, Bon Air, and Jarratt around 825 PM EDT. Ashland, Virginia Union University, Randolph Macon College, Mechanicsville, Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia Commonwealth University, Ladysmith, and East Highland Park around 830 PM EDT. Hopewell, Highland Springs, Hanover, Prince George, Sussex, and Kings Dominion around 835 PM EDT. Bowling Green, Milford, Disputanta, Jordans Point, Dawn, and Studley around 840 PM EDT. Waverly, Garysville, Mangohick, Homeville, and Bottoms Bridge around 845 PM EDT. Charles City, Roxbury, Manquin, Burrowsville, Cabin Point, Tunstall, Beulahville, Adkins Store, and Fort Walker around 850 PM EDT. Claremont, Saint Stephens Church, Talleysville, Port Royal, Newtown, Ruthville, Aylett, and Providence Forge around 855 PM EDT. New Kent, King William, Dendron, Loretto, Holdcroft, and Rustic around 900 PM EDT.

Radar Update (6:45 PM) - A narrow line of showers is moving towards region, and should arrive between 7pm - 10pm. These showers are associated with the main cold front and have a history of producing wind gusts of 40-60 mph and occasional tree damage. Remain alert for possible additional warnings.

03/16/2026

⚠️ Weather Alert for Today – March 16

The City of Hopewell will close all offices at 12:00 PM today due to potentially hazardous weather conditions forecast by the National Weather Service.

Strong winds of 25–30 mph with gusts up to 40–50 mph are expected between 1 PM and 7 PM, with the possibility of severe thunderstorms later this afternoon and evening.

🏠 Safety Reminder:

Seek shelter in a safe location during high winds.

If a tornado warning is issued, move to the lowest level of your home, such as a basement or storm cellar.

If a basement is not available, use an interior bathroom, closet, or hallway and place as many walls between you and the outside as possible.

Protect your head with cushions, blankets, or helmets and avoid vehicles or mobile homes.

Residents are encouraged to follow the City of Hopewell website and official social media pages for updates on office reopenings and weather information.

Stay safe, Hopewell.
Hopewell Police Department
Hopewell Animal Services
Hopewell Recreation and Parks
Hopewell City Govt

A strong cold front approaches the area today, with strong to severe storms likely from late morning through the evening. Impacts from this system could be significant. All severe hazards are possible, with damaging winds and isolated tornadoes the primary threats. Please ensure you have a plan in place BEFORE severe weather impacts your area. Stay weather aware today and stay safe!

03/11/2026

PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

Robert Williams as Deputy Chief in the Department of Fire & EMS. Robert has served as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the department since June 2022, after serving as the Emergency Management Specialist with the City since December 2017. Robert came here after retiring from DLA Fire & Emergency Services, where he served in several roles from Firefighter to Assistant Chief. He has also served as an Adjunct Instructor with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management since 1997.
Robert earned his bachelor’s degree from Bluefield College and completed the Executive Fire Officer program at the National Fire Academy. Robert brings 39 years of experience in Fire and Emergency Services to this position. He is an active member of the Emergency Management Alliance of Central Virginia, where he serves as chair of the Training Committee. His hard work during his tenure here at Hopewell Fire & EMS has earned him the respect of his peers both inside and outside the department.
“Robert has proved to be a valuable member of our team here at Hopewell Fire & EMS,” said Ben Ruppert, Hopewell Fire Chief. “He has been crucial to the City’s response to emergencies like COVID-19, the Ice storm/water system failure of 2021, as well as capability development, like operationalizing the department’s drone program. We are excited to see what he will bring to his new position here in the City.” Robert officially started in his new role on January 21st, 2026.

03/08/2026

⏰ Time to Change Your Clocks – And Check Your Smoke Alarms! 🔋🚒

As we adjust our clocks for the time change, Hopewell Fire & EMS encourages everyone to take a few minutes to check the safety of their home.

When you change your clocks:
✔️ Test your smoke alarms to make sure they are working properly.
✔️ Replace the batteries in your smoke alarms to keep them functioning year-round.
✔️ Check the age of your smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years to ensure they operate effectively when you need them most.

Working smoke alarms are one of the simplest and most important ways to protect your family from fire.

🏠 Need a smoke alarm? We can help.
Hopewell Fire & EMS offers FREE smoke alarms to city residents and will install them at no cost to help keep your home safe.

To schedule an installation or request more information, please contact the Fire Marshal’s Office:
📞 804-541-2290
📧 [email protected]

A few minutes today can make a life-saving difference. Stay safe, Hopewell! 🚒