Hanover County Fire-EMS Department

08/07/2026

This week, Hanover Fire-EMS supported the Hanover Employee Association’s Backpack Ministry Food Drive. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our personnel, and staff, we collected and donated over 1,800 food items to help support youth in Hanover Schools through the Backpack Ministry program.

These donations will be used to assemble backpacks filled with nutritious meals, ensuring students have food available over the weekend during the school year. No child should go hungry, and we’re honored to play a part in making sure our students are fed, focused, and ready to learn.

08/06/2026

Academy 72 is already serving the citizens of Hanover!

Although they just started this week, the crew was already making a difference in the community. They came upon a disabled vehicle with a flat tire, helped the driver get safely to a nearby driveway, and then changed the tire for them.

We’re proud to see Academy 72 putting service before self from day one!

08/06/2026

Hanover Fire-EMS is proud to recognize Firefighter Thomas Lane for completing his probationary period and earning his black shield. Firefighter Lane has worked diligently to complete his probationary books and processes. He is assigned to Station 11, serving the citizens of Farrington. Congratulations!

08/01/2026

After nearly two decades of service, we are proud to honor the retirement of Lieutenant Thomas C. Chappell, III.

Thomas began as a volunteer at Station 10 in 2007 before joining as a career employee in 2009. Over his career, he served at Stations 8, 3, 10, 7, 11, and the Office of the Fire Marshal, contributing to the Technical Rescue Team, Water Rescue Team, and numerous department-wide projects, including the creation of the department's first written evidence collection policy and the Technical Rescue Team's GPS project.

He earned multiple recognitions, including Firefighter of the Year (2017 & 2020), the Meritorious Service Award (2019), Company of the Year (2018), multiple Heart Saver Awards, and more.

In his own words: "The friendships built around the kitchen table, in the apparatus bay, and during those long overnight shifts are memories I'll carry with me forever."

A heartfelt thank you to his wife Amy and children Aidan, Ethan, and Lena for their love and sacrifice throughout his career.

Lieutenant Chappell, thank you for everything you gave to this department and the people of Hanover County. We wish you all the best!

07/28/2026

More severe weather is expected later this afternoon and into the evening. Conditions may change quickly, so take a few moments now to prepare:

Charge phones and essential devices in case of power outages

Secure or bring in loose outdoor items that could become dangerous in strong winds

Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, including overnight

Review your family’s emergency plan, so everyone knows what to do and where to go

Identify a safe place in your home, such as an interior room on the lowest floor

Avoid unnecessary travel and be ready to adjust plans if warnings are issued

Check flashlights, batteries, and emergency supplies in case of extended outages

Good morning! Mainly dry weather will continue this morning/midday. Then, scattered to numerous storms are expected to develop just to our north and track southeast through the area from late this afternoon through the evening. Some of the storms could be severe, with wind gusts of 60+ mph the main threat. However, large hail and a couple tornadoes are also possible.

07/24/2026

This afternoon at 3:53 pm, Hanover Fire-EMS units were dispatched to the 100 block of Arlington Square, for a reported structure fire.

Our personnel arrived within 5 minutes to find a two-story townhome with smoke showing from the roofline. 9 units responded, and the incident was brought under control at 4:17pm.

One occupant was evaluated for minor smoke inhalation.

The cause is currently under investigation.

Thank you to the Metro Richmond Flying Squad for their assistance.

07/23/2026

07/23/2026

This evening at 8:08pm, Hanover Fire-EMS units were dispatched to the 400 block of England St., for a reported structure fire.

Upon arrival, our personnel found a single-story restaurant with smoke throughout the structure. 9 units responded, and the incident was brought under control at 8:30pm.

Two occupants were evaluated for minor smoke inhalation.

The cause is currently under investigation.

07/22/2026

Hanover County Fire-EMS members recently completed an in-house Surface Water class led by our own Water Rescue Team instructors. Their expertise and dedication helped strengthen our crews’ skills for responding to water-related emergencies across Hanover County.

A special thank you to Camp Hanover for the use of their facility!

07/19/2026

Truck 413 from Ashcake responded to the most delicious call of the day: a lemonade stand in the Fox Head community!

There’s nothing sweeter on a hot summer day than ice-cold lemonade and kids helping kids at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU