Virginia Beach Fire Department

10/14/2026

Award Ceremony

10/14/2026

Join us here in Virginia Beach as we host the 2026 VFCA Company Officers Summit. The leadership summit is geared towards those who aspire to build their leadership qualities and abilities, especially future and current Company Officers within the Fire and EMS fields. Anyone is welcome to attend, and it is open for all ranks.

This two day summit focuses on career development of company officers. There are many topics covered from human resources, relationship building, career planning, critical decision making, mentoring and many more. Each presenter must align their presentation with our core values and mission.

Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, Inc. Virginia Department of Fire Programs International Association of Fire Fighters Virginia Task Force 2 Urban Search and Rescue Team

Here is the Summit Flyer and Line up 2026. $20 Per Day... Free for VFCA members. Includes lunch and light snacks.

10/13/2026

Virginia Beach Fire Department to Hold Annual Awards Ceremony Wednesday, October 14

Firefighter of the Year to be Announced!

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Oct. 13, 2026) On Wednesday, Oct. 14, the Virginia Beach Fire Department will host their annual awards ceremony at 7 p.m. at Landstown High School, 2001 Concert Drive, Virginia Beach.

Fire Chief Kenneth Pravetz will provide opening remarks. One hundred and ninety-five individuals will be recognized.

The ceremony will close with a representative from Stihl, who will announce and present the prestigious "2026 Firefighter of the Year Award."

The ceremony will be live streamed on the VBFD’s page: https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaBeachFD

10/13/2026

Thank you, BC Dillion Dextradeur, for writing this great article highlighting our command simulation program and the great work and training that is conducted at VBFD Harry E. Diezel Training Center. Even more important is sharing this knowledge with fire departments across the country so that we can all become better at serving our communities.

A decade of recurring drills has helped standardize fireground command across the department

10/11/2026

WORKING FIRE: 200 BLK TOY AVENUE
On 10/11/2026 at 07:08:42, VBFD and EMS units were dispatched to a report of a residential structure fire in the 200 BLK of Toy Avenue. When crews arrived at 07:12:52, smoke was observed from the single-story residential structure. Occupants had evacuated the home prior to units arriving. Crews quickly had water on the fire at 07:20:25, marked under control at 07:23:13, and marked out at 07:34:11. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters. Seven adults were displaced as well as three dogs, three chickens, and nine cats. Unfortunately, one cat and one chicken were found deceased. Animal Control was contacted to assist with the pets. Red Cross will be assisting with temporary housing. The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation.

10/10/2026

TIP # 6 - Fire Prevention Week
✈️When charging on a plane, keep portable charging devices on the tray table. Do not charge devices in overhead compartments and never charge e-cigarettes or vapes on a plane. If a battery overheats or fails, it is important for the flight crew to be able to respond quickly.
❓For more info: fpw.org

10/10/2026

LODD Virginia Beach Fire Department 56 Years ago - Assistant Fire Chief Garland Atwater, Saturday, October 10, 1970

On October 10, 1970, Assistant Chief Atwater was off duty at home when a “Signal 6” was broadcasted for a working hotel fire (Signal 6 required off duty firefighters to respond to the fire scene). The Tourist Haven Hotel located at 15th and Atlantic Ave was requiring additional alarms to control the fire. Chief Atwater responded to the Fire Station (old Station 11) and responded to the fire in one of the reserve engines housed in the back bay of the station. On the fire scene, Chief Atwater entered the structure and was performing firefighting duties, fire attack and searches. When the fire was out Chief Atwater walked out of the building and collapsed on the sidewalk. He went into cardiac arrest and CPR was immediately started by fellow firefighters. He was transported to Virginia Beach General Hospital and pronounced dead a short time later. May we never forget the ultimate sacrifice endured by Chief Atwater for the greater good of mankind.
FYI: Chief Atwater was a POW in WWII. He was a glider pilot that landed behind the enemy’s line, he suffered a serious injury to his hand. A thumb was amputated. He received the Purple Heart and was VBFD’s Firefighter of the year for making multiple fire rescues 2 children by breaching a wall, a third child died on that fire. The fire was located on Munroe Ave which was located near the new second precinct.

May we never forget the supreme sacrifices that our brother made for the citizens and for the City of Virginia Beach.

10/10/2026

🚒 Ladder Academy: Training Today’s Firefighters for Tomorrow’s Challenges!

The Virginia Beach Fire Department recently completed an intensive four-day Ladder Academy, with 23 students sharpening their skills in critical ladder company operations.

Throughout the academy, students received hands-on training in forcible entry, search operations, victim removal, ventilation, hazardous materials (Hazmat), and vehicle rescue.

Each class recognizes one student with the Top Performer Award, honoring someone who consistently demonstrates a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and a genuine commitment to learning.

👏 Congratulations to MFF John Mason, this class’s Top Performer Award recipient! His dedication and drive to improve reflect the professionalism and commitment we strive for every day at VBFD.