According to the Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department, around 8:40 a.m., crews were alerted to the smell of smoke at the school before students had arrived.
Firefighters investigated swiftly and, with the help of school maintenance staff, traced the issue to a malfunctioning HVAC unit. The situation was resolved quickly enough that the building was deemed safe and reopened a short time later.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The folks at the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber just wrapped up their annual First Responders Appreciation Breakfast, and it was a big one. Held August 13 at the Fredericksburg Convention Center, the event spotlighted local heroes across law enforcement, fire, and EMS for their life-saving efforts and long-term service.
From snowy highway rescues to swift water saves and daring house fire rescues by everyday citizens, the awards covered a wide range of heroic acts. Citizen Valor Awards went to locals who jumped in to help during life-threatening situations, while police officers and EMTs were recognized for bravery, teamwork, and quick action in high-stakes emergencies.
STAFFORD, Va. – The folks at Stafford County Fire and Rescue just told Potomac Local News about a townhouse fire that broke out Wednesday evening on Forge Mill Road, near Woodcutters Road.
Crews got there fast—just five minutes after the call came in around 5 p.m.—and found smoke pouring from the third floor of a middle-unit townhouse. Firefighters knocked down the flames quickly while searching the home to make sure everyone was out.
A single-story home in Stafford County’s White Oak area was heavily damaged in an early-morning fire Saturday.
Fire and rescue crews were called to the 00 block of McCauley Lane, off Belle Plains Road, at about 3:15 a.m. They arrived within six minutes to find the house fully engulfed in flames.
STAFFORD, Va. – Stafford County’s primary fire boat is back in the water and ready to respond after a crash earlier this summer temporarily sidelined the vessel.
Potomac Local News has learned exclusively that the boat struck an underwater object on July 4 while members of the Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department were conducting routine training and patrol near the boat ramp at Widewater State Park.
Just after 12:30 a.m. on Friday, July 18, emergency crews were dispatched to the 100 block of Dorothy Lane for a reported structure fire. First responders arrived on the scene within five minutes to find a two-story single-family home, including its attached garage, fully engulfed in flames. The fire had already spread into the attic by the time firefighters arrived.
Crews worked quickly to deploy multiple hose lines to knock down the fire while conducting a search of the home. Thanks to working smoke alarms, all occupants were alerted and safely evacuated before emergency units arrived. Three individuals were evaluated at the scene as a precaution.
STAFFORD, Va. – Stafford County has quietly ended its contract with PulsePoint, a mobile app that alerts nearby users when someone in a public space is experiencing cardiac arrest and may need CPR. The decision marks the conclusion of an eight-year relationship with the public safety technology.
The county’s contract with PulsePoint expired in April 2025 and was not renewed. Officials say the service, which once promised to help save lives by quickly mobilizing CPR-trained residents, no longer delivers on its original purpose.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Area residents may notice a heavy presence of emergency vehicles and personnel along the Rappahannock River this weekend, but it’s not a real emergency—it’s a planned water rescue training exercise.
RIVEREX 2025 kicks off Friday, June 6, and runs through Saturday, June 7. The large-scale drill will simulate swift water rescues across more than 20 miles of the river and include live-action scenarios designed to test emergency crews’ readiness, coordination, and response tactics.
STAFFORD, Va. – A new class of future first responders is ready to serve.
In a Facebook post, Stafford County Public Schools congratulated the graduates of High School Fire Academy 6, a program that prepares high school students for careers in fire and emergency services. The photo shows a proud group of students in uniform standing in front of the Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department, smiling with certificates in hand.
Stafford County Fire and Rescue units responded to a structure fire at approximately 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2025, in the 00 block of Churchill Lane in the western part of the county. Crews arrived about eight minutes later to find heavy fire coming from the front and roof of a two-story, single-family residence. The fire was brought under control in about 40 minutes. The sole occupant evacuated safely and is being assisted by the American Red Cross. One firefighter was evaluated for a minor medical emergency. The Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
Here’s the full press release:
