Community Safety

Crime Prevention Programs

Emergency Communications Center (ECC)

Our dedicated Emergency Communications Officers (ECOs) work 24/7 to:

  • Facilitate the flow of information between callers and county Fire and EMS, Police, and Animal Services
  • Provide aid and instructions prior to the arrival of public safety field resources
  • Assist with saving lives and protecting property

Emergency Medical Services

EMS Passport is a subscription program designed to help eliminate out-of-pocket patient expenses, such as health insurance co-payments and deductibles, when emergency ambulance transportation is required.

Fire

Fires from heating sources account for 36% of residential home fires in rural areas annually.

  • Often these fires are due to creosote buildup in chimneys and stovepipes
  • All home heating systems require regular maintenance to function safely and efficiently

Disposal Tips:

  • Remember to allow ashes to cool before disposing of them.
  • Place ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep the ash container at least 10 feet away from your home and any other nearby buildings.
  • Never empty the ash directly into a trash can.
  • Douse and saturate the ashes with water.

Fire Alarms

  • Also, install smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside and outside of sleeping areas.
  • Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Consider installing the new, long-life smoke alarms.
  • Find more information about Chesterfield County's Smoke Alarm Program.

Medication Abuse

  • Medication abuse is a national epidemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Chesterfield County's percentage of teens abusing medications is higher than the national average, as indicated by the 2012 Community Youth Survey.
    • The survey was conducted by Substance Abuse Free Environment Inc., or SAFE, Chesterfield County's substance abuse prevention coalition.
    • Two-thirds of teens who abuse prescription medications get them from their families or friends.
  • To help prevent unauthorized use of medications, SAFE, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health, has launched, "Lock Your Meds," a media-awareness campaign
    • Encourages parents and grandparents to secure their medications in a locked container or cabinet
    • Talk to their children about the importance of using medicines only as directed and the dangers of misuse.
  • Visit Safe for more information.