April 17, 2025 11:14 am
Published by Corydon Swift-Turner
The Virginia Department of State Police has pushed the second quarter encryption update to all STARS portables, mobiles, base stations and consolettes. Most radios should automatically apply the update, but if you’re unable to talk to dispatch, you may need to rekey your radio. Rekeying instructions can be found attached here: UARC Phase 5 Rekey (1). This will be a common practice at the beginning of each quarter, with future... Read More
March 21, 2025 5:42 pm
Published by Corydon Swift-Turner
DOF Plays Defense in Southwest Virginia When not responding to wildfires during the last week of February, DOF’s Western Region conducted two wildfire mitigation projects in Southwest Virginia. By proactively removing vegetation, dead leaves and woody debris, communities are better protected against wildfires. The first project was conducted in a community within Claytor Lake State Park in Pulaski County. Surrounded by woodlands with a highly trafficked campground nearby, the community... Read More
March 12, 2025 11:21 am
Published by Corydon Swift-Turner
Due to the current pause regarding government expenditures, all non-essential expenditures agency-wide should be paused for the next two weeks – through March 21 – at which time we will reassess. If an expense can wait two weeks with minimal impact to operations, we ask that you wait. This includes charges to SPCC cards. Examples: office supplies or furniture, business cards, travel that can be postponed If an expense is time-sensitive or... Read More
February 27, 2025 9:45 am
Published by Corydon Swift-Turner
Spring Fire Season Arrives Virginia’s spring fire season is here. The statewide 4 p.m. burning law is now in effect through April 30. The law restricts outdoor burning until after 4 p.m. when wildfire risk is generally lower. The law applies to outdoor burning within 300 feet of the woods or dry grass. This includes debris burning, campfires and open-air charcoal grills like those found in park settings. Violating the... Read More
February 19, 2025 2:43 pm
Published by Corydon Swift-Turner
DOF has received guidance that the BIL and IRA grant programs are under review at the federal level and grant reimbursements back to the DOF are not currently being processed by the USDA Forest Service (USFS). Without timely reimbursements from USFS, DOF cannot continue to reimburse grantees or commit/expend operating funds. We have notified BIL and IRA grantees that reimbursements are paused until further notice. DOF has several positions that are... Read More
