The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), allows citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia access to public records, as defined in the act. The act also provides access to representatives of the media with circulation in the Commonwealth and representatives of radio and television stations broadcasting in or into the Commonwealth. Except as otherwise provided by law, VFOIA governs access to public records in the possession of public bodies or its officers and employees. For more information about the VFOIA, or to view Fairfax County’s VFOIA policy, please visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicaffairs/foia
Members of the Media
Media and news inquiries should be made directly to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue’s Public Affairs Office (FRD-PAO).
- During business hours (M-F 8:00am-4:30pm), the FRD-PAO can be reached by phone at 703-246-3801 or TTY 711. You can also fax the FRD-PAO at 703-246-5899.
- On weekends or after-hours, please call the on duty PAO at 703-280-0694.
Members of the Public
VFOIA requests to the Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) can be made by:
- Submitting a request using FRD’s online VFOIA request form
- Submitting an FRD FOIA form and HIPAA form (for EMS record requests) to fire.foia@fairfaxcounty.gov
- Mailing an FRD FOIA form and HIPAA form (for EMS record requests) to:
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue
5th Floor – Attn: FOIA Manager
12099 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
- Faxing an FRD FOIA form and HIPAA form (for EMS record requests) to 703-246-6096
Please call the EMS records division at 703-246-3870 if you have any questions.
Fire Incident Reports
This includes requests for any reports relating to events such as: house/structure fires, vehicle fires, hazmat incidents, motor vehicle accidents, water damage, gas leaks, public service calls, etc. Pursuant to VFOIA, please allow FRD five business days to respond to your request for Fire Incident Report records. If the record(s) requested cannot be provided within five business days, VFOIA allows FRD to invoke a seven working day extension. FRD will contact you before the initial five-day response deadline if an extension is needed.
Emergency Medical Incident Records (EMS Records)
All requests for medical records must be accompanied by a HIPAA Authorization form signed by the patient or their personal representative. If the patient is deceased, the HIPAA form should be completed by the patient’s legal representative. The legal representative must also submit documentation supporting their status as the patient’s legal representative, such as a Power of Attorney letter or Letter of Qualification. Pursuant to VA Code § 32.1-127.1:03(E), please allow FRD up to 30 business days to process medical records requests.
EMS Transport Billing Records
To request an itemized billing statement, please contact fire.foia@fairfaxcounty.gov. If you have specific questions about your bill, or to submit a payment, please contact the County's billing service at 1-877-874-4425. For additional information, please visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire-ems/emergency-medical-services-transport-billing.
Fire Marshal’s Office Records
Fire and building inspections reports, notices of violation, plans and shop drawings, hazardous materials storage tank records, hazardous materials and environmental assessment, and fire investigation reports are held by the Fairfax County Fire Marshal’s Office. For information on how to submit records requests to the Fire Marshal’s Office, please visit: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire-ems/fire-marshal/records-requests-foia.
Va. Code Ann. § 2.2-3704(F) allows the Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) to “make reasonable charges not to exceed its actual cost incurred in accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for the requested records.” Pursuant to Va. Code Ann. 2.2-3704(H), FRD can require payment prior to processing your VFOIA request if the estimated costs will exceed $200. Checks returned for insufficient funds may be subject to a $35.00 fee.
Subpoena Duces Tecum Requests
Subpoena duces tecum requests issued for FRD records must include a Notice to Providers and a Notice to Patient in accordance with §32.1-127.1:03. Please direct any such subpoenas to the Department’s FOIA Manager.
Service address: Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, Attn: Custodian of Records, 12099 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Virginia 22035.
Witness Subpoenas
Please direct all witness subpoenas regarding on-duty Fire and Rescue incidents to Public Safety Headquarters. This will ensure the witness subpoena is delivered to the employee for the upcoming trial. Please provide the full name of the employee.
Service address: Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, Attn: Administrative Services Bureau, 12099 Government Center Parkway, 5th Floor, Fairfax, VA 22035
Interview Request Procedure
Requests for an Interview with station personnel, regarding a specific incident, must follow the directions outlined in the Interview Request Procure document issued by the Office of the Fire Chief.
For assistance determining which fire hydrant and/or fire station is closest to your property, please email the FRD’s Geographic Information System (GIS) office at fire.gis@fairfaxcounty.gov. Please include the property address and your email address, and ask for the station name, address, and station phone number that would respond first, and the distance to the closest hydrant. A response will be sent to you via email.
