Gordonsville Volunteer Fire Company

11/06/2026

70 Years of Service. A Lifetime of Dedication.

Tonight, the Gordonsville Volunteer Fire Company had the privilege of honoring Garnett “G.A.” Taylor as he completes an incredible 70 years of service to our organization.

Over seven decades, G.A. has worn just about every hat imaginable: Chief, President, Company Officer, Chief Engineer and Junior Advisor. But no list of titles could ever capture what he has meant to this fire company.

Tonight was about the stories.

Stories of G.A.’s remarkable mechanical abilities, repairing broken fire trucks, fabricating parts, and engineering solutions when nobody else could figure out how to make something work. Stories of his leadership in organizing our annual carnival and helping build the financial foundation that has sustained this company for generations.

And, of course, stories of G.A. as a firefighter. For decades, he was among our top responders, often the first one through the firehouse door, regardless of the hour. His skills as an engine operator were legendary, and his commitment to answering the call never wavered.

Although G.A. hung up his helmet several years ago, he never stopped serving. He still shows up, still contributes, and still reminds us what true volunteerism looks like. He has become one of our greatest connections to the company’s history, always willing to pull out his photo albums and share the stories of the people and events that shaped our organization.

We were also honored to have G.A.’s remarkable service recognized by the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the Gordonsville Town Council. Their recognition was a fitting tribute to a man whose contributions have extended well beyond the walls of our firehouse and made a lasting difference in the community he has served for so many years.

Seventy years is difficult to comprehend. Generations of firefighters have come and gone, apparatus has changed, and the fire service has evolved. Through it all, G.A. has remained a constant.

The Gordonsville Volunteer Fire Company is a better organization because of Garnett Taylor. Much of what we have today was built through his hard work, leadership, ingenuity, and dedication.

G.A., thank you for 70 years of answering the call, taking care of this company, and setting an example for every firefighter who has followed in your footsteps.

Your legacy is woven into the history of this fire company, and we are proud to call brother and friend.

10/29/2026

10/11/2026

Motor Vehicle Accident with Entrapment – James Madison Highway

This morning, crews responded to the 15000 block of James Madison Highway for a motor vehicle accident with reported entrapment.

The first arriving unit confirmed two occupants remained inside the vehicle, with a third occupant having safely exited prior to the arrival of fire department personnel.

Rescue 24 and Squad 23, stabilized the vehicle and removed the windshield to establish a safe exit path. Both remaining occupants were able to exit the vehicle safely and were assisted up the embankment utilizing a ground ladder to awaiting EMS personnel for evaluation.

The incident highlights the importance of coordinated teamwork, vehicle stabilization, and controlled access during rescue operations.

09/29/2026

A Legacy of Volunteer Service

Last night’s fire on Grandview Farm Road was another reminder that the strength of the Gordonsville Volunteer Fire Company is found not only in the apparatus, equipment, or tactics we bring to an incident, but in the generations of people who choose to serve their community. Six members from the GVFC responded to the fire in total, several of whom are second or third generation volunteers.

Pictured are father and son John and Bryant Chiles, working side by side after being dispatched at approximately 11:44 p.m. for a structure fire involving a shed, barn, and approximately 125 round bales of hay. Crews worked throughout the night to contain the fire, protect an additional 150 bales, and remove burning hay from the affected area.

For the Chiles family, and for so many families who have been part of GVFC over the years, volunteer service is more than answering a call. It is a tradition passed from one generation to the next, a commitment to show up when the community needs you, regardless of the hour.

We are proud of John and Bryant and what this photograph represents: family, service, and the continuing legacy of volunteerism at the Gordonsville Volunteer Fire Company.

If you are interested in volunteering, consider joining at any age, maybe with a family member or a close friend. The fire service is a family and a brotherhood like no other. Reach out to us on messenger or click the link to our website where you can email us directly.

We also thank the members of Orange County Companies 23 and 25, County of Orange Fire & EMS, Culpeper County Company 10, and Louisa County Company 6 who worked alongside our crews throughout the night.

09/21/2026

Pardon Our Dust…Progress Is Underway!

Over the past several years, the Gordonsville Volunteer Fire Company has worked to develop and implement a strategic plan focused on preparing our organization for the future. That plan includes strengthening our operations, supporting our members, improving our capabilities, and investing in the facilities needed to better serve our community.

One of the most visible pieces of that plan is about to begin.

Construction and improvements to our fire station are expected to get underway any day now. These upgrades are more than just changes to a building, they represent an investment in the long-term future of the fire company and in our ability to continue providing dependable emergency services for the Gordonsville community.

During construction, there may be some temporary changes around the station as work progresses, but our commitment to serving the community will remain unchanged.

The project is expected to be completed in the spring of 2027, and we look forward to sharing updates and milestones along the way.

Thank you to our community for your continued support as we put another important part of our strategic plan into action.

09/05/2026

Congratulations to Jeremiah Hartley on his release as an Engine Operator with the Gordonsville Volunteer Fire Company.

Jeremiah completed a comprehensive qualification process that included Virginia Department of Fire Programs certifications in Emergency Vehicle Operations and Pump Operations, along with GVFC’s extensive in-house driver training and pump operator release process.

Becoming a released Engine Operator requires a significant commitment to training, proficiency, and responsibility. We congratulate Jeremiah on this accomplishment and appreciate his continued dedication to serving the Gordonsville community.

08/20/2026

The Gordonsville Volunteer Fire Company would like to thank Norfolk Southern for their generous grant supporting the purchase of new multipurpose Personal Protective Clothing for our members.

The funding allowed us to outfit 12 volunteer firefighters with lighter, specialized protective gear for wildland firefighting, technical rescue, and vehicle extrication. The new gear arrived just in time to be put to use during passenger vehicle rescue training.

We greatly appreciate Norfolk Southern’s investment in the safety and preparedness of our firefighters and the Gordonsville community.

07/07/2026

We at the Gordonsville Volunteer Fire Company send our condolences to the
Trevilians volunteer fire and rescue department and the family of Assistant Chief Craig Melson. Craig was a friend to everyone and a great person.
RIP Craig

07/01/2026

Congratulations to Fire Recruit Walker Ray!

Last night, June 30, 2026, Fire Recruit Walker Ray graduated from the Orange County Firefighter Academy after successfully completing more than 240 hours of training. Walker is now prepared to proudly serve the Gordonsville community as a member of our company!

Please join us in congratulating Walker on this outstanding accomplishment! We are proud of his hard work, dedication, and commitment to serving others. We look forward to watching him grow in the fire service and wish him a safe and successful career.

Congratulations, Walker, and thank you for answering the call to serve!

06/18/2026

The Gordonsville Volunteer Fire Company sends our deepest condolences to the Orange County Sheriffs Department and the family of Captain Jones.

Our Orange County Sheriff's Office family is grieving the loss of Captain Becky Jones, who passed away this morning after a courageous battle with cancer.

For 26 years, Captain Jones faithfully served the citizens of Orange County in a variety of roles throughout her distinguished career. She began as a dispatcher before serving as a School Resource Officer, SRO Sergeant, Investigator, Lieutenant of Investigations, Lieutenant of Training and Public Information Officer, and ultimately as Captain of Investigations and Animal Control.

Captain Jones was a true trailblazer within our agency. She was the first female Captain in the history of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the first female SWAT Team member and the first female Fi****ms Instructor. She earned certifications as a RAD Instructor and General Instructor and was VSI Certified through the Virginia Sheriffs' Institute, a distinction that reflects her commitment to professional development and excellence in law enforcement.
During her career, she continually broke barriers and set an example for future generations of law enforcement officers.

Throughout her career, Becky demonstrated a steadfast commitment to protecting our community. As an ICAC Investigator, she dedicated countless hours to investigating crimes against children, helping bring justice to victims and ensuring those responsible were held accountable. Through her relentless work identifying and investigating child predators, Becky helped secure convictions that collectively resulted in thousands of years of prison sentences for offenders who preyed upon children. Her efforts not only brought justice to countless victims and their families but also prevented future victims from suffering at the hands of those offenders. The impact of her work will continue to be felt for generations.

Even while facing the challenges of cancer, Becky remained committed to serving others. She could often be found at the office, continuing to work and lead because she genuinely wanted to make a difference in the lives of the people she served. Her dedication, strength, and determination were an inspiration to all who knew her.

Becky was a respected leader who could always be counted on for honest guidance and constant support. She was never afraid to tell people what they needed to hear, and she consistently challenged those around her to do things the right way. Her leadership helped shape the careers of countless deputies, investigators, and staff members throughout the years.

While her professional accomplishments were remarkable, Becky would be the first to tell you that her greatest pride was her family. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, caring sister, and proud grandmother. No matter how busy she was, she always made time for those she loved. She found tremendous joy in being a grandmother and cherished every opportunity to spoil her grandchildren and create lasting memories with them.

In recent years, Becky also made it a priority to embrace life to the fullest. Alongside her husband and close friends, she enjoyed traveling, taking cruises, and creating memories that would last a lifetime. She understood the importance of making the most of every moment, and she did exactly that. Even as she faced the challenges of her illness, she continued to live with purpose, gratitude, and an immeasurable appreciation for the people and experiences that meant the most to her.

Becky touched the lives of countless people throughout her career and her life. Her legacy is one of service, strength, compassion, and dedication. Orange County is a better place because of her, and those who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside her were truly blessed.

Captain Jones leaves behind a legacy that will forever be woven into the fabric of the Orange County Sheriff's Office. The paths she forged and the lives she influenced will continue to guide this agency for years to come.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and all those whose lives she impacted during this difficult time.

Rest easy, Captain Jones. Thank you for your 26 years of faithful service. Thank you for your leadership, your sacrifice, and the example you set for all of us. We have the watch from here.