The Hampden-Sydney Volunteer Fire Department (HSVFD) covers over 70 square miles with 5000-6000 residents in its district. The HSVFD is in the center of Prince Edward County and in addition to being second-due to most of the Town of Farmville (Company 1), it supports the volunteer companies in Darlington Heights(Co. 6), Rice(Co. 7), Prospect(Co. 4), and Meherrin(Co. 5). Although The HSVFD was originally created to provide fire suppression services, the department now operates an Emergency First Responder program that coordinates with the Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad in the provision of emergency pre-hospital care. Although the majority of members are students, faculty, and staff, the Hampden-Sydney Volunteer Fire Department is neither a student club nor a College organization. Rather, it is a non-profit corporation that was reorganized in October 1970 and incorporated in 1982 as a Prince Edward County fire department to provide protection to the College and central areas of Prince Edward County. The Department is operated by corporation officers: a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Member-at-Large. Fire ground operations are directed by the Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain, and three Lieutenants. All offices and positions are elected by the active membership of the Department. The station is located at the south end of campus, next to the College's water tower on South Boundary Rd., which intersects with Kingsville Rd. Fire and medical alarms are dispatched by radio from the fire-rescue dispatcher at the Farmville Emergency Communication Center. Firefighters are called by their radios, pagers, and by air siren on campus. Business meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Training drills are held all other Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
