Hanover County Fire-EMS (Department) is a combination system with a diverse team of over 300 dedicated career and volunteer members. Our team provides an all-hazards approach that considers the full scope of emergencies or disasters to protect the lives of our citizens and many visitors. Our strength is in the training and preparedness to provide elite service with compassion for a safer community. In addition, the Department partners with regional stakeholders to receive and provide resources through a Regional Mutual Aid Emergency Response Agreement.  

Hanover County is in the central region of the Commonwealth of Virginia; it covers approximately 474 square miles and has an estimated population of 110,000 (Hanover Planning Department estimate).  Hanover County is part of the Richmond Metropolitan area in Central Virginia.  An estimated 1.3 million residents live in the Richmond Metro area. Neighboring jurisdictions include Richmond, Henrico, Goochland, Caroline, King William, New Kent, Louisa, and Spotsylvania.    

Transportation modes vary, and the County has several major highways and roads within its jurisdictional boundaries.  These include Interstate 95, Interstate 295, Mechanicsville Turnpike (Route 360), Washington Highway (Route 1), Chamberlayne Rd/Hanover Courthouse Rd (Route 301), and US Route 33.  Rail lines within the County include the Buckingham Branch and the CSX Railway, also utilized by Amtrak.  Commodities, as well as people, are moved along the rail lines daily.  Hanover has one county-owned airport, the Hanover County Airport. The Richmond International Airport is located just a few miles from the southeastern county border in Henrico County. 

Randolph-Macon College is located in the central portion of the county, within the Town of Ashland limits. Randolph-Macon is home to approximately 1600 students and operates many programs, including nursing, physician’s assistant, technology, and more. The campus also hosts significant sporting events throughout the year.  

Hanover County is also home to the Virginia Public Safety Training Center, a readiness center for the Virginia National Guard and houses the Logistics Division for the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. Thousands of students attend courses at this facility annually.