Amherst County, Virginia

Fire service in Amherst County is served by dedicated volunteers in three departments Amherst, Monelison and Pedlar with each having primary service areas in the county.  Three non-jurisdictional departments also provide first due response service in an effort to provide quicker response to these areas of the county. Public Safety personnel cross trained in EMS and Fire suppression also provide support to the volunteers as needed.  Each department is assigned a primary response area and also acts as backup response for other departments.

Volunteer fire service began in Amherst County in 1917 with Amherst Fire Department. It was after a large devastating fire swept through the Amherst livery stable, Meeks Building, and the Hill Hardware Lumberyard that the citizens decided a local department was needed. Amherst Fire was the only First Department between Charlottesville and Lynchburg. 

In 1959, the Monelison Volunteer Fire Department was founded by a group of individuals with one common goal: To protect the lives and property of the citizens of Amherst County.  At that time, there was one truck and one station.

In 1975, the men and women in the Pedlar area of Amherst County formed Pedlar Fire and Rescue to serve the citizens in the north western portion of the county.

During the years, Amherst County fire service has grown to a total of five fire stations, 8 engines, three tankers, four brush trucks, 2 squad trucks, 1 ladder truck, 2 Sport utility vehicles, 1 ATV and 100 volunteers.  It is a multi-million dollar business with a critical mission for our community and dedicated personnel.

We are forever grateful for all the men and women who worked so diligently to create, form, develop and establish the standards before us within each of these organizations.  Their commitment and dedication to their fellow citizens are the reason we are here today.  In addition to this group, are the many volunteers that have come and gone over the years that have maintained the traditions and brought these agencies to this point. 

The history of our existence is important and equally important is the future which is in our hands.  We must never lose focus about our purpose which is to provide fire and EMS services to Amherst County in a safe and professional manner.  It takes the contribution of the public, local government, the communication system and both volunteer and career personnel to make the system work.