Chester Gap Fire Department: Lifesaving Service, Stretched Budgets, and a Fleet Built on Grit

In the winding hills near the Warren-Rappahannock county line, where the quiet is broken only by the occasional fire siren or the hum of emergency vehicles heading out for a call, the Chester Gap Volunteer Fire Department has spent decades serving both counties—and saving lives. But despite their longstanding commitment and growing call volume, they now find themselves fighting a different kind of emergency: budget uncertainty, and the lack of a seat at the table.

Chief Todd Brown has spent over 50 years in fire and rescue—40 of them with Chester Gap. He’s not one to raise alarms without reason. But when news broke in The Royal Examiner that Warren County was considering cutting its support for Chester Gap’s paid EMS staffing, he and his team were caught completely off guard.

“We weren’t notified. We didn’t get a call. No meeting. Just an article,” Brown said. “And the phones haven’t stopped ringing since.”

At the heart of the issue is a program born during the COVID-19 pandemic—a joint staffing effort between Rappahannock and Warren counties that brings in paid EMS contractors to fill the daytime gaps when volunteers are unavailable. Chester Gap currently receives $175,200 from Warren County for this staffing support, and $168,000 from Rappahannock. The program was designed not just to answer calls, but to save lives. According to Brown and his team, it’s done exactly that.

“We’ve had cardiac saves, delivered babies, responded to structure fires, car crashes—you name it,” Brown said. “This isn’t a hypothetical. This staffing model has worked. It’s working right now.”

Yet even with a proven track record, Chester Gap officials say they’ve had no opportunity to discuss the future of the program with Warren County leaders. That includes long-serving Firefighter Kevin Williams, who started with the department in 1990 as a junior firefighter.

“Back in December, we reached out, as we always do, to start the budget conversation,” Williams said. “No one from Warren County would commit to a meeting. We were told funding was in the budget. Then suddenly, we’re reading in the paper that they’re looking to cut the program and redirect the funds.”

Making matters worse, Williams said, is the false claim circulating that Chester Gap asked Warren County to increase paramedic pay to $30 an hour. “We never made that request,” he stated firmly. “We didn’t even ask for an increase. We were told everything was on track.”

Chester Gap’s operations reflect its unique position at a three-county intersection. Last year, the department responded to 565 emergency calls—336 of them in Warren County. That’s nearly two-thirds of their total call volume.

“People think Chester Gap is just a little Rappahannock fire station up on a hill,” Brown said. “But we’re closer to Lake Front Royal, Point O’ Woods, and Blue Ridge Mountain Estates than some Warren County stations are. We’re five minutes from South Street in Front Royal. We’re their second due, third due, or even primary responder for many incidents.”

Despite this close service connection, Chester Gap is not considered a Warren County fire company—an issue dating back to a 2016 board decision that changed their designation without notice or input. “We didn’t even know it was happening until it was over,” said Williams. “It was on the agenda, passed in the meeting, and we weren’t there—because no one told us.”

That same pattern appears to be repeating itself. “Once again, here we are in May—budget season—and we’re hearing about decisions after the fact,” said Brown.

But inside the station, the focus remains on service—not politics. During a tour with The Royal Examiner, Brown and Fulton proudly walked through their equipment bays, showcasing a fleet that’s been built on creativity, sweat equity, and community support.

A Fleet Fueled by Ingenuity

The station’s 2000 rescue engine, purchased used from Pennsylvania, was brought in to replace a 1992 model with a blown engine. Instead of shelling out $65,000 for repairs, they invested in the newer truck—then repainted it, added new lighting, upgraded the wheels, and equipped it with cutting-edge battery-powered rescue tools.

“This one’s our workhorse for structure fires and vehicle extrication,” said Lt. Kris Fulton. “It’s equipped with the Jaws of Life and our newest tools. We got a grant last year that covered $45,000 worth of gear.”

Right behind it sits a water supply pumper, a specialty vehicle that carries 1,800 feet of 5-inch hose—one of the largest capacities in the region. It’s a crucial link in rural firefighting, where water sources can be sparse. “During the warehouse fire near the VFW in Front Royal, this truck pumped for 18 hours straight from the Shenandoah River,” Brown recalled.

Another key asset is their main engine, a 1998 model that still runs first on house fires and calls into town. “It may be old, but we maintain it like it’s new,” said Brown.

Then comes the 2022 Kenworth 3,000-gallon tanker—the newest in the fleet and arguably one of the most vital. “This one rolls out to almost every structure fire,” said Fulton. “And using our portable pump, we can refill it in under two minutes.”

Vehicle maintenance is handled by a combination of professional contractors and firefighter inspections. “You can’t take these trucks to Jiffy Lube,” Fulton said. “They’re specialty machines, and we treat them that way.”

All drivers go through EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operator Course) certification, with higher levels required for larger apparatus. “They’re big, they’re heavy, and they don’t stop on a dime,” Fulton said.

In addition to structure fire response, Chester Gap is equipped for wildland fire, high water rescues, and extreme winter weather. Their brush trucks—one built on a military LMTV platform and another on a one-ton chassis—were deployed across the region during last year’s intense wildfire season. They’re packed with chainsaws, rakes, blowers, and anything else needed to cut control lines and hold the front.

And then there’s ‘The Beast’—a high-water rescue unit that lives up to its name. Outfitted with a 1,500 psi ultra-high-pressure water system, the truck can suppress fires with minimal water damage, making it especially valuable for interior operations. It also features a deployable step that allows rescues from submerged vehicles.

“This is what we roll when we’ve got snow drifts, floods, or extreme conditions,” said Brown. “It’s a lifeline when nothing else can move.”

Not Just About Equipment—It’s About People

Even with an impressive fleet, Brown and Williams say the true strength of Chester Gap lies in its people. But volunteerism has been harder and harder to maintain—especially after COVID. “In the past, people’s jobs would support their fire service,” Brown said. “Now? They might get fired for missing a shift.”

That’s why the paid EMS program has become so important—and why losing it could put lives at risk.

“We aren’t a department trying to take advantage,” said Williams. “We’ve put $80,000 of our own funds into this program. The medics here are contractors, yes—but they’re certified, experienced, and many are already working for Warren County part-time.”

The department says it’s time for both counties to come to the table—openly and honestly—to figure out how to keep this successful partnership alive.

“We’re not breaking anything,” said Williams. “We’re saving lives. This program works. The trucks are ready. The staff is trained. The only thing missing right now is the conversation.”

A Call for Transparency—and for Support

As subdivisions expand, response demands grow, and funding decisions loom, Chester Gap finds itself at a crossroads. It’s a department built on commitment, held together with volunteerism and grant dollars, and powered by a relentless sense of duty.

“We don’t look at the county lines,” said Brown. “We just respond. Whether it’s Rappahannock, Warren, or even Fauquier—if someone calls, we go.”

All they’re asking now is that someone answer their call—and take a seat across the table.

Warren County Weighs Shift in Chester Gap Fire Staffing Agreement