Goochland Fire-Rescue Seeks 4x4 Volunteers to Transport Residents During Storm

Goochland County Fire-Rescue asked residents with four-wheel-drive vehicles to volunteer during the winter storm that moved through the county on January 23, 2026. The agency sought drivers to provide non-911 transport for neighbors who needed assistance moving around the county while road conditions were hazardous.

Volunteers were asked to contact Goochland Emergency Management at 804-556-5678 to offer help. The county’s social media post highlighted the immediate community need: "You could make a critical difference for someone in our community," Goochland County Fire-Rescue said.

The request targeted non-emergency needs rather than life-or-death responses, a distinction that helps preserve trained Fire-Rescue crews for 911 calls. By routing errands, non-urgent medical appointments and similar transports to volunteer 4x4 drivers, the county can deploy professional responders more efficiently during severe weather.

Goochland’s landscape includes long rural stretches and limited public transit; those factors increase reliance on personal vehicles when weather turns. The volunteer call recognized that residents with high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles can provide practical access on snow- or ice-covered roads where standard cars may be unable to travel safely. County officials and emergency managers frequently seek community assistance in these conditions to maintain basic mobility and reduce demand on emergency services.

The county made the appeal on January 23 as the storm arrived and conditions deteriorated. Goochland Emergency Management served as the contact point to collect volunteer information and coordinate assignments. Officials asked volunteers to be prepared for winter driving conditions and to follow any safety guidance provided when assignments were made.

For residents who were not able or willing to volunteer, the message underscored an important aspect of local resilience: mutual aid within small communities can fill gaps during short-term disruptions. The county’s approach reflects a common emergency management practice of distinguishing between emergency medical and public-safety calls and lower-priority transportation needs that nonetheless affect daily life.

Going forward, Goochland County residents should keep the emergency management number, 804-556-5678, handy during severe-weather forecasts and consider whether their vehicles and schedules would allow them to assist neighbors. For the broader community, the volunteer call illustrated how local readiness and civic participation can reduce strain on emergency services and help keep residents mobile when winter weather makes travel difficult.