Powhatan Volunteer Fire Department was originally the Powhatan Emergency Crew, which was established in 1949.  The Emergency Crew provided ambulance service and fire protection. The original building was located behind the Old Sheriff's Office in the courthouse area. One of the first vehicles was a 1935 Ford fire engine. The emergency crew later split and became two separate organizations  Powhatan Volunteer Fire Department Company 1 & Powhatan Volunteer Rescue Squad. During the 1970's Huguenot Vol. Fire Department Co. 2, Macon Vol. Fire Department Co. 3 & Fine Creek Vol. Fire Department Co. 4 were established. The latest fire station to be established in the county was Deep Creek Vol. Fire Department Co.5, which was formed in 1994.

All of the fire departments are a part of the Powhatan Fire Department Association. The Powhatan Fire Department has a County Chief (Pat Schoeffel), Assistant County Chief ( Phil Warner) & an office manager (Penny Reams). Both of the Chief's positions are part-time. All of the fire stations are staffed by volunteers.