The independent city is home to a population of 450,882, not including the summer population growth due to tourism, making it the most populous city in Virginia and the 39th largest city in the United States.

[1] The Virginia Beach Fire Department is the founding member of one of Virginia's two FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force.

[2] Virginia Task Force 2 (VA-TF2) is available to respond to natural or man-made disasters around the country and the world to assist with search and rescue, medical support, damage assessment and communications.

[3] The VBFD Marine Operations Team is responsible for patrolling 59 square miles (150 km2) of inland waterways as well as 38 miles (61 km) of shoreline.

[1] The team also provides mutual aid to parts of North Carolina as well as the U.S. Coast Guard.