Albemarle County Fire Chief Dan Eggleston named Career Fire Chief of the Year

Albemarle County is proud to announce that Dan Eggleston, Chief of the Albemarle County Department of Fire Rescue, received the 2015 Career Fire Chief of the Year award. The award is presented annually by the IAFC and Pierce Manufacturing at the general session of Fire Rescue International (FRI), IAFC’s annual conference.

Chief Eggleston has headed the Albemarle County Fire Rescue Department for 13 years and has been a Fire Chief since 1998. Albemarle County Fire Rescue serves a population of nearly 105,000 in an area of 720 square miles with a combination volunteer/career staff of over 600 personnel. Under Dan’s leadership the organization has transitioned from a confederacy of volunteer departments to a strong, unified, combination system. Additionally, during his tenure, the department has constructed three new stations and hired over 90 career firefighters to reduce response times and assist with the daytime staffing of volunteer stations; secured numerous Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for personnel and equipment; launched an innovative community risk reduction program,Project RISK; invested in over $25 Million in fleet modernization; established a health and wellness program recognized by the IAFC’s Safety, Health & Survival Section; enhanced training across the agency; and ultimately reduced the County’s Public Protection Classification to a class three rating.

“Dan is an innovative man who leads with integrity,” said Chief Timothy Wall, Chair of the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section of IAFC. “A consummate leader, Dan has demonstrated his skills at local, state, and national levels. He has had a significant impact on the fire service through teaching and mentoring others, facilitating associations and departments through difficult national issues, and writing on a number of key topics for the fire service.”

“I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing and working with Dan for the past 15 years.” said County Executive, Tom Foley. “Throughout this time Dan has shown exemplary leadership, integrity, and innovation while serving the public not only here in Albemarle County, but throughout the region and beyond.”

The IAFC represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders worldwide. Their members are the world’s leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, search and rescue, and public safety policy. Since 1873, the IAFC has provided a forum for fire and emergency service leaders to exchange ideas, develop professionally and uncover the latest products and services available to first responders. Their mission is to provide leadership to current and future career, volunteer, fire-rescue and EMS chiefs, chief fire officers, company officers and managers of emergency service organizations throughout the international community through vision, information, education, services and representation to enhance their professionalism and capabilities.