Albemarle County will begin the recruitment process for a new fire rescue chief soon after Dan Eggleston announced his retirement this week.
Eggleston’s last day will be Oct. 24. Eggleston has more than 40 years of service in the fire profession, including 23 years leading the Albemarle County Department of Fire Rescue.
“Chief Eggleston has been a transformational leader for Albemarle County,” said Jeff Richardson, county executive. “His ability to strengthen Albemarle’s Fire Rescue system through partnerships and collaboration with volunteer companies, while also elevating the voice of the fire service on the national and international stage, is remarkable. He has built a modern, unified department that will continue to benefit our community long after his retirement.”
Under his direction, the department constructed four new stations, hired more than 200 career firefighters, secured more than $10 million in FEMA grants, modernized its fleet and expanded training and wellness programs.
“My time with Albemarle County Fire Rescue has been the most rewarding chapter of my career,” said Chief Eggleston.
“The progress we have made together has been possible because of the dedication of our volunteers and staff. I am proud of the system we’ve built and confident it will continue to thrive.”
His career included service during pivotal moments, such as Hurricane Floyd, post-September 11 operations in New York City and the Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally that ended with a white supremacist driving his car through a crowd leaving one counter-protestor dead.
Career highlights
- Expanded and modernized the ACFR system into a unified career-volunteer combination model
- Constructed four new fire stations and hired over 200 career firefighters to reduce response times
- Secured more than $10 million in federal grant funding to enhance staffing and equipment
- Earned national recognition for firefighter health and wellness programs
- Served as IAFC President and testified before Congress on critical fire service issues
- Developed international partnerships with fire service organizations in Europe, South America, and the Middle East, and was honored by the Netherlands Fire Officers Association for contributions to global leadership
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Crystal Graham
