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| August 12, 2009 | Mark S. Cox, APR Director of Public Communications 382-6241 (WK) |
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| For immediate release | Heath E. Covey Public Information Coordinator 382-6241 (WK) |
NEW FIRE CHIEF NAMED
CHESAPEAKE- Chesapeake City Manager William E. Harrell announced today that Fire Chief R. Stephen Best will retire from the City effective December 31, 2009. Current Deputy Fire Chief Edmund E. Elliott will assume the position of Fire Chief beginning January 1, 2010.
In announcing the retirement, City Manager Harrell praised Chief Best for what he called, “a lifetime of dedicated service to the people of Chesapeake and a commitment to continuous improvement for both his department and his staff.” Best joined the Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Department as a sixteen year-old volunteer firefighter and has been in the fire service ever since.
Best became a fulltime, paid professional firefighter in 1974 and rose steadily through the ranks to the post of Deputy Fire Chief, where he served from 1991 to 1998. He became Fire Chief and Emergency Services Coordinator in April of 1998.
“It has been both an honor and a pleasure to serve with the men and women of the Chesapeake Fire Department,” Chief Best said.
“Chesapeake is a growing, thriving City and our residents can feel secure that we have the best fire and emergency medical services available. I am proud to have taken a small part in building and enhancing this outstanding organization.”
Incoming Fire Chief Edmund E. Elliott also joined the Chesapeake Fire Department’s professional staff in 1974. He was promoted the rank of Lieutenant in 1978, Captain in 1983, Battalion Chief in 1987, and Division Chief in 1995. He assumed his current post as Deputy Fire Chief in 1996. Chief Elliott is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer’s Program and holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management and development from Bluefield College. He will receive an annual salary of $130,250 in his new post.
“I am honored and look forward to the opportunity to lead what I consider to be one of the finest fire departments in the state,” said Chief Elliott. “The Chesapeake Fire Department is staffed with professionals who are committed to meeting the department’s mission to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Chesapeake. In turn, we as leaders of the organization must be committed to providing them with the best equipment, training and resources available, and that will continue to be my primary goal.”
The Chesapeake Fire Department is comprised of 439 sworn and civilian personnel. For more on the department and its programs, visit CityOfChesapeake.net. Additional biographical information on Chief Best and Chief Elliott is attached.
City of Chesapeake, Virginia