CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — The City of Chesapeake announced on Friday that their fire chief was selected to receive the 2020 Governor’s Virginia Fire Chief of the Year Award.
Chief Ed Elliott has been with the department since 1974 and began serving as fire chief and Coordinator of Emergency Management in January 2010.
According to their press release, Elliott “is a faithful servant leader that embodies customer service, sacrifice, commitment and the pursuit of continuous improvement.”
The award, which was established in 2002, is presented annually to a fire chief who exhibits leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, along with superior service to the public and a high level of contributions to the fire service as a whole.
Elliot graduated from Deep Creek High School and is an active member of Wayside Baptist Church.
Gov. Ralph Northam and other state officials also recognized those who received Governor’s Fire Service Awards.
“Each year, we are honored to recognize Virginia’s dedicated fire professionals who go beyond the call of duty to protect their fellow Virginians and communities in times of great danger,” said Governor Northam. “This year’s award recipients have displayed remarkable tenacity and valor while navigating unprecedented challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful to these brave men and women for their faithful service and sacrifice. ”
“We continue to be amazed by Virginia’s Fire Service and its desire to enhance the public safety profession with innovative solutions,” said Virginia Department of Fire Programs Acting Executive Director Garrett Dyer. “That innovative spark is the foundation of the Governor’s Fire Service Awards and we are honored to recognize impressive levels of excellence with these awards.”
“Through the hardships of this past year these men and women have continuously worked to help their communities,” said the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian J. Moran. “We are proud to honor these recipients for their commitment to ensuring the safety and protection to those in our Commonwealth.”