RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin on Feb 21st, announced the recipients of the 2024 Governor’s Fire Service Awards. These prestigious awards, established in 2002, recognize excellence in Virginia’s fire service and were expected to be presented during the Virginia Fire and Rescue Conference in Virginia Beach. Due to weather, these award recipients will be honored at a later date.

"These award recipients embody excellence, dedication, and leadership in the fire service, and I am honored to recognize their contributions to public safety across the commonwealth," said Governor Glenn Youngkin. "In collaboration with Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Terry Cole, we celebrate and thank these recipients for their unwavering dedication and commitment to safeguarding our commonwealth." 

“I commend each of these departments and individuals for their outstanding service and dedication,” said Virginia Department of Fire Programs Executive Director Brad Creasy. “Their tireless commitment to protecting our communities and bravery in the face of danger is inspiring. These recipients exemplify the very best of the fire service and it is my honor to recognize their contributions to the fire service.” 

2024 Governor’s Fire Service Awards Recipients

VIRGINIA FIRE CHIEF OF THE YEAR

Keith Johnson, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue

A fourth-generation firefighter with over 42 years of service, Chief Keith Johnson has been a transformative leader in Virginia’s fire service. His career is marked by innovation, leadership, and a steadfast commitment to the fire service. After retiring from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue in 2014, he joined Loudoun County Fire and Rescue as Assistant Chief of Operations and became System Chief in 2018. Under his leadership, the department implemented the award-winning FACT*R field blood delivery program and acquired a metro training prop to enhance firefighter preparedness when Metro was expanding into the county. Chief Johnson played a key role in developing Loudoun County’s Combined System and has been a strong advocate for legislative initiatives benefiting public safety. Chief Johnson currently serves as chairman of the Virginia Fire Services Board and as a member of the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development. 

Jerry "Jay" Ritchie, Harrisonburg Hose Company No. 4

Chief Jerry “Jay” Ritchie has been acting Chief for three and half years but has been in the fire service since the age of 15 with 25 years of service both as a medic and firefighter for Winchester and Harrisonburg. After his retirement, he returned as the Training Officer for Hose Company No. 4 in 2020. In 2023, Chief Ritchie started the first volunteer fire academy for its members in the region. He taught Firefighter I and Firefighter II courses along with Hazmat Operations, EVOC, Basic Pump Operator, and CPR/First Aid. In the last year, he has been able to staff 12-hour duty crews seven nights a week and coverage during the day at least four out of seven days. Chief Ritchie has begun his second fire academy that includes members from four other departments and four career personnel from a different county. Through Chief Ritchie’s leadership, the department is back to being the prestigious department that they were known for 20 years ago.  

VIRGINIA FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR 

Kerstenn Rodgers, City of Winchester Fire & Rescue

 Kerstenn Rodgers is a dedicated firefighter-paramedic known for her leadership in public education, peer support, and community engagement. In her career, she has become a certified firefighter, progressed through her EMS certification to a paramedic level, and become involved in the department's public information office, public education, and peer support programs. She is a multi-faceted employee who brings a positive attitude to every project she is involved in and displays a genuine and contagious love for the fire and EMS service. 

Trevor Baldwin, Pamplin Volunteer Fire Department and Campbell County Company 18 

With 18 years of service, Trevor Baldwin has significantly enhanced emergency response operations in his community. In addition to his duties with the Pamplin Volunteer Fire Department, he also volunteers on a Facility Fire Brigade at a major business in the area, where he holds the rank of Captain and previously served as Battalion Chief. In this role, he oversees 10 other emergency response personnel trained in fire, EMS, and hazmat response. His leadership in fire ground command and commitment to training have strengthened volunteer fire services in Virginia. 

EXCELLENCE IN VIRGINIA FIRE SERVICES 

Henrico County Division of Fire 

Henrico County Division of Fire is a highly regarded department known for its dedication to training and regional partnerships. Responding to over 55,000 calls annually, Henrico Fire has maintained international accreditation for over 25 years. The department has been instrumental in supporting large-scale statewide training events, ensuring fire service personnel across Virginia receive advanced and essential training. 

Goochland County Department of Fire-Rescue & Emergency Services 

Goochland Fire-Rescue has revolutionized fire service training with the construction of a $1.2 million live fire structure. This facility enhances local and regional training capabilities, addressing previous challenges in conducting live fire exercises. Goochland’s leadership in fire training innovation ensures firefighters are well-prepared to serve their community effectively.  

EXCELLENCE IN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION 

Salem Fire Marshal's Office, Salem Fire and EMS Department 

On May 11, 2024, Salem Fire and EMS collaborated with the Southwest Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross for a smoke alarm installation event, impacting 72 homes and 177 individuals. This initiative focused on mobile home parks in the east Salem, providing residents with 97 new smoke detectors and enhancing fire safety awareness. 

EXCELLENCE IN VIRGINIA FIRE SERVICE TRAINING 

HB2451 Electric Vehicle Lithium-Ion Battery Online Training Work Group (Jasen Dodson, William Vannoy, John Walser, Richard Grassel, Lawrence Lippincott, Amanda Kennedy) 

These individuals played a crucial role in expanding fire service training, including legislative efforts to enhance electric vehicle fire response training. Through countless hours of research and collaboration, this workgroup produced the mandated Electric Vehicle, Lithium-Ion Battery awareness course. This is the first mandated fire training in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Their contributions have significantly improved training opportunities and emergency preparedness across Virginia. 

John Bledsoe, Wise Volunteer Fire Department 

John Bledsoe has been a key adjunct instructor for Virginia’s fire service, developing and delivering mayday programs statewide. As an assistant chief of Wise Volunteer Fire Department, his leadership has strengthened regional training efforts, including the expansion of the Wise Regional School, which reached a record attendance of over 400 students in 2024. His willingness to support any class at any time reflects his dedication to fire training throughout the commonwealth. 

OUTSTANDING FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONSE 

Fairfax County Rescue 439 C-shift, Battalion 401 C-shift, Loudoun County Rescue 635 B-Shift, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue 

On the evening of February 16, 2024, Loudoun County Engine 618 and Truck 611 were on scene of a gas leak in Sterling, Virginia. The explosion caused the Line of Duty Death of Firefighter Trevor Brown from Sterling Volunteer Fire Company and injured 11 other firefighters that were on scene. With two firefighters trapped in the basement, Battalion 401, Rescue 439, and Rescue 635, tunneled into the burning debris pile to access the two firefighters that had called maydays. Their selfless actions led to the successful rescue of two trapped firefighters, showcasing extraordinary dedication and teamwork in the face of extreme danger. 

Augusta County Fire-Rescue 

On August 24, 2024, Augusta County Fire-Rescue, with assistance from multiple public safety partners, executed a complex rescue operation after receiving an emergency alert from a hiker. Through seamless coordination, including the use of a hoist-capable helicopter, emergency responders successfully extracted and transported the injured individual to UVA Medical Center. This incident highlights the effectiveness of regional emergency response collaboration. 

PRIVATE SECTOR EXCELLENCE IN VIRGINIA FIRE SERVICE SUPPORT 

Chief Todd LeDuc (Ret.), Deputy CEO, Life Scan Wellness Centers 

Life Scan Wellness Centers provides comprehensive firefighter health screenings, benefiting over 4,000 Virginia first responders annually. Their efforts in early cancer detection and occupational health advocacy have greatly improved firefighter well-being across the commonwealth. Additionally, Life Scan has been a leader in publishing research on first responder occupational health and wellness and supported educational and advocacy issues.