While this award specifically recognizes Goochland County Department of Fire-Rescue & Emergency Services, it would not be possible without the tremendous support of the Goochland County Board of Supervisors, County Administration, the County Attorney’s Office, Purchasing, Finance, General Services, and Building Inspections! Training & Safety Division Captain Brandon Proffitt deserves special recognition for his efforts overseeing planning and construction of the new $1.2 million live burn structure at the Henley Fire-Rescue Training Center.

The Department’s previous structure, constructed in 1981, was deemed unsafe for live fire training back in 2012. Since then, live fire training required the department to travel with equipment to other jurisdictions or bring a mobile burn trailer operated by the state to a site in Goochland. While we appreciate our regional partners’ generosity over the years allowing our crews to experience live fire training in their burn buildings, training at home promotes more frequent training opportunities and keeps our personnel on-duty in Goochland County available to respond to emergencies. Special appreciation to Chesterfield County Fire and EMS, Hanover County Fire-EMS Department, Louisa County Department of Fire/EMS Henrico County Division of Fire, and Virginia Department of Fire Programs for making their live fire training facilities and mobile props available to us for all these years.