Fire Chief
Henrico County (VA) Division of Fire
Mechanicsville, Virginia
Fire Chief Alec Oughton began his fire and EMS service in the early 90’s as a volunteer with the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad and the Manassas Park Volunteer Fire Department, before taking a staff position with Spotsylvania County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management in 1996. Chief Oughton joined the Henrico County (VA) Division of Fire in 1999 and has served as a firefighter/paramedic, company officer, station captain, EMS supervisor, field battalion chief, battalion chief of special operations and EMS, and most recently as its Deputy Chief of Operations.
In his current role as fire chief, Chief Oughton oversees an agency responsible for fire prevention and suppression, emergency medical services (EMS), technical rescue, hazardous materials mitigation, and disaster preparedness in Henrico. The Division of Fire has an approved budget of $72 million, a staff of 625 employees, and responds to approximately 50,000 calls for service each year out of 21 fire stations, with two additional stations planned in the next three years. Henrico holds a Class 1 rating from the Insurance Services Office (ISO) and has been accredited by the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) since 1998.
Chief Oughton holds associate's degrees in fire science and emergency medical services from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies, and a Master of Public Administration degree – both from Liberty University. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program and was recently awarded the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation by the CPSE. Chief Oughton currently serves as a vice president at large for the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association (VFCA) and as an active member and past president of the Central Virginia Fire Chiefs Association.
Disclosure information not submitted.
Friday, August 26, 2022
3:15 PM – 4:45 PM