Hail to the chief

The board meeting room was filled on the chilly afternoon of January 30 as people from near and far gathered to wish Goochland Fire-Rescue Chief Bill MacKay. His formal county service ends on January 31, after which he begins retirement and undergo knee surgery.

Chief MacKay (l) greets well wishers.

MacKay, a native of Long Island, came to Goochland from Niagara Falls, New York in June 2010. He spent 25 years with Fairfax County, retiring as a Battalion Chief in 2005 and responded to the Pentagon on 9/11. His career in the fire service also included certification as an instructor at the National Fire Academy; Operations Chief for the response to the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center; and emergency operations center manager for deployment to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

He led the department’s transition to a combination provider of life safety services, blending our amazing and intrepid, but dwindling, corps of fire-rescue volunteers with paid providers. Today, the Goochland Fire-Rescue Department is an all hazards organization that handles an ever-increasing demand for service.

Under MacKay’s leadership, response time standards were created. Insurance Service Office (ISO) rains were improved in parts of the county, lowering homeowners’ insurance premiums.

During his tenure, the first county owned and built fire-rescue station was completed in Hadensville. A career rank structure was put into place providing increased opportunities for leadership and responsibility.  Competitive pay for career providers to reduce turnover was also implemented. The supportive relationship between Goochland Fire-Rescue, the community, and elected officials was strengthened for the benefit of all.

District 2 Supervisor Manuel Alvarez, Jr, who is 2019 Board Chair, thanked MacKay for his service above and beyond running the department and responding to calls. “He’s attended hundreds of county meetings, including Town Hall sessions to be available to citizens,” said Alvarez. “He’s walked through the night at Relay for Life and was always available.” MacKay donned a Bat Man costume for last year’s county fall festival and impersonated a certain jolly elf in a red suit.

Alvarez also thanked Deb MacKay, the chief’s wife, for her sacrifices and all of the time—including holidays—that her husband missed to save lives and protect property.

Board Chair Alvarez thanks MacKay. In the background is a photo of the Chief and wife Deb.

MacKay said it was an honor and privilege to serve Goochland County, but after 42 years in the fire service, 39 of them as a career provider, it is time to “turn a page” and get on with the next phase of life. “I’m going to sleep for more than four hours at a time with no more 24/7 radio. It’s been a great ride and I don’t know what the future holds. I’m lucky to have had Deb at my side for more than 35 years; I’m not sure she realized what she was getting into at the beginning.”

MacKay said that Goochland Fire-Rescue will continue to build on its illustrious heritage with a bright future. He recognized Jay Cullinan, who began his fire service as a Hadensville volunteer as is now Chief of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management for Spotsylvania County. He is but one of many life safety service professionals in the region who began their careers in Goochland Fire-Rescue stations.

D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. Goochland Deputy Chief of EMS, thanked MacKay for bringing a businesslike approach to the department and addressing the human side of its function.  “He was always genuinely concerned with safety first. He was constructive, consistent, transparent and always ready to help.”

Anthony “Tony” Gordon, volunteer deputy chief thanked MacKay for everything he did for the volunteers.

Billy McGuire, President of the Goochland Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association Board of Directors said that MacKay did little things that showed he cared about every member of the department whether career or volunteer.  MacKay mentored beginners, teaching them how to make good, sound, rational decisions with limited resources. “We are a family, he’s been the glue,” said McGuire.

MacKay contended that citizens do not fully realize the dedication and commitment to community service made by Goochland Fire-Rescue. He recognized past Chief of the Department Tommy Carter, a volunteer for more than 55 years, who is still active at Courthouse Company 5 and responded to more calls than others in the past few years.

“Don’t take for granted the people who care about our safety and put their lives on the line, leaving the sanctuary of their homes and missing family holidays to save lives and protect property,” cautioned MacKay.

There is a deep and abiding goodness about people who devote their time and talents to go in harm’s way to protect the lives and property of total strangers. We meet them on the worst days of our lives and they always give us their best. Chief MacKay’s tenure in Goochland burnished a proud legacy and set a course for a bright future.