New Fire-Rescue Chief named

Early on the sultry summer Monday of July 29, Goochland County Administrator John Budesky announced that D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. will be the next Chief of Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services for Goochland County, effective August 1. He spoke to a gathering comprised mostly of fire-rescue providers and members, both career and volunteer, at Courthouse Company 5.

D. E. "Eddie" Ferguson, Jr. Chief of Goochland Fire-Rescue and Emergency  Services.

Budesky said that the county went through an extensive nationwide search process and received 35 applications for the position. “We could have promoted internally, but felt we owed it to the citizens to make sure we found the best person for the job.” He thanked Billy McGuire, President of the Goochland Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association Board for his input in the process. “I have never received so many letters of support for a job candidate in my career. This killed a lot of trees in Goochland,” Budesky remarked. Others involved in the search and interview process included fire-rescue professionals from other jurisdictions.

Few county positions are as important as fire-rescue chief, Budesky contended. “In the seven months since former Chief Bill MacKay retired, we listened to the concerns at ground level from both volunteers and career staff to determine what they wanted in their next chief. It was an interesting period,” he said. “I got to know and listen to Eddie to appreciate his broad knowledge of fire-rescue and emergency services and Goochland. He was the clear choice to serve as we move into the future.”

In the midst of the announcement, Company 5 crews were “toned out” to respond to a call, their sirens providing background music for the event.

Ferguson thanked those who gave him opportunities, leadership, and mentorship during his career. He knew from an early age that fire-rescue was his calling. “This is very humbling. Today (being named chief) has been a career long goal of mine.” He acknowledged that fire-rescue is a dangerous job and pledged to ensure that all providers will have the training and equipment to perform their tasks safely and effectively. “What makes Goochland Fire-Rescue special is our people, both volunteer and career, and support base in the community.”

A Goochland County native, Ferguson joined Centerville Company 3 as a volunteer at the age of 16, 37 years ago, and has been saving lives and protecting property ever since. He held many volunteer EMS leadership positions and was named career Goochland Deputy Chief-EMS in 2004. He served as interim fire-rescue chief since the departure of William McKay last January. Budesky commended Ferguson for stepping up to fill both top fire-rescue jobs (Car 1 and Car 3 for the cognoscenti) during the search period.

Ferguson knew what he wanted to do with his life from an early age.  “He got a fire truck as a present when he was a little boy and that was the only thing he played with,” recalled his mother Diane. “I always thought he’d grow out of it.”

Chief Ferguson center with parents Ed and Diane to the left and daughters Rachel, Campbell, and Shannon.

In addition to volunteering in Goochland, Ferguson was a career firefighter-paramedic in Chesterfield County and a flight paramedic with Virginia State Police Med-Flight 1. He holds most certifications in his field and has served on state and regional boards including as the Governor’s representative to the Virginia Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board. He also has extensive experience as an instructor. Ferguson was instrumental in ensuring that Goochland EMS has the highest possible standards and worked to implement state-of-the-art protocols to ensure the best possible standards of patient care.

Thanks in large part to Ferguson’s participation and leadership, Goochland EMS has an outstanding reputation throughout the Commonwealth. Individual companies and the county organization have received many awards and recognitions for response to emergency situations. One notable example is the February 22, 2001 Interstate 64 multicar pile-up during a sudden ice storm.  

Ferguson’s experience and skills “put him in an optimal position to advise county administration and the supervisors on a multitude of issues now and into the future,” said Budesky.

Longtime friends and associates of Ferguson congratulated him on the promotion. “This was long overdue,” said Past Volunteer Chief of the Department, Wayne Allen. Tommy Carter, also a past volunteer department chief agreed.

Generations of excellence in Goochland Fire-Rescue. LtR Ferguson, Past Chiefs Tommy Carter and Wayne Allen.

Budesky said that the process to fill the soon-to-be-vacant position of deputy chief EMS will get underway soon.

Congratulations Chief Ferguson!