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Chief Eddie Ferguson Recognized as Virginia’s Chief Officer of the Year

Fire-Rescue Posted on February 19, 2026

Governor Abigail Spanberger announced the winners of the 2025 Fire Service Awards on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Eddie Ferguson, Chief of Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services for Goochland County, was named Virginia’s Chief Officer of the Year.

The Governor’s Fire Service Awards, established in 2002, serves as a formal recognition of excellence. According to the Virginia Department of Fire Programs website, this award is intended to honor a chief officer who exemplifies exceptional leadership, integrity, innovation, and commitment to both their department and the broader Virginia fire service. Chief Ferguson was presented with the award during the Virginia Fire/Rescue Conference in Virginia Beach on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

“This is truly an honor, and you will never know how much this means to me.”, said Chief Ferguson. “This is really a team and organizational level recognition; no one person does it alone. I am so blessed to have had such wonderful mentors, a supportive family, to have been afforded so many opportunities in my career, and to be surrounded by such great people who really do the heavy lifting making the organization successful and run smoothly. Our members drive our success, and I am incredibly proud of the entire team. I am privileged to serve as the Fire-Rescue Chief, and I take that responsibility very seriously.”

Chief Ferguson has over 40 years of experience with Fire and EMS and began serving as a volunteer in Goochland County at the age of 16. In addition to his service to Goochland County, Chief Ferguson served for almost 17 years as a career Firefighter Paramedic with Chesterfield Fire & EMS. He continues to serve as a Flight Paramedic assigned to VA State Police EMS Med-Flight 1. Chief Ferguson was hired by Goochland County in 2004 as Deputy Chief and has been serving as Chief since 2019.

“This well-deserved honor shows the rest of the Commonwealth, what we in Goochland already know – Chief Ferguson is an exceptional leader.” said Dr. Raley, Goochland County Administrator. “Goochland County is extremely fortunate to have Chief Eddie Ferguson serving our community.”

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