CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Albemarle County Fire Rescue Chief Dan Eggleston is retiring effective October 24, the end of a 23-year run in the post, the county announced Monday.
“My time with Albemarle County Fire Rescue has been the most rewarding chapter of my career,” Eggleston said in a statement. “The progress we have made together has been possible because of the dedication of our volunteers and staff. I am proud of the system we’ve built and confident it will continue to thrive.”

Eggleston, who has worked more than 40 years in the profession, oversaw the hiring of over 200 career firefighters and the construction of four new firehouses.

“Chief Eggleston has been a transformational leader for Albemarle County,” said County Executive Jeff Richardson in a statement on Monday. “His ability to strengthen Albemarle’s Fire Rescue system through partnerships and collaboration with volunteer companies, while also elevating the voice of the fire service on the national and international stage, is remarkable. He has built a modern, unified department that will continue to benefit our community long after his retirement.”

Albemarle County will begin the recruitment process for a successor in the coming weeks.

In addition to his duties in Albemarle County, Eggleston served as IAFC President and Chairman of the Board, where he represented fire service leaders before Congress, advised on public safety policy, and built partnerships with international fire organizations. His career also included service during pivotal moments, such as Hurricane Floyd, post-September 11 operations in New York City, and the August 2017’s Unite the Right rally.

Other highlights of Eggleston’s career, per the county release, include:

• Expanded and modernized the ACFR system into a unified career-volunteer combination model
• Secured more than $10 million in federal grant funding to enhance staffing and equipment
• Earned national recognition for firefighter health and wellness programs
• Served as IAFC President and testified before Congress on critical fire service issues
• Developed international partnerships with fire service organizations in Europe, South America, and the Middle East, and was honored by the Netherlands Fire Officers Association for contributions to global leadership.