Former Fort Belvoir fire chief takes charge of state fire agency

Former Fort Belvoir Fire Chief Willie Shelton is the new executive director of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced Shelton’s appointment on Dec. 5. Shelton began his career with the Fort Belvoir Fire Department on Jan. 2, 1968, and rose through the ranks to become its fire chief before retiring in 1998.

“During my 30 years at Fort Belvoir Fire Department, I provided guidance and leadership, but the true credit goes to the professionals who staffed the three fire stations day-in and day-out,” said Shelton. “I was happy to be one of the major catalysts involved in recommending and planning for state-of-the-art fire stations, fire apparatus, personal protective clothing and fire training facilities. Fort Belvoir’s military command staff was instrumental in implementing the policies that lead the installation in maintaining such outstanding protection of life and property.”

Shelton began working at the VDFP on Sept. 9, 2000 and initially served as its branch chief for training and technical services. In that role, he managed six functional program areas including aircraft rescue firefighting and the Virginia Fire Marshal Academy. Shelton also manages the VDFP’s 22 certified fire service programs that ensure national consensus standards are met and accreditation levels are maintained.

“Ironically, Fort Belvoir became affiliated with the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Fire Programs in the early 1980s so personnel could become professionally certified,” said Shelton.

The Department of Defense did not have a training certification program of its own back then “and did not achieve one until 1996,” Shelton continued. “Today, the role is reversed, but many federal firefighters in Virginia continue to receive their certification through the Virginia Department of Fire Programs.”

Shelton noted that the VDFP and the Department of Defense now have a reciprocal agreement that acknowledges the certifications of their firefighters.

He added that in the 1970s Fort Belvoir Fire Chief Paul F.J. Lepore challenged all of the department’s firefighters to go to college to enhance their knowledge.

“I was fortunate to achieve three associates’ degrees in applied science in fire administration, fire investigation and fire management,” he said. “Later, I completed my bachelor’s in business administration and am currently working towards my masters of business administration.”

Shelton noted that the VDFP is an internationally recognized institution for training and education that has 22 fully accredited programs that can lead a firefighter into becoming a fire officer.

“The most rewarding part of my job is when I attend graduation exercises throughout the Commonwealth for firefighters, fire inspectors, fire investigators, fire educators and fire instructors,” continued Shelton. The VDFP employs 52 people in seven offices across the commonwealth and administers an annual budget of over $26 million.