ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, June 12, 1996 TAG: 9606120059
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRISTINA NUCKOLS STAFF WRITER
A THIRD-GENERATION FIREFIGHTER, Richard Burch has long experience working with paid and volunteer emergency services workers.
The president of the State Fire Chiefs Association of Virginia has been named to head Roanoke County's fire and rescue services, county officials announced Tuesday.
Richard E. Burch, the deputy fire chief and emergency services coordinator for Hanover County, will begin his new job on Aug. 1.
Burch is a third-generation firefighter in the Richmond area, according to Roanoke County Administrator Elmer Hodge. Burch's father and grandfather were both captains in the Richmond Fire Department.
Burch also worked as a firefighter in Richmond before moving to Hanover County, where he has served since 1977. He also served as volunteer assistant fire chief of the Mechanicsville Fire Department near Richmond.
In a telephone interview Tuesday night, Burch said one of his goals will be to increase teamwork between career and volunteer emergency workers. There are 500 volunteers and 56 paid emergency workers in the county.
There are 500 paid and volunteer workers with the Hanover County department, which serves a population of nearly 80,000 people. Four independent rescue squads operate in the county.
In addition to his leadership on the state association, Burch has been appointed to the Virginia Fire Services Board and the State Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Advisory Council.
Burch has a degree in fire science technology from the J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, and he is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy.
Burch was chosen from 140 applicants. The list had been narrowed to seven finalists. Hodge said Burch stood out because of his experience with both career and volunteer fire systems as well as regional programs around Richmond.
The selection was made by a 10-member committee headed by Fire and Rescue Chief Tommy Fuqua and Assistant County Administrator John Chambliss.
"He is a good person," said Fuqua, who is retiring. "I believe he'll be a good fire and rescue chief for Roanoke County."
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