Executive Director

Office of the Executive Director

Executive Director
Willie G. Shelton, Jr. , CEM
1005 Technology Park Drive
Glen Allen, Virginia 23059-4500
Tel: (804) 371-0220 Fax: (804) 371-3444
E-mail:billy.shelton@vdfp.virginia.gov


Kay Hunnel Office Manager

Willie G. Shelton, Jr. was appointed Executive Director of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, effective December 5, 2006.

Biography

Willie G. Shelton, Jr. was appointed by Governor Tim Kaine to serve as Executive Director of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP), effective December 5, 2006. He is responsible for executive level supervision to agency staff; budgeting guidance; strategic planning; validation of programs; guidance on state preparedness issues; assistance with the coordination of statewide training and education programs; and agency response to large scale emergencies to support local jurisdictions. VDFP employs 458 personnel across 7 office locations in the state and the agency administers an annual budget of over $29 million.


Billy was employed by VDFP on September 9, 2000 and served as VDFP’s Branch Chief for Training and Technical Services where he managed six functional program areas (Aircraft Rescue Firefighting, Virginia Fire Marshal Academy, Heavy Tactical Rescue, National Interagency Incident Management System, Logistics, and Quality Assurance program for Fire Service Training Record System) in accordance with applicable Federal, Commonwealth of Virginia, and national consensus standards. He also manages VDFP's 22 certified fire service programs (Pro-Board Certified) ensuring that applicable national consensus standards are met and accreditation levels are maintained.


Before coming to work at VDFP, Billy served as Fire Chief at Fort Belvoir, Fire Prevention and Protection Division for 30 years. He rose through the ranks from firefighter to Fire Chief.
Shelton has been an active volunteer firefighter in his home county of Stafford County for 41 years serving in capacities of Fire Chief and President at multiple times.


From May 1984 to present, Shelton has served as a member of the Northern Virginia Community College Curriculum Advisory Committee Fire Science. From September 1982 to 1998, Shelton served as an Adjunct faculty member of Germanna Community College and Northern Virginia Community College, Fire Science curriculum. From 1988 to 1998, Shelton served as chairperson of the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Federal Fire Service Task Group and as Vice Chairman Federal Military Section International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).

Billy is currently a graduate student of the University of Mary Washington College enrolled in the Master Program (MBA). He also graduated from Mary Washington College, where he received a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree in Business Administration, and holds three A. A.S. degrees in Fire Administration, Fire Management, and Fire Investigation, respectively from Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale, Virginia, Summa Cum Laude.

Achievements:
Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), National Coordinating Council on Emergency Management.
Certified Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Fire Programs: Instructor Level IV, Fire Officer IV, Fire Investigator II, Fire Inspector II. Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B).

 

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