- Text Size : A, A, A |
-
Printer-friendly
|
Executive Director
Office of the Executive Director
Willie G. Shelton, Jr. , CEM
Executive Director
1005 Technology Park Drive
Glen Allen, Virginia 23059-4500
Tel: (804) 371-0220
Fax: (804) 371-3444
E-mail: billy.shelton@vdfp.virginia.gov
Biography
Governor Timothy M. Kaine appointed Willie (Billy) G. Shelton, Jr. to serve as Executive Director of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP), effective December 5, 2006. He was reappointed by Governor Bob McDonnell in 2010. VDFP employs 500 plus personnel across seven office locations in the state and administers an annual budget of over 32 million.
As the Executive Director, Billy has responsibility for supervising VDFP staff, to include members of the State Fire Marshal's Office. His leadership responsibilities also extend to providing oversight and guidance to the Department’s budget, and strategic planning and program validation efforts. Additionally, he is responsible for assisting with the coordination of statewide fire and life safety training and education programs, statewide preparedness issues, and the Department's response to large-scale emergencies to support local jurisdictions.
Prior to his gubernatorial appointment, Billy was employed by VDFP for 6 years where he served as the Branch Chief for Training and Technical Services. As Branch Chief, he managed six functional program areas (Aircraft Rescue Firefighting, Virginia Fire Marshal Academy, Heavy Technical Rescue, National Interagency Incident Management System, Logistics, and the Quality Assurance Program for the Fire Service Training Record System) in accordance with applicable national and state consensus standards. He also coordinated VDFP's 22 Pro-Board certified fire service programs.
Before coming to work at VDFP, Billy served as Fire Chief at Fort Belvoir's Fire Prevention and Protection Division for 30 years. He rose through the ranks from firefighter to Fire Chief.
Billy has been an active volunteer firefighter in his home county of Stafford County for 44 years serving in capacities of Fire Chief and President at multiple times.
Billy serves as a member of the Curriculum Advisory Committee for Fire Science for the Northern Virginia Community College and Germanna Community College System. He also serves as VDFP's adjunct faculty member for the Fire Science Program at both colleges.
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 through the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Fire Programs for: Instructor IV, Fire Officer IV, Fire Investigator II, Fire Inspector II, Fire and Life Safety Educator 1;
- Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B);
- Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE);
- International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) – Life Member.
