The late Michael T. Linkous was named the 2019 Virginia Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year by Gov. Ralph Northam recently during the Virginia Fire and Rescue Conference in Virginia Beach.
The honor was one of several fire service awards lauding excellence in Virginia’s fire services.
Established in 2002, the Governor’s Fire Service Awards honor excellence in Virginia’s Fire Services. The Department of Fire Programs facilitates the awards in partnership with the Virginia Fire Services Board.
Linkous served the Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department for 36 years as a firefighter, a lieutenant, a captain, and the He began his service as a teenager in 1983 and answered more than 4,500 calls across the course of his career. He was diagnosed with immunoglobulin G kappa multiple myeloma and endured chemotherapy, blood work, hospital stays and immobility from time to time. The disease took his life on July 26, 2019. He was 54.
“For Virginia’s fire service professionals, their work is more than just a job, it’s a calling,” said Gov. Northam. “These brave and dedicated men and women willingly take on the risks and responsibilities of protecting their fellow citizens, demonstrating immense resilience and constantly exceeding expectations, and we are pleased to recognize them.”
“The nominations we come across are simply remarkable and grow in number every year,” said Department of Fire Programs Executive Director Michael Reilly. “Together with the governor’s office, we recognize the top fire service professionals in Virginia.”
“Each year I find myself moved by these stories of dedication and valor,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian J. Moran. “It is my great pleasure to award these individuals for their extraordinary commitment to the commonwealth.”
Among the winners of the 2019 Governor’s Fire Service Awards were the Arlington County Community Emergency Response Team Training Cadre for Excellence in Virginia Fire Services; the Bedford County Department of Fire and Rescue for Excellence in Virginia Community Risk Reduction; the Smyth County Fire Rescue Academy for Excellence in Virginia Fire Service Training; and the Hopewell Bureau of Fire for Outstanding Fire Department Response.
The Hopewell Fire Department was cited for its actions on Thanksgiving night 2019. Members from Hopewell’s Medic 2, Engine 2 and Battalion 1 units responded to a call about a female in the city who had been shot multiple times. Upon arrival, fire and EMS crews realized they were trying to save a fellow firefighter, Lieutenant Ashley Nicole Berry.
Hopewell’s first responders rendered medical treatment at the scene and stabilized her for treatment at the VCU Medical Center in Richmond, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The pre-hospital treatment provided by the Hopewell units gave comfort to her family and colleagues knowing she was well cared for during her time of need.
Other winners of the fire service awards were Sheri Emerson, senior administrative service manager for the York Co. Department of Fire and Life Safety for Civilian Excellence in Virginia Fire Service Support; Adam Dolan, lieutenant with City of Staunton Fire & Rescue for Virginia Career Firefighter of the Year; and Richard Opett, chief of New Kent County Fire Rescue, Virginia Career Fire Chief of the Year.
