Mayor Alonzo Jones and City Council honored Fire Chief David Eagle earlier this week for 25 years of service as a firefighter and 12 years as fire chief for the City of Danville.
Eagle is retiring today. He will join the City of Williamsburg as fire chief.
“It has been a privilege, and I am humbled to have had the opportunity to serve this great city as fire chief in my hometown,” Eagle said while being recognized during City Council’s meeting on Tuesday night. “It has been a wonderful experience and I thank each of you for the support that you have given our fire department. I hope that you will continue to support the department.”
Eagle praised the firefighters and administrative staff under his command.
“You have one of the best groups you could have in the workplace. It is them that have made the fire department great. I give it all to them. We have a high performing team, a good team. I am very confident that the high level of service will continue.”
Eagle, at age 50 and with 25 years of service, became eligible to retire under the City of Danville’s policy.
He became fire chief in April of 2007. During his tenure, Eagle oversaw the merger of fire and 911 communications operations, the construction of the new headquarters/fire station on Lynn Street, and the department’s award of international accreditation.
Last year, the Insurance Services Office (ISO) reclassified the Fire Department as an ISO Class 1. This classification is the highest available rating.
Also, Eagle implemented the use of mobile data terminals that assist medical services in the field. These terminals provide GIS mapping and improve patient outcomes by sending electrocardiogram or EKG heart monitor readings from the field to the hospital.
Before being named fire chief, Eagle worked his way up the ranks in Danville. He joined the City as a firefighter/ emergency medical technician. In 1997, he was named assistant fire marshal. In 2003, he was promoted to fire marshal.
In Williamsburg, Eagle will direct the fire department and serve as the emergency management coordinator. The fire chief functions as a member of the City’s executive team and reports directly to the city manager.