More than 11 other jurisdictions to staff Henrico firehouses April 19
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Fire and emergency crews from more than 11 nearby jurisdictions are expected to staff Henrico County fire houses April 19 so that Henrico Fire officials can attend funeral services for one of their own.
Henrico Firefighter Steve Whitson died unexpectedly at his home earlier this month between shifts. His funeral will take place at noon at Fairmount Christian Church in Mechanicsville.
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, fire and EMS crews from Chesterfield, Hanover, Goochland, Harrisonburg, New Kent, Newport News, Powhatan, Richmond (including Richmond Ambulance Authority), Spotsylvania, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach will staff 17 of Henrico County’s 22 firehouses. The agencies will bring with them several apparatus, including fire engines, ladder trucks, and medic and transport units. Additional localities are expected to provide support to Henrico County but had not yet been confirmed as of Tuesday morning.
“Our hearts are heavy in the absence of our friend and fellow firefighter Steve Whitson,” said Henrico Fire Chief Jackson Baynard. “But our spirits have been lifted because of the tremendous show of support from our sisters and brothers in the fire service from across the region and state.”
A small contingent of Henrico Fire’s operational resources will remain in service tomorrow, but the majority will be attending the funeral proceedings. There will be no disruption to 911 service or response times, Baynard said, adding that Henrico Fire regularly participates in interoperability training with neighboring agencies in preparation for situations like this.
“We can’t thank our partners enough for facilitating this,” Baynard said. “It’s a tremendous show of solidarity from some truly outstanding fire departments. It means so much to the Henrico Fire community and Firefighter Whitson’s family.”
Whitson served Henrico Fire for 17 years and was a key member of the Henrico Fire dive team. Whitson previously was a deputy with the Henrico Sheriff’s Office for 16 years and before that was a member of the Army National Guard.
“Steve dedicated his career to serving others,” Baynard said. “It’s our turn to serve him and his family.”
A livestream of the funeral service will be provided on the Henrico Government YouTube channel.
