The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors has named David Puckett as the new Chief of the Albemarle County Fire Rescue Department, effective January 8, 2026.
Puckett’s selection is the result of a thorough recruitment process following the retirement of Fire Rescue Chief Dan Eggleston. The County engaged a recruitment firm to support the outreach and engagement of key stakeholders and staff to determine the key attributes, experiences, and leadership qualities necessary for the next Fire Rescue Chief. Survey results emphasized the importance of experience leading a combination career and volunteer department, building strong relationships across the region, and a commitment to the continuity of initiatives already underway. Based on this feedback, the firm strongly recommended the selection of an internal candidate.
To launch the interview process, County Executive Jeff Richardson met with all interested employees who met the minimum requirements. The process then included panel interviews with 15 evaluators representing the Fire and EMS Board, Albemarle County Fire Rescue staff, County department leadership, community stakeholders, and County executive leadership.
“Early in the recruitment process, it became clear that the next Chief must be a proven leader with deep operational knowledge and established trust within the department and throughout the community,” shared County Executive Jeff Richardson. “David’s long-standing relationships with both career and volunteer personnel, combined with his understanding of the combination system and our county’s unique qualities and needs, position him well to lead Albemarle County Fire Rescue into its next chapter.”
“David’s leadership has been demonstrated time and again throughout his extensive career with Albemarle County,” said Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Chair Ned Gallaway. “We are confident he will continue to lead this critical department with innovation and reliability as ACFR’s next chief.”
Puckett brings more than 27 years of service with Albemarle County Fire Rescue, including the last 13 as Deputy Chief of Operations. His career includes leadership roles as Captain and Battalion Chief, including serving as one of the department’s first Battalion Chiefs. Hired in 1998, Puckett was one of ACFR’s first nine career firefighters.
As Deputy Chief of Operations, Puckett has overseen the readiness and response of approximately 200 career and 300 volunteer personnel across the Fire and EMS system. His leadership includes leading the implementation of the department’s first Drug Enforcement Administration-compliant medication supply system and the development of the department’s first Standards of Cover process, which resulted in the BOS adopting the first Fire and EMS service objectives in 2018. He has also served as the agency lead for the replacement of the regional computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, improving dispatch accuracy and resource allocation, and designed and implemented ACFR’s first comprehensive Career Development Program.
“I look forward to continuing to serve Albemarle County by leading this department as we strengthen our department’s foundation and ensure that Albemarle County Fire Rescue remains a trusted, high-performing organization dedicated to the safety and well-being of the people of Albemarle County,” said Chief Puckett.
