Alexandria swore in Felipe Hernandez Jr. as the city’s new fire chief in a ceremony at City Hall yesterday (Tuesday).
Hernandez, previously the fire chief for the City of Rochester, New York, will lead the Alexandria Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services.
“This is a great fire department,” said Chief Hernandez. “My job is to maintain and build on that greatness. I see the department as an important part of the community and part of how we continue to keep moving forward.”
Hernandez takes over from James Schwartz, who had been serving as interim fire chief since January.
“We’re extremely excited to welcome Chief Hernandez, who will become Alexandria’s first permanent Latino fire chief,” said Mayor Justin Wilson. “He brings deep experience in labor relations, a modern, data-driven approach to firefighting, emergency medical service and emergency management, and what we understand is an “off the charts” energy that we know will be valued here in the city.”
Image via Alexandria Fire Department/Facebook
