Deputy Chief Kenneth Pravetz Selected as Chief of the Virginia Beach Fire Department

After a nationwide search, Virginia Beach City Manager Patrick Duhaney announced today the appointment of veteran Virginia Beach Fire Department employee Kenneth Pravetz as the new fire chief. Pravetz has been with the Virginia Beach Fire Department since February 1999.

Chief Pravetz has 35 years of career fire experience. He is a U.S. Air Force Veteran. Chief Pravetz has worked for Virginia Beach for 23 years. As he progressed through the ranks, Chief Pravetz held many challenging assignments. His current assignment is the Deputy Chief of Services responsible for personnel, finance, training, logistics, planning, and community risk reduction. As a member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Urban Search & Rescue Virginia Task Force 2, home-based out of Virginia Beach, Chief Pravetz has deployed to several National Disasters as a planning team member and task force leader.

"Pravetz has the proven leadership and communication skills needed to be successful across our organization, in collaboration with our community partners and through a wide range of public safety emergencies," City Manager Patrick Duhaney said. "His decades of diversified management experience will help Virginia Beach continue to be a national leader in public safety for many more years to come."

Chief Pravetz holds an associate degree in fire science, a bachelor's degree in health and safety, and a Master of Public Administration Degree. In 2019, Chief Pravetz completed a master's degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security. He has a certificate from the Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Chief Pravetz is nearing completion of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Fire Service Executive Development Institute.

"It is an honor to be selected to serve the City of Virginia Beach and lead this world-class fire department," said Pravetz. "The VBFD has a rich history. This department supplies exceptional fire, medical, and emergency services. I am truly proud to be part of this organization. The staff is mission focused and driven by our core values of Service, Caring, Integrity, Trust, and Honesty. I look forward to the transition into the new role as Fire Chief."

Chief Pravetz is very active in the fire service; he serves on three NFPA technical committees and the IAFC Terrorism and Homeland Security Committee. He also represents the IAFC on the Department of Homeland Security Emergency Services Sector Coordinating Council Executive Committee.

His appointment is effective January 1, 2023.

Chief Pravetz has 35 years of career fire experience.

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