Master Firefighter Christopher R. Daugherty Named the Virginia Beach Fire Department’s 2024 Firefighter of the Year!

Master Firefighter Christopher R. Daugherty was selected by his peers to receive the 2024 Virginia Beach Fire Department Firefighter of the Year Award. Daugherty was presented the prestigious award by STIHL® representatives, Regional Sales Manager James Adams and Territory Manager Brian Scala, at the department’s annual awards ceremony. Daugherty's recognition was based on his exceptional performance, dedication to training, and significant contributions to fire service excellence.

The Firefighter of the Year is awarded to a firefighter that embraces and demonstrates the department’s core values:

·         Service - Professional and trained workforce, providing for other before self.

·         Caring - Using empathy and sympathy for addressing situations.

·         Honesty - Just behavior principled in intention and actions.

·         Trust - Reliance on the department and individuals following our core values.

·         Integrity - Moral and ethical conduct at all times

Comments from peers include:

·         His commitment to excellence, innovative training methods, and significant contributions to the Virginia Beach Fire Department’s reputation as a leader in fire service excellence make him a deserving recipient of this honor.

·         His dedication to excellence is evident in every task he undertakes, whether as a ladder operator or in his recent transition to the rescue company.

·         One of MFF Daugherty's most significant contributions has been his initiative and contribution towards modernizing the Mayday/Firefighter Survival program. His work has led to the adoption of over 90% of his newly designed curriculum by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs,
showcasing the broader impact of his efforts.

·         Daugherty’s exemplary service and commitment to the department have made a lasting impact on his colleagues and the community.

Daugherty has been with the department since Feb. 7, 2015. 

The entire service awards ceremony and presentation to MFF Christopher Daugherty can be found at https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaBeachFD.