Virginia Beach Fire Department Promotes Two to Assistant Chief

The Virginia Beach Fire Department is proud to announce the appointments of Battalion Chief Michael Brashear and Battalion Chief Norman Williams to Assistant Chief.

Assistant Chief Michael Brashear - Assistant Chief Michael Brashear became a member of the Virginia Beach Fire Department in 2004. During his career, he has been assigned to Stations 19, 11, 10, 8, 3, Battalion 2 and served as the Training Chief at the Harry E. Diezel Fire Training Center. Mike is a National Registry Paramedic and has been a part of the Technical Rescue and Hazmat Teams and is on the FEMA Virginia Task Force 2 Team as a Task Force Leader with multiple deployments including Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico and the Surfside Condominium collapse in Florida. Mike has served on several committees, including being the Program Manager for the Fire Cadets, and helped the department receive the Governor’s Awards for command simulations training and the high-rise live fire training burns. He holds a master’s in public administration from Liberty University and was assigned to Special Events and Emergency Management. Brashear is also a graduate of the Leadership in Police Organization Course, that is sponsored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s (IACP. Assistant Chief Brashear, in his new position, effective Dec. 7, 2023, will be assigned to oversee the Training Division and Special Operations for the VBFD.

Assistant Chief Norman Williams – Assistant Chief Norm Williams has been with the Virginia Beach Fire Department for more than 22 years. Williams began his career in the fire service in 1999 where he served as a firefighter in the city of Chesapeake. He has held both operational and administrative assignments including engine and rescue companies, and operational Battalion Chief. Most recently, as the Fire BC of Health & Safety, he was responsible for the management, support, interpretation and monitoring of the Occupational Safety and Health Program.

His accomplishments include retiring from the U.S. Army Reserve, holds a bachelor’s in religion from St. Leo University, a master’s in public administration from Liberty University and is a graduate of the Leadership in Police Organization course, sponsored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s (IACP) flagship leadership development training program. His promotion is effective Jan. 4, 2024, and he will be the AC of “B-Shift.”