Chief of Powhatan Fire & Rescue retires, to rejoin volunteer fire company

POWHATAN COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Chief of Powhatan County Fire & Rescue, Phil Warner, is retiring.

On Monday, Sept. 30, fire officials announced Warner’s retirement on Facebook , praising him for his 34 years of service.

According to that announcement, Warner’s career began in 1990 at Company 4 (Fine Creek) of the Powhatan Volunteer Fire Department. In 2003, he became Powhatan’s Emergency Management Coordinator — then, some time after assuming that role, he was promoted to Assistant Chief. Finally, in Aug. 2019, he was appointed Fire Rescue Chief.

“Under his watch, Warner continued to strengthen the relationship between our career, volunteer and contracted employees, made several improvements to our fleet, added needed positions and, most importantly, ensured that all of our citizens, visitors and personnel were treated with fairness, kindness and respect,” Powhatan Fire and Rescue wrote. “His charisma and humor will be missed by those who worked with him daily!”

However, fire officials said Warner isn’t leaving entirely — he will instead head over to Company 4, where he will return to his roots and work as a volunteer firefighter.

Deputy Chief Taylor Goodman will serve as the interim chief of Powhatan Fire and Rescue until a new Fire Rescue Chief is appointed.

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