Fire Chief Jethro H. Piland, III announced today the appointment of Christopher J. Anderson to serve as the Deputy Chief for Hanover Fire-EMS. Anderson, a long-time Hanover County resident was part of an extensive nationwide search for this role.
Chief Christopher “Chris” Anderson has been proudly serving the Hanover community for over twenty-five (25) years with his diverse background and experience in emergency services. His career began in 1996 as a volunteer firefighter in Hanover, Virginia. In 2001, the Commonwealth of Virginia hired Chris as a firefighter/medic with the Fort Pickett Fire Department in Blackstone, Virginia, after which Hanover County Fire-EMS hired him in 2002. Chief Anderson’s professional development has earned him promotions through the ranks from firefighter/medic to lieutenant, battalion chief, and assistant chief. He has proudly served in operational management positions including his role as Assistant Chief where Chief Anderson directly supervised the battalion chiefs in operations, training, the fire marshal’s office, public information and staff from emergency management and information technology.
Chief Anderson represents Hanover Fire-EMS and Hanover County at the local, state, and federal levels. His career has maintained a dedicated commitment to community engagement and risk reduction through partnerships and education. Chief Anderson is a passionate believer in a collaborative work environment and in the power that a strong mission and vision have on the success of an organization. With a focus on community planning and safety, he has fostered collaborative partnerships with Hanover County’s community development departments including County Administration, County Attorney’s Office, Economic Development, Planning, Public Works, Public Utilities, the Building Official, and Law Enforcement. Chief Anderson’s successful partnerships include regional and state emergency management, fire, emergency medical services, and law enforcement partners with successful outcomes in notable events such as Metro Richmond’s response to the COVID Pandemic, civil disturbances in Charlottesville and the City of Richmond, and managing Hanover County’s Emergency Operation Center during natural disasters and preparedness drills. Chief Anderson was instrumental in leading the department through a reclassification with the Insurance Service Office (ISO).
Chief Anderson holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a Human Resource Management concentration, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Emergency Services Management, and an Associate Degree in Emergency Medical Services. Chief Anderson received the Fire Official for Hanover County designation through the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Housing Development. Further, he received the Certified Fire Investigators designation from the International Association of Arson Investigators, and he maintains his certification as a paramedic through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.