Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Fire Rescue topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County fire chief reports record call volume, highlights firefighter safety; board approves aid for fallen Captain Danny Wilson’s family
Summary
Loudoun County Fire and Rescue reported record call volumes and a series of preventable residential fires; the board agreed to immediate funeral assistance for Captain Danny Wilson and to continue settlement discussions on his workers’ compensation claim.
Loudoun County Fire and Rescue presented its fourth-quarter significant-incident report on Sept. 3, telling the Board of Supervisors that FY 2025 saw a record number of incidents and emphasizing preventable causes such as unattended cooking, improperly discarded smoking materials and lithium-ion battery fires.
"In 2025, the Loudoun County combined fire and rescue system responded to a total of 9,963 incidents comprised of 7,370 emergency medical service incidents and 2,593 fire incidents," acting operations chief Michael Nally told the board. He noted a steady ratio of 76% EMS to 24% fire calls and an overall increase of about 2,400 incidents over the prior year. The department reported nine lithium-ion–battery fires in FY 2025 that accounted for roughly $1.9 million in damages and displaced 12 residents.
The presentation highlighted several operational developments: the opening of a central LCFR pharmacy after Virginia Board of Pharmacy approval, accreditation of Loudoun's emergency medical dispatch center by the Virginia Office of EMS, and the addition of a second 24-hour safety officer position housed at the newly opened Aldie Fire Station 7.
The meeting also addressed the death of Captain Danny (Donnie) Wilson, a 37‑year veteran of the county’s fire service who began as a volunteer and later served as a career captain. Chief Pro (presenting for Chief William) described Wilson’s long service and said arrangements were being finalized with the family. "Captain Wilson's wealth of knowledge and experience in the fire service was vast and his death is a huge blow to our system," the chief said.
John Myers of the Loudoun County Career Firefighters Association (IAFF Local 3076) told the board that firefighter cancer is a leading cause of line-of-duty deaths nationwide. "That predator is cancer. Cancer is now the number 1 killer of the of firefighters across this nation," Myers said, and urged sustained action to reduce occupational exposures and ensure family support.
After a closed-session discussion, the board authorized the county administrator to provide $11,000 to cover funeral and transportation expenses and directed staff to continue working with the family and counsel to settle the related workers’ compensation claim. The board’s motion also authorized staff to finalize a settlement in a form approved by the county attorney; Supervisor Phyllis Randall moved the action and Supervisor Turner seconded. The board approved the motion unanimously.
Why it matters: The report shows increasing service demand for emergency medical and fire response — trends that affect staffing, capital projects and public-safety planning. The board’s immediate financial assistance and the pledge to negotiate workers’ compensation demonstrate a county-level safety-net response when a public safety member dies after long service.
What’s next: LCFR staff will continue implementation of the safety and pharmacy initiatives, pursue the planned Leesburg South station groundbreaking on Sept. 15, and work with the county administrator and the family on workers’ compensation matters.
