Charlotte rescue department hires director of emergency services

The Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services has hired Jamie Valyou as its new director of emergency services. In this role, he will have overall operational responsibility for all aspects of Charlotte’s fire and emergency medical services.

Valyou comes to Charlotte Rescue from the Burlington Fire Department where he served for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a battalion chief and shift commander overseeing 27 personnel for the department.

“We are lucky to have found someone with Jamie’s decades of experience in a multi-function department,” said John Snow, president of Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services. “We believe he will provide the hands-on leadership we need to build a stable and efficient response to the emergency needs of the community.”

“This is a great new challenge for me, and I am enthusiastic about joining CVFRS. Smaller communities, like Charlotte, have all the same emergency challenges as larger towns but often need to respond with fewer resources,” Valyou said.

He lives in Richmond. Valyou will start his new role on Nov. 4.

The appointment of Valyou comes after a year-long search to replace the previous chief, Justin Bliss.