Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, Inc.

10/14/2026

Protecting Our Communities!

We're excited to announce a partnership with Ni Source/Columbia Gas of Virginia to provide free carbon monoxide alarms to 15 fire departments across Virginia! This
program will help protect our most vulnerable families from the dangers of the silent killer; Firefighters will be installing these alarms door-to-door and providing life-saving education.

🙏 A big thank you to all the departments participating!

10/14/2026

Your Mental Health Matters- we can’t lead if we are struggling our selves. Know warning signs. Know coping skills. Understand the why. How does culture play a part.

Presented by:

Jamie Potter
Battalion Chief
Richmond Fire Department

With over 22 years of dedicated service, Battalion Chief Jamie Potter has built her career serving the City of Richmond, rising through the ranks from firefighter to chief officer. Her experience spans fire suppression, hazardous materials response, water rescue, training, and leadership, with a strong commitment to advancing the fire service and those who serve within it.

With a background in crisis counseling and mental health, Jamie has become a passionate advocate for firefighter wellness, resilience, and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health in the fire service. She believes leadership is defined not simply by rank, but by integrity, accountability, perseverance, and the willingness to lift others along the way.

Beyond the firehouse, Jamie's proudest title is Mom to her two boys, Ryker and Xander. Whether cheering them on at the motocross track, helping them push beyond their comfort zones, or teaching them to get back up after a fall, she finds that some of life's greatest leadership lessons happen far from the fireground.

A firm believer in leading by example, Jamie encourages others to be fierce, stay resilient, never stop growing, and keep showing up—even when the path forward isn't easy.

Mike Clary
Firefighter/Paramedic
Henrico County Division of Fire

With over 24 years of dedicated service to the Henrico County Division of Fire, Mike Clary has built a career rooted in compassion, empathy commitment, and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others. As a firefighter and paramedic, Mike has spent more than three decades serving people during some of their most difficult moments, believing that the greatest impact often comes not from what we do, but from how we make people feel.

Through personal and professional loss, Mike has developed a deep appreciation for resilience, mental wellness, and the importance of human connection. His experiences have shaped his belief that strength isn't always about pushing through adversity, but sometimes about having the courage to acknowledge it, lean on others, and keep moving forward.

Outside the firehouse, Mike's most meaningful role is being a father to his son. Whether spending time together, enjoying the outdoors, calling in turkeys, or finding peace with a fishing rod in hand, Mike values the moments that remind him what truly matters. For him, fishing offers more than the opportunity to catch something—it's a chance to slow down, reflect, and appreciate life's simpler moments.

Mike brings authenticity, humility, and heart to his message, reminding others that our greatest legacy isn't measured by the calls we answer, but by the lives we touch, the relationships we build, and the people we become along the way.

10/14/2026

❗️ Scholarship application period is OPEN! Now through December 1st, 2026 you can apply to receive up to $2500 in Scholarships to help fund your education and training. To review eligibility criteria visit our site at vfca.us or click the link in comments below.👇

10/14/2026

10/14/2026

UNPLUGGED: Perspectives on the Fire Service … Ask Anything - No Holds Barred!

Join us for a hard-hitting, open-dialogue session featuring two incredible leaders: Deputy Fire Chief Timothy M. McKay (Chesterfield Fire and EMS) and Fire Chief Matthew Tobia (Harrisonburg Fire Department).

Meet the speakers:
Deputy Fire Chief Timothy M. McKay | Chesterfield County Fire and EMS

A 34-year veteran of the fire service, he chose to pursue his passion of fire and EMS as a career beginning his employment with Chesterfield County Fire and EMS in 2002 after some time in
law enforcement. He has served in numerous operational assignments as well as holding multiple positions in the department’s Training and Education Unit. Tim also spent time as an operational battalion chief, the Director of EMS, and then as an assistant chief assigned as a shift commander. For the past seven years, he has served as the department’s Deputy Fire Chief.

He graduated from Hampden-Sydney College with a degree in political science and has earned a masters degree in public leadership from Virginia State University. Chief McKay is also a
graduate of both the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program and the IAFC’s Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI).

Professionally, Tim’s passions include teaching, particularly leadership development and performance management for newer and aspiring senior leaders as well as instructor programs
and project management. He serves on, and has chaired, a host of state and regional committees and has presented on a variety of leadership and operational topics in various venues at local,
state and national events.

Chief McKay began his journey as a volunteer firefighter in his hometown of Butler, PA, Chief
McKay continued his service after moving to Virginia by serving as the Fire Chief of the Farmville Fire Department and Fire Marshal for the Town of Farmville from 2000-2010. He is also a Life Member of the Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Fire Chief Matthew Tobia | Harrisonburg Fire Department

a 38-year student of emergency services. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer program at the
National Fire Academy. Matt served as a member of the Editorial Board for Fire-Rescue Magazine and has authored over 120 articles. He is also the former chair of the IAFC’s Safety, Health and
Survival Section, holds the Chief Fire Officer, Chief EMS Officer, and Public Information Officer credential and is a member of the Institute of Fire Engineers.

Chief Tobia is a contributor to NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigation reports and has participated as a member of several near-miss, serious injury, and fatality investigation teams.

Prior to Harrisonburg, Chief Tobia spent 23 years with the Anne Arundel County (MD) Fire Department and four years with Loudoun County (VA) Fire Rescue. Matt began volunteering in south central Pennsylvania in 1987 and is active with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Mid Atlantic Burn Camp for Children.

Bring your toughest questions and join us for an unfiltered, highly engaging conversation on leadership, operations, and the future of the fire service!

VFCA - Company Officer Section “Official”
Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, Inc.

10/14/2026

Here is the Summit Flyer and Line up 2026. $20 Per Day... Free for VFCA members. Includes lunch and light snacks.

10/13/2026

Congratulations to Captain Devon Thompson on graduating from the Virginia Fire Officers Academy this weekend!

This accomplishment reflects his commitment to continued learning, professional development and leadership in the fire service. We’re proud to celebrate this milestone in his career! 👏🚒

10/13/2026

Three Years in the Making. A Team That Made It Possible.

As we celebrate the completion of the Virginia Fire Officer Academy's inaugural Hybrid Program, we want to take a moment to recognize the incredible staff and supporters who helped make this milestone possible.

This program has been in development for roughly three years. What began as an idea to expand opportunities for fire officer development has finally become a reality. Bringing that vision to life required countless hours of planning, collaboration, problem-solving, and a willingness to embrace something new.

We want to extend our sincere appreciation to the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, Inc. for prompting the development of this program and recognizing the importance of creating additional opportunities for fire service leadership education. Their vision and support helped set this initiative in motion, and we are grateful for their continued commitment to developing fire service leaders across the Commonwealth.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication and commitment of our VFOA staff.

From those who helped develop the program to those who supported our students throughout the online and in-person portions of the academy, each person played an important role in its success. Our staff continually give their time, share their experience, and invest in the next generation of fire service leaders, often while balancing demanding careers and responsibilities at home.

We also owe a special thank you to our outstanding lineup of presenters who were willing to step outside their traditional presentation styles and embrace a different approach to delivering their material. Transitioning to a hybrid format required flexibility, creativity, and a willingness to adapt to a new vision for the academy. Their commitment to maintaining the quality and impact of their instruction while accommodating this new delivery model was instrumental in bringing the program to life. We are incredibly grateful for their willingness to take this journey with us.

Launching a new program comes with challenges, lessons learned, and plenty of opportunities to adapt. Through it all, this team remained committed to delivering the quality experience that has become synonymous with the Virginia Fire Officer Academy.

This weekend represents more than the graduation of another group of fire officers. It represents the culmination of years of hard work, a shared commitment to leadership development, and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the VFOA!