Fire & Rescue Chief Jon Henschel to Retire Effective April 1
Published on January 08, 2025
WINCHESTER, Va – Today, City of Winchester Fire and Rescue Department Chief Jon Henschel announced that he will retire effective April 1, 2025.
“Today, Winchester Fire and Rescue Department Chief Jon Henschel informed me that he would retire on April 1. After twenty-seven and a half years of service to our community, I would like to thank Chief Henschel for his steadfast commitment to keeping Winchester residents safe. We are a safer city because of his leadership, and we wish him the very best in retirement.” said City Manager Dan Hoffman.
“I am very appreciative of the overwhelming support I’ve received from our city staff, city council, community stakeholders and our community members during the course of my tenure with the city. Our organization has thrived and I am extremely proud of our department members and the services they provide daily in our community. I look forward to the next chapter in my life, but Winchester will always remain at the heart of it all.” said Fire Chief Henschel.
Chief Henschel joined the Winchester Fire and Rescue Department in 1997 as a firefighter/paramedic and worked his way up the ranks to become Fire and Rescue Chief in 2021. During his tenure with the department, Chief Henschel brought many improvements to the organization, including establishing the Community Connect and the Community Assistance and Resource Engagement (C.A.R.E.) programs to help residents avoid fires and accidents. Chief Henschel has addressed several public safety items to improve responses in the community, helped create a high school fire academy class, enhanced fire prevention and education for community members, and implemented the first fire department strategic plan.
Externally, Chief Henschel strengthened the department’s relationships with local stakeholders, including Winchester businesses and nonprofits, improving the frequency and effectiveness of safety inspections throughout the City. Chief Henschel also played an instrumental role with several fire department capital improvement projects including a new city owned fire station and a strategic apparatus replacement plan.
Chief Henschel possesses Master’s Degrees in Organizational Leadership and Emergency Management. He is credentialed as a Chief Fire Officer and is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officers Academy. He has served as board president of the regional Emergency Medical Services Council for the last twelve years and previously served on the Governor’s Emergency Medical Services Board in Richmond.
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