Longtime Henrico County fire employee Alec Oughton was sworn in Wednesday as fire chief, a role he’s filled in an interim capacity since December.
Oughton replaces former Fire Chief Anthony McDowell, who late last year was named a deputy county manager.
As fire chief, Oughton oversees the county’s firefighters, rescue squads, emergency medical services, disaster preparedness and hazardous materials crews. Including administrators and other support staff, Oughton is in charge of about 600 county employees.
In taking his oath of office, Oughton promised to uphold the public’s trust and to protect lives and property.
“I shared at the last recruit graduation that I take that oath very seriously — so do the members of this organization,” he said. “We do so because the community holds us to the highest standard.”