VAFireNews.com Editor - Rhett Fleitz

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Rhett Fleitz began VAFireNews.com in August of 2006 after realizing the need for a Statewide Fire/EMS/Rescue website. After having visited North Carolina's website (Firenews.net) and South Carolina's website (SConfire.com) several hundred times to see what was going on in those States, he finally decided to take the plunge and began Virginia's Premiere Fire And EMS News Site.

Rhett began his involvement on the internet with RoanokeFire.com which is a Blog (unofficial to the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department and Local 1132) relating to the daily life of the Firefighters who work for Roanoke Fire-EMS and are members of the Roanoke Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 1132. Soon after this he decided to update Local 1132's website and was able to learn more about web design through trial and error, teaching himself, and help from his wife Becky who happens to have an IT degree from Virginia Tech.

After reaching several boundaries of designing a Blog and being able to easily update it, he realized that VAFireNews.com was not a far fetched idea. He wanted to offer the news, pictures, videos, articles, and related material to Virginia's Firefighters, EMT's, and Paramedics in one site.

The overall appearance of VAFireNews.com has changed a couple of times since its debut on the internet. It is updated daily, and new areas are added frequently. The organization and appearance are frequently fine tuned to bring you a site which is easy to look at and well defined. Comments and constructive criticism are welcome and readers usually get what they want.

Rhett is a Lieutenant with the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department in the City of Roanoke. He has been employed there since 1999 and is currently assigned to Engine 13. He is very involved in the Roanoke Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 1132 and is currently the Secretary/Treasurer. He is also involved in the history of his department and recently wrote a book titled "Firefighting in Roanoke".

Before being hired by the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department, Rhett worked for Richmond Ambulance Authority as an EMT and Volunteered for the Midlothian Volunteer Fire Department in Chesterfield County.

Rhett holds an Associates Degree in Fire Science from J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College and hopes to eventually attain a Bachelors and Masters Degree in a similar field.

If you would like to contact Rhett please email him at editor@vafirenews.com.