Bill Text: VA HR112 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Jethro H. Piland, III.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-02-19 - Bill text as passed House (HR112ER) [HR112 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HR112-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, in 2023, Jethro H. Piland III retired as the chief of the Hanover County Fire-EMS Department, completing an exceptional 33-year career in public safety; and
WHEREAS, Jethro Piland began serving and safeguarding the residents of Hanover County when he was a teenager, joining the East Hanover Volunteer Rescue Squad as a volunteer emergency medical technician in October 1990; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Virginia Military Institute, Jethro Piland was employed by Hanover County EMS in July 1997; and
WHEREAS, three years later, Jethro Piland became the operations manager of Hanover EMS and served in that capacity until 2002, when the department merged with the Hanover Fire Department to form the Hanover County Fire-EMS Department; and
WHEREAS, Jethro Piland was promoted to the division chief of operations and managed the daily response to common emergencies, while commanding the Special Operation Response Team and serving as a leader in the Central Virginia Technical Rescue Team; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure, Jethro Piland served as the division chief of training and coordinated with Hanover County Public Schools to manage dual enrollment programs; he also served as an adjunct faculty member at the Reynolds Community College School of Nursing & Allied Health and School of Business and Engineering, where he mentored and inspired future emergency medical technicians and paramedics; and
WHEREAS, Jethro Piland next served as the division chief of administration, in which capacity he oversaw the maintenance of 17 existing facilities and was the project manager for the design and construction of Farrington Station 11 and Ashland Fire Station 1; in addition, he managed the procurement and maintenance of the department's fleet of more than 150 vehicles; and
WHEREAS, in February 2013, Jethro Piland was promoted to fire chief of the Hanover County Fire-EMS Department, where he supervised more than 500 professional and volunteer firefighters and was deeply committed to ensuring that local residents received the care and service they needed in a timely and effective manner; and
WHEREAS, Jethro Piland guided significant growth in the department and implemented 24-hour staffed engines, ambulances, and a ladder truck to ensure adequate coverage for all of Hanover County; under his leadership, administrative support functions in the fire marshal's office, as well as emergency management, public information, and information technology functions were enhanced to meet the expanding needs of the department; and
WHEREAS, Jethro Piland oversaw the construction of Black Creek Fire Station 12 and the Tactical Fire Training Tower and the planning for Laurel Meadow Fire Station 17; and
WHEREAS, highly respected in the firefighting profession, Jethro Piland provided his leadership and expertise to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board, the Central Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, and the board of directors of the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association; and
WHEREAS, among many awards and accolades, Jethro Piland received the Hanover County Fire-EMS Department's line of duty performance award, meritorious service award, special service award, and the coveted Medal of Valor for his actions during Tropical Storm Gaston; and
WHEREAS, under Jethro Piland's leadership, the department received the Governor's Transportation Safety Award, the Governor's Fire Service Award, the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association's Health and Safety Award, and the Belize National Fire Service Award for its work to train Belizean firefighters; and
WHEREAS, Jethro Piland was a vital source of institutional knowledge and a trusted mentor and friend to generations of public safety officers; he served Hanover County and the Commonwealth with the utmost dedication and distinction; and
WHEREAS, outside of his career in firefighting and emergency medicine, Jethro Piland serves young people in the region as the chair of the board of directors for Grace Christian School in Mechanicsville; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Jethro H. Piland III hereby be commended on the occasion of his retirement as chief of the Hanover County Fire-EMS Department; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Jethro H. Piland III as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his legacy of achievements in service to the residents of Hanover County and best wishes on his well-earned retirement.
