New public safety director takes helm in Campbell

Years ago, Scott Hechler spoke to a group of Campbell County volunteer emergency responders at a recognition dinner.

He liked the people and the county enough that he told his wife Tracy if a job came open working with those men and women, he’d apply — and he did. He started as Campbell County’s director of public safety last month.

“It’s an opportunity to make a difference with a lot of fantastic people who are dedicated to their jobs and the citizens,” he said.

Hechler, a veteran fireman and public safety official, is taking over after the county’s previous director retired last year. A recent county study found that Campbell’s emergency services are overburdened, leading to longer-than-standard response times.

Studies like that one, Hechler said, look at best practices but don’t really take into account what works in a specific jurisdiction. The challenge is to apply the principles and practices in a way that works for Campbell County’s first responders, taxpayers and government.

“Every jurisdiction is different in Virginia in the way it delivers fire and emergency medical services,” Hechler said. “We need to look at what is realistic from a strategic planning approach.”

The county has eight volunteer fire companies and six volunteer rescue squads with about 500 volunteers. Those crews are supplemented by 38 full– and part-time staff members.

A public safety committee is reviewing issues affecting the county’s response. It is bringing recommendations to county supervisors.

“The first and foremost goal is to be able to serve and provide Campbell County Public Safety career and volunteer staff,” Hechler said.

The past few weeks for Hechler have been spent learning the people and the terrain of Campbell County. He intends to spend time shadowing people to better understand the county’s day-to-day operations. He also will spend time in all the rescue squads and fire stations in the county.

“It’s important for me to get their perspectives.”

Hechler became involved in public safety in 1982 at the age of 18, when a job opening was posted for a firefighter in Chesterfield. He and a friend applied and were hired.

“It is the ultimate team environment,” he said. “You achieve something as a team that also has a direct benefit on the community in which you live.”

He moved through the ranks to lieutenant, then assistant fire marshal, station captain and eventually administrative officer and acting battalion chief.

Five years ago, he left Chesterfield to become the chief deputy director of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. He also worked with the Virginia Department of Transportation as an emergency response and incident management manager.

Hechler then went on to U.S. Navy CNIC Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he provided emergency services consulting, including creating specifications for equipment, and firefighter safety and injury prevention training.

“I got to do a lot of training and dealing with things more global in nature,” Hechler said. “I always wanted the opportunity to get back to local government. … You can see the impact of the project you are working on.”

Hechler has a master’s degree in business administration from Liberty University and is pursuing a doctorate in education. He received a dual-major bachelor’s degree in labor safety and health and labor studies from the National Labor College.

“We’re pleased to have Scott join the Campbell County organization as public safety director and member of our leadership team,” said David Laurrell, Campbell County Administrator, in a news release.

“His breadth of public safety knowledge, coupled with his years of experience in the field, will be an asset, not only to the organization, but subsequently to the citizens who rely on public safety services.”