Opett departs position as New Kent Fire Chief for new role with VDOT

Rick Opett, who has served as fire chief for New Kent Fire and Rescue, stepped down on Sept. 24 to accept a position with the Commonwealth of Virginia. Opett will serve as the new director of Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) Safety, Security, and Emergency Management.

Opett began his tenure on Jan. 16, 2013, following in the footsteps of his father. Prior to his tenure in New Kent, he was a battalion chief for Loudon County.

Opett’s tenure marked a transition of New Kent Fire and Rescue, especially with growth. With New Kent having one of the fastest rising populations in the county and Interstate 64 being a major thoroughfare for traffic between the Richmond Region and Hampton Roads Region, Opett pushed for more paid firefighters and services. Opett off sought grants, usually being approved for the SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant. Through those grants, New Kent County began backing more firefighters, resulting in full-time staff.

New Kent’s Fire and Rescue has also seen the addition of several new facilities within county borders under Opett’s leadership. The Talleysville station located on Emmaus Church Road was the first to emerge. A new station four in Lanexa was next, followed by the most recent facility being a station located in Bottoms Bridge. Even with Opett’s departure, his presence will continue to be felt as a new fire station in Quinton was approved to begin construction this year.

New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway provided comments on behalf of the county, thanking Opett for his service.

“Chief Opett has served our community with professionalism, commitment, and a strong dedication to the men and women of New Kent Fire and Rescue,” Hathaway said. “His leadership and contributions have made a lasting impact on our organization and community we serve.

“While we will certainly miss having him as a team member of our team, I am pleased that he will have an opportunity to continue serving the Commonwealth in his new role with the Virginia Department of Transportation,” the county administrator concluded.

Deputy Fire Chief Lisa Baber, who has served New Kent since 2004, will assume the role of acting fire chief for New Kent Fire and Rescue.