Whetzel Completes FEMA Academy, Promoted to Shift Supervisor in Page County
PAGE COUNTY, Va. — Page County Fire-EMS recently recognized Andy Whetzel for completing FEMA’s Emergency Management Basic Academy and for his promotion to Shift Supervisor.
The FEMA program provides emergency management professionals with essential skills in mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
“Andy’s successful completion of this nationally recognized academy demonstrates his commitment to professional growth and to enhancing the capabilities of Page County Fire-EMS,” said Interim Director Woody Brown. “His expanded knowledge will benefit not only our department, but the entire community we serve.”
Whetzel began his fire service career with the Rockingham County Department of Fire & Rescue in 2016, serving at the Elkton Emergency Response Station until 2022. He has also volunteered with several departments and is a certified drone operator.
Whetzel joined Page County Fire-EMS in February 2025, and was promoted in July following a highly competitive process that tested leadership, training, and emergency response skills.
“Andy’s promotion is well deserved,” added Brown. “He excelled in a highly competitive promotional process, and his experience in both Rockingham County and the volunteer fire service, combined with his technical expertise as a drone operator, and his recent completion of the FEMA Emergency Management Basic Academy along with his FEMA certifications, make him an exceptional asset to our department and the community we serve.”
The Page County Department of Fire-EMS was formed in 2023 and is presently staffed with full-time and part-time employees, along with volunteer rescue stations. In addition, the department provides emergency medical services and fire response training for the volunteer fire departments and rescue stations within the county.
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