Amy Valdez
Deputy Chief of Services
Amy Valdez began her fire service career in 1993, beginning as a volunteer with the Virginia Beach Fire Department (VBFD) and the Virginia Beach Department of EMS. She was hired by the VBFD in 1996 and became a nationally registered paramedic the same year. Amy has a diverse background and has held operations, special operations, training, and administration roles, with her current position being Deputy Chief of Services. She is passionate about recruiting and works with the VB Fire Explorers, Girls Scouts, Camp 911, and local youth to highlight the value of public service. She initiated the VBFD Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging team, which strives to ensure that the VBFD is an inclusive and supportive place for employees and the citizens they serve.
Chief Valdez also volunteers as a Peer Team Leader for the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) and acts as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) project manager and a Technical Advisor for Community Driven Strategic Planning. She is trained in process improvement and design thinking and enjoys assisting other public safety agencies in achieving their strategic goals. Amy holds a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources and Leadership from the University of Richmond and received her Master's in Public Administration from Old Dominion University.
