Goochland Fire-Rescue promotes Robert Henkel to lieutenant effective Jan. 16

Fire Chief Dillard E. Ferguson, Jr. announced Jan. 12 that Robert “Rob” Henkel will be promoted to lieutenant with the Goochland County Department of Fire-Rescue & Emergency Services, effective Jan. 16, 2026. The promotion recognizes 16 years of combined volunteer and career service and signals a focus on mentorship and operational readiness within the county's emergency response ranks.

Henkel began as a volunteer with Manakin Company 1 in February 2008 before transferring to Crozier Company 2. He was hired as a career Firefighter Paramedic in August 2019 and has been assigned across Stations 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8. His certifications include National Registered Paramedic, apparatus driver pump operator, and membership on the water rescue team. He also serves as a fire and EMS instructor and recently graduated from the Virginia Fire Officers Academy.

The promotion comes after years of volunteer work beyond Goochland, including time in Middlesex, Cumberland, and Prince Edward counties, and ongoing part-time service with Meherrin Volunteer Fire-Rescue. That breadth of experience gives Henkel familiarity with regional mutual-aid practices and rural response challenges that matter to Goochland residents, such as water rescues and multi-jurisdictional incidents.

Henkel framed his elevation as a continuation of a long-standing goal. He said, “It has been an aspiration of mine to act and perform in an officer capacity since being hired to affect positive change within our department. I have more recently come to the realization how much I enjoy mentoring, instructing, and teaching recruits and rookie firefighters”.

For residents, the promotion means a new layer of leadership focused on training and on-the-ground competence. A lieutenant with paramedic credentials and instructor experience can influence how new firefighters are trained, improve consistency in emergency medical care, and help maintain apparatus readiness across stations. That can translate to steadier response times and improved outcomes during medical and rescue calls.

Outside work, Henkel spends time with his family and two dogs, and enjoys local sporting events, camping trips and beach visits. For questions about the promotion or department operations, contact the Goochland County Department of Fire-Rescue & Emergency Services.

The takeaway? Stronger leadership at the station level often shows up in day-to-day service. Keep an eye on training nights and volunteer recruitment events if you want to see how this promotion helps shape the county’s emergency response.