Wilkerson (second from left) receives resolution honoring him from Vance County Board of Commissioners Chair Dan Brummitt (left). He was accompanied by his daughter Abby (second from right) and wife Sandra Wilkerson (right).
Former Vance County Fire Chief and current Henderson Fire Chief Danny Wilkerson was honored by the Vance County Commission during Monday’s regular meeting by unanimous approval.
Wilkerson served as the chief of both the county and city fire departments from April 1, 1999 until September 20, 2009.
According to the resolution, it was his leadership that allowed the county to improve and expand its fire and emergency medical services.
Wilkerson ceased to head the county department when the county canceled its contract with the city for “administrative and supervisory services” in April of this year. That contract had been in place since 1968. Based on a fire and emergency services study commissioned by the county in 2007, the county chose to separate leadership responsibilities from the city and hire its own top fire fighter.
After the presentation, Wilkerson received a standing ovation from the audience and over twenty county fire fighters and EMS workers who were present to witness their former chief receiving the county’s accolade.