News Summary
Virginia Beach held solemn memorial ceremonies to honor fallen firefighters and dedicate a highway sign in remembrance of Captain Matt Chiaverotti. The event highlighted the sacrifices made by firefighters, including tributes to Master Firefighter Matthew A. Gallina and Firefighter James B. McCormack. With calls for improved firefighter health measures, especially concerning cancer, Fire Chief Ken Pravetz announced new monitoring efforts starting in January.
Virginia Beach Honors Fallen Firefighters and Retires Fire Captain with Memorial Ceremonies
In a poignant tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, Virginia Beach held a series of memorial ceremonies recognizing fallen firefighters and honoring the dedication of long-serving members of the Virginia Beach Fire Department. Key highlights of the event include the remembrance of Master Firefighter Matthew A. Gallina, the posthumous recognition of Firefighter James B. McCormack, and the unveiling of a highway sign in memory of Captain Matt “Chevy” Chiaverotti.
Michelle Gallina, the widow of Master Firefighter Matthew A. Gallina, paid homage to her late husband, who passed away from esophageal cancer last year, a disease identified as an occupational illness among firefighters. His name was recently added to the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) memorial wall, alongside that of her grandfather, Firefighter James B. McCormack, who died in the line of duty in 1973 due to smoke inhalation from a house fire. It was revealed that McCormack’s name had been overlooked for many years until Max Gonano, president of the Virginia Beach Firefighters Union, contacted the Uniform Firefighters Association of Greater New York for inclusion on the memorial.
Despite never having met her grandfather, who died before her birth, Michelle Gallina described the recognition ceremony as “absolutely beautiful,” reflecting on the significance of honoring both men on the same memorial panel.
In addition to honoring fallen firefighters, the ceremonies also celebrated the achievements of long-serving members of the department. Charles Gurley, who dedicated 39 years to the Virginia Beach Fire Department, was recognized for his contributions, which totaled over 4,000 hours of volunteer service. He received the esteemed President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from former President Joe Biden for his service.
Moreover, the event included the unveiling of a highway sign dedicated to Captain Matt “Chevy” Chiaverotti, who served 20 years with the Virginia Beach Fire Department before his passing in 2023 due to Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Chiaverotti was also known for his role in responding to the 2012 Good Friday Miracle jet crash. This highway sign will be displayed on Interstate 264, marking a first for Virginia Beach in dedicating a sign to a firefighter’s memory. The sign renaming was facilitated through House Bill 1793, introduced by Delegate Michael Feggans, who hopes that visitors to the Oceanfront will learn about Chiaverotti’s legacy and his unwavering service.
Sara Chiaverotti, the wife of Captain Chiaverotti, expressed deep sentiments regarding the memorial and highlighted the urgent need for change concerning firefighter health, particularly in relation to cancer deaths within the profession. Following these sentiments, Fire Chief Ken Pravetz announced that the department is implementing new efforts to enhance cancer monitoring and screenings for firefighters, starting from January 2024.
This series of events not only provides a moment for reflection on those who have served but also emphasizes the ongoing issues surrounding firefighter health and safety. The ceremonies and recognitions highlight the bravery and commitment of the members of the Virginia Beach Fire Department and their families who have endured loss and sacrifice in the line of duty.
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Additional Resources
- 13 News Now: Virginia Beach Honors Fallen Firefighters
- Daily Dispatch: Retired Virginia Beach Firefighter Recognized
- WAVY: Virginia Beach Firefighter Recognized
- WTKR: Bridge Named for Firefighter Matthew Chiaverotti
- GovTech: Virginia Beach Emergency Services Pay Issues
- Wikipedia: Firefighter Health
- Google Search: Virginia Beach Fire Department
- Google Scholar: Firefighter Cancer Health
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Firefighter
- Google News: Virginia Beach Firefighter Memorial
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg
