Virginia Beach Fire Chief Announces the Appointment for Two New Assistant Chiefs

Today, Virginia Beach Fire Chief Ken Pravetz announced the appointment of Battalion Chief Michael P. Carter and Battalion Chief Brian D. Sullivan as assistant chiefs with the Virginia Beach Fire Department, effective Nov. 13, 2025.

Carter joined the department in 2001 and has more than two decades of experience in technical rescue, hazardous materials, fire operations and swift-water rescue. He left VBFD in 2007 to accept the position of chief of fire and emergency medical services for Currituck County, N.C., and in 2010 joined the Stafford County, Va., Fire and Rescue Department as the assistant chief of operations. Carter returned to VBFD in 2013 as a recruit firefighter and worked his way back up through the ranks. Prior to his current position as roving operational battalion chief, he most recently served as the department’s training chief, overseeing all recruit, incumbent and command-level training programs.

Carter also serves on the board of directors for the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association and as a task force leader for Virginia Task Force 2 (VA-TF2 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team).

Sullivan began his career with the department in 2002 and has extensive experience in emergency communications and information technology, including leadership of the department’s drone program. He currently serves as operational battalion chief for Battalion 5 on A shift. He has served on several city and regional public safety committees and is also a task force leader for Virginia Task Force 2 (VA-TF2 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team).

As part of the department’s senior leadership team, Carter will serve as assistant chief of C shift, responsible for one of VBFD’s three operational shifts. As the new assistant chief of administration, Sullivan will oversee facilities and resource management.

“Assistant Chiefs Carter and Sullivan exemplify the professionalism and leadership that strengthen our department and our service to the community,” Pravetz said. “Their appointments will help advance VBFD’s mission of protecting lives and property through excellence in emergency response and preparedness.”