Third Annual Harry E Diezel Golf Tournament

The Third Annual Harry E Diezel Golf Tournament is a prestigious event dedicated to raising funds for Vigilant Watch, Inc. This tournament not only offers a day of enjoyable golf but also serves a greater purpose by supporting public safety officials and their families who face hardships. By participating, you contribute to a noble cause, ensuring that those who protect us receive the assistance they need in times of crisis. Join us in making a tangible difference in our community.

Chief Diezel’s leadership did a great deal to shape the Virginia Beach Fire Department into what it is today. He challenged State Building codes to improve fire prevention measures in high rise and multi-dwelling structures along the oceanfront, laid the ground work for neighboring cities in Southside Hampton Roads to respond to fires across city lines which evolved into ‘Automatic Aid’, allowing dispatchers to reach across city lines so that the closest fire company responds to an emergency, and was instrumental in securing the funding for the Urban Search and Rescue FEMA Team, Virginia Task Force 2, housed in Virginia Beach. Members of this elite team, as well as other FEMA teams from across the country, now train in Virginia Beach at the Harry E. Diezel Fire Training center that will forever bear his name.

The Harry E. Diezel Fire Training Center itself is part of Chief Diezel’s legacy. Construction of the training center began in 1978 and in 1979, the 10,000 square foot facility was complete with administrative offices, a 120-seat auditorium, training classrooms, a full-service library, and a burn building. In February of that same year, the facility opened and 24 VBFD recruit firefighters were the first to be trained in the state-of-the art regional fire training center.

Chief Diezel retired in September of 1997 but his commitment to public service did not end there. In 2002, he was unanimously appointed to City Council to represent the Kempsville District of Virginia Beach. He served on Council for ten years and functioned as an ombudsman for all public safety divisions within the city.