Hutchinson, Chip

Chip Hutchinson, 63, of Pulaski, went home to be with the Lord Saturday. September 3, 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest Charles and Muriel Lytton Hutchinson.

Left to cherish his memory are Crystal and Katerina Whittaker, Lily and Autumn; sister, Robin Turner and husband, Dave of Bland, Va.; sister, Deidra Foley and husband, Bob of Pulaski; nieces and nephews, Jenna Dunn of Bland, Jonathan Dunn of Bland, Jeb and Sarah Hodges of Bland, Jessica and Brian Townsend of N.C., Will and Stefany Turner of Bland, Chuck Foley and Desiree of Radford; and nine great nieces and nephews.

Chip is remembered by the community for his many works in the fire service. He first joined Pulaski Fire Department as a volunteer, July 1977 before becoming a career firefighter in May 1978. Chip was promoted to Fire Inspector February 1991and became Lieutenant March 1991. Chip later became Fire Marshal May 1994 until his retirement from the Fire Marshal’s Office in July 2010. He continued as a volunteer with Pulaski Fire Department and retired as a life member March 2011. He was also certified as a building official, property maintenance official, fire official, fire investigator and enforced numerous town codes. He was honored to graduate from the ‘Law Enforcement for Fire Marshals’ at the VA Fire Marshal Academy in November 2003 and at that time was appointed as a Special Deputy Conservator of the Peace by Pulaski County Sheriff Jim Davis.

Chip will be most remembered for his Fire Prevention programs that reached over 2,000 children each year. Chip introduced “Sparkey the Fire Dog” to the programs in Pulaski, worked with the National Fire Safety Council to ensure that each child received fire prevention material to take home and introduced Pulaski’s first Fire Prevention Robot, Safe T Sam.

Countless hours were provided by Chip as he taught firefighters with up to date training on firefighting techniques and safety. Many firefighters across the state received training and lessons due to his dedication to fire programs as a Fire Service Instructor.

Chip had a tremendous love for children and not having any of his own, in lieu of flowers contributions would be appreciated to the following Christ Fellowship Church, 800 Lee Highway, Pulaski, VA / Children’s Ministry Fund

Chip was a member of Christ Fellowship Church in Pulaski and a celebration of Chip’s life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, September 18th, 2016 at the church located at 525 Commerce Street, Pulaski.