BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) — One of the crews that responded to a Botetourt County house fire on Wednesday afternoon was Read Mountain Fire and Rescue.
The station was preparing for a rededication ceremony that was to take place less than an hour before the call came over the scanners.
Some saw it fitting that a call would come in just before a special event.
“We responded immediately, and on the immediate approach we saw a column of black smoke in the air,” said Botetourt Deputy Chief of Fire and EMS Jeff Powell.
Firefighters made it to the home off Willow Spring Road within minutes of the call coming in. They were relieved to report no injuries to those who were inside.
“We’re going to be here as long as it takes to help them get to a better place,” Powell said.
Powell was preparing to be at the Read Mountain station for a rededication of it’s ownership.
For thirty years, according to Chief Jason Ferguson, Botetourt has shared the station with neighboring Roanoke County. Now, it’s fully under Botetourt.
“It lives on Botetourt County soil, but it’s served the Roanoke County community for as long as it’s existed,” Ferguson said. “And it’ll continue to do so just in a little bit different format as a Botetourt County station.”
Both Ferguson and Powell say the relationship between Botetourt and Roanoke County stations continues to be smooth and professional, backing up each other when the calls are made and making sure those affected are taken care of.
“You do more and you get further with the team and combining efforts and resources than you ever can alone,” Ferguson said, describing the relationship Botetourt has with Roanoke County, Roanoke City, and the city of Salem.
“This is a team sport, and we all work together,” Powell said. “Our fire and EMS system, with careers and volunteers, works together very very well. We look forward to continuing that partnership in delivering excellent service.”
“Ultimately, the person dialing 9-1-1 does not care who shows up, as long as it’s quick and professional service that’s trained to do the job,” Ferguson said.
At this time, the fire off Willow Spring Rd. is still under investigation.
Ferguson confirmed that proper budgeting has allowed for the Read Mountain station to have fire and ambulance services on stand-by 24/7 this next calendar year, providing a vital service not just to Botetourt County but to neighboring communities, answering the call when it’s made.
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