Botetourt County Department of Fire & EMS

06/13/2026

NexGen Fire Camp 2026 is a wrap! 🔥

Thank you to everyone who helped make this camp a success for all the kids joining us this year! A very special thanks to the following partners this year:

- Life-Guard
- Virginia Department of Forestry
- Carilion Clinic Trauma Outreach
- Blue Ridge Wrecker Service LLC
- Bank of Botetourt

Funding for this opportunity was provided by a FEMA SAFER grant with the International Association of Fire Chief's Volunteer Workforce Solutions.

We appreciate the overwhelming support of our staff, volunteers, partners and sponsors who dedicated their time to make this event successful for another year!

06/11/2026

On June 6, Compress & Shock was proud to donate an AED to Fastest 40 and provide CPR/AED training at Lord Botetourt.

A special thank you to MKB Realtors for sponsoring this life-saving donation, and to Danielle Reese Boone for making the connection that helped bring it to life.

Thank you to Botetourt Fire & EMS for assisting with the training and helping prepare our community to save lives.

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

🍪Cookies? Absolutely.
☢️Hazardous waste? Hard pass.

Our firefighters love community support, but please do NOT bring hazardous materials to the firehouse for disposal. Items like gasoline, propane cylinders, chemicals, ammunition, fireworks, and other hazardous waste create major safety risks at the station, and to personnel.

If you need to dispose of hazardous materials, do NOT transport them. Contact Botetourt County Landfill at 54-928-2500 so they can give instructions on proper disposal.

Bring cookies. Not chemicals. 🫶

05/28/2026

⛈️ Tonight’s storms packed a punch! Emergency crews responded to storm damage in the Eagle Rock area following severe weather that moved through Botetourt. Numerous downed trees, blocked roadways, and damage to several homes and vehicles have been observed.

There are also several hundred power outages across portions of the county. Residents are urged to use caution around downed trees and power lines, and allow emergency personnel room to work safely.

05/26/2026

⚠️ Electrical Safety Reminder ⚠️

With permission from the homeowner, we share this to spread awareness of electrical safety.

A family recently woke up to find the lower level of their home without power. Thankfully, the power was shut off until the issue could be investigated. Later, while cleaning their daughter’s room, the homeowner’s wife moved a bookcase and discovered a severely burnt electrical outlet hidden behind it.

The outlet had been used regularly for a small heating and cooling appliance.

According to NFPA electrical safety guidelines, portable heating and cooling devices should always be plugged directly into a properly rated wall outlet and monitored for signs of overheating. Hidden outlets behind furniture can trap heat and prevent early warning signs from being noticed.

Warning signs to watch for:
• Warm or discolored outlets
• Flickering lights or tripped breakers
• Burning smells
• Sparking or buzzing sounds
• Devices that frequently lose power

Safety Tips:
• Avoid overloading outlets
• Never use damaged cords or outlets
• Keep space heaters and similar appliances on dedicated circuits when possible
• Regularly inspect outlets hidden behind furniture
• Have electrical concerns evaluated by a qualified electrician

This situation could have ended much worse. A simple inspection and quick action helped prevent a potential house fire!

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Their courage and dedication will never be forgotten. As we gather with family and friends today, we remember the true meaning of Memorial Day.

From all of us at Botetourt Fire & EMS, thank you to our fallen heroes and the families who carry their legacy forward.

05/22/2026

“Working in EMS has made me more confident as a person. If I have the ability to save a person’s life, it makes me curious what else I can accomplish.

If I had advice to share with someone wanting to get into this field, I’d tell them it can definitely be intimidating at first — but it’s very doable. You just have to be willing to put forth the effort.”
— Noah Dodson, Firefighter/EMT

EMS is more than responding to emergencies — it’s about growth, dedication, and serving others when they need it most. Noah’s words reflect the confidence and determination that EMS professionals build through helping their communities every day.

This EMS Week, we thank Noah and all of our Fire & EMS personnel for their hard work, compassion, and commitment to making a difference. ❤️

05/22/2026

In recognition of EMS Week, we’re inviting our community to take part in a FREE Bystander CPR/AED Training on June 6, 2026 at Lord Botetourt High School with the Compress & Shock Foundation.

Each year, thousands of cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals—and immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. In those critical moments before EMS arrives, you can be the difference between life and death.

This one-hour hands-on class is open to ages 13+ (ages 10–12 welcome with an adult 18+). No certification is provided, but the skills you learn are priceless. Sessions are offered at 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM, and 3:00 PM.

Join us, learn how to respond confidently in an emergency, and help build a safer community. Scan the QR code on the flyer to register, or go to https://www.compressandshock.org/event-details/lord-botetourt-high-school-1.

Because saving a life starts with knowing what to do.