Henry County Department of Public Safety

06/12/2026

🚑🚑🚑 First Responder Friday 🚑🚑🚑

Meet this selfless and loyal couple, Cathy McGrady and Jesse Mcgrady. Cathy has been with the EMS for 33 years, and Jesse for 40! They have held many roles in EMS, including second lieutenant, EMT, and training officer, and Jesse also served in the military. Thank you for your service! ❤️ This sweet couple is always happy to help where needed and continues to serve our community at the Bassett Rescue Squad. It's truly a blessing to have them as part of the EMS family! 👐

1. What's your go-to way to relax or recharge after a long shift?
Cathy - "Eat Out"
Jesse - "Food"

2. If you could jump on a plane tomorrow, where would you go?
Cathy - "Hawaii"
Jesse - "California or Alaska"

3. What's a hobby you enjoy that has nothing to do with your job?
Cathy - "Crochet"
Jesse - "Golf"

4. What's the best movie or TV show you've watched recently?
Cathy - "Hunting Game"
Jesse - "Hunting Game"

5. Are you a coffee or tea person to get your day started?
Cathy - "Coffee"
Jesse - "Coffee"

6. What is one thing that always makes you laugh?
Cathy - "Jesse"
Jesse - "Spending time and sharing stories with friends."

7. What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Cathy - "Don't be so open."
Jesse - "Always listen."

8. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Cathy - "Nurse"
Jesse - "Teacher"

9. What's a piece of gear or equipment that you find cool?
Cathy - "Doppler"
Jesse - "Fire gear."

10. How would your best friends describe you?
Cathy - "Blunt and truthful."
Jesse - "Humorous"

11. What's something funny that's happened with your crew recently?
Cathy - "Eating dirt."
Jesse - "A motorcycle threw rocks at me at the racetrack."

06/09/2026

The Blue Ridge Fire/EMS Academy recruits passed the NREMT with a 100% rate. They are now on ambulances as third-person crew members, gaining hands-on and advanced field training. Congratulations!! 🎉

Pictured, left to right: Levi Lauvray, Nicholas Lovell, David Kitzmiller, Brandon Pulliam, Sydney Scott, Nadia Hale
Not pictured: Carter Richardson, Lucas Lauvray

06/05/2026

🚑🚑🚑 First Responder Friday 🚑🚑🚑

Meet this dedicated and faithful captain of the Bassett Rescue Squad, Andrew J Delello. He joined the Bassett squad in 1998. He was there for two years, left, returned full-time in 2002, and has been there since. He will celebrate 24 years this November. 🎉 Andrew started off as a junior member, became a senior member, served as a junior advisor, supply officer, equipment officer, second lieutenant, first lieutenant, and is currently the captain. He has been a preceptor and has served on several committees and the squad BOG at the state for several years. Andrew says, "Not every call is exciting or memorable, but every call is important."

1. What's your go-to way to relax or recharge after a long shift?
"Going to church and watching my dogs."

2. If you could jump on a plane tomorrow for a vacation, where would you go?
"Florida"

3. What's the best movie or TV show you've watched recently?
"Friends"

4. What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
"Don't forget where you came from, and don't forget where you are going."

5. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
"Lawyer"

6. How would your best friends describe you?
"Not right" 😆

05/29/2026

🚑🚒🚑 First Responder Friday 🚒🚑🚒

Meet this sweet couple, Lamar N Cassandra Womack. If you see one of them, you see both of them! They share a special love for each other and for those in need.
Lamar has been with the Bassett Rescue Squad for 8 years, including 4 years as an equipment officer. He's also been with the Fieldale Volunteer Fire Company for 1 year.
Cassandra has been an EMT with the Bassett Rescue Squad for 6 years, including 3 years as a First Lieutenant. She has also been with the Fieldale Volunteer Fire Company for 1 year. Cassandra happily credits Lamar with her decision to pursue EMS, showing how much his influence meant to her.

1. What's your go-to way to relax or recharge after a long shift?
Lamar - "Playstation 5"

2. If you could jump on a plane tomorrow for a vacation, where would you go?
Lamar - "Hawaii"
Cassandra - "Hawaii"

3. What's a hobby that you enjoy that has absolutely nothing to do with your job?
Cassandra - "Playing 'Call of Duty' with the husband."

4. What's the best movie or TV show you've watched recently?
Lamar - "911"
Cassandra - "Chicago Fire"

5. Are you a coffee or tea person to get your day started?"
Lamar - "Energy drinks."
Cassandra - "Coffee"

6. What is one thing that always makes you laugh?
Lamar - "My son."
Cassandra - "My kids and grandkids."

7. What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Lamar - "Think positive."

8. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?"
Lamar - "A firefighter."

9. What's a piece of gear or equipment that you think is super cool?"
Lamar - "Air packs and jaws of life."

05/27/2026

Stay weather aware! ⛈

Additional showers and thunderstorms are possible tomorrow. Some storms will be capable of damaging winds, mainly along and east of a line from Lewisburg, WV to Lynchburg, VA. The remainder of the area will see a lower chance for severe storms, but lightning, gusty winds, and heavy rain from thunderstorms will still be possible. Areas that receive the heaviest rain may have localized flooding problems.

05/25/2026

Thank you for your courage and sacrifice for our country. 🇺🇸

05/22/2026

🚑🚒🚑 First Responder Friday 🚑🚒🚑

Meet one of our amazing junior members with fire and EMS, Maddie Brown. Maddie has been a junior member of the Axton Community Volunteer Fire Dept for a year and is now a junior member of the Dyers Store Vol. Fire Department and the Horsepasture Volunteer Fire Department. She just completed EMT school at the Career Academy and is currently preparing for the NREMT exam.

1. What's your go-to way to relax or recharge after a long shift?
"Watching TV, eating snacks, and being outside."

2. If you could jump on a plane tomorrow for a vacation, where would you go?
"Texas to go line dancing and visit the military museums."

3. What's the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
"Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves."

4. How would your best friends describe you?
"I'm always full of energy and trying to make people around me smile and laugh. I'm always helping others."

5. What's a hobby that you enjoy that has absolutely nothing to do with your job?
"I love to clean. It's like a stress reliever for me."

6. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
"My mom has been my inspiration. I knew at a young age that I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. Usually, if you see me, you see her when we run calls. My dad has been my inspiration to always be strong and keep going, just as he has. Both my parents encourage me to strive to do my best and not to let the bad days win, and to keep my faith in God."

05/18/2026

We want to thank all EMS personnel for their dedication to our community. They respond to emergencies with skill and compassion, making a significant impact through their service. Their commitment and sacrifice does not go unnoticed. Thank you for answering the call and serving others! Happy National EMS Week! 🚨🚑

05/15/2026

🚑🚒🚑 First Responder Friday 🚑🚒🚑

Meet one of our dedicated EMT students: Heidi Brown. Heidi holds a BLS certification, responds to calls, and manages essential tasks on scene. She directs traffic, drags hoses, refills trucks, and provides assistance wherever needed. Heidi began her journey in emergency services at just 15 years old with the Dyers Store Vol. Fire Department. After a brief hiatus due to life circumstances and age, she returned a year ago with Axton Community Volunteer Fire Dept and has spent nearly a year with Horsepasture Volunteer Fire Department. Now, she is an associate member with Axton Community Volunteer Fire Dept and serves full-time at Dyers Store Vol. Fire Department, which she proudly calls her home department. Heidi considers it an honor to serve her community. Her daughter, a junior member with both Horsepasture Volunteer Fire Department and Dyers Store Vol. Fire Department, often joins her on calls, and they have also worked together with Axton Community Volunteer Fire Dept. If you see Heidi, you see Maddie Brown!

1. What's your go-to way to relax or recharge after a long shift?
"Home with my family, working in my garden, and I love to porch sit and decompress after a shift where it’s quiet. We love to watch football and Star Wars."

2. What’s a hobby you enjoy that has absolutely nothing to do with your job?
"Anything outside, going to my husband's RC races, rafting, gardening, and baking for others."

3. Are you a coffee or tea person to get your day started?
"I love both coffee and tea, so it’s always one or the other to start my day."

4. How would your best friends describe you?
"A very caring and compassionate person for others, I always put others before myself, and they know they can always call me 24/7 for anything, and my faith in God."

5. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
"I knew at a young age I wanted to be in health care somewhere. I have a lot of experience in the health care field, and here I am at 45, going after what my heart has always called me to do: become a first responder with EMS and Fire. I started at the Dyers Store Vol. Fire Department at 15. Life kind of happened at a young age, and it’s always been in my heart, so I decided to come back and pursue it. I’m determined to accomplish this, no matter how long it takes; I do not give up! For every training opportunity, I go. I absolutely love being a part of Horsepasture Volunteer Rescue Squad on the EMS side! I work with a phenomenal crew, and the opportunity to learn is always there!"

05/14/2026

As you plan your 4th of July, here are some friendly reminders to help you practice safe fireworks habits and enjoy a joyful celebration. 🎆