Photo courtesy of Botetourt Co. Fire & EMS
The Botetourt County Department of Fire & EMS has announced the appointment of its first assistant chief of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Health & Safety.
Captain Jonathan Rodgers, a member of the department since 2014, has been selected to serve in the newly established command staff role. He is scheduled to assume his duties on March 30.
The position, created to enhance management of the department’s busiest operational division, will focus on overseeing EMS services while also advancing initiatives related to the health, safety, and overall well-being of personnel. In this role, Rodgers will work closely with the department’s Operational Medical Director Dr. Carol Bernier to guide EMS operations and ensure high standards of patient care.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the trust placed in me to serve in this new role,” Rodgers said. “I look forward to supporting our personnel and ensuring they have the resources to build long, healthy, and successful careers, while continuing to provide high-quality patient care to our community.”
Rodgers began his career with Botetourt Fire & EMS as a part-time paramedic before transitioning to a full-time firefighter/paramedic after completing the Botetourt Fire Academy. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2019, serving as a paramedic and critical care supervisor, and later advanced to operations captain in 2022. In that role, he has led B-Shift operations.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Concord University and is a graduate of the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association’s Fire Officer and Chief Officer academies.
Fire Chief Jason Ferguson said the creation of the new position reflects the department’s commitment to both operational excellence and personnel wellness.
“I am excited to see how this vital new role will amplify focus on EMS services and the health and wellness of our responders,” Ferguson said. “Jon has been a dedicated leader within our organization for several years, and I am confident he is well prepared to take on this challenge.”
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
