The Botetourt County Department of Fire & EMS, along with County Administrator Gary Larrowe, has announced the promotions of two personnel to officer positions. Both of these candidates underwent extensive promotional testing, using both external and internal evaluators, and have proven themselves to be superior choices for promotion, said a news release from the department.

Lieutenant Camille Black has been confirmed for promotion to the level of Battalion Chief of Operations. Black has served with the department for 12 years. Prior to coming to work for Botetourt County, she began as a volunteer EMT and firefighter with the Troutville Volunteer Fire Department and Rescues Squad. Black has served in the role of Lieutenant-Shift Officer and Paramedic Supervisor for the past eight years.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Services from Jefferson College, is a certified Nationally Registered Paramedic, is a Virginia Department of Fire Program Officer III and Instructor II, and is a Virginia-endorsed EMS Education Coordinator.

Black’s dedication, commitment, and drive to helping Botetourt County and the Department of Fire & EMS be the best it can be make her an excellent choice for the position of Battalion Chief of Operations, the news release said

Firefighter/EMT (ALS) Adam Smith has been confirmed for promotion to the level of Lieutenant-Station Officer, where he will serve as a supervisor at the Read Mountain Station, assigned to the county’s career fire engine crew. Smith began working for the county in 2005 in a part-time capacity and was hired full-time in 2011 as a firefighter/EMT-Intermediate. Prior to that, Smith began as a volunteer for the Troutville Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad. Smith has recently served in the capacity of fill-in officer and fire investigator.

He is a certified EMT-Intermediate, Virginia Department of Fire Programs Fire Officer II and Instructor II, and credentialed Fire Inspector and Investigator.

Smith brings a wealth of knowledge and diverse experience to continue to develop fire prevention and life safety within Botetourt County and the Department of Fire & EMS.

Going into the future, those skills make him an excellent choice for the position of Lieutenant-Station Officer, the news release continued.

A promotional ceremony will be held on Friday, March 2, at 6 p.m. at the Greenfield Training and Education Center in Daleville.