Photo courtesy of Patrick Perkins Photography
By Matt de Simone
Botetourt County Fire & EMS graduated its first all-county career staff academy last Friday morning in a ceremony held at Fincastle Baptist Church.
Firefighters/EMTs Michael Beuggert, Justin Cox, Daniel Cubbage, Noah Dodson, Lawrence Harding, Rebecca Pruitt, Nicholas Wiley, and Andres Novoa represent the first graduating class of Botetourt’s Fire Academy #1.
Deputy Chief Rob Johnson provided the ceremony’s opening remarks. He thanked all the friends and family who attended the graduation and to the department before turning it over to a recorded video message from County Administrator Gary Larrowe, who was unable to attend in person.
“This is a monumental day,” Larrowe shared. “A day that is amazing to us here in Botetourt because it’s the first graduating class of our own academy and we are so pleased for the activities that have taken place that brought us here today.”
Larrowe commended the amount of work by the individuals who took the time helping provide the new recruits with the proper training and knowledge for an all-county fire academy.
According to information provided by the county, last year’s academy began in July, and was overseen by Captain of Training Ryan Hartberger, along with the academy cadre of Lts. Adam Smith and Seth Mowles. Additionally, Lt. Jacob Bonds functioned as the lead physical fitness coach for the academy. Academy #1 was also supported by lots of staff time to ensure recruits had classroom and hands on skill training.
Class President Nicholas Wiley spoke next, sharing the dedication of the department and the graduates as they move forward in their careers.
“I stand before you now, in 2025, with admiration for what we’ve accomplished as Botetourt’s first ever (fire) academy,” Wiley said. “It’s been a journey of intense training, long days, and late nights while also pushing ourselves beyond what we thought were our limits. We faced mental, physical, and emotional challenges only for us to come out on top together.”
Wiley, on behalf of the graduates, thanked their families and friends for their support, who shared encouragement and patience throughout the academy. He also thanked the instructors who passed on the core values of Botetourt Fire & EMS. “You showed us what it truly means to be a firefighter. Your leadership has shaped us into the professionals that we are today and we can only grow from here.”
Wiley and the recruits gave out awards to instructors Lt. Matt Scott and Lt. Hunter Smith for their leadership, knowledge, and patience while training the new recruits. The department handed out four recruit awards to graduates Andres Novoa (Academic), Noah Dodson (Physical Fitness), Lawrence Harding (Gracie Humbert Character Award), and Nicholas Wiley (Outstanding Achievement).
Photos by Matt de Simone
Capt. Hartberger then gave a brief overview of the academy that consisted of a 24-week training academy where recruits learned and were certified in the following: National Registry EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), Virginia Department of Fire Programs Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, Hazardous Materials Operations Level, Emergency Vehicle Operator Course Levels 1, 2, and 3, Basic Pump Operations, Rural Water Supply, Passenger Vehicle Operations and Technician, National Incident Management System(NIMS), Swiftwater Awareness, Rope Operations, “Mayday: Firefighter Down” Operations and Technician.
The academy model consisted of four 10-hour days with Wednesdays off. This cadence allowed recruits to accomplish keeping up with their personal needs, as well as recovering from intense physical training. Additionally, the mid-week pause allowed academy staff to reset and prepare for the end of the week.
Hartberger then provided a few encouraging words for the graduates. “Enjoy what you do because this is best job in the world. There’s no better feeling than helping others and making a difference… I could not be more proud for each one of you today and honored to play a small role. Congratulations on your achievement. Let’s get to work.”
Fire Chief Jason Ferguson took time to thank those entities that partnered with Botetourt Fire & EMS for this historic graduation. The department partnered with Troutville Volunteer Fire Department for the use of the Fire Training Center; Botetourt Area YMCA for access to their facilities, equipment, and showers; Radford University Carilion (RUC) for the extension of the EMT accreditation; Bedford Fire Department for the use of the live fire training facility and training grounds; and Botetourt County Public Schools for the donation of a school bus, that has affectionately been named “Tater Tot.”
Ferguson shared, “Today also marks momentous day for the department’s history as we graduate our very first Botetourt career academy. For four years we enjoyed our relationship with the regional partners of the Roanoke Regional Fire & EMS Training Center and that relationship help set up the department immensely (for the academy). When the changes that led to us needing to host our own academy came forward, the department and personnel were ready to make this a success.”
He thanks the administrative staff, team members, and field staff for stepping up and taking on the challenge of conducting Botetourt’s first fire academy. Ferguson closed by saying to the graduates, “From this point forward, your training never stops. You have opportunities far beyond those who came before you to get training at your fingertips from endless sources, most are free—soak up the knowledge… You’ve all sharpened your knowledge, skills, and abilities through this academy. This is only the beginning. Take what you’ve learned, build upon it, share it, and pass it along.”
A badge pinning ceremony saw members of the graduates’ families join them on stage to pin the badges on the recruits. Members of county administration that included County Supervisors Brandon Nicely (Fincastle) and Walter Michael (Blue Ridge), and Deputy Administrator David Moorman made up a receiving line that congratulated this year’s graduating class.
To learn more about Botetourt County Fire & EMS, visit www.botetourtva.gov/160/Fire-EMS.
