Phot
The Virginia Department of Fire Programs held a memorial service at the Richmond Speedway Complex last Saturday honoring 17 fire and EMS personnel from across the state. One of Botetourt’s fallen colleagues, Helen “Gracey” Humbert, was honored during the memorial service.
The Botetourt County Department of Fire & EMS shared some thoughts in a social media post over the weekend.
“Beloved by so many, Captain Gracey Humbert was a faithful servant of her communities during her over three decades of service throughout the Roanoke Valley, the last 12 of which were with Botetourt County’s Department of Fire & EMS. Gracey began her public service journey as a teenager, serving alongside her father, Doug Wirt, at the Cave Spring Rescue Squad in 1988. From there, she made the decision to take a passion and turn it into a career. She joined Roanoke Emergency Medical Services in 1993 as an EMT and in 1995 after the merger that created Roanoke Fire-EMS, Gracey became a firefighter-EMT and went on to earn her paramedic certification. She served the City of Roanoke in both full- and part-time positions until 2011. In 2009, Gracey began her service to the Botetourt community when she was hired as a full-time firefighter/paramedic, ultimately achieving the rank of captain, responsible for supervising her beloved B Shift crews.
“Gracey was much more than a firefighter or paramedic, she was a beloved friend to so many, she never met a stranger. Gracey embodied so many qualities of just being a good human being. Her empathy and compassion were displayed daily in her actions to help others in need. She would give a stranger the last dollar she had, if it helped put that person in a better position. Gracey embraced personal wellness and in her off time was a talented massage therapist. She had a fierce determination to put others before herself, even while fighting for her own life with breast cancer, she found ways to brighten other’s days. She fought gracefully to the very end.
“Gracey would tell you that her greatest accomplishment in life was being a loving mom, partner, and family member.”
To watch the 2024 Virginia Fallen Firefighters and EMS Memorial Service in its entirety, visit www.youtube.com/live/4LxLeEcNeOU. An online program from the event is also available here: online.flippingbook.com/view/507732072.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
Graphic courtesy of Botetourt Fire & EMS graphic courtesy of VDFE
