By Matt de Simone
After many years of faithful community service, the Read Mountain Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department has decided to dissolve as an agency.
The announcement was officially made in a release last Friday explaining that, since 1991, the Read Mountain Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department has been serving the Read Mountain areas of Botetourt and Roanoke Counties. The agency was originally established by a group of citizens to fulfill the needs of fire and emergency medical services in an identified gap area between Blue Ridge and Troutville, the Read Mountain station was formed through a joint relationship between Botetourt and Roanoke Counties. Through its first 30 years, the station was jointly operated between the two jurisdictions, in conjunction with the volunteer entity of Read Mountain Fire & Rescue.
Throughout the years, thousands of lives and millions of dollars of property have been saved by the efforts of the volunteers that gave of their time at this station. Answering emergency calls in both Botetourt and Roanoke Counties, this operation was unique in providing essential services to two jurisdictions automatically. The agency started with only first responder EMS services. It would eventually go on to become a full advanced life support transport agency with the Virginia Office of EMS, enhancing their capabilities to serve the community.
“The Read Mountain fire and rescue department voted to cease operations as a fire/EMS agency and begin the dissolution process for our nonprofit organization at our business meeting on April 9,” Volunteer Chief Adam Dickerson said in a recent email. “Regarding the articles of dissolution, that document has not yet been submitted. That is the next big step. We’re currently working with a law firm in Salem to gather all the documentation we need for that.”
The release went on to explain that the agency has continually grappled with the challenges of retaining existing members and recruiting new ones. Even though coordinated efforts with Botetourt’s Department of Fire & EMS and Read Mountain leadership to enhance recruitment efforts have increased over the past several years, volunteerism for fire and EMS locally and across the nation continues to decline.
“Recent losses of members and known future departures have led us to a tipping point,” said Read Mountain Volunteer Chief Adam Dickerson. “We have been proudly serving the community since 1991 and are very grateful for the incredible support received from this community.”
The operations of the Read Mountain Fire & EMS station over the past several years have incorporated career staffing from both Botetourt and Roanoke Counties, the release noted. Roanoke County first began staffing a part-time ambulance during daylight hours out of Read Mountain over 10 years ago. More recently, Botetourt County has stood up a 24/7 career-staffed fire engine and ambulance crew to support the needs of Read Mountain and the surrounding areas.
“There should be no appreciable reduction in services from this change,” explained Botetourt County Chief of Fire & EMS Jason Ferguson. “The only time there would be a less available workforce is if we have a large incident where typically we get volunteers coming in a lot more numbers to help out. At this point, those one or two (volunteers) won’t necessarily be there because most of the folks that are remaining are done. They’re tired. They’ve put in their time. They’ve been working hard, trying to keep it alive and they just don’t have the number to do that. We’re still open for business in that station, 24/7.”
Volunteer fire departments throughout Botetourt are all in need of more personnel. At the time the Read Mountain volunteer staff made the decision to dissolve the agency, Ferguson noted there were only around 10 active volunteer staff members at the station.
Anyone interested in volunteering at the Read Mountain station would still be a Botetourt County Fire & EMS volunteer, according to Ferguson, who said that while the department still allows for that, he “advocates” volunteers working at a station that has a volunteer department because “it enhances what is already in place.” For instance, Blue Ridge and Troutville are two stations that are currently looking for volunteers.
“We hate to see another volunteer agency end its service to the community, but ultimately realize that fire department volunteerism across the country is at an all-time low,” explained Botetourt County Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve Clinton. “We want to thank all of those that have been selfless by giving their time to serve this community throughout the years.”
In a social media post last week, the department shared the news of the volunteer department’s dissolution stating, “It’s our sad duty to inform you that the members of Read Mountain Fire & Rescue Dept. have ceased activities as an operational Fire/EMS agency and begin the dissolution process for our corporate entity due to unsustainable low membership levels. This matches a nationwide trend in which declining volunteerism does not keep up with members leaving. This is sad news, but it will have no adverse effect on the community. A highly skilled company of career Botetourt County Fire-EMS personnel have operated from the Read Mountain station for years. They will continue to provide full coverage around the clock, and you will see no reduction in support.
“It’s been an honor serving this community. We wish you all the best and again, thank you for your kind, generous support.”
Dickerson wants to make it clear that the station itself is not ceasing operations and for residents to not worry. Career staff will continue operations at the Read Mountain station and “there will be no reduction in service to the community.”
Chief Ferguson speculates that he will formally present Read Mountain’s articles of dissolution to the Board of Supervisors for endorsement at the board’s May meeting, removing that volunteer agency from the public safety program in the local county ordinance.
Anyone interested in becoming a fire department volunteer or learn more about serving the Botetourt community may visit www.botetourtfirems.org or call 540-928-2220.
