News Flash

Member Spotlight - May 2023

I am a lifelong resident of Henry County, grew up in Collinsville, VA., and graduated from Fieldale-Collinsville High School. In 1989, I was a passenger in an automobile accident involving a pedestrian, and the pedestrian unfortunately passed away. I reme...

Member Spotlight - December 2022

Steve Bowyer - Glade Hill Fire Co

Being blessed with 2 brother-in-law's Elton Cundiff, one of the founding members of Glade Hill Volunteer Fire Department and his brother Rodney Cundiff, longtime Chief of Glade Hill Fire Department I decided to jo...

Member Spotlight - November 2022

Tom Firebaugh - B Shift Operations Lieutenant

I am a Franklin County native and have lived here for most of my life. After graduating from FCHS and Virginia Tech, I worked in the business world for 20ish years before I said to myself “Geez, this ...

Member Spotlight - October 2022

I joined RMFD in January of 2022 as a student member. I decided to further my knowledge in the fire service by taking the Fire Fighter 1 class which started in July. I have passed my HAZMAT course and will officially graduate in December of this year. I w...

Member Spotlight - September 2022

Chris Knight - A Shift Operations Lieutenant

A native of Collinsville, VA. I have been involved in the Fire & EMS field for 16 years, with around 10 years as a career Firefighter/Paramedic. I am a graduate of Patrick Henry Community College with an As...

Member Spotlight - July 2022

Jen Cogar

Red Valley Rescue Squad ; Scruggs Fire/Rescue & Dive ; Burnt Chimney Fire

    Jen began her EMS journey in the Spring of 2021 after leaving the Sheriff’s Office as an Emergency Dispatcher. She joined Red Valley Rescue Squad, ...

Member Spotlight - March 2022

James Richards-Glade Hill Volunteer Fire Department

James has been a member of Glade Hill Volunteer Fire Department since 1996; he is currently a captain with Company 4.  James has been employed by Roanoke fire & EMS for 10 years and is curren...

Member Spotlight - February 2022

Jeff Echternach – Station 15

Jeff Echternach is a paramedic, fire instructor, and holds a variety of fire certifications.  He has a master’s degree in business and holds several data and IT related certifications. He grew up on...

Member Spotlight - January 2022

Robin Davis - Glade Hill Rescue Squad

Last January, Robin had a very minor stroke, it made her realize how fortunate she was, but also that she needed to get out and start doing more.  She saw the information about an EMT class starting in May and...

Member Spotlight - December 2021

William Hoyt is currently the Assistant Chief at Scruggs Volunteer Fire & Rescue.  He says, “When I am not at the fire house, I work full-time as a Police Officer / Firefighter at the Roanoke Regional Airport.  I first join...

Member Spotlight - November 2021

My name is Rose Walker.  I have lived in Franklin County for 36 years.  I currently live in Ferrum with my husband, our 3 beautiful children, and our many pets.  My husband Scott is a member of Ferrum Volunteer Fire Department a...

Member Spotlight - October 2021

Josh Beavers - Career Staff

A career in Fire and EMS was not what Josh Beavers saw himself doing when he was 16 years old. This is what Josh had to say, “Fire and EMS chose me in 2005, actually, Mark Law chose me.  He would constantly ta...

Member Spotlight - September 2021

Savannah Farris - Callaway Volunteer Rescue Squad

Savannah grew up in Callaway and always knew that she wanted to make a difference in her rural community.  She joined Callaway Volunteer Rescue Squad in 2019 during her sophomore year of college. &...

Member Spotlight - August 2021

Keith Holley - Rocky Mount Fire Department

Keith has been with Rocky Mount Volunteer Fire Department for 24 years. He is the Traffic/Security Officer for Franklin County Schools that you may see dancing and showing off his moves while directing traffic bef...

Member Spotlight - July 2021

David Jones - Fork Mountain Fire Co

In 1976, David joined Fork Mountain Volunteer Fire Department as a Junior Member.  He wanted to help his community in an area where there was a need.  As a volunteer firefighter,  he hoped his ...

Member Spotlight - June 2021

“I was asked,  “What got me into EMS?”. The only answer that I was able to come up with is, “EMS  found me”.  My earlier career path had been business oriented,  not medical.  In 2013, I started volunteering in...

Member Spotlight - May 2021

For this month’s newsletter, the intention was to spotlight a member from our Chaplaincy Program. After reaching out to several members and each of them humbly declining with very similar replies like, “There are more providers worthy ...

Member Spotlight - April 2021

Jared is a Lifetime Member of Glade Hill Rescue Squad.  He is also a member of Cool Branch Volunteer Fire Company (Company 13), Cool Branch Volunteer Rescue Squad (Squad 13), and Smith Mountain Lake Marine Fire Rescue. He has been with Company 13...

Member Spotlight - March 2021

“Firefighting has always been in my blood,” says Jonathan. His grandfather was an original member of Callaway Volunteer Fire Department and helped construct the building in 1966.  His grandfather was his inspiration to become a firefighter.

&n...

Member Spotlight - February 2021

Tyler is 22 years old.  He has lived in Callaway all his life with his parents and 2 sisters. He joined the fire department around the same time he graduated from high school.  He said, “It was something I had wanted to do my e...

Member Spotlight - January 2021

Brett has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years with the exception of times when his children where young and when he was away for military enlistment.  He originally joined as a teenager for something to do that would occupy his time. That &...

Member Spotlight - December 2020

Ryan is currently the captain of the rescue division at Scruggs Fire and Rescue.  He serves with his wife Denise, who is the First Lieutenant of the rescue division. They have been married for 22 years and have 2 sons that are 20 and 16. &nbs...

Member Spotlight - November 2020

Station 15 (Westlake)

Lynn was born and raised in Franklin County. He began volunteering at Franklin County Rescue Squad in 2001, partly influenced by the 9/11 attacks. He has always enjoyed helping others and wants to give back to the community. That oppo...

Member Spotlight - October 2020

Odell Gray - Ferrum Fire Department

Odell has lived in Franklin County the majority of his life. He graduated from Franklin County High School in 1985.  He attended VCU and Ferrum College, eventually graduating  from Ferrum.  Aft...

Member Spotlight - September 2020

Anna D. - Callaway Rescue Squad

Anna is 18 years old, she obtained her EMT-B certification while in high school. She graduated this year and is currently attending Virginia Western Community College to obtain a Health Sciences Degree. She plans to eventual...

Member Spotlight - August 2020

Chris Esposito - Career Staff

Chris is a Firefighter/Paramedic for Franklin County Public Safety and also serves as a fill-in captain. He has worked for Public Safety since early 2013. Chris grew up in Danville, VA and moved to Franklin County after becomi...

Member Spotlight - July 2020

Michaelynn H. - Red Valley Rescue Squad

Michaelynn is a single mother of a 15-year-old son. He is an A/B honor roll student. He was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of six.  She says, “He is such a bright, intelligent, and loving youn...

Member Spotlight - June 2020

Baylor Janney - Boones Mill Fire Department

Baylor has been a volunteer at Boones Mill Volunteer Fire Department for almost 2 years. When he isn’t at the fire station, you can find him working for his dad doing interior construction or working for Boones M...

Member Spotlight - May 2020

Ron Gearheart - Career Staff

Ron is a career Paramedic/Firefighter/Chaplain with Franklin County Department of Public Safety. He is an Associate Pastor at New Vision Baptist Church. He has been married to his wife Michele for over twenty years “bless her h...

Member Spotlight - April 2020

George T. - Scruggs Fire, Rescue & Dive

George has been part of the Smith Mountain Community forever! Just ask anyone. With over 60 years of Public Safety experience, George, formerly Chief of the SML Marine Division, is now with Scruggs VFRD. He is al...

Member Spotlight - March 2020

Morgan Y. - Glade Hill Rescue Squad

Morgan is 20 years old.  She took the EMT class through Franklin County High School during the spring semester of 2017 with Eric Newman.  Mr. Newman’s class introduced her to EMS and is part of the reas...

Member Spotlight - February 2020

Mark Tatum - Company 14

Mark is 1st Lieutenant at Henry Volunteer Fire Department.  He has been with Company 14 since 2002 when the department was founded.  Mark is happily married with 2 children, John Mark and Samantha Ann Tatum. &n...

Member Spotlight - January 2020

Rena Jennings - Career Staff

Rena was raised and still lives in Bedford County.  She has 4 awesome children who live close to her,  including her grandson,  Bear.  She attended Staunton River High School. After graduatin...