WSLS 10:

BOTETOURT COUNTY, VA –

Botetourt County firefighters do daily training, a luxury the department never used to have.

But thanks in part to a FEMA grant known as Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response or S.A.F.E.R.; the county added eight full time firefighters and EMS responders to its volunteer force last May.

The added responders mean a full time firefighter is in the Fincastle station at all times and EMS workers are stationed in Fincastle, Troutville, and Buchanan.

Fincastle Volunteer Fire Chief Dave Moran said having a full time responder has significantly improved his department’s response times.

Continue reading…Botetourt County beefs up public safety | WSLS 10