Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department - Company 4

03/30/2026

This past week was eventful for the Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department.

Our members spent time training on deploying and extending long attack lines, stretching hose between 400–600 feet to sharpen efficiency for situations where access or distance may be a challenge. On Saturday, members worked on drafting operations out of Catawba Creek on Haymakertown Road, utilizing burp drafting techniques along with familiarization of the newly installed air primer on Wagon 4.

The department also took delivery of new 3-inch supply line, which has been placed on Wagon 4, replacing aged hose and improving our water supply capabilities.

In addition to training, your volunteers responded to 10 calls for service, including 2 reported structure fires, 2 motor vehicle crashes (one involving a vehicle fire), a reported meteor strike , and various other calls throughout the community.

As we continue through the year, the department is currently on pace to reach 500 calls — which would mark a new record.

Looking to join?

We’re always looking for dedicated individuals to join! If you’re interested in serving your community, learn more at:

Website: www.fincastlefire.org/volunteer/
Facebook & Instagram: .

03/12/2026

-Traffic Alert – Botetourt County

The Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department is currently on scene of two motor vehicle crashes:

• Catawba Road near Blacksburg Road
• Southbound Roanoke Road near the intersection of Gravel Hill

In addition, Company 2 (Troutville) is currently working two other accidents in the area.

Please avoid these areas if possible. Road conditions are slick, and drivers are urged to slow down and use caution if traveling.

03/04/2026

-STRUCTURE FIRE-

Last night around 7:45 PM, the Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department responded to assist the Troutville Volunteer Fire Department with a structure fire on Tinker Mill Road.

Wagon 4, Fire 4, and Car 4 initially responded with 7 volunteers. Units from the Troutville Volunteer Fire Department, including Engine 2 and Ladder 2, arrived on scene to find a well-involved two-story residence with heavy fire showing.

Crews worked quickly and efficiently to bring the fire under control and remained on scene for approximately three hours conducting fire suppression, overhaul operations, and ensuring the scene was safe before returning units and equipment to service.

During the incident, additional Fincastle volunteers staffed an apparatus at Station 4, ensuring there was no interruption in emergency response coverage for our community.

We are thankful to report that all occupants were able to make it out of the home safely, and no firefighter injuries were reported. Unfortunately, the home was a total loss. Our thoughts are with the family as they begin the process of recovery.

Units operating on scene included:
Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department: Wagon 4, Fire 4, Car 4, Utility 4, Engine 4
Troutville Volunteer Fire Department : Engine 2, Ladder 2, Tanker 2, Brush 2, Utility 2
Blue Ridge Volunteer Fire Department : Engine 1, Tanker 1
Botetourt County Department of Fire & EMS : County 1, County 11, County 12, Engine 7, Medic 2, Medic 3, Ambulance 4

02/28/2026

🔥 4 PM Burn Law in Effect (Feb 15 – April 30) 🔥

This afternoon alone, Fincastle volunteers have already responded to multiple calls for brush and grass fires.

Each year during spring fire season, dry grass, wind, and low humidity allow small fires to spread fast — often faster than expected. Please help us keep our community safe.

Key reminders:
• No outdoor burning before 4:00 PM if within 300 feet of woods, fields, or dry grass
• Fires must be attended at all times if within 150 feet of woodland
• No adding fuel or starting fires after midnight
• This includes brush piles, warming fires, and even campfires if they can spread

📞 Planning a controlled burn? Notify Botetourt County Dispatch at 540-473-8631 before you light it.
This helps prevent unnecessary emergency responses if someone reports smoke.

Many wildfires start as routine yard burns that simply get away. If you plan to burn, wait until evening conditions improve and always have water and tools ready.

If your fire escapes or you feel unsure — call 911 immediately.

02/24/2026

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

A year of service.
A year of training.
A year of community.

Zero failures to respond.

Video:
https://youtu.be/PtbRu4Oa2k8?si=BgiYE2VBFjOpZzXY

02/24/2026

On Saturday evening, we had the honor of gathering for the Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department Annual Banquet — a night dedicated to recognizing the people who make this department and our community strong.

The fire service is built on commitment, sacrifice, and family. While our members spend countless hours answering calls, training, and serving others, once a year we pause to recognize those who go above and beyond.

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝
Engineer Gene Cook

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿
Sergeant Dylan Setliff

𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱
First Place: Lieutenant James Simmons
Second Place: Chief Robert "Bobby" Simmons
Third Place: Captain Turner Griffin

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳’𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀
President Gavin Miller
Firefighter Bella Simmons
Board of Supervisors & Fire-EMS Commission Representative Walter Michael

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Department Chaplain — Father Bob Copenhaver
Mr. Claus — Mark Bryant
Mrs. Claus — Della Bryant

These awards represent more than statistics or titles — they represent dedication to neighbors helping neighbors, long nights away from family, and a commitment to serving something bigger than ourselves.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the Botetourt Golf Club for graciously hosting this year’s banquet and providing an excellent meal, as well as to Lee Hartman & Sons for their assistance in presenting our annual year-in-review video.

Thank you to every volunteer, family member, and supporter who makes this department possible — we are proud to serve this community.

Not Pictured: Engineer Gene Cook, Board of Supervisors & Fire-EMS Commission Representative Walter Michael, Mark and Della Bryant

02/23/2026

It was a busy weekend for your Fincastle volunteers.

Late Friday night, crews were dispatched to a working structure fire on Westridge Drive in the Applewood Estates subdivision. After returning to the station and placing equipment back in service around 4:00 AM, volunteers were able to grab a few hours of rest before rising Saturday morning to support a Firefighter II live-fire training burn, while other members attended a Driver Pump Operator course.

Before the day was over, training turned back into a real-world response with another structure fire and a brush fire response on Saturday.

Later Saturday afternoon, crews responded to another structure fire on Basham Lane in Cloverdale, where additional water supply operations were needed. Tanker and engine crews from Fincastle assisted alongside neighboring departments to support the incident.

As units were returning to service, a brush fire — approximately two acres in size — was reported on Country Club Road, sending crews back into service once again. The fire was quickly brought under control.

With only a few minutes to clean up, members traded turnout gear for uniforms and dress clothes as we held our annual banquet at the Botetourt Country Club on Saturday evening recognizing the service and dedication of our volunteers.

Just a few hours later, early Sunday morning, the pagers went off again for a structure fire on Motts Hill Lane in Troutville…followed shortly by another reported structure fire in the Glen Wilton area.

Throughout the weekend, volunteers answered the call and ensured the community’s needs were met each time assistance was requested. Thankfully, no civilians or firefighters were injured, and damages were contained to the original structures.

This is what volunteer fire service looks like behind the scenes — not just during emergencies, but the hours before and after them.

If you’ve ever thought about helping your community, there is a place for you here, and you don’t have to fight fire to make a difference.

Learn more about volunteering: www.fincastlefire.org/volunteer

Thank you for continuing to support your volunteers.

02/15/2026

🔥 4 PM Burning Law Now In Effect 🔥
(February 15 – April 30)

Each spring, dry leaves, wind, and low humidity create the perfect conditions for wildfires. The Virginia 4 PM Burning Law is designed to reduce the number of brush fires that threaten homes, property, and firefighters.

What this means:
• No outdoor burning before 4:00 PM within 300 feet of woods or dry grass
• Fires must be attended at all times
• No adding fuel or starting fires after midnight
• Applies to brush piles, campfires, warming fires, trash, and similar burns

⚠️ Violations can result in fines up to $500.

📞 Important:
We strongly request all landowners call any controlled burn into Botetourt County Dispatch at 540-473-8631 before lighting it.

This helps prevent unnecessary emergency responses and keeps units available for actual emergencies.

02/14/2026

Today, the Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department had the pleasure of hosting the Kids Outdoor Zone (KOZ) from Fincastle Baptist Church for a hands-on and educational visit.

The group spent time learning about our department, the services we provide, and what it means to volunteer in Botetourt County. We talked about the importance of community involvement and how volunteering plays a vital role in keeping our county safe.

During their visit, the boys participated in a full station tour, went over all of our trucks, and watched a gear demonstration to see what firefighters wear and carry on calls. They also helped us wash Engine 4, which we greatly appreciated. To top it off, they had the opportunity to use hoses off the Wagon.

We are grateful for the opportunity to share what we do and to invest in the next generation. Thank you to the Kids Outdoor Zone and their leaders for spending the day with us. We always enjoy opening our doors to the community we are proud to serve.

Want to help your community? Reach out to your local volunteer fire department or visit our website at fincastlefire.org/volunteer to learn more about volunteering.

02/10/2026

-Technical Rescue-

At approximately 12:49 PM, the Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department was alerted as part of a Special Operations Team response to the 1100 block of Tucker Farm Road for a report of a male subject who had fallen while hiking and slid down an icy hillside.

Fire 4, Engine 4 and Utility 4 responded with a crew of seven volunteers. Crews worked alongside EMS personnel to access the patient in difficult, icy terrain. After assessment, stabilization, and coordination, the patient was packaged into a Stokes basket and hauled up the hillside to a safe extraction point.

Personnel from the Botetourt County Department of Fire & EMS deployed RAV 3 and met crews during the egress from the scene to assist with patient movement and support operations.

Due to the location and nature of the injuries, the patient was flown by Carilion Life-Guard 10 to a regional hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

Units on Scene:
• Fincastle Fire 4
• Fincastle Engine 4
• Fincastle Utility 4
• Eagle Rock Utility 5
• Eagle Rock Support 5
• BCFEMS Fire 3 with RAV-3
• BCFEMS Medic 5
• BCFEMS County 12
• BCFEMS EM-1

This incident highlights the coordination between volunteer and county resources and the importance of technical rescue training when operating in challenging winter conditions.

We wish the patient a full and speedy recovery.

02/10/2026

Looking for a way to give back to your community?

Whether you want to be on the front lines or help out behind the scenes, we have a place for you on our team.

What we offer:
-Comprehensive training
-A second family
-Certification incentives and pay-per-call stipend
-The chance to make a real difference

Learn more at https://fincastlefire.org/volunteer/

Volunteer Want to Become a Volunteer? Join the Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department and make a difference in your community! Whether you want to respond to emergencies or support the department behind the scenes, there’s a place for you on our team. No experience? No problem—we’ll provide the g...

02/07/2026

-STRUCTURE FIRE-
At 12:42 PM, The Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department responded to a structure fire near the intersection of Gravel Hill and Lee Highway (Troutville Volunteer Fire Department's first due).

Engine 4 and Tanker 4 responded with six volunteers. The fire was located in the attic space and was quickly extinguished. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and no injuries were reported.

This incident marks the first structure fire response for our new-to-us Engine 4, formerly Blue Ridge Wagon 1. The engine has been in service for approximately one week and has already responded to several incidents.

Units on scene: Engine 4, Tanker 4, Engine 2, Wagon 2, Tanker 2, Brush 2, Fire 2, and BCFEMS units.