Smith Mountain Lake Marine Fire Rescue

08/17/2026

It’s been a busy 24 hours for Co. 11 with two overnight calls and a call this afternoon for two workers who fell from a collapsed platform onto a work barge located near R78.

In partnership with Bedford fire/rescue (14-6 and 14-13). Stewartsville Rescue, Stewartsville Fire, both workers were successfully removed from the barge and transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

08/16/2026

Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire Rescue was dispatched to the area of R21 at 11:37 p.m. last night for a reported boating accident. Fireboat 11-9 and Fireboat 11-5 responded to find a single center console boat that had run onto the shore. In partnership with Scruggs Volunteer Fire Rescue, Red Valley EMS, Franklin County Fire, EMS, and Sheriff's Department and the Department of Wildlife Resources, three occupants were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

08/12/2026

As the President of the Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, I am sharing an exciting development to further enhance our department's capabilities: the construction of a dock at our HQ.

Read the story here:
https://wset.com/news/local/smith-mountain-lake-marine-rescue-seeks-donations-to-finish-dock-boosting-response-time-july-2026

To help assist us with this project, a local donor has offered a dollar-for-dollar matching gift for donations made to this important project.

This dock is more than a construction project—it's an investment in faster emergency response and enhanced safety on Smith Mountain Lake. Thanks to the matching gift, every dollar donated will now have twice the impact in helping us make this much-needed project a reality.

If you can contribute, please consider donating here:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KY9BHD963WH9E

Thank you for your consideration and support of all the volunteers who serve and protect our community. We will keep you posted on our progress.

I hope you are all having a safe and enjoyable summer!

Help support Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire Company INC by donating or sharing with your friends.

07/24/2026

Good tips, stay safe!

Did you know that the US Poison Center fields over 2 million calls of poison exposures every year? Of those calls, more than 50% of them are child exposures. You can help prevent these calls by taking some simple precautions!

Remember, if you or someone you know is exposed to a medication, chemical, or other substance, the poison control hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222. Poison control can help advise you on the appropriate steps to take following exposure, and can coordinate with any medical providers you may encounter following exposure!

07/17/2026

Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire Rescue is currently experiencing a low-lying haze of smoke in our area, produced by the ongoing wildfires in Canada. Meteorologists have warned that this smoke will continue to travel through our region, causing a decrease in visibility and a distinct smoky smell.

​We have been receiving 911 "smoke reports" throughout the day. While we never want to discourage the public from reporting a potential fire, we ask that you please take our current regional weather and air quality conditions into advisement before calling.

​Below are visual examples of what smoke looks like from an immediate, localized emergency. Note that an active fire will have a definitive, concentrated point of origin rather than a uniform, blanketed haze.

​As always, stay safe. If you see signs of an immediate fire or have an emergency, please do not hesitate to call 911.

07/16/2026

Thank you Rachel Branning from ABC 13 - WSET for coming to our HQ and to see our dock under construction. We appreciate your support.

https://www.smlmfr.com

Smith Mountain Lake Volunteer Marine Fire and Rescue is asking for the community's help to complete a new dock at its headquarters.

07/14/2026

At 9:30 p.m., Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire Rescue was dispatched to the area of R11 for a reported 30-foot vessel that had run aground on a shoal with three occupants. Fireboats 11-9, 11-5, and 11-6 responded to the area to investigate.
​Because an initial check of the immediate area yielded no findings, crews split up to conduct a wide-area search targeting known shoals and islands.
When the vessel still could not be located, the Bedford County Sheriff's Office and Moneta Fire Department offered assistance with their thermal imaging drones and responded to the scene.
​Despite three drones covering the entire south side of the Roanoke and Blackwater rivers, no vessel in distress was found. All units cleared the scene at approximately 1:15 a.m. Smith Mountain Lake Marine Fire Rescue will deploy a vessel this morning to scan the area in daylight.

07/12/2026

Late last night, Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire Rescue responded to the area of B13 at approximately 10:30 PM for a reported boating accident.

​Fireboat 11-5 and Fireboat 11-9 responded to the scene and located a single vessel with four occupants. Due to current low water levels, the boat had run aground on an exposed shoal. Thankfully, all occupants were safe and uninjured. Fireboat 11-9 safely transported the occupants back to their home, and all units cleared the scene.

​Last night, our lake level dropped to 788 feet again.
​Nighttime navigation can be incredibly difficult, especially without sufficient moonlight to reveal newly exposed shoals. We want everyone to enjoy the lake, but please use extra caution while operating your vessel after dark. Even the most experienced boaters can find themselves in trouble during these drought conditions.

07/10/2026

A heartfelt thank you from the Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire Rescue Department to everyone for their donations and donated materials to help us continue our dock project at our headquarters. Your generosity has made this project possible!

We’re not finished yet—we’re still raising funds to install the roof and the boat lifts. We will keep you posted on our progress!

In the meantime, our fireboats remain ready to respond from the marinas they are positioned at.