Botetourt County is accepting applications for part time EMT-BLS and EMT-ALS positions. These positions will report directly to the Department of Emergency Services, but will work closely with volunteer fire & EMS agencies. Duties will focus on the provision of emergency medical care.

Minimum Requirements: 21 years of age, valid Virginia driver’s license with good driving record, current EVOC .  Virginia OEMS EMT-B or E (BLS), EMT-I or P (ALS) with verifiable field experience, current CPR, PEPP, PHTLS, and ACLS (ALS) preferred. Residence in or within 1 hour normal driving time of Botetourt County required.  Must be able to pass standard medical exams and practical skills tests. Will be required to perform all physical tasks associated with emergency medical services, and related activities.

Salary Range: BLS $11.00/hour; ALS $15.50/hour.  Applications including a current copy of driving record are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday May 11, 2012. Applications can be obtained from, and should be returned to the Botetourt County Human Resources Office, 5 W Main St, Suite 200, Fincastle, Virginia 24090, by calling (540) 473-8349, or online at www.botetourt.org.

Timeline:

Application Deadline: Friday, May 11th

Review of Applicants and Scheduling of Testing:  Friday, May 18^th

Applicant Testing:  Friday, June 1^st & Saturday June 2^nd.

Interviews:  Thursday, June 7^th & Friday, June 8^th

Offers Made:  Friday, June 15^th

Kathleen Guzi County Administrator

Carr Boyd, Director of Emergency Services

Both Carr and Kathleen are looking forward to meeting you.  Please join with us in welcoming them to Botetourt County!

Light refreshments will be provided.

Best Regards,

Spencer

Fincastle, VA – Botetourt County Officials have expanded the existing statewide 4:00 PM ban on open-air burning. Effective at 3:00 PM on Friday, April 13, 2012, all open air (outdoor) burning is prohibited, 24 hours a day. Extremely dry conditions persist and pose an increased danger of wildfires. This risk is compounded by seasonably windy conditions which can quickly accelerate the spread of grass and brush fires.

All open air burning, including campfires, is banned until further notice.

Once significant rainfall has reduced the threat of wildfire, the expanded ban will be lifted and public notification will be made.

For more information, contact

Spencer Suter, Assistant County Administrator
540-473-8301

Fincastle, VA – After careful consideration and a methodical search process spanning a two month period, County Administrator Jerry Burgess has named Carr Boyd as the County’s new Director of Emergency Services. The act is one of the final major decisions made for Botetourt County by Burgess, who is retiring after nearly 20 years as Botetourt County’s administrator. Commenting on Boyd’s experience and credentials as a leader in the field of Fire, EMS and Emergency Management, Burgess said, “I am convinced that he is well qualified to make professional recommendations that will make the best use of limited resources in these challenging budgetary times.”

Boyd is currently a Captain and acting Battalion Chief with the Charlotte, NC Fire Department, where he actively participates in both call response and administration. His 19 year career in Fire and EMS includes volunteer experience in Virginia where he served with both Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad and Hampden Sydney Volunteer Fire Department, holding offices of First Lieutenant and President. He is a nationally registered Paramedic and an adjunct faculty member of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD, where he teaches a 10-day executive development course in the Executive Fire Officer Program.

Prior to Burgess’s decision, the field of more than 70 applicants was initially screened by a 5-member selection advisory committee, which included volunteer fire, volunteer rescue, citizen and county staff representatives. A small group of finalists was subsequently presented to Burgess for final selection. Burgess expressed his gratitude to the committee, stating that, “It was very important to me that the process be collaborative in nature, with significant input by stakeholders. I am indebted to them for their diligence and excellent work over the past 2 months.”

In addition to numerous Fire and EMS certifications, Mr. Boyd holds advanced degrees in Public Administration and Public Policy from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte. He is married with three children. His work in Botetourt will not officially begin until May 8th, due to current employment commitments and relocation arrangements.

• If you heat with a fireplace or wood stove: Have a professional check it, especially if it has been a long time since the last cleaning. Residue can build up and cause fires.

• Don’t use candles during power outages: Many home fires in winter are caused by candles. Flashlights are much safer. Be sure to have extra batteries on hand.

• Safe use of space heaters: Never plug them into extension cords; plug into wall outlets. Keep space heaters at least three feet from other objects, and turn off before going to bed.

• Using kerosene or propane heaters: These must be used with great caution. The room must be ventilated by opening a window. Keep heaters at least three feet away from flammable objects such as curtains, blankets and furniture. Place heaters on a hard surface, not on carpet. Refuel them outdoors after they have cooled.

• Get where you need to be before the weather gets bad. It’s always best to stay off roads during winter storms. Most traffic crashes happen within the first two hours after a storm starts. Stay aware of winter storm watches and warnings. Get road conditions by calling 511 or visiting www.511Virginia.org.

• Stay informed during power outages. Be sure you have a battery-powered or hand-crank radio (and extra batteries). Get one with Weather Radio so you can hear local radio stations and reports directly from the National Weather Service. These are available at electronics and sporting goods stores, department stores, boat and marine accessory stores, through catalogues and online. Prices range from $20-100.

• Most importantly: You need a family emergency plan. If your family cannot return home because of severe weather or closed roads, you need to decide now on where you will meet to reunite. You also need an out-of-town relative or friend to be your family emergency contact. Learn more about making a plan for winter weather and all emergencies – and get a free family emergency plan worksheet – at www.ReadyVirginia.gov.

The course will run from January to May and will consist of Monday and Wednesday sessions with occasional Saturdays.

Please see the flyer for prerequisites and other information.

To register – contact Training Coordinator Nathan Herlocker @ nherlocker@botetourt.org or 540-473-8403

Once again Botetourt County Emergency Services is participating in the ‘Keep the Wreath Green’ fire prevention campaign. This is a visual fire prevention campaign used to remind the citizens of Botetourt County to remain fire safe during the holiday season. By looking at the wreaths the public is able to track the number of house fires in the county by the number of red light bulbs in the wreath.

This program started on November 25^th and runs until New Years. Emergency Services will exchange one green bulb for a red bulb every time there is a house fire in the county during this period.

Fire prevention should be a prominent part  of our everyday lives, but sometimes with the holiday season we all need a little friendly reminder. This campaign is used as that reminder for everyone to stay fire safe for the holiday season. Gathering further information on fire safety can be obtained by visiting www.yourbces.org or calling Emergency Services at 473-2098.

For additional resources, please refer to our public education page.

Going trick or treating?

	Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
	Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
	Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
	Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
	Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don’t run from house to house.
	Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
	Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
	Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
	Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
	Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
	Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
	Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult.
	Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

	Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
	Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
	Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
	Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
	Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don’t run from house to house.
	Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
	Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
	Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
	Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
	Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
	Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
	Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult.
	Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Botetourt County Department of Emergency Services: (L to R): John Gulatsi, Frank Leonard, Lieutenant, C. Moore, Lieutenant, R. Johnson, Captain, J. Ferguson, Battalion Chief

Troutville Fire Department Personnel: (L to R): Garry Rock, Deputy Fire Chief, Zach Beckner, Britt Wyrick, Christopher Boothe, Fire Captain

Blue Ridge Fire Department Personnel:Back Row (L to R): Mark Munson, Soni Shaver, Matt Trevilian, Lieutenant, Brandon Kitts, Captain, Nick Carroll. Front Row (L to R): Chris Bates, Mike Maddox, Assistant Fire Chief, Mike Durham, Fire Chief

In recent weeks firefighters all across the country have been participating in memorial stair climbs in honor of their fallen comrades from the attacks of September 11, 2001.
On Sunday September 11^th, local firefighters Jeff Elmore and Jacob Newton from Botetourt County Emergency Services traveled to Richmond to participate in the event. Climbing beside firefighters from across Virginia and the east coast, Jacob and Jeff ascended and descended the steps of a 20 story building 5 times to emulate the 100 stories that faced the emergency workers as they tried to evacuate the twin towers. Each participant was representing something more than just the physical challenges faced by heroic responders who ran in while others ran out on that tragic day; each climbed in honor of a specific hero who perished in the trade centers, leaving behind families, friends coworkers and a grateful nation.

Botetourt County Emergency Service Firefighters Jeff Elmore (Left) and Jacob Newton (Right)

Botetourt County Emergency Service Firefighters Jacob Newton (Left) and Jeff Elmore (Right)

At the conclusion of the climb, each firefighter rang a ceremonial bell and announced the name of the comrade whose life their brief exertion commemorated. Jacob and Jeff completed their climb while wearing forty-plus pounds of protective equipment and tools, just as those who were lost in the towers that fateful morning.

Jacob Newton (Left) Jeff Elmore (Right) at the conclusion of their climb.

For immediate release – August 29, 2011

Contact:         Spencer Suter, Assistant County Administrator
540-473-8301

David Firestone, Emergency Services Division Chief
540-473-8401

This September – a Time to Remember, a Time to Prepare

Fincastle, VA – This September, our nation will mark the tenth anniversary of 9/11, remembering those lost, honoring our first responders, and renewing our commitment to prepare and plan for emergencies. Botetourt County has committed to participate in National Preparedness Month (NPM) in September. The event, now in its eighth year, is a nationwide, month-long effort hosted by Ready Campaign and Citizens Corps, encouraging households, businesses and communities to prepare and plan for emergencies.

One of NPM’s key messages is: be prepared in the event an emergency causes you to be self-reliant for three days without utilities and electricity, water service, access to supermarket or local services, or maybe even without response from police, fire or rescue, which could be overwhelmed during a major disaster. Preparing can start with three easy, yet critically important steps:

1. Get an emergency supply kit www.ready.gov
2. Make a plan for what to do in an emergency www.ready.gov
3. Be informed about emergencies that could happen in your community, and identify sources of information that will be helpful before, during and after an emergency.

Preparedness is a shared responsibility; it takes a whole community. This year’s National Preparedness Month focuses on turning awareness into action by encouraging all communities, including households and businesses nationwide to make an emergency preparedness plan.

For more information about the Ready Campaign and National Preparedness Month, visit Ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY.