News Flash

Home

Posted on: February 17, 2023

Botetourt Fire & EMS Receive Summit Award for Girls Fire Camp

photo of female firefighter holding an acrylic award

On Thursday, February 16, 2023, Botetourt Fire & EMS was presented with a Silver Summit Award from the Public Relations Society of America for the 1st Annual Girls Fire Camp.

It’s a common fact that fire and EMS is a male-dominated field.  Only 4% of career firefighters and 11% of volunteer firefighters are women.  Botetourt Fire & EMS is working on changing this stigma, one girl at a time and they made huge strides by hosting the inaugural Girls’ Fire Camp on June 18, 2022.  This event was inspired by career and volunteer female firefighters in the department’s workforce.  Planning for the event began in May of 2021.  During the months of planning and revising the program, personnel were also successful in securing a grant totaling $5,000 from the International Association of Fire Chiefs Volunteer Workforce Solutions Grant program to offset costs and make the camp a reality. 

The fire service has an ever-growing need for a diverse workforce and this camp showed girls that this job isn’t just for guys! The one-day camp was offered for rising 1st-12th graders and was established to inspire girls of all ages to see possible career opportunities in Fire & EMS.  Through multiple age-appropriate modules, girls were able to learn what fire and EMS is all about. This camp was also dedicated in the honor of late Fire & EMS Captain, Helen “Gracey” Humbert, who served within the department for over a decade.  Gracey passed away in April of 2022 after battling breast cancer. She was the essence of what a female can be in the fire service and her story and legacy were shared as part of the camp. Registration was limited to 50 girls, and it sold out in 1 DAY!  Campers were able to:  

  • Use a hose to “put out a fire” and “save” a victim
  • Climb over an obstacle course 
  • CPR and basic First Aid
  • Participate in a Dummy Drag Relay
  • Learn about Fire Science
  • Vehicle Extrication 

 By the end of the camp, fire & EMS personnel expressed how full their hearts were to see so many girls excited about the fire service.  Many of the girls had shared that they didn’t know Fire & EMS were an option for women but now they do! The camp was also recognized locally and nationally by local media. See the promo video here.  Check out this link for a video recap!

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Home

Burn Ban Lifted for Botetourt County

Burn Ban Has Been Lifted

Posted on: December 4, 2023
Take RVL Everywhere You Go!

New Library Mobile App

Posted on: December 4, 2023
photo of zack kelly - sitting on a bench holding a baseball glove

BOCO Storyteller Series - Zack Kelly

Posted on: November 14, 2023
graphic with toys and toy drive verbiage on festive background

Toy Drive: October 30-December 8

Posted on: October 25, 2023
Burn Ban In Effect

Burn Ban In Effect

Posted on: November 8, 2023
blurry photo of road workers with VDOT logo

VDOT Pipe Replacement Projects

Posted on: October 13, 2023
BOCOFacts4U text on green background

Recycling in Botetourt County - FACTS

Posted on: October 13, 2023
Blue Background with Botetourt County Logo and text

Planning Commission Change of Date

Posted on: October 2, 2023
photo of woods and trail with grass

Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail Information

Posted on: September 29, 2023
16

Board of Supervisors Agenda for 9/26/2023

Posted on: September 22, 2023
Photo of Jim Arzigian in front of the Buchanan Library in Buchanan VA

BOCO Storyteller Series - Jim Arzigian

Posted on: September 13, 2023
16

Board of Supervisors Agenda for 8/22/23

Posted on: August 18, 2023
Blue Background with cloud and lightning bolt

Severe Weather Resource Guide

Posted on: August 7, 2023
Blue Background with white box and county seal with hand holding megaphone graphic

BOCO Resource Guide

Posted on: July 5, 2023
blue background with hand holding a megaphone with text

2024 Real Estate Assessment

Posted on: June 26, 2023
blue background with cartoon hand holding a megaphone

Legal Ads & Notices

Posted on: June 23, 2023
Photo of white truck and men in reflective vests installing fiber for internet

BOCO Broadband Journey

Posted on: June 20, 2023
youth football player with red jersey

Why I Play - Luke's Story

Posted on: June 15, 2023
BOCO WILD Girl Fishing

BOCO WILD Sees Record Attendance!

Posted on: June 13, 2023
Now Offering Pickleball Newsflash

Pickleball is HERE

Posted on: June 12, 2023
photo of the Botetourt Sports Complex

Botetourt County is Hiring!

Posted on: May 25, 2023
blue background with BOCO Libraries logo and cartoon hand holding a megaphone

Fincastle Library - Extended Hours

Posted on: May 24, 2023
blue compass logo with person fishing and sun mountains and river in background

BOCO Wild 2023!

Posted on: May 17, 2023
Adult man and two boys wearing red football jerseys, smiling

Why We Play - Mike's Story

Posted on: May 4, 2023
American Flag with Declaration of Independence and VA250 logo

Virginia 250 - a Revolution of Ideas

Posted on: April 25, 2023
kids playing youth sports - football, cheerleading and soccer

Fall Sports Registration is NOW OPEN!

Posted on: April 20, 2023
text over blue background

NEW POST!

Posted on: April 20, 2023
blue background, orange letters and orange bullhorn

Budget Subcommittee Meeting

Posted on: April 17, 2023
Khushba Patel with Dairy Queen Logo

Botetourt County Welcomes Dairy Queen

Posted on: March 24, 2023
16

Board of Supervisors Agenda for 2/28/23

Posted on: February 24, 2023
photo of Penny Firestone with Gary Larrowe and Richard Bailey

Firestone Recognized for Years Of Service

Posted on: December 20, 2022
Photo of Luke Campbell

Campbell Nominated for Rising Star Award

Posted on: December 2, 2022
Blue background with traffic alert text

Interstate 81 Lane Closures - Exit 158

Posted on: December 1, 2022
blue background, orange letters and orange bullhorn

Budget Subcommittee Meeting

Posted on: November 22, 2022
16

Board of Supervisors Agenda for 11/22/22

Posted on: November 18, 2022
Photo with Thanksgiving Food: Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatos, corn

Thanksgiving Closures

Posted on: November 17, 2022
Beige background with text spelling BOCO Grateful

BOCO Grateful

Posted on: November 1, 2022
Basketball Players playing basketball with text

Now Hiring Site Supervisors!

Posted on: October 31, 2022
16

Board of Supervisors Agenda for 10/25/22

Posted on: October 21, 2022
Photo of people cutting ribbon on a stage

Munters Grand Opens in Botetourt County

Posted on: September 28, 2022
16

Board of Supervisors Agenda for 9/27/22

Posted on: September 23, 2022
17

Board of Supervisors Agenda for 8/23/22

Posted on: August 19, 2022
VDOT logo with text Buchanan Road Closure

Buchanan Road Closure Starting 8/15/22

Posted on: August 11, 2022
Disneys Encanto photo for movies in the park event August 13 6pm at Blue Ridge Park

Movie in the Park - August 13th!

Posted on: July 25, 2022
15

VDOT Temporary Rd. Closure Alert

Posted on: July 19, 2022
Parks and Recreation is hiring text over photo of sports complex

BOCO Parks & Recreation Is Hiring!

Posted on: May 12, 2022
76

BOCO Broadband Update

Posted on: April 27, 2022
47

Stay connected!

Posted on: November 22, 2016
56

2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report

Posted on: December 28, 2021