FIRST RESPONDERS

Officer Wesley Richer was also named rookie of the year.

The Virginia Tech Rescue Squad unveiled the newest ambulance they’re adding to their fleet on Thursday.

With the badge comes risks.

With the badge comes risks.

The training was a part of National Emergency Nurses Day for the local hospital and first responders to showcase their skills.

The Bedford Fire Department held their annual wreath laying at the D-Day memorial today in honor of the victims of 9/11

Bill Price made a promise to his godfather, a New York Firefighter, that he would never forget the lives lost on 9/11.

Starting Sept. 7, Margaritaville at Sea is offering a free cruise to active and veteran military, educators, first responders, and law enforcement officers, reports News 4 JAX.

City officials said that the survey is an effort to determine the effectiveness of E-911 services provided to citizens.

First responders were called to help a woman having a medical emergency while she was mowing her yard, but their work didn’t stop when the call was over.

Roanoke County officials told 10 News that the charges being sought against the first responders are embezzlement and obtaining money by false pretense.

The Roanoke Valley Collective Response was awarded awarded $1.4 million and will use the money to develop a peer recovery network for substance abuse.

Virginia’s Fire Services Board would evaluate the county’s resources, personnel, and organization.

The Bedford Fire Department said the crash happened around 10:47 a.m. on Tuesday and involved an ambulance and a tractor-trailer at the intersection of Route 460 and Woodhaven Drive.

A Roanoke couple returns with their mission to honor Roanoke Valley first responders with a free meal.

First Responders in the coal mining industry are proving who is best regarding life-saving skills.

Roanoke County Fire & Rescue crews were honored for their hard work putting out a fire in downtown Vinton.

Here’s where you can find National Night Out events near you this year.

Dozens of children across the region are learning the value of teamwork as they step into the lifestyle of a firefighter at Camp R.I.T.

Salem firefighters were recognized virtually for saving a man’s life during the American Red Cross’ Celebration of Heroes, and on Tuesday, those firefighters were recognized in person.

The front line is thinning out, and the Roanoke Valley needs more first responders.

In all of the destruction, only one item escaped the flames and it’s reminding firefighters they’re not alone on the dangerous job.

For the past 10 years, Franklin County Public Safety Chaplains volunteers have stepped up to offer an ear or a shoulder to cry on when families need it the most.

The organization surpassed its goal, bringing 57 people in to donate.

Members of the Lynchburg Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue Team are back home after being deployed to Buchanan County for the second time in less than a year.

The department proposed an amendment allowing 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds that are certified to fully participate as a firefighter in the field.

In a rematch of the 2013 national title game against the Dallas Defenders, the Roanoke Rampage came out victorious in Salem on Saturday, beating the Defenders 22-12.

Without the classification as first responders, 911 dispatchers do not have the same access to benefits.

The Marcus Alert system is now in effect in five regions across Virginia.

The holidays after losing a loved one can be a difficult time. Which is why the Buchanan based non-profit, Sirens and Salutes is honoring those who lost their lives this year in the line of duty.

First responders put themselves in danger when they respond to a crash, particularly if drivers are distracted or don’t slow down.

A field of 1,000 American flags surrounded a Lynchburg field of hundreds of Americans, as they remembered the attacks on September 11, 2001.

Agencies including Virginia State Police, the Lynchburg police and fire departments, and the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office were on hand, to interact with families, pass out free giveaways, and allow children to climb into their emergency vehicles.

Botetourt County first responders assisted Roanoke County while rescuing a hiker who sustained a traumatic injury at the Read Mountain Preserve.

This week marks National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week to honor the work that 911 dispatchers do to keep the community safe.

Roanoke Fire-EMS has a Peer Support Team designed to provide anonymous help to first responders dealing with anxiety, depression, substance abuse and more.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia is working to develop a new system to help first responders navigate challenges during emergencies. The researchers are looking to use artificial intelligence to offer helpful prompts and other support as rescue squads make split-second decisions. Right now, the university is collaborating with firefighters in Albemarle County to test it out. “Almost like a virtual responder that is listening to the communications going on at the scene. The project is still in the works with ongoing device testing and research.

ROANOKE, Va. – While many families spent Thanksgiving Day with loved ones or friends, for first responders in Roanoke, today was just another day at the office. Usually a local church makes the Roanoke firefighters and EMTs a home-cooked meal so the crew doesn’t have to worry about going out on a cRoanoke Fire-EMS crew members share a meal together on Thanksgiving Day, donated by a local church. But this year, because of COVID-19, the Fellowship Community Church partnered with a restaurant to have the meal safely delivered so that the crew was able to still enjoy a meal together. “That one moment where you know you truly helped someone, makes all the sleepless nights, all the long days, all the worn down, beat down, break down days and nights, that makes it worth it,” said crew member Nathan Bryant. The fire station is usually open to the public on Thanksgiving.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – A man who spent the majority of his life as a Roanoke County first responder was remembered during his memorial service Saturday. Woods served with the Fort Lewis Volunteer Fire Department since 1981. “Remember Dale with that big smile he had, the kindness he had, and his open heart," said Assistant Chief Eddie Hite of the Fort Lewis Volunteer Fire Department. I don’t think there was a mean bone in his body.”Firefighters loaded Woods' casket onto a fire engine after the service. The fire engine was escorted by law enforcement through Roanoke County.

One local father has seen just how difficult the pandemic has been on his daughter and called in reinforcement to make her 18th birthday special. Oliver Lewis orchestrated a fire and police parade by his house to celebrate his daughter Jera’s 18th birthday. The teen has spent most of 2020 quarantined in their Radford home, so her father lined-up friends, family and even first responders to drive by. “It spoke to how special a person Jera is and that people really love her and have really missed being with her. She gives really good air hugs, but she definitely gives great, real hugs.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Last Friday was a day for the history books for a fire rescue station in Florida. For the first time, a fire crew shift at the Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue Station was made up of all women. I’m always the smallest one, smallest height, smallest weight. Lucky for her, there were other women before her, like Rescue Lt. Krystyna Krakowski, to help pave the way. It was a great day,” Krakowski said.

SALEM, Va First responders in Salem received a free meal on Wednesday thanks to the help of a local funeral home. Staff from John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home served free lunch and dessert to firefighters, police officers and sheriffs deputies at the Salem Fire Department. The organization said it wanted to find a way to show appreciation for first responders. I think the general public a lot of times forgets the intimate relationship we have with first responders every day. John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home hopes to host another appreciation lunch sometime in the near future.

Ford Motor Company donated face masks and face shields to the Wytheville Fire & Rescue Department. The department plans to share the 18,000 face masks and 2,000 face shields with other first responders and public safety agencies in Wythe County. Ford Motor Company donated face masks and face shields to the Wytheville Fire & Rescue Department. (Wytheville Fire & Rescue Department)Wytheville Fire & Rescue plans to deliver the masks from their 1919 Ford Model T American La France fire engine, which they showcased on Thursday along with the donations. The Virginia State Police, Wytheville Police Department and Wythe County Community Hospital are among the agencies who will be receiving donations.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. At Roanoke County Fire and Rescue, the day starts with COVID-19 conversations and ends with them. In a Zoom meeting, Chief Steve Simon said first responders are working hard to protect the community from COVID-19 while also responding to fires, water rescues and medical emergencies. I am very, very proud to say not one employee from Roanoke County, police, fire and rescue, or sheriff have been infected by the job. Now, we have had some exposures that theyve got off the job that theyve had to be quarantined, but our people treat this thing very seriously, said Simon. Chief Simon said the county has increased its social media and online presence in an effort to continue interacting with the public.

SALEM, Va Some Salem first responders were honored for going above and beyond their service to the community this week. On Tuesday The Salem Kiwanis Club presented members of the Salem Fire Department, Salem Police Department and Salem Sheriffs Office with a plaque of recognition at the Salem Civic Center. Club leaders said its an important time to thank first responders for their hard work. The current situation, I think this is an especially important thing to do, because we have great first responders here in Salem, the fire department the police department and the sheriffs department, they are so supportive; they do so much for our community, President of Salem Kiwanis Club Lisa Bain said. All the first responders honored had their names engraved on a plaque that will be hung up in the Salem Civic Center.