Botetourt County Breaks Ground on new 9-1-1 Emergency Communications facility, Radio Shop, and Fire Station Expansion

Pictured Left to Right:
Fire & EMS Chief, Jason Ferguson
BOCO Board of Supervisors – Blue Ridge District, Walter Michael
BOCO Capital Project Manager, Rich Evans
BOCO County Administrator, Gary Larrowe
BOCO Board of Supervisors – Buchan District & Chair, Amy White
BOCO Sheriff, Matthew Ward
Communications Supervisor, Nicole Manspile
Emergency Communications Systems Manager, Matthew Hinckle

On August 18th, 2025, a Groundbreaking Ceremony was held for the public safety infrastructure project at the existing Reed Mountain Fire Station. The main theme of the ceremony was collaboration between the teams involved in the project. MB Contractors will bring the project to life.  Over 1 million dollars in funds for the project comes from a combination of grants ($300,000) and Google funds ($750,000).

Botetourt County Sheriff Matthew Ward said in his opening remarks, “Following years of planning and development, including working for the acquisition of a new emergency communications radio system, county leaders determined that the existing 911 Dispatch Center in Fincastle no longer met the operational, technological, and spatial needs required for serving the community. The new facility will provide the critical infrastructure necessary to support emergency communications well into the future.”

The project was made possible by the collaborative effort of many facets of Botetourt County, including administrators, the Board of Supervisors, the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Communications, and the Department of Fire and EMS.

An invocation was given by Pastor Scott McLucas of the Orchard Hills Church.

Remarks were given by Botetourt Board of Supervisors Chair, Amy White, who thanked everyone involved for their efforts, “Thank you all again, all of you in uniform, all of you who didn’t wear your uniform today, but work in this impactful field, we thank you. Public safety is a part of our government that touches, or can touch, every individual citizen. Everyone needs this. So I applaud you, and I feel so good about the safety that we are bringing to our citizens and to our community.”

Garry Larrowe, County Administrator, gave comments and a time frame for the project, “The radio shop will be substantially complete by April 30th, 2026. The Fire Department 9-1-1 Center will be substantially complete by September 2026. The Fire Department renovations will be substantially complete by December 2026.” 

Sheriff Ward made additional comments, “We’ve worked with a lot of good people, and this has truly been a collaborative effort. We really appreciate the board supporting and prioritizing public safety. Dispatch is the heart of public safety. Our dispatchers are the first voice that you hear in any emergency. They are the vital line of communication between first responders and those experiencing the crisis. This new center gives them the tools they need to ensure help is sent quickly and efficiently in keeping Botetourt County and this community safe.”

Fire & EMS Chief, Jason Ferguson, gave closing remarks, “This project is a testament to what can be accomplished when we work together. We’re not just digging a hole today. We’re laying the foundation for a safer, more resilient Botetourt County. We’re building a future where every 9-1-1 call is answered with the best possible response, where our first responders have the facilities they need to do their job effectively, and where our community could feel much more secure, knowing that we’re prepared for anything.”

-Tanner Keith
Editor-in-Chief