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ANNUAL REPORT

LETTER FROM THE CHIEF

“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time."

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department is proud to foster a diverse, inclusive and innovative workforce that proudly serves the residents, citizens and visitors of Roanoke by protecting lives and property with professionalism, integrity and respect. For us to be successful in our mission, each department member must believe and embrace our purpose.

As we reflect on the past year, it is with pride and gratitude that we present the Annual Report for 2023. This report serves as an overview of our dedicated efforts, accomplishments, and challenges faced in our mission to protect and serve our community.

Throughout the year, our staff have demonstrated exceptional commitment and courage in the face of adversity. From responding to emergencies to engaging in community outreach and education, our team has remained steadfast in our goal of ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents.

In this report, you will find statistics on fire incidents, emergency responses, and community programs, along with highlights of training initiatives and equipment upgrades that enhance our capabilities. We also recognize the invaluable support of our community, local organizations, and volunteers, whose collaboration is essential to our success.

As we look ahead, we remain dedicated to continuous improvement, striving to implement innovative practices that will further enhance our service delivery. Thank you for your ongoing support and trust. Together, we can continue to build a safer and more resilient community

In the Service,

ROANOKE FIRE-EMS

Mission

Our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive and innovative workforce that proudly serves the residents, citizens and visitors of Roanoke by protecting lives and property with professionalism, integrity and respect.

Chief David Hoback

ABOUT US

The Roanoke Fire Department’s history began in 1882, when the first firefighters were organized by the newlychartered City of Roanoke. The volunteer fire companies, known as the Vigilantes, Juniors, Friendship, and Alerts, provided fire protection.

The department hired the first paid firefighters in 1906, with the establishment of Fire Station #1 on Church Street. In 1907, the last of the volunteers disbanded, and the Roanoke Fire Department became an all-paid entity.

Over the years, additional platoons were added and stations were built to serve the needs of the growing city. In 1991, the First Responder program began, which was the department’s first involvment in providing medical services to the community. In 1995, the Roanoke Fire Department merged with Roanoke EMS to form the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department. This merger also linked the fire department with Roanoke Emergency Medical Services, the first volunteer rescue organization in the nation.

Today, Roanoke Fire-EMS is a full-service fire and emergency medical service agency providing basic and advanced pre-hospital life support, fire prevention and education programs, fire suppression services, arson detection, vehicle extrication, swift water rescue, hazardous materials response, and heavy technical rescue.

RFEMS operates 11 stations with 10 fire engines, 4 ladder trucks, 9 ambulances, 3 relief EMS units, and 4 supervisor vehicles, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We serve an urban resident population of approximately 100,000 in an area of 43 square miles, and answer over 28,000 fire and EMS runs annually. 260 uniformed personnel, 10 civilians, and 38 part-time EMS providers staff the department.

Roanoke Fire-EMS is an internationally accredited agency through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). The department also holds a Class 1 rating from the Insurance Service Organization (ISO).

OPERATIONS

The Operations Division is responsible for response readiness. Operations consists of 243 personnel who operate 11 fire stations and staff 27 front-line apparatus. The division is divided into three shifts, each with two battalions. There are 81 personnel assigned to each shift, and 64 are needed for daily operations.

On November 15th at 1:47 p.m., Roanoke Fire-EMS responded to a reported fire in the 1200 block of Dale Ave SE. First arriving units found heavy smoke and fire in the back of the residence, and located a camper on fire. The fire quickly spread to the house, and then to an adjacent house, and the call was upgraded to a second alarm. Fire-EMS crews brought the fire under control within an hour. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported one individual to the hospital with burn injuries. No injuries to personnel were reported. The estimated damages to the structure and its contents are $80,000.

After investigating, the Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the fire was set intentionally, and identified a female suspect. She was arrested by the Roanoke Police Department and the Roanoke Fire Marshal’s Office, and was charged with arson of an occupied dwelling.

2023 BY THE NUMBERS

31,803 TOTAL CALLS

$3,670,112 PROPERTY LOSS $79,071,653 PROPERTY SAVED 22,968

2 BABIES BORN IN AN AMBULANCE

311 PATIENTS FOUND IN CARDIAC ARREST

66.5% RETURN OF SPONTANEOUS CIRCULATION

WORKING FIRES

FIRE-RELATED INJURIES (CIVILIANS)

FIRE-RELATED INJURIES (FIREFIGHTERS)

FIRE-RELATED DEATHS

306 NALOXONE ADMINISTRATIONS

93 RAPID SEQUENCE INTUBATIONS

$26,161,553 BUDGET

2,493 FIRST DUE EMS CALLS*

7 WORKING FIRES

12,548 RESPONSES

645 FIRST DUE FIRE CALLS*

7,575 RESPONSES

2,882 FIRST DUE EMS CALLS*

5 WORKING FIRES

689 FIRST DUE FIRE CALLS*

3,929 RESPONSES

3,050 RESPONSES

1,086

3,591

12,715 RESPONSES

4,934 RESPONSES

755

9 WORKING FIRES

1,985 FIRST DUE EMS CALLS*

8 WORKING FIRES

458 FIRST DUE FIRE CALLS*

4,679 RESPONSES

1,335 LADDER 7

1,254 ENGINE 8

3,246 RESPONSES

1,526 FIRST DUE EMS CALLS*

499 FIRST DUE FIRE CALLS*

3,344 MU/RU 7

1,992 MEDIC 8

3 WORKING FIRES

802 FIRST DUE EMS CALLS*

3 WORKING FIRES

183 FIRST DUE FIRE CALLS*

751 RESPONSES

751 ENGINE 11

1,384 ENGINE 13

3,421 RESPONSES

2,730 FIRST DUE EMS CALLS*

2,037 MEDIC 13

547 FIRST DUE FIRE CALLS*

4 WORKING FIRES

1,285 FIRST DUE EMS CALLS*

3 WORKING FIRES

SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS

JANUARY 21

At 3:25 a.m., Roanoke Fire-EMS was dispatched for reports of a structure fire on the 1300 block of Purcell Ave NE. First arriving units found flames showing from the roof where one civilian was also trapped. Fire-EMS personnel rescued the trapped civilian, evacuated four additional occupants, and brought the fire under control within 30 minutes. One civilian was transported to a local hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries.

MARCH 17

Shortly before 4 a.m. on Friday, March 17, Roanoke Fire-EMS was dispatched for a reported structure fire at the Recycling and Disposal Solutions facility on Korte St SW. Crews found smoke showing from the door of the facility, and upon investigation located a fire in a pile of recyclable materials within the facility’s warehouse. Due to the large volume of materials, crews were on scene for several hours to ensure the fire was completely extinguished.

MAY 26

At 3:30 a.m., Roanoke Fire-EMS was dispatched to a residential structure fire on the 800 block of Rorer Ave SW. A few moments later, Roanoke Fire-EMS was dispatched to the 30 block of 14th St SW for another residential structure fire. The fires were quickly brought under control by responding personnel.

An investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office determined that both fires were incendiary, and that they were connected. A person of interest in these incidents was identified as one of the two deceased individuals who were discovered that morning at the McAfee Knob trailhead parking lot in Roanoke County.

JULY 13

Around 11:22 a.m., Roanoke Fire-EMS responded to a multi-residential structure fire in the 1100 block of Tazewell SE. Initially there were reports of two people trapped inside the residence. Upon arrival crews encountered heavy smoke and flames to the primary structure and fire emerging on two neighboring residential structures, so a second alarm was called. Crews were able to make quick entry and determine that all four people had escaped. One firefighter received treatment for a medical complication and is expected to fully recover.

COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION & TECHNICAL SERVICES

The Community Risk Reduction and Technical Services Division is comprised of the department’s community risk reduction, fire prevention, fire investigation, and emergency management functions. In addition, this division is responsible for departmental training and technology maintenance.

FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE

The Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO) is dedicated to reducing the number of fire-related incidents and their impact within the City of Roanoke by enforcing the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code and related state laws found in the Code of Virginia. This is accomplished through code enforcement, inspections, plan review, education, and fire investigations, as well as by working cooperatively with other City public safety organizations and code enforcement authorities.

Fire Inspections

Fire inspections are conducted in businesses on an annual or biannual basis. Scheduling is based on the risk posed by the building’s occupants or operation – for example, a restaurant or theater has a greater inherent risk than a physician’s office or an insurance office. These inspections are based on the Statewide Fire Prevention Code and local amendments as adopted by the Roanoke City Council. Fire inspections are conducted by state-certified fire prevention inspectors who work with business owners and representatives to achieve compliance with all applicable codes.

Fire Investigations

The Code of Virginia requires that the FMO investigate all fires and explosions to establish origin and cause. Fires are classified in one of four ways: accidental, incendiary, natural, and undetermined. An accidental fire is a fire for which the cause does not involve an intentional human act to ignite or spread fire into an area where it should not be. Conversely, an incendiary fire is caused by an intentional human act to ignite fire where it should not be. A natural fire is caused without direct human intervention, and an undetermined fire is where the fire’s cause cannot be proven to an acceptable level of certainty. It is important to note that not all incendiary fires are arson – arson is a crime that requires a malicious act. All fire investigations are conducted by state-certified fire investigators.

In 2023, the Roanoke Fire Marshal’s Office bolstered its team’s capabilities with the graduation of Deputy Fire Marshal Noel Gardner and Assistant Fire Marshal Josh Hull from the VDFP Basic Law Enforcement Academy for Fire Marshals, bringing the total number of fire marshals with law enforcement powers to 5. Additional changes to the composition of the FMO included the retirement of Assistant Fire Marshal Barry Kincer, followed by the promotion of Chris Hale to the position of Assistant Fire Marshal.

The FMO continues to be dedicated to protecting the community through comprehensive fire prevention, education, and robust investigative capabilities, and finished the year with an impressive arson closure rate of 55%, exceeding the national average.

Plan Review and Acceptance Testing

The FMO conducts plan reviews of new construction site plans to ensure the ability of the fire personnel to adequately respond to the building once construction is complete. Plans are reviewed for fire department access, the presence of fire hydrants, the location of fire department connections, and any other issues which could affect fire department response.

The FMO also acts under the authority of the Building Commissioner to conduct plan reviews and inspection of all new and upgraded fire protection systems. This includes fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, and restaurant fire suppression systems.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

The goal of Emergency Management is to aid the community in mitigating, preparing for, responding to, recovering from natural and man-made emergencies and disasters that could affect the citizens, businesses, and visitors of the City of Roanoke.

Emergency Management works with local, state, and federal government partners, as well as non-governmental organizations to achieve this goal. Emergency Management maintains the city’s Emergency Operations Center, is an active partner with the Roanoke Valley Local Emergency Planning Committee and participates in regular exercises to test and continuously revise the city’s Emergency Operations Plan to insure a state of constant readiness.

Emergency management (EM) saw continued growth and training during 2023, increasing capacity and capability with the addition of Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator Laura Schmidt. Laura joined EM in February, after serving as GIS Specialist for the City’s Transportation Division. Matt Chapin and Todd Whalen were also added to the team as field deputy coordinators.

EM reviewed and published a new Special Event Emergency Action Plan for event organizers to complete as part of the permit application process. This year the team was able to support a majority of the large planned events through a unified command presence. In total, the EM team reviewed and supported 75 special events permits.

Some EM supported events:

• Blue Ridge Marathon

• Ironman Triathalon

• Crit Bike Race

• Drumstick Dash

• Parades and festivals 75

SPECIAL EVENTS PERMITS

REVIEWED

Training and exercises were another important part of 2023. The City of Roanoke joined with Virginia Tech and Radford University’s EM staff to host courses through Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security Program. This training provided valuable education to EM, police, parks and recreation, and many other professional staff for planning and safety initiatives during large events. Other training programs included a full-scale active threat exercise in partnership with the Roanoke Police Department and US Naval Reserve Center. The December 10th event involved over 30 players and observers and exercised the Reserve Center’s emergency preparedness plan and the City of Roanoke’s Rescue Task Force plans and procedures. EM staff also participated in an airport tabletop with the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport and many regional and state partners.

Emergency Management facilitated the City’s participation in the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) Region 6 functional exercise on June 28, 2023. This exercise included participation from multiple department directors in their ESFs, injects provided by Chief Trevor Shannon, and EOC operations discussion facilitated by Laura Schmidt.

The team was also fortunate to participate in multiple preparedness initiatives. The first significant event was held in July of 2023, the FEMA Inland Hurricane Season Tour. This event brought the Deputy Director and Region 3 Director from FEMA, Director of the National Weather Service, Senator Edwards and VDEM leadership to the City of Roanoke for an Inland Hurricane Season Kickoff. This event showcased emergency preparedness and flood mitigation strategies that have helped reduce major impacts from inland hurricane threats. Then, in September, National Preparedness Month, the emergency management staff joined with Stormwater Management to host the Prepearathon which brought nearly 400 community members together to learn about emergency preparedness, weather events, and public safety resources.

OTHER ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR

• Research and engagement to modernize and improve current emergency operations center.

• Department of Homeland Security Threat Assessments conducted in the Municipal Building and Public Works Service Center.

• Outreach and plan reviews for more than 12 healthcare facilities, businesses, educational and religious organizations.

On September 22, 2023, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management requested the Region 6 Water Rescue Team to respond and stage in Williamsburg, VA due to the anticipated impacts of Tropical Storm Ophelia. Franklin County, Roanoke County, Salem and the City of Roanoke combined sent a team of 30 individuals on this deployment. Fortunately, there were minimal impacts in that particular area and the team returned home safely just two days later.

TRAINING

The Training Division is Roanoke’s 3rd Battalion. The battalion swells from 5 to 50+ personnel at any given time, including its cadre, instructors, class attendees, and recruits. Occupying the Roanoke Valley Regional Fire & EMS Training Center alongside Roanoke County and Salem staff, the training division oversees recruit training, fire and EMS training for incumbent personnel, and regional training, including specialized trainings like HTR and Hazmat. They also frequently host many other partners both in and out of fire/EMS services, allowing Roanoke’s Bravest to sharpen their skills and be prepared to meet the challenges of the job.

2023 STAFF

Battalion Chief Toby Bedwell led the 3rd Battalion for most of 2023 before his retirement. Following the departure of BC Bedwell, Rhett Fleitz was promoted to the rank of battalion chief over the 3rd Battalion.

Additional staff of the 3rd Battalion in 2023 included:

• Capt. Robert Reid

• EMS Specialist Melissa Brock

• Lt. Jarrod Fuhrman

• Lt. Brad Sweeney

• Lt. Ben Sweeney

• Lt. Drew Hall

• FF Conor Healy

HIGHLIGHTS

PUMP OPS CLASS

67,205 TOTAL TRAINING HOURS

In December (of all months) the 3rd Battalion hosted a Pump Ops class for firefighters from all over Western Virginia. Lt. Ben Sweeney, Lt. Nick Sosik, and FF Garrett Fair led the planning and execution of the class, held over three consecutive days. Some of Roanoke’s best instructors built the class funded by the Virginia Department of Fire Program’s (VDFP) Training and Conference Grant.

VDFP INCIDENT SAFETY OFFICER CLASS

Roanoke hosted the pilot program of the VDFP’s Incident Safety Officer Class (ISO), created by instructors from across the Commonwealth, was led by retired Battalion Chief Matthew Dewhirst, who now serves as the VDFP Chief Safety Officer. This training enables our crews to better identify hazards associated with our jobs in an effort to keep our crews safer while working in dangerous environments.

DRIVER AERIAL OPERATOR

In late 2023, Lt. Hall was tasked with putting on a driver aerial operator (DAO) course for 24 firefighters from the region, which included attendees and instructors from Roanoke County, Salem, and Botetourt County. This training allowed attendees to learn and hone their skills on operating ladder trucks throughout the region.

RECRUIT SCHOOLS

The Roanoke Valley Regional Fire & EMS Training Center held 4 recruit schools, graduating 69 recruits, including 41 for the City. Recruit schools 33 and 35 were regional, while 34 and 36 (graduating in early 2024) were City only. The 23 weeks of Fire & EMS training includes EMT-B, Firefighter 1 & 2, Basic Pump Operator, Hazmat Operations, Mayday Firefighter Down, Rapid Intervention Team, Rope Operations, Vehicle Extrication, and many other classes.

COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION

The Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Division works to identify local risks and use data-driven, strategic interventions to prevent or mitigate their occurrence and impact. CRR is a comprehensive approach to safety that is made up of the 5 E’s: Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Economic Incentives, and Emergency Response. The CRR Division plays an important role in fulfilling our department’s mission by building a safer and more resilient community.

HIGHLIGHTS

PEER RECOVERY PROGRAM

In late 2023, Roanoke Fire-EMS implemented the Peer Recovery program that had been championed by the CRR Committee in response to the epidemic of substance use and overdoses. The program, operated in partnership with Bradley Free Clinic, connects certified peer recovery specialists with those struggling with substance abuse disorder. This proactive approach aims to both increase the wellness of the community, and reduce call volume.

PREPAREATHON

Prepareathon, an initiative of FEMA, was hosted by City of Roanoke Stormwater Utility, Emergency Management, and public safety partners once again after a hiatus due to COVID. Fun and informative, Prepareathon encourages local organizations and individuals to be prepared for flooding and other natural disasters that affect our area. In addition to information about natural disasters, attendees were educated about fire safety, and kids had a great time meeting our mascot, Buddy, and navigating the fire escape course!

ANNUAL FIRE PREVENTION ART CONTEST

The 18th Annual Fire Prevention Art Contest saw participation from 9 schools in the Roanoke City Public Schools disctrict in October. Nearly 60 of the top entries from students in grades Kindergarten through 8th were received, and 14 students received awards at a party celebrating their achievement.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

Throughout 2023, Roanoke Fire-EMS participated in numerous public education opportunities including station tours, community events, and school visits, as well as outreach efforts utilizing social networks and media interviews for different fire and life safety topics. Community Risk Reduction Specialist Rachel Hale also had an opportunity to be a guest on the City of Roanoke’s new podcast series in October, and shared information about Fire Prevention Week as well as some essential fire safety tips.

NATIONAL SOUND THE ALARM EVENT

Roanoke Fire-EMS partnered with the American Red Cross and Salem Fire & EMS for the Red Cross’s Sound the Alarm event, working together in March to canvass a Roanoke/ Salem border neighborhood. The combined efforts of all three organizations made 66 homes safer for 170 residents in borth jurisdictions by installing 62 new smoke alarms and replacing batteries in 23 existing ones, all in a single day!

COMMUNICATIONS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Effective communication and community engagement are vital components in the active and ongoing efforts of the department to connect, communicate, and collaborate with the local community it serves. The primary goal of community engagement is to build positive relationships, foster trust, and enhance the overall safety and well-being of the community. Roanoke Fire-EMS is committed to building a strong rapport between the department and the residents of Roanoke. By involving the community in fire safety efforts, the department can create a safer environment and a sense of shared responsibility for public safety.

HIGHLIGHTS

FIRE STATION FOSTER

Launched at the start of 2023, the “Fire Station Foster” program fostered a unique partnership between Roanoke Fire-EMS and the Regional Center for Animal Care & Protection (RCACP). Throughout the course of the program, Community Risk Reduction Specialist Rachel Hale and Firefighter-EMT Chris Hale fostered dogs who were available for adoption from RCACP. While being fostered, the dogs regularly spent the day at various fire stations and fire administration, bringing joy and companionship to staff while reducing stress levels. Those lucky dogs were featured on department social media, as well as local news stations, resulting in significant public exposure, which quickly lead to adoption for all of the program’s participants. Notably, half of the dogs found their forever homes with our very own fire department personnel!

CAREER QUEST

In the fall, Roanoke Fire-EMS participated for the first time in the Greater Roanoke Workforce Development’s Career Quest event, a two-day expo introducing nearly 3,000 curious 7th graders from 13 school districts to various career paths. Firefighters and recruits from the department shared their passion for fire and emergency medical services with the students. Students enthusiastically donned real firefighter turnout gear and peppered firefighters with questions, showcasing their budding interest in the field. Several students even expressed a desire to pursue firefighting careers after the event, hopefully inspiring a future generation of firefighters.

SANTA AT THE STATION

Nearly 100 families experienced the holiday cheer at the new “Santa at the Station” events in December! Chief Hoback and Deputy Chief Foley donned the red suit and white beard to play the part of Santa Claus, alongside Fire Marshal Smith dressed as our mascot Buddy. Santa visited Stations 3, 5, 6, and 7 throughout the month, spreading holiday joy and providing free photos to everyone who stopped by. This fun and festive event provided a welcoming atmosphere for families to meet firefighters in a casual setting, explore fire trucks up close, and celebrate the season.

PERSONNEL

NEW HIRES

Baker, C. Bayer, J. Burroughs, C. Bartlebaugh, C. Booth, J.

Creasy, B. Duell, L.

Glidden, K. Donner, J. Erickson, A.

Goode, T. Johnson, J. Johnston, S. Heck, E. Johnson, T.

McBurney, D. McGregor, S. McDonald, D.

Middleton, S.

Mitchell, T.

Moore, T. Morris, L.

Monroe, J. Moran, D. Morse, M.

Newton, D. Reed, K.

Nanartowich, J. Poullath, C. Thurman, C.

White, F. Zimbardi, C. Tuck, E. White, J.

Hope Escobar Laura Schmidt

PROMOTIONS

While a handful of promotions in 2023 occurred throughout the year, June saw a historic event for the department. In a single ceremony, an astounding 27 personnel were promoted, marking the largest number of promotions at one time in Roanoke Fire-EMS history. This milestone event saw 27 personnel promoted to the ranks of Lieutenant, 1st

and