Marty Gordon
[email protected]
The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors has approved a tax reduction on personal property for volunteer fire and rescue personnel.
The vote was unanimous by supervisors this past week.
Under the change, the personal property tax rate for eligible volunteers will drop to $1.00 per $100 of assessed value. To qualify for the reduced rate, volunteers must have at least 200 hours worked. Already, 64 volunteers have applied for the reduced rate.
Meanwhile, the county’s fire and rescue commission has requested several equipment replacements for the upcoming year. The total amount of $1.8 million would replace a tanker and brush truck for the Riner Fire Department, replace a command vehicle for Riner Rescue and purchase a new ambulance for the Christiansburg Rescue Department.
All of this is coming in after the county and two towns, Blacksburg and Christiansburg, received a fire study that examined the future needs for the area.
During last week’s regularly scheduled meeting, supervisors also honored four sheriff’s deputies for their courageous effort during a fire in Christiansburg.
Presentation of Lifesaving Awards were made to Deputy Brittany Harless, Deputy Matthew Donnelly, Sergeant John Blankenship and Captain Casey Phillips.
On March 25, deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office assisted Fire/EMS personnel and the Christiansburg Police Department during a structure fire at the Linden Green Apartments in Christiansburg. Upon arrival, visible flames had already engulfed the lower portion of the building. Despite intense heat, heavy smoke, limited visibility, and extremely hazardous conditions, first responders immediately went to work, placing the safety of others above their own.
Among the first law enforcement officers on scene, Deputy B. Harless, Deputy Donnelly, Sgt. Blankenship, and Capt. Phillips, alongside officers from the Christiansburg Police Department, began evacuating residents from the burning structure. Braving dangerous conditions, they formed a line along the stairwell and assisted numerous residents, including young children, to safety before conditions worsened.
The award says: “Through their courage, selflessness, and decisive actions, these officers and deputies helped save multiple lives while placing themselves at significant personal risk. Their dedication to duty and commitment to protecting the citizens of Montgomery County exemplify the highest traditions of public service and bring great credit upon themselves, their agencies, and the communities they serve.”
In other news, Montgomery County has received two Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) and one from the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo). These awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for citizens and enhance community resilience. Both NACo and VACo recognized Montgomery County for the “Coordinated Crisis Response: Montgomery County’s Hurricane Helene Boil Water Advisory Management.”In addition, NACo recognized the County for its “MCPS Teen First Responders Academy: Building the Next Generation of First Responders.”Below is an overview of the two programs for which Montgomery County received recognition. Coordinated Crisis Response: Montgomery County’s Hurricane Helene Boil Water Advisory Management
Following Hurricane Helene in September 2024, severe sediment in the New River compromised regional water treatment operations, resulting in a boil water advisory affecting approximately 100,000 residents—including the Towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, Virginia Tech, hospitals, and K–12 schools.In response, Montgomery County rapidly established a multiagency Water Task Force to coordinate operations and communications across jurisdictions. The task force included local governments, state agencies, healthcare providers, utilities, and public information officers.
A unified communications strategy ensured consistent public messaging. This coordinated effort protected public health, minimized misinformation, and maintained community trust during a critical public safety event.MCPS Teen First Responders Academy: Building the Next Generation of First Responders
To address a growing need for fire and emergency medical services personnel—especially volunteers—Montgomery County Fire and EMS partnered with Montgomery County Public Schools to launch the MCPS Teen First Responders Academy in fall 2025.Through hands-on sessions led by experienced Fire and EMS professionals, students gain insight into the responsibilities, skills, and teamwork required of first responders. The program represents a strong collaboration between public safety and education and helps develop the next generation of EMS and fire service personnel.
