Valley Fire & Rescue
As 2025 comes to a close, Valley Fire & Rescue would like to take a moment to reflect on a year defined by service, training, and commitment. Behind every call answered and every hour logged is a volunteer willing to step away from work, family time, sleep, and comfort to serve our community, and this year clearly demonstrated the dedication of our members and the strength of community support behind them.
A Year of Emergency Response Across Our Community
Throughout 2025, Valley Fire & Rescue volunteers responded to 188 total alarms across our 118‑square‑mile response area, including operations supporting West Virginia’s largest investment. These responses spanned a wide range of emergencies and required readiness at all hours of the day and night.
2025 Calls for Service
- 19 structure fires
- 21 other fire‑related incidents
- 54 motor vehicle accidents
- 15 EMS assists
- 63 additional calls for service
March was our busiest month, with 29 calls. When the tones dropped, our volunteers responded—logging a total of 897 individual responses throughout the year.
- Average responders per call: 4.7
- Average response time: 15 minutes, 10 seconds
On emergency incidents alone, members spent over 1,100 hours actively responding, not counting the significant additional time dedicated to training, meetings, maintenance, and community engagement. One member responded to 73% of all calls in 2025, a powerful example of the reliability and sacrifice that defines the volunteer fire service.
Commitment Behind the Scenes: Training in 2025
While the community often sees the lights and sirens, much of the work happens long before a call ever comes in. In 2025, Valley Fire & Rescue members completed more than 1,200 hours of training to ensure they are prepared when it matters most.
This training included:
- 125+ hours of leadership and professional development
- 260 hours of rope rescue training
- 70+ hours of driver training
- 60+ hours of auto extrication training
Members also earned and maintained critical certifications, including:
- IFSAC Firefighter I
- NFPA Firefighter II
- Incident Safety Officer
- FAA Part 107 Drone Operator
- Rope Rescue Operations & Technician
- Auto Extrication Operations & Technician
- Confined Space Operations & Technician
In addition to external and specialized courses, the department continues to prioritize in‑house training, meeting two to three times per month. These hands‑on sessions focus on realistic scenarios, consistency, teamwork, and ensuring every member goes home safely after each call.
Training never stops—because our community deserves responders who are prepared, capable, and committed.
Volunteer Service & Community Impact
In total, Valley Fire & Rescue volunteers donated over 10,000 hours of their time in 2025 responding to emergencies, training, maintaining equipment, and supporting community initiatives. Using the West Virginia volunteer value hourly rate, that equates to more than $291,000 in value returned directly to the community.
Beyond emergency response, our members proudly participated in over 10 community events throughout the year, including:
- Our Open House
- Fire Prevention Week activities
- Trunk or Treat
- Point Pleasant Block Party
- Hannan and Ashton Open House events
- Several additional community outreach opportunities
These events allow us to connect with residents, educate families, and strengthen the relationships that make our community safer and more resilient.
More Than a Set of Numbers
Every statistic in this report represents a volunteer leaving dinner, family time, work, or sleep to answer the call—often in poor weather, late at night, and under challenging conditions. The numbers tell part of the story, but the real impact is the dedication, teamwork, and pride our members bring to serving their neighbors.
Answering the Call
Valley Fire & Rescue is proud of the commitment shown by our members in 2025—and as our community continues to grow, so does the need for dedicated volunteers willing to serve.
You don’t need prior experience to get started. What matters most is reliability, a willingness to learn, and a desire to give back. We provide training, equipment, and the support needed to help volunteers succeed in this rewarding role.
If you’ve ever considered serving your community, supporting your neighbors during their worst days, or being part of a close‑knit team committed to something bigger than itself, we invite you to learn more about volunteering with Valley Fire & Rescue.
Looking Ahead to 2026
None of this would be possible without dedicated volunteers willing to serve and a community that continues to support them. We are proud of what was accomplished in 2025 and grateful for the trust placed in Valley Fire & Rescue.
As we move into 2026, our focus remains the same: readiness, training, and service—continuing the mission with professionalism, commitment, and pride.