Category: Uncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Valley Fire & Rescue – Mason County, West Virginia
February 23, 2026

Valley Fire & Rescue Drone Task Force Locates Missing Teens During Multi‑Agency Search

Glenwood, WV — On the evening of February 21, 2026, Valley Fire & Rescue’s Drone Task Force successfully located two missing juveniles during a multi‑agency search in a remote off‑road area near Guyan Creek Road on the Mason/Cabell County line.

The incident began at 8:48 p.m. when Valley Fire & Rescue was dispatched to Whitten Ridge Road near the Kanawha Trace Trail for two teens reported missing while riding a side‑by‑side. Responders were later redirected to the Guyan Creek Road and Gwinn Road area, a location known locally for off‑road riding.

Valley Fire & Rescue deployed Drone 2, Rescue 23, and Chief 201, launching a DJI M30 drone at approximately 10:00 p.m. to begin aerial search operations. Using the drone’s thermal imaging system, the team identified a heat signature and confirmed the missing riders’ location at approximately 10:10 p.m. The teens had become lost, and while trying to find their way out, high water flooded their side‑by‑side, leaving them unable to navigate out of the area.

After obtaining precise GPS coordinates, the M30 guided ground crews from Milton Volunteer Fire Department, who approached from the Cabell County side. Ohio River Road Volunteer Fire Department, was also assisting on the Cabell County Side. Valley Fire & Rescue then deployed its DJI M4T drone equipped with a spotlight to signal the subjects and assist ground personnel with navigation in the rugged terrain. Both drones maintained aerial overwatch until rescuers reached the teens.

Throughout the search, Valley Fire & Rescue provided real‑time video feeds to Milton VFD crews using the department’s apparatus‑mounted display, ensuring all responders had the same aerial view and situational awareness.

The juveniles were uninjured and were brought safely out of the area, where family members were waiting.

Agencies involved in the search included:

• Milton Volunteer Fire Department
• Ohio River Road Volunteer Fire Department
• Cabell County EMS
• Cabell County Emergency Management
• Valley Fire & Rescue Drone Task Force

This marks the first confirmed locate by the Valley Fire & Rescue Drone Task Force since its establishment in August of 2025, underscoring the value of aerial search technology in rural and hard‑to‑access areas.

“We’re grateful for the coordinated response from all agencies involved,” said Valley Fire & Rescue. “Rapid deployment of thermal imaging, aerial overwatch, and real‑time intelligence helped bring this incident to a safe conclusion.”

The Valley Fire & Rescue Drone Task Force continues to support regional public safety agencies with aerial search capabilities, thermal imaging, and situational intelligence to enhance responder safety and improve outcomes during emergency operations.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Valley Fire & Rescue has announced the launch of a multi-year Public Trust & Transparency Rebuild Plan to strengthen accountability and open communication with the community. 

The plan, led by Chief Adkins, reestablishes public access to departmental meeting minutes, policies, and reports through a new online transparency archive, along with an annual public accountability report and new community engagement initiatives. 

“Our department belongs to the people we serve,” said Chief Adkins. “Transparency is not optional — it’s essential. This plan ensures that every resident, donor, and partner agency can see exactly how we operate, what decisions we make, and how we continue to earn their trust.” 

The new transparency archive will be available on the department’s website in the coming weeks, providing easy access to meeting records and public reports. Additional initiatives include the creation of an oversight committee and regular public updates on progress and performance. 

Chief Adkins emphasized that the plan reflects a renewed commitment to integrity and openness: 

“We’re not looking backward — we’re building forward. This is about setting a lasting standard for accountability and trust.” 

Community members can follow updates at ValleyVFD.com/transparency or on Facebook at facebook.com/station2valleyvfd 

Valley Fire & Rescue has been awarded a $10,000 grant from State Farm and National Volunteer Fire Council to help us purchase a training drone and drone operator training! This support helps us protect our community and keep our firefighters safe.

This valuable grant will allow us to fund FAA Part 107 drone operator training, NIST drone operator training, and a low-cost training drone for the first Drone Task Force in Mason County. Our Drone Task Force covers areas within one and a half hours of our station covering an estimated 800,000 people.

“Our firefighters are dedicated to answering the call, no matter the hour or circumstance, this drone training will give them another way to help our community and areas surrounding our community” said Chief Zachary Adkins. “Ensuring they have the right equipment and tools is essential to keeping them safe and effective on the job. This generous support from State Farm and the National Volunteer Fire Council will help us better protect both our responders and our community.”

For more information on our drone program, to make a contribution to growing our program, or to schedule a demonstration, please contact Chief Adkins.

For the Official Press Release: