Saturday, November 7, 2026

Valley Fire & Rescue is excited to host the 3rd Annual Chili Cook‑Off on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at our station in Apple Grove, WV. This community favorite has quickly become one of our most successful annual fundraisers, bringing together local businesses, organizations, and residents in support of community safety.

After two strong years of growth, we’re looking forward to making the third year our biggest and best yet.

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About the Chili Cook‑Off

The Valley Fire & Rescue Chili Cook‑Off is a judged chili competition and community fundraiser supporting the operations, training, and safety initiatives of our 100% volunteer fire department.

Local teams compete for top honors while attendees enjoy great food, friendly competition, and a family‑friendly atmosphere. Proceeds from the event help support department operations, responder safety initiatives, and programs that allow us to continue providing quality emergency services to southern Mason County.

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Past Success

Thanks to the incredible support of our community and local businesses, our Chili Cook‑Off has continued to grow each year:

• 1st Annual Chili Cook‑Off (2024): Success Report
  12 teams participated, raising over $5,700 in community support.
• 2nd Annual Chili Cook‑Off (2025): Success Report
  13 teams participated, raising more than $7,600, helping support department initiatives including member programs, community outreach, safety initiatives, and the launch of new operational capabilities.

These events would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, cooking teams, sponsors, and the community members who attend and support each year.

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2026 Event Details

• 📅 Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
• 📍 Location: Valley Fire & Rescue
  28409 Huntington Road, Apple Grove, WV
• 🍲 Event Type: Judged Chili Competition & Community Fundraiser
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family‑Friendly Event

More details regarding event schedule, judging times, and activities will be shared closer to the event date.

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Enter a Team

Think you have the best chili around? We invite businesses, organizations, fire departments, families, and community groups to compete.

• Team Entry Fee: $50
• Teams compete for Judges Choice awards, People’s Choice award, and Battle of the Businesses recognition
• Friendly competition in a fun, community‑focused environment

To register your team, click here.

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Sponsorship Opportunities

Local business support plays a vital role in making this event possible. Sponsorships help offset event costs, allowing raised funds to go directly toward department needs.

We offer multiple sponsorship levels designed to provide meaningful recognition while supporting Valley Fire & Rescue. For details on becoming a sponsor, please review our sponsorship information or contact us directly.

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Why Your Support Matters

Valley Fire & Rescue is a 100% volunteer organization serving southern Mason County since 1973. Events like the Chili Cook‑Off allow us to:

• Support department operations and responder safety initiatives
• Enhance training and operational readiness
• Expand community outreach programs
• Invest in equipment, technology, and resources as needs arise

Your participation directly supports the men and women who serve this community.

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Get Involved

Whether you’re interested in entering a team, becoming a sponsor, or simply attending and enjoying the event, we invite you to be part of this growing tradition.

For more information, please contact:

Chief Zachary Adkins

Valley Fire & Rescue is proud to announce that we have been officially recognized as a Weather‑Ready Nation (WRN) Ambassador by the National Weather Service. This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to building a safer, more informed, and more resilient community here in Mason County.

As a WRN Ambassador, our department works closely with the NWS to promote timely, accurate weather information and empower the public to make safe decisions during severe weather. In a county that regularly experiences thunderstorms, flooding, winter weather, and high‑wind events, staying informed isn’t just helpful — it saves lives.

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Why This Matters for Mason County

Living in a rural area with limited cell coverage and long travel distances means that advance warning and accurate local weather reports make all the difference. Our new WRN partnership strengthens the work we already do every day:

• Providing reliable storm information
• Supporting early warning efforts
• Preparing our residents to recognize and respond to dangerous weather

And now, we’re taking the next step.

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Free SKYWARN® Weather Spotter Class — April 20th, 6–8 PM

As part of our Weather‑Ready Nation commitment, Valley Fire & Rescue is hosting a free, in‑person SKYWARN® Weather Spotter Class taught by the National Weather Service in Charleston.

📅 Date: April 20, 2026
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Valley Fire & Rescue (28409 Huntington Rd. Apple Grove)
💲 Cost: Free and open to the public
👥 Who Should Attend: Anyone in the community with an interest in weather, emergency services, or helping keep neighbors safe

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What You’ll Learn

Participants will receive official NWS training in:

• Identifying severe storm structure
• Recognizing tornado development
• Spotting dangerous wind patterns
• Reporting hail, flooding, and storm damage
• Understanding Mason County’s unique weather risks

This training equips residents to become trained SKYWARN® spotters, helping provide real‑time information to the NWS and local emergency services. Accurate spotter reports enhance warnings, improve forecasting, and help emergency responders make safer decisions.

Attending this class is a direct way to support your community — and it builds on the work we’re doing as a newly recognized WRN Ambassador.

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Join Us and Help Strengthen Our Community’s Weather Preparedness

We encourage residents, local partners, emergency responders, and weather‑interested community members to attend. The more trained eyes we have on the ground during severe weather, the stronger and safer our county becomes.

Valley Fire & Rescue is committed to readiness, resilience, and transparency — and we’re excited to take this next step with you.

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: