Operating Budget 2025-2026

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

NARRATIVE

The Blacksburg Fire Department’s mission is to protect life, environment, and property in the Town of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech, and the area of Montgomery County surrounding the Town. We strive to provide such services as public fire education, inspections, fire prevention, fire suppression, and hazardous materials containment. FY 2024-2025 ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Worked with a consultant to address staffing levels and ensure National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards are met, and explored options to lower the Fire Department’s ISO rating. • Hosted Virginia Department of Fire Programs classes (e.g., Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, Basic Pump Operations, Driver Pump Operator, Fire Instructor I and II, and Fire Officer I and II). • Continued installing Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) in firefighting apparatus. FY 2025-2026 OBJECTIVES • Continue to increase volunteer membership to meet the needs of our growing community. • Continue working with a consultant to address staffing levels and ensure National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards are met, and exploring options to lower the Fire Department’s ISO rating. • Become active in the County’s newly formed Special Operations Team, to provide a higher level of technical rescue service to the community.

2023

2024 Actual

2025 Adopted

2025 Projected

2026 Proposed

FIRE DEPARTMENT Total Number of Incidents Number of Calls (Town) Number of Calls (County) Number of Calls (Virginia Tech) Number of Calls (Outside Area) Number of Calls (Mutual Aid) Estimated Losses (Town) Estimated Losses (County) Estimated Losses (Virginia Tech)

Actual

1,418

1,481

1,500

1,500

1,550

663/46% 222/15% 505/35%

699/47% 238/16% 527/35%

51% 15% 33% <1%

51% 15% 33% <1%

51% 15% 33% <1%

2/1%

<1%

26/2%

17/1%

1%

1%

1%

$315,100 $18,500

$306,100 $159,311

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -

$4,000

$5,500

Total Estimated Losses

$337,600

$470,911

Overall Average Response Time (In Minutes)

5.33

5.36

5.45

5.45

5.45

Note: Data is on a calendar year basis, not fiscal year.

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