Click to Enlarge

The building, which is officially named the Eastern Montgomery County Public Safety Building, is located on Enterprise Drive at the Intersection of Route 460/11.

The station cost approximately 1.66 million and is 16,000 sq. ft. The new building has six bays, two deep, a meeting room, dining room, dispatch center, bunk rooms, offices, lounge, Dirty room and a room for turnout gear storage to prevent sun light from deteriorating the material. The garage is heated by natural and Boiler heated water lines in the floor with zoned controls.

 
Elliston Volunteer Fire Department covers 88 square miles, including six miles of Interstate 81 and approximately ten miles of US 11/460. The department responds to approximately 300 calls a year.

The original station was built in 1957.

The activities started off with a parade bringing all of the fire vehicles from the old building, about two miles away, to its new building.

Following the flag rising by VFW Post 4920, several speakers commented about the new building and the efforts it took to get it completed.

Those speaking included Montgomery County Board of Supervisor’s Chairwoman Annette Perkins; Montgomery County Board of Supervisor member Gary Creed, who represents the Elliston/Shawsville area; W.R. Bill Long, Virginia State Senator Ralph Smith, Delegate Dave Nutter, former Virginia Senator Madison Marye; and Montgomery County Board of Supervisor member Mary Biggs.

Click to Enlarge

Marye read letters that were sent to the members of the Elliston Volunteer Fire Department by Governor Tim Kaine, Congressman Rick Boucher and former governor and U.S. Senate hopeful Mark Warner.

“Volunteering is the most noble thing a person can do,” said Creed.

Delegate Dave Nutter and Virginia Senator Ralph Smith both presented Resolutions to the fire department.

About 50 citizens, including fire fighters from Covington, Riner, Christiansburg and Roanoke County attended the event.

In addition to tours of the new firehouse and the equipment, various other organizations including the American Red Cross, Christiansburg Fire Department Fire Safety Trailer, Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Forestry, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Carilion LifeGuard 11, Shawsville Rescue Squad, Northfolk/Southern Railroad and ProCom were on hand to inform the public about their services.

“This is a very emotional day for me,“ said Elliston Fire Chief Malvin “Pug” Wells. “This project has been 15 years in the making and it means a lot to me, our department and to the entire community.”

Click here to see additional photos from today’s event in our photo gallery.

Photos: (Top left) Members of the Elliston Volunteer Fire Department pose for a group picture. (Right) The old building was built in 1957. (Photos by David Grimes)

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Name

Email

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment