Botetourt County making emergency communication system improvements

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – On Monday afternoon, the Botetourt County Supervisors voted to approve the relocation of two radio towers that are part of its emergency communications system.

It’s part of a larger emergency communications system overhaul. The county is also building two new radio towers, a new 911 dispatch center, and upgrading its radio system technology. The county said these changes will give first responders the tools they need to keep up with the county’s rapid growth.

“It’s not only growth for what we need for today, but we’re also planning for 20 years down the road for growth. As the county needs it, we’ll have that space available for it in the future,” said Botetourt County Emergency Communications System Manager Matthew Hinckle. “As the need arises, they will have the ability to grow with that need without having to move to a new facility.”

Construction is underway to expand the Read Mountain Fire Station, adding a new 911 dispatch center on the second level. The new facility will be three times the size of the current dispatch center in Fincastle, which has become cramped and outdated. This will allow the county to double its staff there from four to eight dispatcher positions.

The county is also making upgrades to its radio system that will greatly improve its coverage across the entire county.

“That will allow the first responders to have that lifeline of connectivity back to dispatch and to their fellow first responders in some of the parts of the county that they have not had ever. So it will be a huge improvement, especially in some of the outlying areas, Oriskany, Iron Gate, and Arcadia,” said Hinckle.

Another part of the upgraded radio system will be a new digital fire station alerting system that Hinckle said will shave 30 to 45 seconds off every dispatch call.

“It doesn’t sound like much at 30 seconds, but when you’re responding protecting life and property, 30 seconds can be the difference between life and death. So it will be a dramatic improvement for the first responders,” he said.

Other improvements include a new paging system for fire-EMS crews and improved coverage for portable radios used by first responders.

“Many times when we respond on the Appalachian Trail or in other areas of the county where we are assisting hikers or folks who get hurt out there, we don’t have radio coverage for our portable radios. This new system, with what we’re putting in place, will allow those first responders to have that portable radio coverage where they won’t have to run back to their vehicle to talk to dispatch. They’ll be able to do it as needed while they’re helping those individuals they’ve been dispatched out to help with,” said Hinckle.

Hinckle said the improvements will mean better service and improved safety for county residents and visitors.

The new radio system will be tested in the summer and launched at the beginning of 2027.

New living quarters and a radio shop will also be built at the Read Mountain fire station as part of the 911 dispatch center project. That project costs just under $12 million. One of the two new radio towers will also be built right across the street from it.

The radio shop is expected to be finished in the summer, and work on the new 911 center should be complete by late 2026.

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