911 Center Open House, Budget Update, Firefighter Graduation

County of Roanoke, Virginia

April 2010

RoCo Register is a monthly publication of Roanoke County's Office of Public Information and is designed to deliver news about Roanoke County straight to your desktop. Complete information can be found on the County's Web site or, if you'd prefer, sign up as a fan on Facebook or to follow us on Twitter. Of course there's always the phone, 772.2010, or e-mail. We're happy to hear from you!

911 Center Hosts Open House April 17

RoCo Dispatcher

In recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, Roanoke County is having an open house at the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) on Saturday, April 17 from noon to 3 p.m.

The Emergency Communications Center, Roanoke County's 9-1-1 center, is a first responder that works with emergency medical service, fire, and law enforcement to save lives, protect property, and combat crime by providing cross-agency communication and public education. The ECC answers about 230,000 calls a year and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. It is one of only 63 public safety communications centers nationwide with this distinction. Furthermore, all ECC personnel are certified in CPR and have their Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification by the time they finish their extensive initial training program. EMD enables a Communications Officer to assist citizens over the phone with medical instructions until a first responder arrives on scene. This certification saves lives.

The second week of April each year is dedicated nationally to the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicators. This recognition was formally established by the U.S. Congress in H.J. Res. 284 in October 1991. The first Presidential Proclamation was by George H.W. Bush on March 18, 1992. This year, public safety telecommunicators will be recognized nationally April 11-17.

The ECC is located in the Public Safety Center at 5925 Cove Road in Roanoke. For more information, call 562.3265.

Circuit Court Judge Asks for Citizen Input

A Roanoke County Circuit Court Judge is asking for citizen input regarding the dissolution and disbursement of the remaining assets of the Clearbrook First Aid and Rescue Squad, Inc. The volunteer organization is no longer operational; thus, its assets must be disbursed by the court.

The Clearbrook First Aid and Rescue Squad, Inc. has approximately $79,000 in remaining assets. The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors has petitioned the court for the funds. The County would like to use the money to purchase valuable first aid and lifesaving equipment to benefit the Clearbrook community. Fire and rescue service in Clearbrook is currently provided by personnel paid by the County.

Before making a final decision on the disbursement of funds, Circuit Court Judge James Swanson would like citizen input. Judge Swanson will hear the County's request and make a decision on how the funds will be distributed on April 13, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. If the public has comments on the proposed use of the funds or has other suggestions for the money, the community is encouraged to let the court know. Citizens can deliver written comments in person or by postal mail to either person listed below by April 12, 2010:

Steven A. McGraw, Clerk of the Circuit Court, 305 E. Main Street, Salem, VA 24153, or
Paul M. Mahoney, Roanoke County Attorney, P.O. Box 29800, Roanoke, VA 24018. Mr. Mahoney may also be contacted by email by phone at 772-2007.

Supervisors to Hold Public Hearing on Roanoke Co. Budget April 27 at 7:00 p.m.

Roanoke County staff will present a proposed budget for fiscal year 2010-2011 to the Board of Supervisors on April 13. The information will be shared during a work session, which follows the 3:00 p.m. meeting. Citizens will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed budget when a public hearing is held on April 27 at 7:00 p.m. Board of Supervisors meetings are held at the Roanoke County Administration Center, 5204 Bernard Drive. Board meetings are held on the first floor; work sessions are held on the fourth floor.

Roanoke County staff has been presenting information to the Board of Supervisors for several months in preparation for adoption of the fiscal year 2010-2011 budget. The County launched a budget Web page in January to help keep citizens and employees up-to-date on the budget process. This information, including the budget planning calendar and documents presented to the Board, can be found on the Management and Budget Department Web page.

Roanoke Co. Employee Publishes Children's Book

Susan Decker (pen name Suzan Tyler Decker), a data analyst with Roanoke County Fire & Rescue, has published a children's book about recycling entitled Johnny Green and the Little Green Man.

One day, on his way home from school, this very ordinary boy, Johnny Green, runs into a little problem that soon becomes a very big problem. He thinks he can solve it, but can he when he is just a BOY? Readers can join Johnny for an unbelievable, eye-popping chain of events as Johnny tries to figure out what to do next.

Through this heartwarming story with charming illustrations by Julia Marie Floyd, Johnny Green and the Little Green Man imparts a message reminding us of the responsibility we all have in helping to help save our green earth. This book will entertain the young - and young at heart - and be remembered throughout life.

More information can be found on Susan Decker's Web site.

Roanoke County Wins State Economic Development Award

The Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) announced the selection of Roanoke County, Winchester-Frederick County, and Fairfax County as winners in two different population categories of the 2010 Community Economic Development Awards (CEDA). The awards were presented at the association's recent spring conference in Williamsburg.

Roanoke County was one of two nominees selected in Category Four with a population between 40,001 and 100,000 people. Nominated by Doug Chittum, Roanoke County's Director of Economic Development, the submitted project touched on all four categories of the CEDA award, incorporating Business Retention/Expansion, Community Development, Business Attraction, and Community Involvement. Roanoke County's featured project was the Green Ridge Recreation Center, a publicly owned and developed multi-generational facility designed to anchor a proposed new business park and serve the growing needs of the community and region. Not just another recreation center, this facility will serve as a catalyst for new economic development opportunities throughout the entire Roanoke Valley.

County Welcomes Visitors from Japan

Meeting with representatives from Shinshiro, Japan

Roanoke County hosted two visitors from Shinshiro City International Exchange Division in Shinshiro, Japan, March 17-20, as part of a haiku exchange between students in the Roanoke Valley and Shinshiro.

While here, Mr. Hiroya Matsumoto and Mr. Yoshiaki Kobayashi visited a social studies class at Hidden Valley High School; met with representatives from the three Japanese-owned corporations in the Roanoke Valley - TM GE Automation Systems (TMEIC) in Roanoke County, Yokohama Tire Corporation in Salem, and Dynax America Corporation in Botetourt County; toured the Roanoke Valley, including a tour of downtown Roanoke with Roanoke City Council Member Rupert Cutler; and enjoyed lunch with the individuals involved with the haiku exchange, specifically the Blue Ridge International Haiku Club and the Roanoke Valley Reading Council.

While here, Mr. Matsumoto and Mr. Kobayashi also discussed opportunities for a student exchange between the two countries.

In picture above (l-r) Roanoke County Administrator Clay Goodman and Board of Supervisors Chairman Joe "Butch" Church meet with Hiroya Matsumoto and Yoshiaki Kobayashi

Volunteer Fire Academy Graduates 16

The eighth Roanoke County Volunteer Fire Academy consisting of 16 graduates from Roanoke County concluded on March 10 with an official graduation ceremony at the Vinton War Memorial. Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Chief Richard E. Burch, Jr. and 10 Roanoke County Volunteer Fire Chiefs welcomed County officials and administration to attend this exciting event where each volunteer was pinned with their firefighter badge.

Sixteen individuals representing Roanoke County Fire & Rescue have spent more than 20 weeks and 200 hours receiving instruction and practical training in the areas of basic firefighting skills and hazardous material operations. The academy ended with a live-burn at the Roanoke Valley Regional Fire-EMS Training Center where recruits were able to test their practical skills. The academy participants and their stations include:

Keith Ball (Vinton)*
Hunter Bell (Hollins)
Greg Davies (Read Mountain)
Morgan Doyle (Cave Spring)
Zach Harrell (Cave Spring)
Walter "Krae" Heath (Mt. Pleasant)
Tracey Huffman (Cave Spring)
Matthew Jones(Read Mountain)
Aaron Kasey (Read Mountain)
Roy Ketchum, Jr. (Hollins)
Michael Lester, II (Back Creek)
Wesley Mullins (Fort Lewis)
Daniel Rogers, Jr. (Vinton)
Jonathan Shelton (Hollins)
Justin Smith (Hollins)
Jeremy Wimmer (Bent Mountain)

The Roanoke County Volunteer Fire Academy is offered each year starting in September and runs through February. The class is offered for all new Roanoke County fire volunteers who serve at one of the 10 volunteer fire companies throughout the County. If space is available, volunteers from other localities are permitted to participate for a small fee.

Anyone wanting more information about becoming a volunteer firefighter with Roanoke County should call Jennifer Conley Sexton at 777-8706.

*Received Firefighter II certification

Citizen Police Academy Resumes Sept 7

Roanoke County Police will host a Citizen Police Academy starting September 7. This popular program is 11 weeks long and meets every Tuesday night from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Center, 5925 Cove Road in Roanoke. The Citizen Police Academy (CPA) takes participants on an informative "tour" of the Roanoke County Police Department. This program consists of a different presenter each week representing a different part of the department. The topics will range from the academy to patrol procedures and even VICE operations. Citizens will have the opportunity to interact with and ask questions of Officers in all areas of the department. The CPA will also include a tour of the Roanoke County Jail as well as an opportunity to go to the firing range where the Officer will conduct firearms training. The eleven-week session will conclude with a graduation ceremony and dinner.

For more information, visit the Citizen Police Academy Web page.

Police Presentations on Safety, Other Issues

Officer Eric Orange Eric Orange, Roanoke County's Community Policing Coordinator, stays busy addressing schools and community groups about safety and other issues but welcomes the opportunity to address your school or community group.