Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Promotes Ten Officers

Ten newly promoted officers of Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department in front of Roanoke County Public Safety Center. (l-r) Battalion Chief B. Simmons, Battalion Chief M. Unroe, Captain J. Patterson, Captain M. Roth, Captain M. Zaronsky, Lt. C. Ferris, Lt. J. Richardson, Lt. G. Smith, Lt. G. Tuck, Lt. R. Williams.
Ten newly promoted officers of Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department in front of Roanoke County Public Safety Center. (l-r) Battalion Chief B. Simmons, Battalion Chief M. Unroe, Captain J. Patterson, Captain M. Roth, Captain M. Zaronsky, Lt. C. Ferris, Lt. J. Richardson, Lt. G Smith, Lt. G. Tuck, Lt. R. Williams.

Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department held a Promotion Ceremony on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at 4 p.m. to promote ten personnel to officer ranks. Members of the Roanoke County Administration, Chief Richard E. Burch, Jr., department personnel, and family members were in attendance to witness and participate in the official pinning of two battalion chiefs, three captains and five lieutenants. The officers then recited the Department’s officer oath.

Fire Marshal Brian Simmons was hired in 2004 as a part-time inspector with Roanoke County Fire & Rescue. In 2005, he was offered a full-time inspector position with the Fire Marshal’s Office and then became a deputy fire marshal in 2006. Brian had previously served as a volunteer firefighter with the County’s Hollins Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company. He holds the following advanced certifications: Firefighting and Prevention certificate from VWCC, NFPA 1031-Inspector, NFPA 1033- Investigator, Law Enforcement for Fire Marshals, CFFI Module III, Environmental Crimes Investigations, Public Fire and Life Safety Educator Level 1, Juvenile Fire Setter Level 1, Fire Instructor II, Firefighter I/II Train the Trainer, NFPA 1403 Awareness, and Fire Officer II. Brian is the current president of the Southwest Virginia Fire Investigators Association. He lives in Bonsack with his wife and two children.

Battalion Chief Mike Unroe was hired by the Department in 1986 as one of the first six career (paid) paramedic firefighters hired after the Department combined fire and rescue services into one organization. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 1995 and then to captain in 2000. During his twenty-seven years with the Department, Mike has been assigned to the Cave Spring, Hollins, Clearbrook, Bent Mountain, Fort Lewis and Masons Cove stations. He lives in Botetourt County with his wife Patty and two children—son, Phillip, who is 22 years old and a daughter, Morgan, who is 17.

Captain Jason D. Patterson was hired by Roanoke County Fire & Rescue in 2001 as a paramedic firefighter. Previously, Jason volunteered with the Falling Spring Rescue Squad in Alleghany County. In 2009, Jason was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. During his thirteen years, he has been assigned to the Vinton, Hollins, Mount Pleasant, Clearbrook and Masons Cove stations. Jason serves on the Wildland Firefighter Team, the Quality Assurance Committee and the High-Rise Committee. Jason lives in Franklin County with his wife Laurie and two children—a daughter, Emily, who is 6 years old and a son, Jacob, who is 2 .

Captain Michael Roth was hired by the Department in 2003 as a firefighter EMT. In 2007, he earned his paramedic certification and in 2009 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. During his eleven years with the Department, Michael has been assigned to the Masons Cove and North County stations. He is a certified Scott SCBA technician, a Ferno stretcher technician, a wildland firefighter squad boss and a 2014 graduate of Virginia Fire Officer Academy. Michael lives in the Masons Cove community with his wife Christy and two daughters—Madison, who is 15 years old and Monica, who is 12. In his spare time, Michael is also head coach of the Northside High School Cross Country Team.

Captain Michael Zaronsky was hired by Roanoke County Fire & Rescue in 2001 as a paramedic firefighter. He previously volunteered with the Shawsville Rescue Squad. In 2010, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. During his thirteen years with the Department, he has been assigned to the North County, Vinton, Hollins, Mount Pleasant, Bent Mountain, Fort Lewis and Back Creek stations. Michael is a National Registry Paramedic and has an Associate’s Degree in Emergency Health Sciences. He currently serves on the Safety and Health Committee and has previously served on the Recruitment and Ambulance committees. Michael lives in the Glenvar with his family.

Lieutenant Chris Ferris was hired in 2005 by Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department after having served eight years with the United States Marine Corps. Along with his Paramedic and Firefighter certifications, Chris holds certifications in Fire Officer 1, Fire Instructor 1, and Fire Inspector 1 & 2. During his nine years with the Department, Chris has been assigned to the Hollins, Clearbrook, Fort Lewis, Masons Cove and Back Creek stations. He serves on the CFRD Career Recruitment Committee. Chris lives in Salem with his wife Amber and two children—a son, Chase, who is 12 years old, and a daughter, Grace, who is 11. Chris also coaches soccer and basketball for Salem Parks and Recreation.

Lieutenant John Richardson was hired by Roanoke County Fire & Rescue in 2008 as a firefighter EMT. John already had eighteen years of firefighter EMT experience as a volunteer with the Evergreen Fire and Rescue Department in Prince William County and the Stewartsville-Chamblissburg Fire Department in Bedford County. In 2011, John earned his EMT-Intermediate certification. John also holds certifications in Fire Instructor 3 and Fire Officer 2. He has served on the Apparatus Committee, Foam Committee, HTR Team and Wildland Firefighter Team. During his six years with the Department, John has been assigned to the North County, Hollins, Bent Mountain, Fort Lewis and Back Creek stations. He lives in Goodview with his wife Stephanie.

Lieutenant Grey Smith was hired by the Department in 2007 as a paramedic firefighter. He previously served as a volunteer with the County’s Hollins Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company for nearly four years. During his seven years with the Department, he has been assigned to the Cave Spring, Hollins and Masons Cove stations. Grey is a certified Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) Instructor. He currently serves a Field Training Officer and has served on the Quality Assurance and EKG Monitor committees. Grey lives in Roanoke City with his wife Megan and son, Jaxon, who is 19 months old.

Lieutenant Geoff Tuck was hired by the Roanoke County Fire & Rescue in 2008 as a paramedic firefighter. Previously, Geoff served as a volunteer firefighter with the Moneta Fire Department in Bedford. During his six years with the Department, he has been assigned to the Hollins, Mount Pleasant Clearbrook, Fort Lewis and Back Creek stations. Geoff holds advanced certifications in Fire Instructor 2, Fire Officer 1, and is a structural collapse technician. He also serves on the Department’s Division 6 Regional Heavy Technical Rescue Team and the Mayday Committee. Geoff lives in Moneta with his wife Elisabeth and two children—a son, Easton, who is 3 years old, and a daughter, Kinsley, who is 8 months.

Lieutenant Richie Williams was hired by the Department in 2001 as a paramedic firefighter. During his thirteen years with the Department, Richie has been assigned to the Vinton, Cave Spring, Catawba, Hollins, Bent Mountain, Masons Cove and Back Creek stations. He lives in Buchanan with his wife Amy and two children—a son, Devin, who is 14 years old, and a daughter, Avery, who is 7. Richie also has a daughter, Alexis, who is 21 and attending college.

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