Virginia Fire Department Ignites Massive Donation Effort for Hard-Hit Tennessee Town

Squad TruckPhoto byLuray Fire Department - Luray, Virginia

PAGE COUNTY, Va. – A local fire department's donation to a hard-hit area of Tennessee prompted a county-wide effort to help victims of Hurricane Helene.

On September 26, Helene made landfall in Florida, as a Category 4 hurricane. The next day, as it moved north across Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, it had been downgraded to a tropical storm, but still brought with it flash flooding, mudslides and massive destruction.

Many were left without water, power or even shelter. Hundreds were injured. According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation website, many roadways remain closed due to extensive damage. Many residents still remain unaccounted. Critical response and recovery efforts continue across the state.

As donations for the hardest hit areas began to pour in from across the country, members of a Virginia volunteer fire department realized they had the opportunity to make a difference for a community almost 300 miles away.

In March of 2024, Page County encountered some of the worst wildfires in recent history. As emergency personnel fought to keep homes and individuals safe, community members rallied to provide their support via donations of food, time, equipment and money. The community’s help, especially when it was needed the most, is not something forgotten by the LFD.

In an early October Facebook post, the LFD posted the following statement:

In March of 2024, our community poured out so many blessings upon us during the wildfires that devastated our community. We never dreamed that we would be so richly blessed. We as a department were overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity shown to us during those weeks.

What we experienced here pales in comparison to the heart-breaking devastation in North Carolina and east Tennessee. We were all wondering what could we do from here? What resources do they need? How can we help the first responders there?

A few weeks ago, our Heavy Squad [truck] was taken out of service and placed on GovDeals to be auctioned, and replaced by our new Rescue Engine.

To our surprise, the older truck garnered no bids. When the hurricane hit, we were in the midst of making other arrangements to sell it, but it never came to fruition.

At the regular monthly meeting, the membership of the Luray Fire Department voted unanimously to donate the Heavy Squad to Butler, Tennessee.

They have lost everything. Their station, their trucks, and their equipment.

The truck will likely leave next week and will hopefully be able to help Butler Fire Department get back on their feet. As much as we have been richly blessed, now it is our turn to bless others.

Not long after the LFD post, the Stanley Fire Department (a second volunteer company in the county of Page) joined in on the spirit of giving, and posted this statement on their official Facebook page:

In conjunction with the Luray Fire Department, we are sending eight used SCBA’s (self-contained breathing apparatus units), eight spare bottles, 10 sets of turnout gear, two RIT packs (emergency air supply systems), Dewalt power tool set, pop up traffic cones, hand tools, chain saw, and containers of gasoline with Luray’s former Squad 1 to be sent south for hurricane relief.

Continue to pray for these communities who have lost everything. We are happy to give back to our fellow brothers and sisters.

Photo byStanley Volunteer Fire Department - Stanley, Virginia

The next day, a fire department from a third Page County town, Shenandoah, posted this message on their official Facebook page:

In conjunction with the Luray Volunteer Fire Department and Stanley Volunteer Fire Departments, we were able to donate used equipment to a volunteer fire department in Tennessee who lost everything they owned during the catastrophic flooding from hurricane Helene.

The Shenandoah Volunteer Fire Department donated six sets of bunker gear, two gas powered ventilation fans, EMS equipment, hand tools, fire extinguishers and scene lights.

We are blessed to provide this equipment and be there for our brothers and sisters as they continue daily to search for survivors and recover lost victims from this disaster. Please keep the families, responders and all involved in this catastrophic event in your prayers.

Photo byShenandoah Volunteer Fire Department - Shenandoah, Virginia

Since then, the Luray Volunteer Rescue Squad has also donated several items for Tennessee rescue and clean up efforts, including jump bags, helmets, extrication gear, backboards, reeve sleeves (designed for rapid immobilization of spinal and neck injuries in tight places), a KED device (used in extrication of victims of traffic collisions from motor vehicles), traffic cones, meals and water.

Members of the Stanley Volunteer Rescue Squad donated 12 assorted EMS bags, a KED and a pediatric immobilizer to Tennessee fire and rescue agencies.

Other nearby agencies also joined in on the donation efforts.

On the morning of October 9, the Luray Fire Department posted this message:

Squad 1 will be leaving our station today, and thanks to the following volunteer agencies, she’s packed full of equipment that can be used for firefighting, EMS, and extrication.

Luray Fire Department, Stanley Fire Department, Shenandoah Fire Department, Woodstock Fire Department, Capon Springs, WVa Fire Department, Clifton Forge Rescue Squad, Sharon Fire Department, Luray Rescue Squad, and the Stanley Rescue Squad.

We would like to thank Apparatus Solutions of Brandy Station, Virginia, for spearheading this effort and will be arranging transport to Tennessee.

Photo byStanley Volunteer Rescue Squad - Stanley, Virginia

A same-day post by the Stanley Rescue Squad best summed up the recent efforts by Page County emergency personnel in the face of Hurricane Helene tragedies:

We are grateful to see our volunteer community come together to support other agencies in need. This collaboration demonstrates our deep commitment not only to our local communities but also to assisting those far beyond our borders.

There is truly no feeling comparable to the fulfillment that comes from volunteering.