Bland County Volunteer Fire Department

07/04/2026

We wish you a joyous day commemorating our nation's 250th anniversary on this Independence Day. Please celebrate responsibly.

06/29/2026

We cannot wait to celebrate with everyone!

06/26/2026

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones of Randy Jr. He made a lasting impact within the community and the department. We will always remember the Saturday morning work details that always seemed to result in a visit to W&W Napa, working along side you onscene, training nights in the lot and mostly, the conversations. Randy Jr, you were one of a kind and you will truly missed. We are grateful for all of your support throughout the years.

View Ira Randolph "Randy Jr." Winesett Jr's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/12/2026

We're celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week 2026! From the initial call till our safe return to the station, the 911 dispatchers at Bland County Sheriff's Office provide critical guidance during our most challenging moments. We extend our deepest gratitude to these dedicated professionals for their service.

03/31/2026

This post accurately represents the fire service throughout the nation. We are always looking for volunteers. If you are interested, please message the page.

We’re running out of people.

This isn’t a problem unique to one town or one firehouse. It’s happening everywhere.

Across our communities, the number of people willing and able to volunteer is shrinking. At the same time, the calls are not slowing down. If anything, they’re increasing. More emergencies. More need. Fewer people stepping forward to meet it.

Inside the firehouse, that reality is already here, and being felt in real ways.

The same names keep showing up. The same group of people answering calls again and again. The list isn’t getting longer. The workload isn’t getting lighter. The workforce isn't getting younger. We’re relying on neighboring departments to fill the gaps, and they’re relying on us to help them more than ever.

This isn’t about the future anymore. This is happening right now.

I won’t sugarcoat it. Joining a volunteer fire department isn't easy, and it takes time. The initial training is demanding. It will interrupt your routine. There will be nights when it’s inconvenient, when it would be easier to stay home, when you question whether you can keep up.

That part is real. But it’s also temporary.

What’s on the other side of that effort is something most people will never experience. You learn how to stay calm when others can’t. You learn how to step into situations people naturally avoid and actually be useful. You gain real skills you use on calls, at home, and in everyday life. And you become part of a group that shows up for their neighbors when they need it most.

It’s rewarding. It’s satisfying. And it makes a difference in your life, and in your community. It changes how you see yourself.

This isn’t about being a certain type of person. It’s not about being the strongest or the fastest. It’s not about having experience or knowing exactly what to do on day one. There are roles for all kinds of people; on the fireground, in EMS, and behind the scenes.

What matters is the willingness to step forward and learn. Men and women. Young adults. Parents. People with full-time jobs and other commitments. People who have thought about it before but never took the first step. You don’t need to be ready for the worst right now. You just need to be willing to start.

Because here’s the truth: The calls will keep coming. They always do. It might be your house. It might be your neighbor. The only question is who will be there to answer them. Will it be you?

If this made you stop for even a second, don’t overthink it. Stop by your local firehouse. Message them. Talk to someone. Sit in on a drill. Ask questions. No pressure. No commitment. Just come see what it’s really about.

Because the hardest part isn’t the training. It’s walking through the door for the first time.

- Captain Cummings

03/08/2026

Our thoughts are with the members of Ceres Volunteer Fire Department and the family of Larry Tibbs. We thank you for all your years of service.

It is with heavy hearts that the Ceres Volunteer Fire Department announces the passing of our brother, Larry Tibbs #132.

Larry served our department and community with dedication for many years and, up until recent years, proudly served as Fire Chief. His leadership, commitment to the fire service, and love for helping others left a lasting impact on our department and the Ceres community.

Larry was also known for his great sense of humor, always bringing laughter and light to the firehouse. His service, leadership, and friendship will never be forgotten. Please keep Larry’s family, friends, and our department members in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

02/07/2026

01/22/2026

We are well within the "few days out" stage of the Winter Storm Planning Timeline here for the winter storm expected this weekend. Still plenty time to get supplies for your emergency kit and adjust travel plans for this weekend to avoid being on the roads during the weekend.
For more safety tips, visit www.weather.gov/safety/winter
Stay up to date on the forecast at www.weather.gov/rnk

01/22/2026

A high impact winter storm moves in Saturday afternoon, bringing snow/sleet/freezing rain through Monday morning. Heavy snow will fall along/north of US-460, up to a foot or more in the Shenandoah Valley, with 5-8" south of US-460 to the NC/VA state line and lighter amounts in NC. Sleet will mix in to the south, significantly cutting snow totals down to only a few inches in NC. Freezing rain will cause ice of around a quarter inch in the Piedmont, with a glaze to a tenth possible area-wide. Brutal cold moves in following the storm, keeping travel treacherous for early next week.