Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire/Rescue/Dive celebrated its 50th anniversary May 31st with an open house that included a ribbon-cutting for their new building and christening of their newest fireboat, 11-9. The new building, which recently opened in Moneta, is the first official “home” for the department, and the result of a 20-year fundraising campaign.
Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire/Rescue/Dive Chief Todd Ohlerich said the new building will serve as a space for storing a fireboat, trailers and air trailer. A large space is available for meetings and training, and there are offices for officers. Construction costs for the new building were around $300,000.
“Half a century ago, a small group of individuals saw a need on this lake – a need for swift, skilled, and selfless response to emergencies on the water,” said Ohlerich. “They stepped up, they trained, and they built what would become this department. And today, five decades later, we are still answering that same call.”…