Investigating Virginia State Trooper S.M. Cochran wrote in his report that a 2004 Sterling fire truck driven by Dennis Andrew Akers, 29, of Hillsville, was responding to a fire call when it approached a 1987 Ford Ranger driven by Joseph Glenn Semones, 69, of Hillsville.  

Cochran’s report states that the fire truck changed lanes to pass the Ford Ranger when the Ranger started to make a left turn into a field. The fire truck, while trying to avoid the Ford Ranger, lost control and overturned. Both Akers and a passenger, Michael Paul Martin, 33, of Hillsville, were transported from the scene by ambulance to Twin County Regional Hospital in Galax. Both were treated and released that night.

The award will be used to assist with pre-fire planning to efficiently collect and track data related to local community buildings. The information will help the fire service respond in an emergency situation.

“This is going to ensure we get out to local buildings,” Henley said. “They will be wonderful fire prevention tools.”

Because fire continues to be the leading cause of property damage worldwide, during the past 40 years FM Global has contributed millions of dollars in fire prevention grants to fire service organizations around the globe. Locally, the company has awarded grants to a number of Texas-based organizations.

Fire trucks are parked and ready to go as needed from the bays at Fire Station #2 for Blount County Fire Protection District.  

However, this is the only functional area that firefighters can use right now, since rain damaged much inside that 1950s era brick building. Firefighters who need to spend the night are bunking next door in an administrative building.