News Flash

One Year of Service at Bonsack Fire Station

County Spotlights Posted on January 16, 2026

The Bonsack Fire and Rescue Station is celebrating one year of service since officially opening on January 14, 2025.

Located along the 460 corridor, Bonsack is one of the fastest growing areas in the county. Prior to the station being built, most of the calls in the Bonsack area were answered by the Vinton station with an average response time of eight minutes. The response time is now four minutes.

“Through demands it was identified that Roanoke County needed a station in the Bonsack area, so that’s what kind of spurred the idea and got it going to get us here today,” Chief Travis Griffith said.

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The biggest thing that sets the Bonsack station apart from others is the split bay design. This separates the living quarters from the fire and rescue gear, which helps prevent toxins that may be on equipment from coming into the living spaces.

There are also several features in place to help remove carcinogens from the environment including a special washer for gear and air filtration systems in the gear room and bays.

The investment into the new station went beyond just the building – it included a significant investment in personnel and equipment. Roanoke County hired and trained 18 new firefighters and bought a new fire truck and ambulance for the station. The three crews that work the station have a minimum of five people working at a time with a mix of veteran firefighters and the newly trained staff.

“It shows what the county wants to do for the citizens and the businesses, you know, public safety is a priority … they don’t just say it, they do it.” Chief Griffith said.

Fire stations remain a priority for the Board of Supervisors as they look to update aging stations. As part of the capital improvement program, money has been allocated for renovations of seven fire and rescue stations in Roanoke County over the next ten years. Planning work has already begun on the Hollins Fire and Rescue Station, which originally opened in 1981. Just over five million dollars has been allocated for renovations to the station for this year which will include integrating the split bay design.