James (Jimmy) T. Barley Jr. was recognized by the Botetourt Board of Supervisors, the county’s Fire and EMS Department and the Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the supervisors’ October meeting.
The proclamation notes Barley “faithfully served as a member of the public safety community” in Botetourt with “utmost dedication and commitment” for over 40 years.
During that time, Barley served as chief of the Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) for many years.
The proclamation notes that he “contributed countless hours to call responses, training, fund raising and other community activities, including the Buchanan Fireman’s Carnival that fostered the support and development of fire and emergency services in and around the Town of Buchanan.”
The proclamation says during his tenure as chief, he provided “vision, strategy and leadership to the volunteers faithfully serving their community.”
The proclamation goes on, saying Barley “not only committed the majority of his adult life to protecting his community as a faithful volunteer servant, exuding the qualities of an individual deserving of recognition for his lifetime commitment to serving his community.”
A framed copy of the proclamation was presented to Barley along with a Lifetime Achievement Award that includes a firefighter’s ax mounted on a wooden plaque that was presented by Botetourt County Fire and EMS Chief Department Chief Matt Britt and BVFD Chief Craig Bryant.