Montgomery County received two Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) and one from the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo). These awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for citizens and enhance community resilience.
Both NACo and VACo recognized Montgomery County for the "Coordinated Crisis Response: Montgomery County’s Hurricane Helene Boil Water Advisory Management."
In addition, NACo recognized the County for its "MCPS Teen First Responders Academy: Building the Next Generation of First Responders."
Below is an overview of the two programs for which Montgomery County received recognition.
Coordinated Crisis Response: Montgomery County’s Hurricane Helene Boil Water Advisory Management
Following Hurricane Helene in September 2024, severe sediment in the New River compromised regional water treatment operations, resulting in a boil water advisory affecting approximately 100,000 residents—including the Towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, Virginia Tech, hospitals, and K–12 schools.
In response, Montgomery County rapidly established a multi‑agency Water Task Force to coordinate operations and communications across jurisdictions. The task force included local governments, state agencies, healthcare providers, utilities, and public information officers. A unified communications strategy ensured consistent public messaging. This coordinated effort protected public health, minimized misinformation, and maintained community trust during a critical public safety event.
MCPS Teen First Responders Academy: Building the Next Generation of First Responders
To address a growing need for fire and emergency medical services personnel—especially volunteers—Montgomery County Fire and EMS partnered with Montgomery County Public Schools to launch the MCPS Teen First Responders Academy in fall 2025.
Through hands‑on sessions led by experienced Fire and EMS professionals, students gain insight into the responsibilities, skills, and teamwork required of first responders. The program represents a strong collaboration between public safety and education and helps develop the next generation of EMS and fire service personnel.
Collaboration is a defining strength of the New River Valley, and both award‑winning programs reflect the county's commitment to working across agencies, community partners, and jurisdictions to provide superior services to the citizens of Montgomery County.
To learn more about VACo, visit
vaco.org.
To learn more about NACo, visit
naco.org.