Gene Moseley, Jr. wanted the people of Botetourt to know that former Buchanan Fire Chief Billy Joe Carter has done some good things for people. Carter resigned the position after numerous news stories in July.  Moseley is one of the people. He called the Botetourt View with another side of the Carter story as he said he knows it from his life experience.

In March of this year, Moseley who runs with Fincastle Rescue Squad and Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department had an accident going to the  Fincastle Rescue Squad to respond to a call. “Billy Joe heard me on the radio and came to help me,” said Moseley who is a 1989 grad of JRHS.

Moseley had two crushed ankles.  After a month in the hospital, Carter and others  carried him on a back board  into his trailer near Mill Creek. The small non- ADA deck would make it almost impossible for Moseley to get out of his home on his own.

Moseley, a life long resident of Botetourt had a two month old son, too. ” My girlfriend approached the Buchanan Fire Dept. to help me get a ramp built and Billy Joe held a meeting.”

“The members voted to help Gene Moseley get a deck and ramp,” said Carter. Moseley’s brother- in- law Joey Neal designed the deck which has a spacious feel,  is now full of flowers, tomatoes and a bridge like ramp  he can roll out with his walker to get in the vehicle to go out to appointments or just out with his family.

It took six volunteers 13 hours to build the deck. Carter was among them. “People don’t understand that he has a big heart,” said Moseley.

“I am still in therapy,” he said and he wears what he calls the “magic boots.” Carter and Jason Burgess another volunteer fireman brought a fire truck out to see  Moseley and his family for our story. Moseley’s eight month old son Grayson lit up like a Christmas tree at the sight of the fire truck. “My Dad and my uncle got me started as a volunteer,” said Moseley with a smile.

“I hope I can get back to  volunteering,” said Moseley. “They need drivers in Fincastle and well I have been a volunteer fireman for twelve years and a rescue volunteer for six years.” With Burgess, Carter and Adam Booth, who drove up a little later, at his side, he carefully maneuvered down to pose at the back of the fire truck.

By the look on his face, Moseley is ready to get back where he belongs and he believes that will be beside Billy Joe Carter, Burgess, Booth and all of the other members at the BVFD.