For lifelong firefighter Chad Helms, it was a special day. That's because, with a bit of help and a crowd looking on, Helms became a Roanoke County Firefighter.
"Feels pretty good," he said.
It was an experience shared by 10 others Wednesday, as the Vinton Fire department is absorbed into Roanoke County.
"It's just more operationally efficient," said Dan O'Donnell, Roanoke County's Administrator.
According to O'Donnell, Vinton's Fire Department is being absorbed as an old agreement with Roanoke County expires.
"We provided funds to Vinton. In exchange, they did not annex property for the county," he said of the 20-year-old agreement.