Scruggs Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department Captain Jane Crawford was recognized at the Virginia Fire and Rescue Conference for more than five decades of firefighting and instructor leadership

By Jason Dunivant
The Roanoke Times

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. — Scruggs Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department Captain Jane Crawford has added another accolade to her storied career. She was one of this year’s recipients of the Governor’s Fire Service Awards. Crawford was recognized for her 51 years of service as a firefighter, specifically her decades as an adjunct instructor for Virginia. For decades, she led firefighter and hazmat courses throughout the state and locally at the Scruggs firehouse, as well as a course for Franklin County High School students.

Governor Abigail Spanberger presented the award to Crawford during the annual Virginia Fire and Rescue Conference, held Feb. 18 in Virginia Beach. Crawford was one of seven firefighters honored.

“These award recipients embody excellence, dedication, and leadership in the fire service. I am honored to recognize their commitment to protecting the lives and safety of our fellow Virginians,” Spanberger said of this year’s recipients. “We are grateful to these professionals for their unwavering dedication, bravery, and commitment to serving our Commonwealth.”

Crawford estimates she has taught several hundred or possibly even thousands of firefighters over the years. Of the more than 250 firefighters in the audience at the ceremony from around the state, she knew multiple who had taken one of her courses.

“It was quite a shock,” Crawford said of being recognized for her years of service. “I was honored.”

Scruggs VFD Chief Dempsey Moore said the award is well deserved for Crawford’s long career as an instructor. The department even renamed its firefighter training center the Jane Crawford Training Center in 2021 to recognize her decades of service as an instructor.

“They don’t give that award just to make someone feel good,” Moore said of the governor’s award. “You have to earn it.”

At age 86, Crawford no longer teaches any firefighting courses. She does remain an active members of the Scruggs VFD, though, where she is a captain. Crawford still mentors young firefighters and responds to fires, where she keeps a watchful eye on crew members.

“I’m glad I’m able to keep going,” she said.

Crawford has been with the Scruggs VFD since its inception in 1975. It was previously a division of the Burnt Chimney Volunteer Fire Department, but it quickly grew as Smith Mountain Lake reached full pond in 1966 and more residents moved to the Scruggs area.

Crawford and her husband, V.T. “Slim” Crawford, were some of the original founders of the department. He served as chief of the department for 41 years before stepping down in 2014. He died in 2019 at age 77.

Even at 86, Jane Crawford does not intend to stop being a part of the fire department.

She said firefighting is “in her blood,” though she does admit she misses going into the buildings with the crew to help fight fires.

Moore said that while Crawford now stays a safe distance from any fires they respond to, she is still active instructing all firefighters on scene and making sure they are safe. He added that all firefighters in the area know to respect her and to listen to what she has to say.

Crawford is in the top echelon of firefighters in Virginia with her many years of service and instruction, Moore added. And although the governor’s award was well deserved, that’s not why Crawford continues serving.

“But I’m proud of this one,” Crawford said.

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