Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire Rescue Dive Team

09/21/2025

It is with very saddened, heavy hearts we share this post.
Former Assistant Chief Jason Halm "Hammy" has passed away. Jason was a member for over 11 years. Jason came to us after serving his community in New York for many years. Jason helped in many aspects of the SML Fire Department to make us stronger. As a former Assistant and Deputy Chief, he provided invaluable knowledge and guidance from his years in the volunteer service.
We know we will have a heavenly angel watching over us and riding with us to every call. God has called you to help serve and protect as a member of his department now. Rest easy. We will take it from here. Rest in peace, Gone too soon. EOW 9/20/2025.

07/21/2025

Our team was deployed to Leesville Lake to assist with search efforts, where we were able to locate and recover the victim. Great work by the members of the team and thank you to the local jurisdictions that was there for the search efforts. Our condolences to the family in a tragic accident.

A male body was recovered from a lake Sunday, July, 20th, according to the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.

07/07/2025

The Smith Mountain Lake Marine Fire Rescue Dive Team is excited to announce that we are looking for candidates to join a great group of men and women on our dive team.

Applications and letters of interest will be accepted until September 1, 2025.

The selection process will be as follows:

Application process
Interview
Watermanship Test (swim test)
Discover scuba if not certified / skill test if currently certified.

Qualifications:

18 years of age or older
Live within 15 miles of Smith Mountain Lake
No prior scuba experience necessary but preferred.
Passion for the water and helping the community
Positive attitude.

Please submit your letter of interest to [email protected]

Captain Chad Quinn
Smith Mountain Lake Marine Fire Rescue Dive

07/04/2025

The Smith Mountain Lake Marine Dive Team was deployed for aid in the search of a missing person at 8pm, once on scene with Dive 11 we began searching with the use of side scan and live scope sonar. We were able to locate and recover the victim in a short amount of time. Thank you to all members of the team and all volunteers that were active in the search. Condolences and prayers to the family and friends.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ATbKVtmG7/?

Yesterday evening at approximately 8pm. We were called out to the area of Beech Drive in Union Hall for a missing adult. We activated our Dive Team to respond to the area. We responded with Boats 2, 5, 6, 9, and our Dive Boat. Upon arrival, our boats used sonar and live scope to search the shores. A short time later, we were able to locate the missing adult in the water. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. As well as all of our first responders, these calls are never easy for anyone involved.

Thank you, Comms-1 FC Fire-EMS, Med-4 FC Fire-EMS, Franklin County Public Safety SOT, Franklin County Sheriffs, Department of Wildlife Resources, Glade Hill Vol. Fire (Company 4), Cool Branch Rescue (Squad 13)

Please be careful while out tonight and tomorrow for the fireworks!!

06/02/2025

Saturday was a big day for the Smith Mountian Lake Marine Fire Rescue Dive.. We celebrated 50 years of service, grand opening of your building and christening our new Fireboat.

10/22/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/MqDLR3DUtPGup8zH/?mibextid=WC7FNe

10/01/2024

That time of the year again! Such a fun time!

06/02/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/SPRonJG7M3UVmj4h/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Dive team was activated due to a possible drowning, team was on scene and divers in the water to begin recovery efforts. Victim was found and recovered with the help of live scan sonar and diver search. Thanks to all of the members of law enforcement and public safety. Condolences goes to the family..

05/23/2024

Like to say thank you to Divers Alert Network for awarding us with an oxygen grant for one of their O2 kit! This will allow us to have oxygen for the divers that could be provided in case of a diver emergency. All of our divers are DAN O2 provider certified so they can render aid to our team.

02/28/2024

The Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Dive Team is asking for help from our community and local buisness. Attached is a flier for a upcoming fundraiser to purchase needed equipment for our team. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

02/28/2024

Tonight our team worked on working in a entanglement hazard environment. Divers worked in teams to enter and exit a 4x4 box that was obstructed with ropes. The team not only did this having full visibility but also with blacked out masks creating zero visibility. This is the training that the members of the team does to better be prepared for victim rescues and recovery. Great work by all the members!

12/30/2023

At 1am the Smith Mountain Lake Dive Team was deployed to assist with a recovery of a vehicle that had ended up in the lake, luckily no one was in the vehicle at the time it went in the water. Cold air and water temps but was able to get cables hooked up for towing service and was cleared by 330am. Great work!