The Henry County Board of Supervisors on Monday recognized Public Safety Director Matt Tatum for more than 20 years of service ahead of his upcoming retirement.
Tatum, who joined the county in 2002 and was appointed director in 2015, will retire on July 31. His successor, Tim Duffer, will take over the role beginning Wednesday. (Related story inside)
During the board’s regular meeting, Tatum was praised for his leadership in adapting the county’s emergency services to meet changing community needs, especially as the number of active volunteers declined.
“When Matt became director, the system looked very different than it does today,” said County Administrator Dale Wagoner. “Volunteerism, which once shouldered the bulk of emergency response, was on the decline. Matt helped us navigate this challenge by fortifying our career service model to meet growing call volumes without compromising service quality.”
Under Tatum’s leadership, the department expanded staffing, improved training, modernized equipment and shifted from a volunteer-based model to a career-driven emergency response system.
The department responded to 2,989 EMS calls in 2015. That number more than doubled to 7,162 by 2024. Fire assist calls also rose during that time, from 350 to 1,426. EMS assist calls, in which county staff support volunteer agencies, declined to zero in 2024 following a change in dispatch protocols. Based on Tatum’s recommendation, Henry County began dispatching the nearest available ambulance, regardless of district, to improve response times.
The department’s annual budget grew from $1.5 million in fiscal year 2015 to more than $5.5 million this year to support the expansion.
Tatum was also credited with helping the department navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, during which he managed increased call volumes and implemented evolving public health protocols. He also led the county’s response to major emergencies, ensured compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS), and helped plan for large events such as the county fair and NASCAR races.
Tatum played a key role in workforce development, helping to establish the Blue Ridge Fire & EMS Academy and a high school EMS program that is scheduled to relaunch next year. He also supported Patrick & Henry Community College in obtaining accreditation to offer EMS certification courses.
“On behalf of the Board of Supervisors and the citizens of Henry County, I want to extend our sincere gratitude to Matt Tatum for his decades of dedicated service,” said Board Chairman Jim Adams. “His commitment to public safety, his steady leadership through times of change, and his tireless efforts to protect and serve this community have left a lasting mark. We thank him for his service and wish him the very best in his well-earned retirement.”
In other matters, the board:
*Heard from residents Michael Tipton and David Craig about water drainage issues in the Joseph Martin Highway and Blackberry District areas.
*Approved several appropriations, including:
- $25,223 in State Asset Forfeiture funds for uniform patches and community engagement.
- $30,000 in state funds to purchase wellness equipment for the Sheriff’s Office.
- $23,597 in State Asset Forfeiture funds for travel and shelving for the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office.
- $30,797 from the contingency fund to help Fieldale-Collinsville Rescue Squad buy two 12-lead heart monitors.
*Conducted two public hearings, and:
- Approved abandoning a discontinued section of Route 57.
- Approved rezoning 0.22 acres in the Reed Creek District from Commercial B-1 to Neighborhood Commercial B-2.
*Reappointed Mike Ward to the Roanoke River Basin Association for a one-year term.
*Authorized the County Attorney and County Administrator to execute documents related to a settlement with Henry Schein, Inc., and other entities.
*Approved a resolution recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Ridgeway Ruritan Club.
*Approved the 2025 Regional Solid Waste Management Plan.
*Approved the consent agenda and heard monthly updates on delinquent tax collection.
*Heard from Michal Sinnott and Lexi Graboski, writers and actors of the feature film YOYOs, which is being filmed in Henry County.
*Heard an introduction from new West Piedmont Health District Director Penny Hall.
*Heard from Pam Cobler, of the Reed Creek District, about her appointment to the Virginia Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Advisory Board.
*Received an update on general highway matters from VDOT Resident Engineer Lisa Price-Hughes.
