|
2009 News |
||
|
SCVFD GETS GIFT FROM FRIENDS UP NORTH
Pictured above (left to right): Barrett Township Firefighters - Kerri Adams, Al Wescott, Karl Forrsell, Larry Cramer and Chief Kevin Ayers. SCVFD Firefighters - Chief Chris Upton, Mark Warwick, Jacob Morris, Michelle Morris and Darrell Morris The Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department announced this week that they had recently been donated a gift from friends at the Barrett Township Volunteer Fire Company in Pennsylvania. Chief Chris Upton, along with firefighters Darrell, Michelle and Jr. firefighter Jacob Morris and firefighter Mark Warwick made the long journey up north near Mount Pocono Pennsylvania to pick up the gift, which will not only benefit the residents of Sharps Chapel, but everyone in Union County. The gift was a 1978 GMC Brigadier Pumper Tanker - super tanker that holds about 2,500 gallons of water. Don't let the year model of the truck fool ya, "It's in great condition," Chief Upton said after going over the truck with members of the Barrett Fire Department. They made the 700-mile journey back home with the truck, arriving home in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 4th. Upton said the truck, which has about 24,000, had been taken very good care of, and caused no problems at all on the trip to its new home in Sharps Chapel. Barrett Township recently took the truck out of service after getting a brand new one to replace it with. SCVFD member Michelle Morris has ties with the Barrett Township Department, as her father and brother are both members there and have been for many years. They wanted to give the truck to another department that could make good use of it and help other communities. Chief Upton said that he and the members of the Sharps Chapel VFD were very grateful to their new friends and this would be a great benefit. Upton said this new truck, now "Engine 52" would be used to assist other departments in Union and Claiborne counties if needed. The water capacity alone was a great asset, due to the lack of water supply in some areas. Upton said he hopes to have the truck in full service within a few days. SCVFD members have been working every day stocking it.
UNION COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS ATTEND WILDLAND, STRUCTURE
PROTECTION, AND FIREFIGHTER SAFETY TRAINING Over 50 firefighters and junior firefighters from Union County attended a joint county-wide training class on Saturday, January 24th, 2009 at the Senior Center in Maynardville. Officials from the Tennessee Department of Forestry conducted the class. Members from all five volunteer fire departments participated in the training, including Luttrell, Maynardville, Northeast Union, Paulette and Sharps Chapel VFDs. The class was organized in a joint effort between the Union County Fire Chief's Association and the Union County Local Emergency Planning Committee. State Forestry Officials at the training were: David Hall, Steve Roark, Charles Via, and FireWise Coordinator Leon Konz. Firefighters spent over 4 hours in the class that touched on Structure Protection in Wildland Urban Interface, Firefighter Safety issues, on scene and resource size up, water supplies, weather factors and several other issues that may occur during wildland fires. Instructor Charles Via gave a slide show of areas in Union County that could be a hazard during the event of a wildland fire. Long time State Forestry Officer and Union County native David Hall also touched on several safety factors as well. Leon Konz wrapped up the class with a discussion about the FireWise program and how it was a great benefit for certain communities to make their homes FireWise. All of those who attended received several materials and brochures to take back to their departments for training and information purposes. Union County LEPC Chairman, Bob Swisher, and Union County Mayor, Larry Lay, were also on hand at the class and were both very pleased with the turnout at the training. Mr. Swisher said the fact that all of these volunteers gave up their time on Saturday that could have been spent with their family, attests to their dedication. Mr. Swisher and all of the fire chiefs would like to thank everyone for their attending the class, and a special thanks to Bill Manning of the Red Cross, Sarah Berry of Hallsdale-Powell, and Mayor Lay for their support and assisting with providing refreshments for the firefighters during the class. also a special thanks to Food City for their help with the food. Swisher also added that we would like to thank the State Forestry Officials for coming out to teach the class. They did a great job. Everyone had a wonderful get-together for this training exercise and plans are already underway to have more county-wide training programs similar to this in the future. The Union County Fire Chief's Association Chairman, Chris Upton, stated that he would also like to thank everyone for the great turnout and we would be planning more joint training classes in the future for other emergency responder classes for our county firefighters. Upton said this is a great way for county volunteers to train and work together, it will help all of our volunteers get to know each other better and make us stronger in the event of a major emergency within our country. Upton said he would again like to thank the LEPC for their support, and especially Chairman Swisher. |
HISTORIC HOME DESTROYED BY FIRE IN
SHARPS CHAPEL
A historic home was destroyed by fire in Sharps Chapel. The home was built in 1905 and has been in the Stiner family since. The home was moved from the Big Elm area across the lake from where it stood before the lake was backed up by TVA. The nearly 110-year-old home was owned and lived in by Ronnie and RuthAnn Stiner. The home, located at 1970 Leadmine Bend Road, was fully involved with flames as the first units from the Sharps Chapel Fire Department arrived on the scene. The call came in around 2:30pm on Monday, December 1st. The fire had started from a chimney fire, according to Chief Upton of the Sharps Chapel Fire Department. Upton said the homeowner came in and found heavy smoke in the lower portion of the home with flames in the living room area. The homeowner attempted to put the fire out, but was unable to make it inside due to the heavy smoke. Firefighters fought the blaze and protected a small shed located behind the home. The Sharps Chapel Fire Department was assisted by units from Northeast Union and Maynardville Fire Departments and Union county Rescue Squad with water supply. No injuries were reported from the blaze, but the home was a total loss. This home will be greatly missed, as it was an icon in the Sharps Chapel community for many years.
CAR FLIPPED OVER On Wednesday, November 18, 2009, around 9:30pm Sharps Chapel Firefighters were dispatched to a flipped-over vehicle accident on Sharps Chapel Road near Big Valley Road. Chief Upton arrived on scene and found the driver to be out of the vehicle on foot with minor injuries. Chief Upton responded with Rescue 51, while Darrell, Michelle and Jacob Morris responded with Rescue 52. Other members on scene included Mason Simpson, Mitch and Keaton Lester, mark and Chassity Warwick, Jeremy and Tim Johnson, Trevor Dykes, Jason Morris and Brandon Collins. Traffic was detoured around Old Valley Road for about an hour while the accident scene was cleaned up. On Saturday, November 7th, the Sharps Chapel Fire Department responded to assist other county fire departments with an out-of-control forest fire just off Highway 61 East, near Shirley Ann Lane in Maynardville. Units from Northeast Union, Maynardville, Luttrell, and the Union County Rescue Squad were also on the scene where an estimated 45-acres of woodland burned before firefighters and Forestry Officials made fire lines to control the blaze. Fire trucks were positioned in the area to protect a few homes, but, luckily, no property or lives were harmed by the fire. Assistant Chief Kevin Brantley, Adam Brantley, Darrell Morris, Jacob Morris, Mitch Lester and Keaton Lester responded with Rescue 51 and Rescue 52 to help our neighbors with this fire.
Sharps Chapel VFD Responds To
Structure Fire Call On Friday, October 16th at approximately 2:40pm, Sharps Chapel Firefighters were dispatched to a possible structure fire at 229 Grizzell Ridge Road. Chief Upton, Adam Brantley and Bryce Raley responded in Engine 51. Upon arrival, they found a small single-wide mobile home had burned to the ground. Assistant Chief Brantley arrived on scene, along with Gary Lay, and other units were cancelled. The few hot spots were extinguished and the firemen returned to service. Chief Upton said the mobile home had been abandoned for several months and was in a secluded area. The structure had been burning for at least an hour before the fire department was notified. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
NORRIS SHORES HOUSE FIRE Units from the Sharps Chapel Fire Department responded to a residential fire at 645 Norris Shores Drive on Thursday, April 23, around 12:30pm. Captain Mason Simpson was the first unit on scene with Engine 51 and found heavy smoke showing in the home. Chief Chris Upton and Firefighter Tim Johnson responded with Tanker 51 and Tanker 52 along with Eddie Simpson, Kevin Brantley, Darrell Morris, Jeremy Johnson, Jordan Smallwood, Justin Cox, Ron Gabler and Brandon Collins. An attack was made from the roof and front entrance to the home where the fire was quickly extinguished. Firefighters remained on scene for clean-up and ventilation of the home. According to Chief Upton, the fire started around an entertainment center in the living room. No one was home when the blaze began, and no injuries were reported. The home suffered smoke damage and some water damage. The home is used by the owners mainly on weekends and during the summer. Chief Upton said he was proud of the outcome and the home will be repaired. |
|
