News & Training

2010 News

Sharps Chapel Home Destroyed By Fire
     A Sharps Chapel family's home was destroyed by fire just a few days before Christmas.  The home belonged to Virgil and Teresa Massingo and family, who lived at 283 Stiner Hollow Road in Sharps Chapel.
     Union County 911 dispatchers received the call from a motorist who saw smoke coming from the home on Tuesday morning, December 21st, around 9:00am.
     Sharps Chapel firefighters arrived on the scene and were able to contain the fire to a rear portion of the home where the fire began.  Firefighters from Maynardville and Paulette responded to the scene to assist.
     The home had severe smoke and fire damage, destroying most of their belongings.  Chief Chris Upton of the Sharps Chapel Fire Department said the fire appeared to have started from an electrical plug in the rear bedroom of the home.
     According to fire reports, no one was at home when the fire started, and no injuries were reported.

Hunter Injured In Chuck Swan Management Area
     Union County emergency crews responded to an injured hunter on the morning of November 26, 2010 around 8:34am, when Union County 911 dispatchers received the call for help.
     The accident took place near Weaver's Knob Road in the Chuck Swan Wildlife Management Area of Sharps Chapel.  According to reports, Johnny Brannom, age 56, of Kodak, Tennessee was hunting with his son when he fell down off a steep ridge and broke his leg.  According to reports, Brannom's son made the call for help.
     Union County EMS responded with a Deputy from the Union County Sheriff's Department and TWRA Officers to the scene where Brannom was reportedly carried up a steep ridge approximately 50 to 70 yards from the roadway.  Units from the Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department were called in to assist.
     Brannom was transported by Union County EMS to an area hospital to be treated.  His condition was not available at the time of this report.

Roll Over Accident On Sharps Chapel Road
     Emergency crews from the Sharps Chapel Fire Department and Union County Rescue Squad responded to a one-vehicle roll over accident on Sharps Chapel Road, just past Dr. Davis Road.  The accident took place on Tuesday evening, November 23, 2010, around 6:34pm.
     According to reports from the scene, a Ford SUV lost control while entering a curve and rolled over, ending up in the ditch line.  The driver, Anthony Freeman, age 36, of Sharps Chapel (formerly from Arkansas) was freed from the vehicle and transported by Union County EMS to an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries he sustained from the accident.
     Trooper Adam Bowman of the Tennessee Highway Patrol investigated the accident.  According to Bowman, alcohol was a factor in the accident, and Freeman was cited for DUI charges.

Accident On Highway 33 In Bridge Construction Zone
     A two-vehicle head-on crash took place on Thursday, September 16th around 5:55pm, on Highway 33 in the bridge construction zone on the Sharps Chapel side of the 33 Bridge.
    Units from Sharps Chapel Fire Department and Union County Rescue Squad responded to the scene where a Mazda Tribute SUV and a flat bed heavy duty truck collided. 
    According to reports from the scene, the driver of the SUV, Kattie Johnson, age 17, of Tazewell and the driver of the truck, David Watkins, age 46, of Pineville, KY, were both taken to UT Hospital to be checked out for non-life threatening injuries from the crash.
    Deputy Jeff Sharp of the Union County Sheriff's Department investigated the accident.  Both drivers were lucky to have not received worse injuries, according to emergency crews from the scene.  Traffic was backed up for some time in both the north and south bound lanes until the scene was cleared.  Charges are pending in this accident, according to the officer.

Local Firefighters Hold Second Annual Fire Rescue Challenge - Event Held In Remembrance Of 9/11
    The Second Annual Union County Fire Rescue Challenge was held on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at Wilson Park in Maynardville.  Several firefighters and fire personnel from each department in Union County participated in the event, which was sponsored by the Union County Fire Chief's Association, Union News Leader, and this year the Union County Business and Professional Association provided food and drinks for the event.
    The event started off a little wet, but that didn't stop everyone from having a fun-filled day of fellowship and friendly competition.  The Ceremony began with some words from Union County Mayor Mike Williams, the flag pledge, a prayer, and a special moment of silence to remember those lost on September 11th during the terrorist attacks in 2001.
    The games began with friendly competitive events throughout the afternoon with several events including Individual Rapid Dress, Team Rapid Dress, Hose Stretch Relay, Obstacle Course, Bucket Brigade, Water Fight Relay and Tug Of War.
    In the Individual Rapid Dress Event, firefighters donned on their turnout gear for the quickest time.  Joshua Wood of Luttrell Fire Department won first place with 22.8 seconds.  Joey McBee of Luttrell Fire Department took second place with 34.1 seconds, and Justin Western of Luttrell Fire Department placed Third, with a time of 35.1 seconds.  In the Junior Firefighter Division, Keaton Lester won first place with 32.2 seconds, followed by Jacob Morris, with 33.7 seconds, and 34 seconds gave Adam Brantley the third place position, all of Sharps Chapel Fire Department.
    In the Team Rapid Dress event, Luttrell Fire Department won First Place, Sharps Chapel Fire Department won Second Place, and Paulette won Third Place.  In The Junior Firefighter Division, Sharps Chapel Fire Department won First Place, followed by Luttrell Fire Department as Second Place winners.
    In the Water Fight event, Paulette Fire Department won First Place, Luttrell Fire Department won Second Place, followed by Sharps Chapel Fire Department winning Third Place.  In the Junior Firefighter Division, Luttrell Fire Department won First Place, and Luttrell Fire Department won Second Place.
    In the Obstacle Course event, First Place was won by Luttrell Fire Department, Second Place by Sharps Chapel Fire Department, and Third Place by Paulette Fire Department.  In the Junior Firefighter Division, Sharps Chapel Fire Department won First Place and Paulette Fire Department won Second Place.
    In the Bucket Brigade event, Sharps Chapel Fire Department took First Place, Luttrell Fire Department won Second Place, followed by Northeast Union Fire Department winning Third Place.  In the Junior Firefighter Division, Paulette Fire Department won First Place, and Sharps Chapel Fire Department placed Second.
    In the Hose Stretch Relay, Sharps Chapel Fire Department won First Place, Luttrell Fire Department took Second Place, followed by Paulette winning Third Place.  In the Junior Firefighter Division, Sharps Chapel Fire Department won First Place, and Luttrell won Second Place.
    In the Tug Of War event, Sharps Chapel Fire Department won First Place, Northeast Union Fire Department won Second Place, followed by Luttrell winning Third Place.  In the Junior Firefighter Division, Sharps Chapel Fire Department took First Place, and Paulette Fire Department won Second Place.

Sharps Chapel Accident Sends Five To Hospital
    A two-vehicle accident on Sharps Chapel Road sent five people to the hospital to be checked out and treated.  The accident took place on Sunday, September 5, 2010 around 7:53pm at the intersection of Sharps Chapel Road and Lay Hollow Road.
    According to reports from the scene, a Ford Ranger puck up truck driven by Rick Ray of Sharps Chapel was traveling West on Sharps Chapel Road when a Volkswagon car driven by Keisha Kitts, age 17 of Sharps Chapel, was pulling out of Lay Hollow Road when the accident occurred. 
    Ray was reportedly not injured, Kitts was extricated from the vehicle by members of the Sharps Chapel Fire Department and Union County Rescue Squad.  Kitts and four other passengers from her vehicle were taken to the hospital to be checked out and treated for injuries from the accident. 
    We later learned that all of the victims were released with minor injuries and returned home. 
    The accident was investigated by Trooper Mike Slagle of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

ATV Accident Leaves Luttrell Woman Dead
    An ATV that took place on August 28th in Sharps Chapel left a Luttrell woman dead.  The one vehicle accident, which involved an ATV 4-wheeler, took place on Big Valley Road near the entrance to Sunset Bay in Sharps Chapel.
    Union County 911 dispatchers received the call around 3:30 am on Saturday morning, August 28.  Emergency units from the Sharps Chapel Fire Department and Union County EMS responded to the call.
    According to police reports, the driver, U.J. Ray, age 60, of Sharps Chapel, was driving the 2007 Honda Rancher when he apparently lost control in a curve and struck a fence post.  According to reports, both Ray and his passenger, Jessica Varner, age 29, of Luttrell, were thrown from the vehicle.  Neither was wearing a helmet, according to the report.
    Varner was flown out by Lifestar air ambulance to UT hospital where she reportedly later died on Saturday evening from injuries sustained in the accident.  Ray was transported by Union County EMS and reported later released from the hospital after being treated for his injuries.
    The accident was being investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.  According to the report, alcohol may have been involved.

Camper Sustains Minor Damage From Fire
     Firefighters from the Sharps Chapel Fire Department responded to a camper fire last weekend at the Lost Creek Campground on Rush Sharp Lane in Sharps Chapel.
    The call came in to Union County 911 on Saturday, August 28, 2010 around 11am, when the homeowner reported smoke inside the camper home.
    Firefighters arrived on the scene and found light smoke in the camper.  The fire appeared to have started around a propane water heater unit that was located in a rear compartment.  Sharps Chapel VFD Chief Chris Upton reported that the quick thinking of the homeowner helped save the camper from being destroyed.
    The camper belongs to James Redmond and according to the report the owners were home when the fire took place.  No injuries were reported from the incident and according to the report, damage was listed as minor.

Two Youths Injured In Sharps Chapel ATV Accident
    A 12-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy were injured last week when they lost control of the ATV 4-wheeler they were driving and ran off the roadway down a steep embankment.
    The accident took place on Old Leadmine Bend Road in Sharps Chapel.  Union County 911 dispatchers received the call around 12:07pm on Friday, July 16, 2010.
    The two siblings, Peyton and Andrew Tolliver, were tended to by members of the Sharps Chapel Fire Department and Union County EMS and were taken to Lifestar air ambulances where they were flown to UT Hospital to be treated for their injuries from the accident.
    At the time of this report, we were advised they were flown out due to head injuries and possible internal injuries, and have been informed that Andrew was later released, and Peyton was recovering from her injuries.  We are thankful they are expected to fully recover from their injuries.
    The accident was investigated by Trooper Wayne Cole of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Man Injured From Boat Explosion/Fire In Driveway
    A man suffered injuries when his boat caught fire from an explosion while he was in it, according to reports from the scene.
    Al Johnson, age 66, of 414 Ruth Circle in the Sunset Bay subdivision in Sharps Chapel, was transported by Union County EMS to a landing zone pad in Sunset Bay, where he was air lifted to UT Hospital by Lifestar to be treated for burns and injuries sustained from the fire.
    Sharps Chapel Firefighters arrived on the scene, to extinguish the blaze at the scene around 7:51pm on Thursday, July 15, 2010.
    According to reports from the scene, Johnson was in the boat, which was on a trailer being pulled by a vehicle parked at his home.  Johnson reportedly pulled the boat away from his home after the incident took place.  EMS units arrived on scene and tended to Johnson while fire units were in route to the call.
    At the time of this report, the exact cause of the explosion was not available.  The boat was totally destroyed by the fire and some damaged was reported to the rear of the vehicle.
    The extent of Johnson's injuries was not available at the time of this report.

Home Damaged By Fire Near Sunset Bay In Sharps Chapel
    The Sharps Chapel Fire Department responded to a vacant residential fire last week on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 around 6:56pm at 680 Big Valley Road near the entrance to Sunset Bay subdivision in Sharps Chapel.
    According to reports, the home had been vacant for some time and was currently for sale.  Fire reports state that a crew of workers was on the scene when the fire department arrived and they had been mowing the yard and grounds around the home.
    The fire started at the back of the two-story log house according to the fire report and had spread into a portion of the upstairs before being brought under control by firefighters.
    Sharps Chapel Fire Chief, Chris Upton, said firefighters were on scene within seven minutes of being toned out by Union County 911, and the fire was brought under control within 15 minutes after they arrived.  Chief Upton said it appeared that gasoline which was being stored in a container in the back room had caught fire and exploded, causing the blaze which had started in that area.  Upton said the investigation was still incomplete at the time of this report.
    A crew from Northeast Union Fire Department also responded and assisted Sharps Chapel firefighters during the blaze.  No injuries were reported.  Chief Upton said he would like to thank all of the firefighters for their quick response and great work, and Northeast Union for their assistance.
    Engine 51 and Tankers 51 & 52, along with Rescue 51 responded to the call.

Maynardville Woman Injured from ATV Accident In Chuck Swan Management Area
    A 22-year-old female was injured last week when she lost control of the ATV 4-wheeler (Artic Cat) she was riding near Oaks Chapel in Chuck Swan Management Area of Sharps Chapel.
    The female, Rachel Michelle Hurst, of Maynardville, was loaded onto Lifestar air ambulance and transported to UT Hospital to be treated for injuries sustained from the accident.  Lifestar was called to the scene in Chuck Swan due to the location of how far away she was and her uncertainty of injuries.
    Units from the Sharps Chapel Fire Department assisted Union County EMS with treating Hurst.  The accident was being investigated by Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency.
    Rescue 51 and Rescue 52 responded to the call.

Knox Man Injured In Sharps Chapel Wreck
    A Knoxville man was flown out by Lifestar from injuries he sustained in a one-vehicle accident in Sharps Chapel.  The accident took place on Big Valley Road near Old Valley Road around 1:50pm on Sunday, April 25, 2010.
    Units from the Sharps Chapel Fire Department and Union County Rescue Squad extricated the driver from the vehicle, which had lost control and run off the roadway, striking a tree.
    The driver, Richard Segars, age 49, of Knoxville, was transported to UT Hospital by Lifestar for serious injuries from the accident.  Segars was driving a Nissan Frontier, and at the time of this report, was expected to recover from his injuries. 
    According to Tennessee Highway Patrolman, Wayne Cole, who worked the accident, Segars has been charged with DUI, Failure to Maintain Lane, and insurance violations.

House Fire In Sharps Chapel
    A Sharps Chapel home was destroyed by fire during the early morning hours of Friday, January 29, 2010 just before 1:00am.  The home was located at 306 Ray Road, near Chuck Swan Management Area in the Sharps Chapel Community
    According to fire reports, the doublewide mobile home was nearly 50% involved with flames when firefighters arrived on the scene.  Sharps Chapel Firefighters were assisted by firefighters from Northeast Union Fire Department in battling the blaze.  According to fire reports, the fire appeared to have started near the kitchen area of the home.
    Chief Chris Upton of the Sharps Chapel Fire Department said he was advised that no one was living in the home at the time of the fire, but a family that had recently lived there was in the process of moving back into the home.  The home belonged to Roy Thompson of Maynardville.
    Chief Upton said no injuries were reported from the blaze, and the fire was under investigation at the time of this report.

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Most Recent Training:

SCVFD held a Vehicle Extrication Training Class just before Christmas 2008.  Click Here for photos.

SCVFD held classes in November on Pump Training and Ladder Training.  Click Here for more info and photos.

Monday, November 5, 2007:  SCVFD members took a training class at the station on Structure Protection in the Wild Land Urban Face.

Monday, October 15, 2007:  Members from SCVFD, NEUVFD and PVFD received training from the Tennessee Division of Forestry in a class on Wild Land Firefighting by Instructor David Hall.

Saturday, October 6, 2007:  Several members from SCVFD, PVFD and UCRS participated in an EVOC Driver Training class at Union County High School in Maynardville.

Monday, October 1, 2007:  SCVFD members took MAY-DAY Training at the Fire Station.