The housing ceremony set for September 12th has been canceled, and will be rescheduled at a latter date.
Governor Pat McCrory has declared a State of Emergency in all 100 counties in preparation for severe weather that is predicated to cause severe flooding throughout the state. At a news conference at the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center, the governor said that weather systems, independent of Hurricane Joaquin, are likely to dump flooding rains on the state. Hurricane Joaquin will increase rainfall totals should it make landfall in North Carolina. Presently, the hurricane is predicted to brush the Outer Banks.
In the event of flooding or other emergency in our area, the George Hildebran Fire Department will be opened up as a shelter. Please check back here and our Facebook page throughout the next few days for more information.
George Hildebran Fire Rescue is proud to announce that after years of hard work we have lowered our ISO rating from a 7/9 to a 5/9. This new rate will take effect on November 1st, 2015. What does this mean for you? If you live in our fire district, in an area with fire hydrants, you will be able to get a reduction in your home owners insurance. Please contact your insurance provider and let them know. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the station at 874-4610.
George Hildebran Fire Rescue was visited by Congressman Mark Meadows. Congressman Meadows presented the department with a FEMA Grant check for over $160,000. This money will be used to update our SCBA inventory.
Need smoke detectors? George Hildebran Fire Rescue will install them in your home for free. Please contact the station Monday through Friday, between 8am and 5pm to schedule a time for us to meet with you. Our number is 828-874-4610.
Do you have what it take to serve your community? We are now accepting applications.
As our senior firefighters are reaching retirement, hanging up their helmets for the last time and leaving long time service replacing them and their experience is a task. There are 19 departments in Burke county most in which are always looking for new firefighters.
Benjamin Franklin started the first fire department in 1736. since then the fire service has always been ran by mostly volunteers. Today NFPA states that 69% of all firefighters in America are volunteers.
Being a firefighter can be hard work and training a must yet a reward that words can't describe.
If you have ever thought of being a firefighter contact your local department.
We are Now accepting applications for Firefighters & Junior Firefighters.
Volunteers come from all walks of life. There are Bankers, Engineers, Factory workers, Preachers, Business Owners, & Truck drivers. You name it, They are firefighters.
Ever wondered how to give back to your community, Or help Others. The feeling of helping someone when something has went wrong in their life is Priceless.
Contact the department at 828-874-4610 Mon-Fri 8-5
Or Chief Bobby Craig (828)-855-4765
Seat Belts save lives. Also a reminder George Hildebran Fire & Rescue is an official child safety seat inspection station through Safe Kids. Stop by Monday -Friday 8:00 till 5:00 for a free inspection of your child's car seat. Let us help you keep your children safe.
Call for an appointment (828)-874-4610
MVA - 18 South & Sugar Loaf Rd.
Station 73 First Responders were dispatched to an MVA at the intersection of NC 18 South and Sugar Loaf Rd. Station 73 responded Rescue 1 and First Responders to the scene of a 2 vehicle MVA. Station 57 was also requested for traffic control. Responding personnel treated 1 patient that was transported to the hospital. Longview Chief Eric Sheperd was driving by the scene and stopped to assist prior to Station 73’s arrival. Robert Neal from Station 56 was also in the area and assisted with traffic control until Station 57 arrived. Personnel remained on scene and assisted with cleanup of debris. After both vehicles were removed from the roadway, all units cleared the scene.
GHFR Awarded Smoke Alarm Grant
George Hildebran Fire Recue to Install Free Smoke Alarms for Residential Homes
RALEIGH — Fire Chief Bobby Craig of the George Hildebran Fire Rescue would like to announce that the department had been initially awarded 54 new smoke alarms from the North Carolina Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal. These alarms have been distributed; the Fire Department has received 102 more.
The fire department will be for canvassing at risk communities to insure that homes have working smoke alarms. The goal is to insure that every level of the home has working smoke alarms and to replace smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old.
The alarms are being provided by the North Carolina Department of Insurance through a federal fire prevention grant that was awarded to the Office of State Fire Marshal. The goal of this program is to properly install long life, battery-powered smoke alarms in homes that do not have working alarms to protect the lives of local citizens.
Each week, staff from the George Hildebran Fire Rescue will go door-to-door to ask residents to allow firefighters into their homes to check their smoke alarms. If any smoke alarms need to be replaced, new alarms will be installed in the proper locations. If no one is home at the time of the visit, a notification tag will be left on the front door to notify the residents that the fire department has stopped by for a courtesy check of their smoke alarms.
For additional information about the smoke alarm installation program, go to www.ghfr.org, or call the fire station at 828-874-4610.
Structure Fire - Maple Grove Ave.
On 03/27/13, Station 73 was alerted for a structure fire on Maple Grove Avenue, with Stations 56 and 74 alerted as automatic aid. South Mountains Tanker 1 was the first unit to arrive on the scene of a single story residential structure. 560 arrived on scene and advised smoke showing. 73 Engines 1, 3 and 4 responded to the scene. The fire was along B-side wall at the floor. It had burned along the floor and wall, where some of the floor joists had been burned. Personnel extinguished the blaze and a PPV fan was set up at the front door for ventilation. Crews used a vent saw cut into the flooring to allow for extinguish of hot embers. Part of the outside siding had to be removed also. The Fire Marshal’s Office was also requested to the scene. Fire crews then reported to a rehab area set up and ran by Burke County EMS. The fire marshal determined that the fire started from the chimney that was in use. All personnel cleared the scene.
Firefighter Taylor Completes Rookie School
Captain C. Richard Patton during Pinning Ceremony on March 8, 2013. Firefighter Stephen Taylor completed Cleveland Community Colleges’ Rookie School, Class Number 8. He has certifications in Firefighter Level I and Level II, Rapid Intervention and is Hazardous-Materials Level 1 Responder. Captain Patton was given the honor during the pinning ceremony by Firefighter Tayor. Congratulations Firefighter Taylor for this accomplishment.
Station 73 FR was dispatched to NC 18 South near Miller Bridge Road for an MVA with roll over. Units arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle that had ran off the roadway and over turned with two patients. Both patients were out of the vehicle when crews arrived and both were transported to the hospital. 73 personnel assisted with traffic control until the vehicle was removed from the scene, then all 73 units cleared the scene.
Station 73 was alerted for an MVA at the intersecton of NC 18 South and St. John's Church Avenue. Units and personnel arrived on the scene to find a two vehicle collision with multiple patients. Only one patient required transportation to the hospital with minor injuries. 73 personnel assisted with traffic control until both vehicles were removed from the scene, then all 73 units cleared the scene.
Station 73 was alerted for an MVA with entrapment on Sugar Loaf Rd. Inclement weather was a factor in the crash. Burke County EMS arrived on the scene first and advised routine traffic, that the patient had self extricated. Engine 1 arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle MVA. The vehicle, a Nissan pick up truck, was found resting on the driver's side. The vehicle had slid on ice, ran off the roadway and overturned. The driver was uninjured and able to exit the vehicle under their own power. 73 Personnel remained on the scene for traffic control until Burke County REACT arrived. After they arrived on the scene and set up, all 73 units cleared the scene.
GHFR FIRST RESPONDERS RECEIVE RECOGNITION
George Hildebran Fire & Rescue First Responder Team receives recognition from Burke County EMS for their performance on a recent call. Burke County EMS BLS Coordinator , Sgt Major Mike Brown (middle) presents George Hildebran First Responder Team Leader Lieutenant Richard Patton with a certificate of appreciation. The team was dispatched for a patient that upon their arrival was found breathless. The team established and maintained an intubated airway and performed rescue breathing until further treatment could be provided when EMS arrived. Due to the teamwork and effort of the first responders and Burke County EMS, the patient survived and was recently released from the hospital. Picture left to right, Chief Bobby Craig, Assistant Chief Derek Brittain, EMS Sgt Major Mike Brown, Captain Richard Patton, Firefighter Aaron Hildebran. Also responding but not in the picture Firefighter Kyle Boice.
MVA with Rollover
On August 24, 2012, NC Senator Warren Daniel visits George Hildebran Fire & Rescue to present the department with a flag that had been flown on the state house. Senator Daniel was accompanied by his wife Lydia. Senator Daniel and Chief Craig discussed things such as grant programs, Viper radio system and funding for emergency services training with Community Colleges. Things also discussed were a new district for Senator Daniel, which includes Burke & Cleveland Counties.
George Hildebran Fire/Rescue would like to thank all of those who supported our blood drive. With your help, we were able to collect 40 pints of blood. With a goal of 20 pints, 40 pints was an overwhelming success. Community Blood Center of the Carolinas will be able to support our local hospitals and help save 120 lives with these donations. For any CBCC questions or for more information on sponsoring a blood drive with CBCC, contact Kim Jones, Director of Sponsorship Development at (704) 972-4727.
Captain Rodney Brittain (right) presents Smokey Lail (middle) and Jeff Lail (left) with a plaque to show GHFR's appreciation for all they do for the department and for the community. Smokey's Wrecker has always provided cars for rescue and vehicle extrication training, allowed the use of their land for this training, towed fire department apparatus, pulled fireman and apparatus when stuck during calls and have always supported the department in fund raising projects. Thank you Smokey's for all do!
Chief Michael Martin (left) is presented an award in appreciation of being Chief of the department by Captain Derek Brittain. Michael agreed to stay on as Assistant Chief. Bobby Craig is the new Chief of George Hildebran Fire & Rescue.
Structure Fire: Working Fire
George Hildebran Fire/Rescue was dispatched to a structure fire on Sugar Loaf Rd and Horse Whispering Trail. Engine 1, Engine 3 and Service 1 responded along with mutual aid departments and personnel arrived on scene to find a single story structure with fire and smoke showing. EOC could not confirm if the structure was occupied so an initial knockdown was performed and a primary search was then completed with negative results. Lengthy salvage and overhaul was then started while the arriving owners could confirm that all occupants were accounted for. Burke County EMS arrived and set up firefighter rehabilitation while a representative from the Burke County Fire Marshall's Office arrived and started their investigation. The fire was ruled accidental and all units cleared the scene. George Hildebran was assisted by South Mountain FD, Salem FR, Mtn. View FD, Icard Township FR, Lovelady FD, Burke County REACT, Burke County EMS and Burke County Fire Marshall’s Office.
On-line Training Calenders for WPCC
Helmet Cam Video of Mayday As It Happens
On-line Burning Permits
George Hildebran Fire Recue to Install Free Smoke Alarms for Residential Homes