Asheville’s firefighters got an up-close look last week at the inner workings of vehicles that transport potentially hazardous chemicals along highways and rail lines. Over three days, the Asheville Fire Department learned the ins and outs of tanker trucks and tractor trailers that transport anhydrous ammonia, a chemical that is used in agriculture, wastewater treatment, [...]
Looking for an easy way to help police or fire and rescue responders get to you in an emergency? Make sure your home or business’ street number is on display and visible from the road. “Anytime first responders, police fire or medical personnel, are responding to calls for service, their response time is reduced when addresses [...]
Already this winter, multiple snowstorms have hit Asheville and Western North Carolina, and the City’s Public Works Department has been hard at work to keep roads passable and clear, while the Asheville Police and Fire Departments continue to keep people safe. The City of Asheville is urging the public to remain safe and cautious throughout inclement [...]
On December 15, the Asheville Civic Center became a high-elevation training ground, as the Asheville Fire Department practiced rope maneuvers and evacuation techniques from the cat walk of the Civic Center arena. The next day found the department’s newest hires in Swannanoa at an arranged burn, part of the certification process for becoming a firefighter. From [...]
From an Asheville Fire Department press release: Units of the Asheville Fire Department responded to a reported residential structure fire at 23 Foxfire Drive, Turtle Creek Apartments on December 7, 2010 at approximately 2:00 am. The first arriving unit reported heavy smoke and soon after reported heavy fire conditions as well. AFD firefighters rescued 3 victims [...]
In the world of communications, diversity means increased reliability. The city of Asheville uses a number of telecommunication tools to ensure public safety communications are in line with making Asheville the safest city in America when compared to cities of similar size. Information about the city’s public safety delivery systems is highly sensitive due to its [...]
Twenty fire engines from departments throughout Buncombe County – including four trucks from the Asheville Fire Department – have been outfitted with equipment that drastically cuts back on their emissions of particulate matter, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. The upgrades, announced November 19 at Fire Station One in downtown Asheville, come thanks to a $31,500 North Carolina [...]
When your job can involve any dangerous scenario from burning buildings to high-rise rescues, you never stop preparing, says Asheville Fire Department Division Chief of Safety and Training Barry Hendren. “We’re always ready to do training for the unexpected,” says Hendren. “It just helps us be better prepared for what comes our way.” In recent months, the [...]
A working smoke alarm can be a lifesaver in the home. That is the message being spread this month by the Asheville Fire Department through educational events and visits to area schools. “We have seen many families who have safely escaped danger because their smoke alarms alerted them about a fire” says Kelley Webb, AFD Fire [...]
On October 4, the City of Asheville launched an interactive project called “Asheville Asks, Asheville Answers.” Every few weeks, the City of Asheville will post a special logo on its Facebook page, inviting people to post questions they have about the city in the comments section. Answers by city staff are recorded on video [...]
Fire stations in East and West Asheville will soon get their hot water from newly installed solar panels, announced the City of Asheville’s Office of Sustainability. On September 16, technicians from Asheville-based Sundance Power Systems installed two collector panels atop Asheville Fire and Rescue’s Station 8 on Tunnel Road. Similar panels were set to be [...]
On Saturday, September 11, members of the Asheville Fire Department and their families gathered at the Grove Park Inn to participate in a ceremony commemorating firefighters who served and died in the 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City. The ceremony was presided over by Asheville Fire Chief Scott Burnette, who [...]