Rocky Mount Fire Chief Posey Dillon and Senior Firefighter Danny Altice were both killed in the line of duty today while responding to a working fire in the Penhook area of Franklin County. The members of the Town of Chilhowie Fire Department wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the families, friends, and fellow firefighters of these two fallen brothers. 

The Town of Chilhowie Fire Department would like to apologize for website issues that we are currently experiencing. We are working hard at getting the updates back on-line as soon as possible. Please bare with us as we work through the issue.

An Advanced Trench Rescue  course will be held at the Chilhowie Fire Department on October 22, 23, and 24.  The class will be presented by Rescue Training Consultants and the Town of Chilhowie Fire Department.  In the 1970's,  Rescue Training Consultants developed many of the trench rescue procedures used throughout the world today.  They remain the leader in trench rescue training and innovation.

Topics covered in this advanced course will include:

"L" Trench Shoring

"T" Trench Shoring

"X" Trench Shoring

Deep Trench Shoring

Machine/Object Entrapment

And Many More

Classroom-Friday 6p.m. to 9p.m.

Hands-On Saturday 8a.m. to 5p.m. and Sunday 8a.m. to 5p.m.

For other information please contact:

Brother Smith: (276) 706-1724

Chilhowie Fire Department (276) 646-3131

The Town of Chilhowie Fire Department is looking for current or future EMS providers in our area who are interested in helping the community.  An EMT class will be scheduled from Mid-January through Mid-April 2010.  The only cost will be to cover books at approximately $60-$65.  If you live in or around our community and would be interested in helping, please contact:

Please note**  The recruits we are seeking must live in our response area in order to serve as a member of the department.  Positions in the class will be determined by residency within our response area, with consideration given to recruits outside our area thereafter.  These positions are strictly volunteer and are not salary based.

Deputy Chief Robert Taylor     (276) 759-3711

At 22:07, Chief 201, Engine 252, and Medic 257 responded to the 600 block of Paradise Drive for a reported chimney fire. Upon arrival, Chief 201 established command and reported a single story residential structure with smoke showing from the chimney. The occupants stated that there was dense smoke and fire coming from the chimney prior to arrival.  Members on-scene laddered the roof and checked the chimney for heat. They also made access to the attic to investigate further. Thermal imaging cameras were used to search for extension, and none was found.  The fire fuel was removed from the stove, and extinguished a safe distance from the structure.  No other damage was found and units cleared the call at 23:05.  PLEASE REMEMBER PROPER CHIMNEY CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR SAFETY!

Photos Courtesy of Tom Rollins

15:50: One of the slower days at CFD did bring one motor vehicle accident response.  Units were dispatched to a two vehicle head on collision near the intersection of Old Stage Road and North Sanders Avenue.  Upon arrival, Medic 257 and Chief 201 requested Engine 252 for patient care assistance and traffic protection.  Units from Medic 257and Engine 252 immediately extracted one occupant form the driver\'s seat and immobilized and secured for transport to the local emergency department.  One other patient involved refused any treatment or transport to the emergency department.  Engine 252 removed hazards from the roadway, and after investigation Engine 252 and Chief 201 returned to quarters.

Soon after response began to the interstate rollover, CFD units were alerted to a grass fire in the 1200 block of Whitetop Road.  Quint 251 responded to find a small amount of dry grass burning from an out of control rubbish fire.  Units used a pressurized water can to extinguish the rest of the fire, as soon as extinguishment was acquired, Quint 251 responded to assist crews with traffic protection working the vehicle collision.  After clearing units responded back for further investigation to find no further hazards, and all units returned to station.

CFD units were alerted to a single vehicle rollover on Interstate 81.  Medic 257 and Engine 252 responded immediately, followed by Medic 259 without knowing the number of patients.  Aero-medical services were placed on stand by in response to the scene, and were called upon arrival.  Medic 257 was first to arrive on scene to find a single vehicle accident in which one occupant lost control of his vehicle going northbound, and then rolled several times to land outside the guardrail on it\'s top on the southward side.  The lone driver was found to be conscious and restrained upside down by the seat belt.  Units immediately stabilized the vehicle by anchoring to Engine 252 to gain access.  Crews from Medic 257, 259, Engine 252, and Quint 251 worked to free the injured driver found to have a head injury.  The patient was extracted and immobilized and care was transferred to aero-medical attendants which began secondary assessment.  The patient was transported, Units cleared to respond back for further investigation of an earlier fire response.

The early morning school commute became busy for CFD firefighters.  Units were alerted to a vehicle collision with injury, and Medic 257 responded to find two vehicles in an intersection collision with head on and side impacts.  Two occupants were found with injuries, Medic 257 quickly assessed, extracted, and immobilized the driver of the vehicle with head on collision.  Quickly after immobilization Engine 252's crew was forced to quickly apply oil dry to leaking fluids and clear to respond in Medic 259 to a possible stroke victim.  Just after Medic 257 returned to the response area, units were alerted to a fire alarm in the 200 block of Lee Highway.  Upon initial staging and response, units were notified of a false alarm.  All incidents were cleared by 09:15

At 21:11, alerts sounded for a power line fire in the area of 208 Side Trail.  Engine 252 and Medic 257 responded to find a partially-burned service drop to a residence.  Both the service drop and the residence were inspected with the Thermal Imaging Camera with no other problems found.  AEP was contacted and all fire units cleared upon AEP arrival.