Police earn league risk-review recognition; fire department reports post-storm response and new CERT team
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Summary
Council recognized Black Mountain Police for completing a league risk review and heard a detailed annual report from the fire chief describing post-storm operations, staffing, training and a new CERT volunteer team.
The council paused its agenda on Oct. 13 to recognize public-safety accomplishments and to hear the Black Mountain Fire Department annual report.
North Carolina League of Municipalities representatives presented a plaque to the Black Mountain Police Department for completing a comprehensive law-enforcement risk-review process covering 40 high-liability areas including pursuits, use of force, training and employment practices. Chet Epler of the League said Black Mountain had completed the review twice and is one of a small number of departments that are also state-accredited. Council and staff praised the department’s compliance and staff work; Stacy (compliance manager) received particular recognition.
Fire Department annual report: The fire chief described the department’s response to Hurricane Helene, noting wide infrastructure damage and extensive mutual-aid interactions. Key points included:
- Establishment of a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) with approximately 30 trained volunteers to support light rescue, first aid and communications. - Call statistics for 2024 within town limits: roughly 3,001 total calls (including 85 actual fires, 1,176 rescue/EMS calls, 84 motor vehicle collisions and 1,656 other varied calls); mutual aid provided 93 times and received 141 times. - Average turnout time (tone to truck out) of about 1 minute 55 seconds and dispatch-to-arrival averaging 7 minutes 55 seconds (the target benchmark was 6 minutes). The chief noted that many medical calls were concentrated at a large assisted-living facility. - Training: the department logged roughly 6,375 training hours in 2024 and staff achieved multiple certifications including advanced EMTs, certified fire investigator and technical-rescue credentials. - Apparatus: a mini pumper ordered last year remains in production with an estimated delivery around September 2026 due to industry delays. - Risk outlook: the chief warned of an increased wildfire risk from storm debris across Western North Carolina and reiterated the department’s equipment and staffing priorities, including a future ladder truck recommendation for multi‑story rescue capability.
Ending: Council members praised both departments. The League’s plaque and the fire department’s report were accepted as informational; council did not take formal action beyond public recognition.