Oak Ridge fire department reports mutual-aid deployments and urges caution on brush burning

Assistant Fire Chief Sam Anders told the Town of Oak Ridge Town Council on Oct. 3 that the Oak Ridge Fire Department has been actively preparing personnel and equipment for mutual-aid deployments following hurricane damage in western North Carolina.

“Departments across the county will give make a list of names and equipment that is available,” Anders said, describing a coordinated system in which county emergency management and the fire marshal’s office organize requests so resources are deployed efficiently. Anders said Guilford County and Cone Hospital had already sent personnel and that county emergency management was coordinating deployments.

Anders urged residents to be careful when burning brush, saying: “Please, if you're going to burn brush, number 1, go on the North Carolina website for Forestry Service. You can get a permit that notifies the communications and notifies our station.” He cautioned that smoldering burns can produce low-hanging smoke that reduces road visibility and aggravates respiratory conditions.

The fire department also is preparing for fire prevention week and community outreach: Anders said the department has been assembling goody bags for children and encourages residents to visit the station when crews are not on calls. He reported the department is rostering a UTV and personnel that could be deployed to the mountains as part of the county/state coordination.

Anders also noted the department's barbecue facility is temporarily unavailable while a tower was rebuilt and said staff are working to secure a suitable replacement location; he said the department plans to host a barbecue once a safe cooking facility is available.

No formal council action was taken on these informational items; the council heard the report and moved on to public comment.