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Oak Ridge Fire Department warns residents to prepare ahead of winter storm; county EOC to activate
Summary
Assistant Chief Sam Andrews told council the fire department exceeded 1,000 calls in 2024 and urged residents to prepare for an approaching winter storm; Guilford County will activate its emergency operations center at 3 p.m. the next day.
Assistant Chief Sam Andrews of Oak Ridge Fire and Rescue told the Town of Oak Ridge council on Jan. 9 the department had exceeded 1,000 calls in 2024 and urged residents to prepare for an expected winter storm.
“We've been running quite heavily,” Andrews said, noting one day in December had eight calls in 24 hours, including a multi‑car wreck. He relayed that Guilford County Emergency Management planned to activate the county emergency operations center at 3 p.m. the following day and that county EMS and local fire departments were preparing for winter operations.
Andrews gave practical safety advice: make a food and water plan, avoid bringing open‑flame kerosene or gasoline heaters inside (they can produce carbon monoxide), do not run space heaters through drop cords, and stay home where possible during the storm. He also urged residents to treat downed lines and taped‑off roads as hazards and to call 911 rather than touch suspected power lines.
The department asked residents to be cautious, to keep emergency supplies (water in bathtubs as backup and a small bucket for flushing), and to delay travel when conditions include ice and black ice. Andrews closed by saying emergency services are prepared to respond if needed.
