Clay County EMS staffs two ambulances to serve our community, and with two patients requiring care, all of the county’s available EMS transport resources were committed to a single incident.

But this picture also shows what makes a small community work.

Our friends at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office stepped up in force to help wherever they could. Many of our deputies either started their public-safety ... (Full Story & Photos)

Cooler morning temperatures and stable air conditions can cause smoke to remain closer to the ground and disperse more slowly, making it appear heavier and more widespread.

There is no cause for alarm and no emergency at the ball fields.... (Full Story)

Don’t be alarmed — there is no emergency, and the church is not burning down!

Clay County Fire & Rescue is conducting our annual fire hose testing to ensure our hose meets NFPA requirements and is ready for emergency use when it’s needed.

We greatly appreciate Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church for supporting our department and allowing us to use their parking lot to conduct this important ... (Full Story)

It is a controlled burn that will be producing a significant amount of smoke throughout the day.... (Full Story)

Residents and motorists may notice smoke in the area while the burn is underway. The fire is controlled and there is no cause for concern.

Please use caution if smoke impacts visibility while traveling through the area.... (Full Story)

Andrew dedicated his life to serving others and caring for people in their greatest moments of need. His loss is felt far beyond Macon County and throughout the entire public safety community.

The bond between first responders is built through long hours, shared sacrifice, and a commitment to being there for others on their worst days. Today, we stand alongside our brothers and sisters at Macon ... (Full Story & Photos)

m., Clay County Fire & Rescue was dispatched for a water rescue involving a group of five kayakers whose kayaks had overturned in the river.

One member of the group was able to make it safely out of the river and flag down a passing motorist, who contacted 911. The other four remained in the river and were unable to safely make their way out.

The four individuals were separated by several hundred ... (Full Story)

I’d tighten it up a little and emphasize that putting the fire out is only part of the job:

Putting the fire out is only part of the job.

Last night, our crews were on scene at the Hogsed Drive fire for around four hours. After clearing the scene at approximately 10:30 p.m., it took another two hours of work before the trucks were back in service and ready for the next call.

Hoses had to be swapped ... (Full Story & Photos)

At approximately 7:45 p.m., Clay County Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a residential structure fire on Hogsed Drive in the Elf School Fire District. The first arriving crew reported heavy fire conditions, and a defensive attack was initiated in an effort to protect nearby vehicles and structures.

Unfortunately, despite the efforts of responding crews, the home was a total loss. The fire was determined ... (Full Story)

Compared to our previous badge, the new design is something uniquely our own.

Our old badge used a traditional design commonly seen among fire departments across North Carolina. While it served us well for many years, the design had become dated, and because each badge was individually numbered, keeping badges in stock for new members joining the department could be difficult.

With the new badge, ... (Full Story & Photos)