Volunteer fire departments around Cherokee and surrounding counties are in need of volunteers. Unpaid staff helps keep homeowners insurance rates lower for the citizens by not having to hire expensive paid personnel.
Being a volunteer for a department does not mean you must enter a burning structure, but rather to assist in areas that fit your desires and individual abilities. There are a wide variety of jobs that volunteers can do, including but not limited to fighting fires, helping at accident scenes, driving trucks, administrative duties, and helping clean and restock equipment.
Individuals wanting to volunteer can receive training and equipment at no cost.
Newcomers to Cherokee County and retirees are welcomed to volunteer. Former firefighters are encouraged to sign up, as they may already possess the skillset needed to do the jobs.
Volunteering is not the only way to help departments, as monetary donations are also needed for purchasing items grants do not cover.
An Insurance Services Office fire rating is a score given to fire departments that reflects how prepared an area is regarding fires. The better the ISO rating, the lower that area’s homeowners insurance premium rates will be.
If departments can’t find volunteers to assist, they may be forced to hire and pay for staff, which would dramatically increase expenses.
Fire departments have monthly meetings and training. Volunteering for a hometown fire department can bring a sense of camaraderie and build new friendships.
Local officials ask that you consider volunteering and becoming a hometown hero today. Here are the fire departments serving Cherokee County and Nantahala.
Bellview Volunteer Fire
Department (Station 17)
2975 Blairsville Highway
Murphy, NC 28906
828-837-0214
Chief: Freddie Conley
Brasstown Volunteer Fire Department (Station 14)
11159 Old U.S. 64 W.
Brasstown, NC 28902
828-837-2819
Chief: Paulette Tonielli
Culberson Volunteer Fire Department (Station 12)
10877 U.S. 64 W.
Murphy, NC 28906
828-644-0335
Chief: Dakota Thrower
Grape Creek Volunteer Fire Department (Station 16)
5930 Joe Brown Highway
Murphy, NC 28906
828-361-3979
Chief: Alan Andrews
Hanging Dog Volunteer Fire Department (Station 21)
3839 Hanging Dog Road
Murphy, NC 28906
828-835-4527
Chief: Kevin Carter
Hiwassee Dam Volunteer Fire Department (Station 20)
7815 N.C. 294
Murphy, NC 28906
828-644-9822
hiwasseedamfire.com
Chief: Chad McNabb
Martins Creek Volunteer Fire Department (Station 25)
4037 Hedden Road
Murphy, NC 28906
828-835-3353
Chief: Jamie Lance
Murphy Volunteer Fire Department (Station 11)
1 Firehouse Lane
Murphy, NC 28906
828-837-2212
murphyfire.org
Chief: Al Lovingood
Peachtree Fire & Rescue
Department (Station 15)
115 Upper Peachtree Road
Murphy, NC 28906
828-837-0381
Chief: Jordan Messer
Ranger Volunteer Fire
Department (Station 18)
155 Little Ranger Road
Murphy, NC 28906
828-644-5677
Chief: Mike Taylor
Unaka Volunteer Fire
Department (Station 24)
15015 Joe Brown Highway
Murphy, NC 28906
828-557-5213
Chief: Ann Lukens
Valleytown Rural Fire & Rescue Department (Station 30)
2769 Stewart Road
Andrews, NC 28901
828-321-3707
Chief: Justin Hyde
Wolf Creek Volunteer Fire Department (Station 23)
18835 U.S. 64 W.
Murphy, NC 28906
828-361-0615
Chief: Kevin Watkins
Cherokee County
Fire Marshal’s Office
59 Hiwassee St.
Murphy, NC 28906
828-837-0090
Fire Marshal: Kevin Carter
N.C. Forest Service
4596 U.S. 64 E.
Murphy, NC 28906
828-837-5426
Nantahala Rescue Squad/
Volunteer Fire Department
19036 Wayah Road
Topton, NC 28781
828-321-4749
Chief: David Moore