Photos by Sam Jokich/Staff Correspondent
The Grape Creek Volunteer Fire Department, with water supply assistance from the Hanging Dog and Unaka volunteer fire departments, conducted a training exercise on the morning of Sept. 17. This was a simulation of a kitchen fire with entrapment, according to Lt. Alan Andrews, the training officer. Volunteer firefighters are local citizens who save lives, and taxes, by putting out burning homes. Grape Creek would like to thank McDonald’s of Hayesville for the donation of sausage biscuits, Dunkin’ Donuts of Murphy for the donation of coffee and donuts, Downtown Pizza of Murphy for the donation of Pizzas, Sam Jokich from the Cherokee Scout for staying with us all day, Exum Auto Salvage for the donation of two cars, the Hanging Dog and Unaka fire departments for running their tankers, plus Beth and Johnathan McDonald and her children for letting them practice at their house. “We had a great day of training to better serve our community,” organizers said.