Hiwassee Dam – This is a special year in Cherokee County, as the Hiwassee Dam, Martins Creek, Peachtree and Ranger fire departments – as well as Emergency Medical Services – are celebrating 50 years of service. But Sept. 7 belonged to the Eagles.
That’s when the Hiwassee Dam Fire Department celebrated five decades of serving the community with courage and dedication. The day’s worth of activities included free raffles, food and live demonstrations that featured rope repelling, an exercise involving canine trained to locate a missing person and vehicle extrication. Then there was the landing and tour of the Life Force medical transport helicopter.
Children were treated to a bounce house, dunk tank and squirts of water from Freddie the fire truck, operated by Lt. Jonathan McNabb. The Blood Assurance mobile unit was also on hand to except donations.
Five members Hiwassee Dam’s department were presented with leather helmets for 30 years of service. They are Chief Chad McNabb; Capt. Phil Hackler, who is also a board member; board Chair Michael Starks; Lt. Stanley Graham; and assistant chief Daniel McNabb.
An exciting canine search for several hidden volunteers was demonstrated by Shannon Vetter, a volunteer with Cherokee County Search & Rescue Team. One person even tried tricking the dog into not finding her, but the canine prevailed.
The department’s humble beginnings started in 1974 with a grant to Cherokee County that was funded by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Their entry into the community back then was just a small brush truck housed in a member’s barn, though members eventually were able to get a 1,000-gallon pumper for the department.
The first fire chief was Max McNabb. Some of the children and grandchildren of original members are still involved with the department today – like Hiwassee Dam Fire Chief Chad McNabb. He was just 2 years old when the original department was started and has been an active member for 36 years.
Through growth, funding and donations the department has three stations, five engines, three tankers, three brush trucks, two rescues as well as a command vehicle, one UTV, an ATV, seven boats and two swift water response trailers. Through the N.C. Association of Rescue and EMS, they are certified in heavy rescue, high-angle rescue, surface and swift water rescue as well as medical responder.
Hiwassee Dam fire officials are hopeful that they can be operated with both volunteer and paid staff in the future. They also hope to have a substation at the intersection of Hiwassee Dam Access Road and Joe Brown Highway, which would greatly benefit residents in the Violet area.
Chief McNabb thanked the Copper Basin (Tenn.), Culberson, Ranger and Wolf Creek fire departments for their continued assistance on calls. And the Hiwassee Dam department is always looking for volunteers.
Details: Visit hiwasseedamfire.com or call 828-644-9032.