Outdoor Burning Not Recommended Today

Posted on April 20, 2023 by Deputy Chief Simpson

…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON EDT /11 AM CDT/ TODAY TO 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR PORTIONS OF EAST TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA… The National Weather Service in Morristown has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from noon EDT /11 AM CDT/ today to 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ this evening. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * WIND…South to southwest winds 10 to 15 mph, with occasional gusts of 20 to 25 mph. * HUMIDITY…Minimum relative humidity values in the upper teens to low 20s. * IMPACTS…any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now….or are expected to occur shortly. A combination of strong winds…low relative humidity…and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

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UPDATED DATES – Annual Plant Sale at Sharps Chapel VFD

Posted on April 2, 2023 by Deputy Chief Simpson

‼️ IMPORTANT NOTICE‼️

Due to Saturday’s weather forecast we are moving the plant sale date and have also added an additional date for your convenience. 20% of both sales go to the fire department so please help us spread the word!

New Plant Sale Dates

Friday, April 21 – 10AM – 6PM

Saturday, April 29 – 9 AM – 3PM

Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department

1520 Sharps Chapel Rd

Cash, Local Checks & VENMO accepted

We are excited to announce the date of the Holloway Homestead 2023 plant sale! Come out to support this local business and our fire department. 20% of the proceeds will be donated to Sharps Chapel VFD! Several last year asked about yellow tomatoes so they will be available this year. We look forward to seeing everyone! We will also have free smoke detectors and fire prevention information available!

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Sharps Chapel Road Two Vehicle Accident

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Deputy Chief Simpson

On Saturday, March 11, 2023, around 11:36 am, units from the Sharps Chapel Fire Department were dispatched to a two vehicle accident on Sharps Chapel Road near No Wake Market and Deli.

SCVFD Engine 54 responded to the scene to find that the head-on accident caused one the vehicles to run off the roadway and end on it’s side. No serious injuries were reported as Union County EMS checked all drivers and passengers involved.

SCVFD units stood by on the scene until the accident was cleared. The accident was investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

One of the vehicles was a 2022 Jeep Waggoneer and The other a 2007 Toyota Tacoma.

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Early Morning House Fire Destroys Home on Lay Hollow Road

Posted on February 16, 2023 by FF Blanton
Engine 51 and Engine 52

On February 13, 2023, At approximately 08:59 am, The Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to 337 Lay Hollow Road on report of a House Fire. Mutual aid was received from Northeast Union, Luttrell, Maynardville, and Paulette Fire Departments. Sharps Chapel Engine 51 and Engine 52 responded. Prior to the arrival of both engines Sharps Chapel Firefighter Greg Craley arrived on scene and reported to Union County E911 Dispatch that the house was on the ground and to cancel all other mutual aid departments. Engine 51 arrived on scene at 09:21 am and Union County E911 Dispatch advised Engine 51 the homeowner was at the intersection of Lay hollow Rd at Grizzell Ridge Road. Engine 52 stopped at the intersection to locate the homeowner, and assed him for injuries to which none were reported. Engine 52 then transported the homeowner back to the residence. The homeowner stated “The house caught fire around 03:00am after hearing the fire alarm sounding and he was unable to grab his cellular phone to call 911. In an attempt to get out of the house the homeowner fell off the front porch. Furthermore, stating that he tried to find help by walking up the road trying to wave people down that where passing by, finally finding a citizen that provided him a cell phone to call 911 but it was unfortunately too late, the house was engulfed in flames.” The homeowner being disabled caused a huge delay in the response of fire departments, also due to high levels of fog in the area the morning of the fire it would have made it hard for anyone passing by the residence to see the flames. Units remained on scene for around forty minutes to investigate the cause of the fire. Scene command deemed the fire under control around 10:08 am and all Sharps Chapel Fire members returned to service.

Chief Upton of Sharps Chapel Fire and Chief Gordon Sartain of Northeast Fire discussing the origin of the fire
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Sharps Chapel VFD Receives Wildfire Suppression Kits

Posted on February 5, 2023 by Deputy Chief Simpson
Pictured above: SCVFD Fire Chief Chris Upton with State Forestry Technician Jason Brantley at the fire station with the new Suppression Kits.

The Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department was selected this year to receive a Wildfire Suppression Kits as part of the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Program from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry.

The Wildfire Suppression Kits included: Ten council rakes, Ten pulaskis, Ten pair of wildland fire gloves Ten sets of wildland fire goggles and Ten wildland fire helmets.

The equipment and gear was delivered to the Sharps Chapel fire station this past week by State Forestry Employees.

Fire Chief Chris Upton said “ The fire department was very grateful to the State Forestry Division for being chosen this year to receive the grant.” Upton said “these new tools and gear will be very beneficial to our members while fighting wildland fires in our community.”

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Leadmine Bend Road Accident Truck Off Embankment

Posted on January 13, 2023 by Deputy Chief Simpson

On Thursday, January 12, 2023 Sharps Chapel Fire Department was dispatched to a vehicle accident with unknow injury on Leadmine Bend Road just past Shoffner Road.

The call came out around 6:20pm when Rescue 51 responded to the scene.

When firefighters arrived they found that a pickup truck had lost control and ran off the steep embankment in the creek striking several trees.

Firefighters assisted the driver up the embankment where he was evaluated by Union County EMS for minor injuries and he refused transport to the hospital.

Leadmine Bend Road was shut down for a short time while wrecker crews had trouble recovering the truck out of the embankment and requested assistance from the fire units on scene, by having to cut a few trees and stumps in order to clear the vehicle. One of the cables actually snapped and another wrecker had to respond..

The accident was worked by the Union County Sheriff’s Department and the driver was arrested for DUI and transported to jail.

SCVFD units stood by on scene until the vehicle was cleared and reopened the roadway.

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SCVFD Shop with a Firefighter 2022

Posted on December 23, 2022 by Deputy Chief Simpson

The Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department held it’s 3rd year of Shop with a Firefighter on Saturday morning, December 17, 2022 at the Wal-Mart in New Tazewell.

Chief Chris Upton said the department looks forward to this event every year now, “We enjoy the looks on these kids faces while they are shopping”. “What makes it even better is when one of the kids buys something for a brother or sister”, Upton said.

This year the department was able to help 10 kids in the shopping spree. Each kid is allotted $150.00, ($100 in clothing items and $50 in toys, etc.)

The money for this event is donated mostly by the firefighters in the department with a few private donors. The kids are all from Sharps Chapel and picked by school staff.

The department started doing this 3 years ago instead of having a department Christmas dinner and exchanging gifts amongst each other, Upton said “We discussed it and decided this is what we wanted to start doing”. Chief Upton said he wants to thank all of the department members for their donations and those who helped with this years shopping.

The department has already got a jump start for next year and hopes to be able to help more kids in the shopping spree. Merry Christmas !!!

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Trunk-or-Treat and Halloween Carnival at Sharps Chapel Park 

Posted on October 30, 2022 by Deputy Chief Simpson

SCVFD members participated again this year with the Trunk-or-Treat and Halloween Carnival Held at Sharps Chapel Community Park. Everyone had a great time during the event and enjoyed a supe fireworks show at the end of the evening.

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Smokey and Sparky Visit SCES Students

Posted on October 30, 2022 by Deputy Chief Simpson

On Friday, October 28, 2022 Smokey and Sparky teamed up to visit students at Sharps Chapel Elementary School for Fire Prevention Day Activities.

Students from Pre-K through 5th grade gathered throughout the day to meet firefighters from the Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department and Tennessee Division of Forestry.

Students watched fire safety videos, met with firefighters to discuss fire safety and prevention for not only homes, but wildland fires as well. All students were given fire safety materials to take home along with several goodies from both the SCVFD and State Forestry.

Each class met with Smokey and Sparky for group pictures after the event.

SCVFD members again would like to thank the State Forestry for teaming up to do this presentation each year and the staff at SCES for assisting with and making this program possible each year for the kids.

SCVFD Chief Chris Upton said he would like to thank everyone who helped with this years program, Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness is important for these kids to learn about. We look forward to this event each year.

Pre K
K
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
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Four Injured in Golf Cart Accident

Posted on August 26, 2022 by Deputy Chief Simpson

SCVFD was dispatched to assist Union County EMS with a reported ATV accident in the area of Helms Ferry Road on Friday Evening, August 19, 2022 around 9:30pm. 

The caller told 911 dispatchers they heard the accident and calls for help. When emergency units arrived, they found that four people who had been riding a golf cart were injured after the golf cart overturned in a curve,

SCVFD assisted EMS with patient care as a second med unit was called for to help with transport to the hospital.

After evaluating a four patients three were taken to UT Hospital for injuries sustained in the accident. One was serious with head injuries. One of the patients was a small child.

The Union County Sheriff’s department investigated the incident and the group was in from out of state visiting relatives.

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