SCVFD Attends Sunset Bay’s Yearly Fourth of July Event

Posted on July 6, 2022 by Deputy Chief Simpson

The Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department once again enjoyed the visit to Sunset Bay for their yearly Fourth of July Celebration held at the Club House. SCVFD set up a tent and offered free smoke alarms for anyone needing them and gave out fire safety brochures and information. They also had Fire Aid Extinguishers for sale and offered free blood pressure checks.

The event ended just after dark with a great fireworks show for the community to watch.

 SCVFD Chief Chris Upton said he appreciated the Sunset Bay Community inviting us each year and also wanted to thank Lt. Dustin Ray and Firefighters Johnny Blanton, Rich Zerbey and Andrew Woods for helping at the event.

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Grand Opening of Chuck Swan State Forest Work Center

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Deputy Chief Simpson

SCVFD Fire Chief Chris Upton joined with state and several other local officials and community members to the Grand Opening Ceremony of the new Chuck Swan State Forest Work Center.

The event was held on Thursday, June 16 at 11:30am and several state Forestry Officials were on hand.

The new work center will provide a central location for state forest personnel to plan and implement forest management activities, store and maintain state forest and wildland fire equipment and conduct education and outreach activities.

Smokey the Bear was also present during the ceremonial tree planting.

Everyone present was provided a lunch, a tour of the new facility and watched a presentation about Chuck Swan State Forest.

SCVFD Chief Chris Upton said he was very appreciative for the invite as he enjoyed the tour, meal and presentation. Chief Upton said he was very excited for the Forestry Employees, he said they deserve this new building.

Upton said without the Wildland Firefighters from the Forestry Division we would have major trouble in the area during wildland fire season. Upton said the men, women and equipment from the state forestry division are very essential in helping keep us safe during fire season.

SCVFD as most other fire departments work hand and hand with the forestry division during fire season. They also train together and do community events together on occasion.

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Brush Fire Burns 1.5 Acres In Tanglewood

Posted on March 28, 2022 by FF Blanton

On March 27, 2022, at 12:27 pm, The Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to an out-of-control brush fire in the area of 368 Parsons Shores Road. Prior to the arrival of Engine 52 of the SCVFD requested for mutual aid from the Union County Rescue Squad, Northeast Volunteer Fire Department, and Luttrell Volunteer Fire Department. 12:41 pm Engine 52 then arrived on scene and advised dispatch to cancel the remaining departments and to continue all SCVFD members/apparatuses. 12:50 pm Engine 51 arrived on the scene to help further contain the fire. 12:55 pm Command 5 arrived on scene and took command of the fire. After about 30 minutes of fighting fire Engine 52 from SCVFD advised dispatch, the fire was under control. All SCVFD members and apparatuses remained on scene to put out some hot spots so the fire wouldn’t reignite. The Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department fire chief said around 1.5 acres burned with no structures involved. No injuries were reported from either landowner or fire members. After around an hour and five minutes of fighting the fire all SCVFD members and apparatuses returned to service and returned to quarters.

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Wreck On Grizzell Ridge Sends One To The Hospital

Posted on March 27, 2022 by FF Blanton

On Saturday March 26, 2022, The Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a 1 car MVA with minor injuries. Upon arrival Rescue 51 advised dispatch that the vehicle was on its top. All patients were out of the vehicle at the time of arrival. Engine 54 then arrived on scene and took over patient care until the arrival of Union County EMS. Engine 54 then assessed the car for any hazards no hazards were reported. Union County EMS transported 1 patient to the hospital. The second patient refused medical treatment from both fire department members and Union County EMS. The Car was then declared stable until the arrival of the towing company. The towing company then arrived on scene and cleared the roadway. All Sharps Chapel members and apparatuses returned to service.

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Dump Truck Wreck Causes Diesel/Oil Leak

Posted on March 27, 2022 by FF Blanton

On Tuesday, March 22, 2022, The Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department responded to a dump truck accident on Russell Brothers Road at the intersection of Ruby Lane in the Sunset Bay area of Sharps Chapel. Union County 911 received the call at 3:17 pm. The driver lost control and rolled the dump truck on its side this causing the truck to leak diesel fuel and leak oil. Engine 54 from the SCVFD arrived on scene to declare one lane of the roadway blocked. Engine 54 then contained the diesel/oil leak and then considered the scene to be safe to open one lane of traffic for the flow of traffic. No injuries were reported for either fire members or the driver of the truck. The truck was then flipped back onto its top and hauled away from the scene to where fire members cleaned up the rest of the diesel/oil from the road. The roadway was reopened, and all Sharps Chapel members went back into service.

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Ray Lane Home Destroyed In Fire

Posted on March 7, 2022 by FF Blanton


The Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a residential fire at 156 Ray Lane on Sunday afternoon, March 6, 2022 around 3:30pm. When Command 5 arrived on the scene 7 minutes later, command reported that flames were coming from the left side of the structure and command had been advised no one was in the residence. No other hazards were reported. SCVFD Engines 51 and 52 arrived on the scene and attack lines were pulled to fight the fire. Units from Northeast Union VFD and Luttrell VFD also soon arrived on scene and assisted with the blaze. Firefighters were able to get a quick knock down on the fire and checked for a few hot spots. Units were on scene less than 2 hours before returning back in service. None of the surrounding homes or structures were damaged. Paulette and Maynardville units were released by command to return to their areas. Although the structure was still standing, Flames and Water damage made it a complete loss with few items to be recovered from inside. According to Information obtained at the scene, the home belonged to Winston and Ruby Eads and their son Josh had been staying in the residence prior to the fire. The cause was listed under investigation at this time. Powell Valley Electric Cooperative was called to the scene to cut power from the residence. A SCVFD firefighter was checked on the scene by Union County EMS for Smoke Inhalation and Overheating, but was later released without further incident. No other injuries were reported.Chief Upton said he would like to thank everyone for their assistance.

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SCVFD holds Shop with Firefighters Shopping Spree

Posted on December 21, 2021 by Deputy Chief Simpson

The Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department held Shop with a Firefighter Shopping Spree on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at the Wal-Mart in New Tazewell. Instead of holding a department Christmas Diner and exchanging gifts within the department this year, the firefighters all make donations to sponsor local kids in the Sharps Chapel Community that are in need, or their families are having financial hard times. The kids are picked from staff at the local school that have not already been chosen or sponsored by other local charities that do a similar program for kids. Chief Chris Upton said the department sponsored 6 local kids in 2019 but did not do the program in 2020 due to the COVID issue. This year we were able to sponsor 8 local kids. Upton said he met with the department members, and they all decided this is what they wanted to do. Upton said $150.00 is spent on each child split up between clothing items and toys. The department hopes to be able to sponsor more local kids next year. Chief Upton said he wanted to thank the Firefighters, Junior Firefighters, and Lady Auxiliary members who helped shop with the children and their parents during the event. 

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SCVFD Firefighters take Santa by Sharps Chapel Elementary School

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Deputy Chief Simpson
Santa Greeting Sharps Chapel Students

On Thursday, December 16, 2021, Santa gave the firefighters in Sharps Chapel a call and requested some help. Santa needed help to be transported by Sharps Chapel Elementary School to make a quick visit with the kids while he was out wrapping up last minute chores before the big day. Apparently, the rein deer were already back in the North Pole getting ready for Christmas Eve. SCVFD Engine 52 and crew took Santa to the front door of the school with bells and whistles meeting all of the kids who were waiting at the entrance. Santa went in and sat with each child who attended school along with some of the staff and took a photo. Santa’s Firefighter helpers gave out candy canes and peppermint candy balls to everyone during the visit. Santa said he wanted to thank Chief Upton and Firefighters Mason, Tyler and Dusty for helping him out. Just before he left, he said, “Merry Christmas to All”.

Click on the video below to watch Santa’s arrival to Sharps Chapel Elementary.

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SCVFD Holds Fire Prevention Day at SCES

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Deputy Chief Simpson

On Wednesday, December 15, 2021, the Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department held their annual Fire Prevention Day activities at Sharps Chapel Elementary School. Chief Chris Upton said, “We are running behind this year, but we made it”. The fire department has conducted fire prevention day for the past 26 years since being in operation in Sharps Chapel. Chief Upton said that he and the members of the fire department would like to once again thank the school staff and students for allowing them to visit each year. This year each class watched a Life Skills and Fire Safety Video and were given fire prevention materials to take home and go over with their parents. Students were also got to look over one of the fire engines. Everyone had a great day and of course “Sparky the Fire Dog” was there to help with the daylong activities. Chief Upton would like to thank Deputy Chief Mason Simpson, LT. Dustin Ray and Firefighter Rich Zerbey for helping with this year’s program and everyone is looking forward to next year’s visit.

5th Grade
4th Grade
3rd Grade
2nd Grade
1st Grade
Kindergarten
Pre-K
Wyatt admiring the helmet sticker.
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Sparky Visits Sharps Chapel Elementary School Halloween Carnival

Posted on November 12, 2021 by Deputy Chief Simpson

On Friday, October 29, 2021 Sparky the Fire Dog attended the Sharps Chapel Elementary School Carnival and Trunk or Treat with members of the Sharps Chapel Fire Department. Asst. Chief Kevin Brantley, Lt. Dustin Ray and Firefighter Andrew Woods along with Sparky visited with the kids and handed out candy during this years Carnival.

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