Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department

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.

Several members of the Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department along with a couple members from the Union County Rescue Squad took a weekend long Low Angle Rescue Class taught by a Certified Instructor through the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads.

The SCVFD was able to obtain equipment such as rescue ropes, harnessses, a basket and other gear through a grant this past year to enable the department to provide low angle rescues.

This equipment is very expensive and without the help of a grant most volunteer departments could not afford the equipment.

SCVFD Chief Chris Upton said he was very proud of all the members who took the certified class to enable SCVFD to provide this type service to the community in the event one of these type emergencies take place.

Upton said in the past couple of years we have saw more emergencies in our area where low or high angle rescues have had to be conducted. In the past we have had to call on emergency services outside the county to assist with these type calls. Upton said with this new equipment and training most of these type rescue can be handled within our county in a safe and timely manner without having to wait on out of county help to arrive.

The SCVFD and UCRS have plans to hold another class later this Fall in order to get more of their members trained. UCRS is looking into purchasing some of the equipment also as both departments plan to work and train together in forming a team here in the county to assist with these type emergencies.

The Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department recently purchased two newer model Philips AED Defibrillators to be carried on our trucks. The newer units will replace older units that were in need of repair and one that was out of service. The SCVFD is requested by Union County 911 dispatch often to assist the Union County EMS with medical emergency calls in our district. If a med unit (ambulance) is not close by the area or at level zero meaning all of the current units are on other calls. SCVFD is called out to assist until an ambulance is available to respond to the emergency. SCVFD has some Emergency Medical Technicians, Emergency Medical Responders and all members are trained in CPR. Chief Chris Upton said the new units were greatly needed and plans are to purchase more in the near future in order to have one on each of our emergency vehicles. Time is a very important factor of a cardiac emergency and proper CPR along with the AED gives a greater chance of saving lives. Upton also said the department currently has a certified CPR Instructor and plans to offer CPR classes through the American Heart Association to the community in the near future.

On Saturday afternoon, May 29, 2021 the Sharps Chapel Fire Department was invited to attend a Block Party held with the folks at Waterside Cove and with the folks from Lost Creek RV Park who were also in attendance. Our guys had a great time and look forward to getting together again in the future. We would like to thank everyone who gave donations and those who purchased Fireade bottles.

The Members of the Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department and Northeast Union Volunteer Fire Department here in Union County, TN and Clear Fork Area Volunteer Fire Department in Rugby, TN would like to give a Huge Thank You to Queenstown VFD and Kent Island VFD in Maryland for the Equipment, Gear and Tools that that they recently donated to assist their friends in the South.

This much needed and greatly appreciated equipment will help these local East Tennessee VFD’s in better serving their communities.