FANNIN COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY 181 Church Street Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513
706-632-1958 Robert Graham, Director.

Report Period: April 15 thru April 21, 2013

Total Calls answered by 911 Center (including non-emergency) 1552

The following figures represent emergency calls dispatched
Law Enforcement (cities & county) 429
Rescue 29
Fire 10
EMS
• McCaysville Ambulance 20
• Blue Ridge Ambulance 22
• Morganton Ambulance 22
TOTAL 64

*Above EMS numbers do not include non-emergency calls or transfers to other (out of town) hospitals.

Wednesday at around 7:00PM, the Wilscot/Hurst area of Fannin County experienced an unusually heavy rain storm, dumping approximately 6 inches of rain in a very short period of time. Wilscot Creek quickly came out of its banks and flooded areas mainly below Highway 60, causing damage to approximately 12 homes and cabins. The swollen creek also stranded 2 families at their homes for about an hour before it receded back into its banks almost as quickly as it rose. Other damage included 3-4 private bridges and 3 county bridges, a camper and 2 cars that were washed down the creek, an outbuilding that ended up on top of a private bridge, and 2 large LP Gas tanks that floated away from residences.

Fire Chief, Larry Thomas and Battalion Chief, Ryan McDaris were first on the scene and took command of the event. EMA Director, Robert Graham, Dep. Fire Chief, Rob Ross and 7 volunteer rescue workers also responded along with 2 deputies from Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, and quickly went to work checking for victims, securing the area and preventing vehicles from crossing unstable bridges and roadways. Chief Thomas had Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Coop cut off power to all of the homes with flood damage.
Fannin County Road Department also responded immediately clearing debris from county roads and checking county bridges for damage. All county bridges involved in the incident were checked and repaired if necessary.

No injuries were reported and families that had to leave their homes were able to stay with friends or relatives.

On Thursday, Fannin County Fire/EMS assisted Blue Ridge Scenic Railway with a medical drill on the passenger train. We responded to the tracks at Galloway and met the train which had called and declared a “drill” medical emergency. Our units arrived on the scene to find a cardiac arrest victim on the train and CPR in progress. The “patient” had to be immobilized “strapped” onto a back board to be removed from the train and placed into our ambulance.

During the drill, we identified a couple of issues that will help us improve our service should the train ever have a real emergency.

Fire Log:
Monday 4-22-13

FCFD stations 1, 12, 6, was paged to the area of the 2300 block of Chestnut Gap Rd. for the report of a Structure fire. First arriving unit advised that the structure appeared to be an abandoned structure and was fully involved and flames starting to show thur the roof. A defense attack was called at that time. Engine 1 laid two attack lines and started extinguishing fire. Engine 6 Engine 12 and Tanker 12 supplied Engine 1 with water. Protecting nearby Garage. Fire was already moving into the woods and Ga Forestry was called for at that time. Fire was extinguished. Structure was a total loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Fannin County Sheriff Dept. and the State Fire Marshall’s.

Saturday 04/20/13
Long Ridge Road
Dispatched: 16:09
Arrived: 16:17
Cleared: 19:09

FCFD Stations 3 & 9, Med. Unit 1, & Ga. Forestry responded to Long Ridge Road for the report of an unattended grass fire that was close to a pile of wood. Upon arrival, a grass fire of appx. 1½ acres surrounding 3 structures, wood piles and a propane tank was discovered. A porch of one of the structures was partially involved. All fire was extinguished with the only loss being a portion of the one porch.
A total of 17 firefighters,1 med unit, 2 Engines & 2 Tankers and 1 Ga.
Forestry personnel responded.
The cause of fire is under investigation by Ga. Forestry.

Engine 3 Engine 9 Tanker 3 Tanker 9 Medic 1 17 Fire Fighters, Ga. Forestry responded to the fire.

Larry Thomas
Fire / Rescue Chief
EMA Deputy Director
706-632-4711 Office