Asheville firefighter’s cancer death ruled a ‘line of duty death’ by N.C. Industrial Commission

Asheville Fire Department Engineer Will Willis died in February 2018 due to cancer. The Asheville Fire Department is elated to share the news that the N.C. Industrial Commission has ruled that AFD’s Engineer Will Willis, who died in February due to cancer, is considered a line of duty death. Not only will his family receive survivor benefits, but [...]

Asheville’s Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk returns Aug. 19

Local firefighters run in gear and compete for Siller Cup The Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation 5K Run/Walk hosts its Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk nationwide each year. This year, the Asheville Tunnel to Towers 5K is set for Aug. 19. Tunnel to Towers is dedicated to the memory of FDNY hero, and father of five, Stephen Siller, who lost his life on 9/11. Stephen, who was [...]

City of Asheville prepares for week of heavy rain

A Stormwater Services crew removes silt, dirt and debris from storm drains atop Town Mountain July 31. In advance of heavy rains this week, the City of Asheville is prepared! The Water Resources Department is following the Flood Operation Plan at the North Fork Reservoir. One gate is slightly opened (6 inches) to accommodate present and anticipated precipitation to [...]

Bowen 7 Memorial Workout honors fallen Asheville firefighter

The Asheville Fire Department supports the upcoming Bowen 7 Memorial workout to honor our fallen brother, Captain Jeff Bowen. On July 28, 2011, Captain Bowen gave his life in the line of duty while responding to a fire in a high rise medical office building at 445 Biltmore Ave. This year’s event will hosted by Beer City [...]

Asheville Police hiring; all interested encouraged to apply

Looking to begin your career in law enforcement or in fire/rescue? Then you’re in luck! The Asheville Police Departments is hiring. But you need to act fast. The APD is hiring for the position of Police Officer Trainee. Testing for this position will be offered on June 23 and 28. The written test will be held at [...]

All Asheville streets now reopened

Asheville Public Works crews  cleaned mud off the streets of Biltmore Village Wednesday afternoon and evening, following flooding May 30, 2018. Following this week’s flooding of the Swannanoa and French Broad rivers, only 1 street remained closed in Asheville Friday morning. Now it is open too. The portion of  Lyman Street closed by flooding earlier this week has been reopened. [...]

Asheville Fire Department accepting applications for summer camp

The Asheville Fire Department will hold its annual fire summer camp, Fire Escape, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 25-28. Designed for rising sixth- through eighth-graders, this free summer series is a highly interactive camp filled with great hands on activities. Fire Escape Camp is limited to 30 students who will be selected based on [...]

Asheville Fire Division Chief and cancer survivor runs Black Mountain Marathon

Asheville Fire Department Division Chief Joy Ponder, third from left, stands with her crew, which has been very supportive as she battled cancer herself. Update: On Feb. 24, 2018, Asheville Fire Department Division Chief Joy Ponder finished the Black Mountain Marathon  in 7 hours, 26 minutes, 13 seconds. Related coverage, Citizen-Times video of Joy Ponder and AFD Chief Scott Burnette: