Today’s home fires burn faster than ever. In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Knowing how to use that time wisely takes planning and practice. The Asheville Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) ‑‑ the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week™ for more than 90 years ‑‑ [...]
Come find out about the budget! The second in the City’s series of educational budget worksessions happens at 3 p.m. Sept. 25, prior to City Council’s 5 p.m. meeting. Come learn about the Asheville Fire Department, Parks & Recreation, Human Resources, Community & Public Engagement and the Department of Planning & Urban Design. The worksessions happen in [...]
View of the French Broad River from the Clingman Avenue bridge Monday, Sept. 17. The sun is shining and the Swannanoa and French Broad rivers are in their banks following Sunday’s nonstop rain from Tropical Depression Florence. The storm brought minor flooding to the Asheville area Sunday, Sept. 16. Sunday evening, the City of Asheville closed Azalea Road as [...]
This Google map images shows Tropical Depression Florence’s location Sunday evening. A day of nonstop rain from Tropical Depression Florence brought some flooding to the Asheville area Sunday and overnight into Monday. Sunday evening, the City of Asheville closed Azalea Road as the Swannanoa River has begun to rise. Also, the Asheville Fire Department performed a swift-water rescue of [...]
Latest Tropical Depression Florence storm track. Latest updates: The gates at the North Fork Dam were closed at 2:40 a.m. Sunday 703,184 without power statewide Sunday. Asheville remains under a wind advisory. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for Asheville through Tuesday. Flooding impacts may not be apparent until Monday. The storm could bring the potential for landslides. A weakened [...]
The City of Asheville held its 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony outside of the Municipal Building this morning. Interim Fire Chief Chris Budzinski, Asheville Police Chief Tammy Hooper and Interim City Manager Cathy Ball made remarks honoring the first responders who lost their lives in the World Trade Center Twin Towers. All of the people who were killed [...]
Latest Hurricane Florence storm track. Updated information includes: Hurricane Florence has weakened slightly to Category 3 hurricane, with winds near 125 mph (201 kph). It is still considered “extremely dangerous.” How Asheville Fire Department is helping in the storm zone. Link for shelters in the storm zone. The City of Asheville continues to monitor the path of Hurricane Florence and [...]
Asheville Police Chief Tammy Hooper is shown making remarks during a previous 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony. The City of Asheville will hold a 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 11 at the City Municipal Building, 100 Court Plaza. This event is to pay solemn tribute to those who heroically sacrificed their own lives to save thousands of [...]
In response to feedback from downtown stakeholders about the need for increased resources to maintain a welcoming, safe downtown experience, the City of Asheville has launched a Community EMT Pilot Program. The vision is for this six-week pilot program to integrate the roles of public safety official and medical responder into one team. Under this pilot [...]
Asheville Police and Fire Departments joined neighbors from 11 communities for National Night Out on Aug. 7. Considered America’s Night Out Against Crime, NNO provides an opportunity for neighbors to get to know each other and form connections with local emergency responders and law enforcement to help deter crime in their community. Here’s a video compilation. Enjoy!
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
