Calabash Fire Department

What if you have an emergency and you need first responders right away—can we easily find your residence? If your house is on fire, we will likely see it quickly. But what if you have a medical emergency where minutes can make the difference between life and death? Take a look at these photos and see which address signs you think would be easily visible day and night from the road. A good address sign should be highly reflective with large numbers and located right by the driveway to your house so we know where to turn in. If your mailbox is across the street or in a cluster of mailboxes, put a sign by your driveway. Make sure to keep your sign in good repair and not covered with any kind of vegetation. When we get into the holiday season, remember not to impede visibility of your address with holiday decorations. If you need a new address sign, our fire department auxiliary sells highly reflective green ones with large white numbers like those in the photos for only $20. You can pick up an order form at our main fire station on Persimmon Road. But we don’t care where you get your sign, as long as we can easily see it from the road day and night.

A fun time was had by all at this morning's Touch a Truck event at the Southwest Brunswick Branch Library. Over 75 kids and adults turned out to see and learn about fire trucks, sheriff's apparatus and a tow truck. The library also gave out school supplies. Take a look at some of the happy faces!

Just a quick reminder about tomorrow's Touch a Truck event at the Southwest Brunswick Branch Library. Our firefighters will be there with Tower 1261 and we look forward to seeing everyone!

Always training......here are some photos of A Shift teaching one of our newest firefighters some of the most efficient ways to deploy hose.

One of our favorite things to do....the Calabash Fire Department was delighted to join the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office and the folks from Home Instead Agency in wishing a very special happy birthday to Miss Lois Ruth who turns 95 years young tomorrow!

Always serving the community....This bloodmobile is currently in the parking lot of our Station 1 on Persimmon Road and will be there until 12pm. Please consider donating blood to save a life. Donors will receive a $70 reward.

All lanes of Hickman Rd are now open. Please drive carefully.

One person is headed to the hospital and all lanes of Hickman Rd at Crow Creek remain blocked as the result of a two-vehicle accident. Please continue to avoid the area if at all possible.

You will definitely want to avoid the area of Hickman Rd at Crow Creek where an accident with injuries will badly tie up traffic.

Always serving the community....The Blood Connection will be in the parking lot of CFD Station 1 from 8:00am to 12:00pm on Friday, July 19th, for a blood drive. Please consider helping to save a life by donating blood.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

BOLIVIA, N.C. – A burn ban has been issued for the unincorporated areas within Brunswick County effective 8 a.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024.

All burning outside of 100 feet of an occupied structure is banned within the unincorporated areas of Brunswick County. An unincorporated area is an area not within a city or town’s limits.

The burn ban does not apply to any open burning permits issued by the North Carolina Forest Service or permitted fireworks displays scheduled for the week of July 4.

Brunswick County is experiencing hot weather and drought conditions, in addition to a high fire danger index rating. The current and future weather forecast models indicate conditions that are not favorable for open burning. If you are located in a city or town, contact your local municipal official related to the burn ban.

Because of these conditions, officials recommend individuals avoid using personal fireworks this Independence Day weekend and consider attending professional fireworks displays instead. More details on displays and fireworks safety tips from the Fire Marshal’s Office are at brunswickcountync.gov/holiday-fire-safety.

The burn ban will remain in place until 8 a.m. on Monday, July 8. For questions about the burn ban, please contact the Brunswick County Fire Marshal’s Office at 910.253.2021

Fortunately there were no injuries in a house fire this morning. The call came in at 10:30am for a structure fire on Sandlewood Drive NW in the Carolina Shores North subdivision. Arriving Calabash firefighters found a large amount of smoke and a small area of flames coming from the one-story home. With the help of their mutual aid partners from Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach and Horry County fire departments, they were able to bring the blaze quickly under control, confining most of the fire damage to the garage area. No exact cause was able to be determined. Many thanks to Brunswick County EMS and Sheriff's Office personnel who assisted at the scene, as well as the Calabash Fire Department Auxiliary PIRT (Prolonged Incident Response Team) who provided rehab services at the scene.

Sending heartfelt condolences to our firefighting brethren in North Myrtle Beach at the recent loss of Division Chief Charles Full. Several Calabash firefighters and others from area departments staffed the North Myrtle Beach fire stations yesterday so that all North Myrtle fire personnel could attend the memorial services for Chief Full.

At yesterday’s monthly board meeting, board members and firefighters took a moment to help celebrate the special birthday of its oldest and currently longest-serving board member. Harry Keating, who turned 90 on June 8th, has been with the fire department since 1998 when he joined as a volunteer. Happy Birthday, Harry—wishing you many, many more!

A two-vehicle accident with injuries is tying up traffic on Beach Drive near River Drive in Calabash. If you can avoid this area for the next little while, it may save you an extended wait in traffic.

This morning we were delighted to host young visitors from For Kids Only Child Development Center. The students toured our station, learned about fire safety, and got to see our trucks and equipment up close. They were able to see what a firefighter in full gear looks and sounds like so hopefully they will not be frightened if they ever encounter one coming to help them.

Always looking out for the community....here is some information about a free event to help you learn more about disaster preparedness and recovery in Brunswick County.

PUBLIC NOTICE OF TRAINING BURN: Please be advised that Calabash firefighters and their mutual aid partners will be conducting a second live-burn training exercise in the area of the old Marsh Harbour Golf Course this morning (Friday). Although this is an isolated area, smoke and possibly flames (from such areas as Devaun Park) may be visible at times. Rest assured that there is no danger to the public and firefighters are getting extremely valuable hands-on firefighting experience under controlled conditions.

PUBLIC NOTICE OF TRAINING BURN: After many weeks of awesome hands-on training at the old Marsh Harbour Golf Course clubhouse, Calabash firefighters and other Brunswick County fire departments will be conducting a live burn exercise there this morning, (Wednesday) from 9am to 12pm and also Friday, May 17th, from 9am to 12pm. Please don’t be alarmed if you see a lot of smoke in that area during those times. Be assured that firefighters are getting the most valuable firefighting experience that they can possibly get under controlled conditions and there is no danger to the public. Over the course of the two days, units from Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Grissettown/Longwood, Waccamaw, TriBeach, Southport, and Leland fire departments will participate in this live burn exercise.

Always training.....Calabash firefighters and their mutual aid partners from Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Leland, and Horry County fire departments have spent the last several days practicing their ventilation skills at the old Marsh Harbour Golf Course clubhouse.

You may want to avoid Hickman Rd near Shingletree for the next little while. A head on collision with injuries has Hickman blocked in all directions and traffic badly backed up.

Always training….Calabash firefighters and their mutual aid partners from Sunset Beach and Grissettown-Longwood fire departments are participating today in a Machinery Extrication & Rescue class given by Five Alarm Fire Training. They’re learning how to use proper tools and techniques to safely rescue victims from in, around, and under pieces of machinery. Hands-on practice stations are giving the class participants experience in handling impalements, hand/feet entrapments, crush injuries, and ring removals—all in a possible day’s work in the fire service!!

Always serving the community....The Blood Connection will be in the parking lot of CFD Station 1 from 9:30am to 1:30pm tomorrow (Saturday) for a blood drive. Please consider helping to save a life by donating blood.

Always training…...Calabash firefighters and their mutual aid partners from Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Horry County have been able to practice doing wide-area searches at the old Marsh Harbour golf course clubhouse. Using pallets and wood to build corridors and “rooms” and a smoke machine to simulate fire blackout conditions, they have been able to get some great hands-on training for conducting search and rescue operations in a large building.

The Calabash Fire Department held an inaugural Pinning Ceremony today to celebrate the accomplishments of several newly-promoted officers as well as to show appreciation for the accomplishments, service and loyalty of our other officers and firefighters. In his opening remarks, Chief McGee emphasized how proud he was of each and every Calabash firefighter, and spoke about how they have gone above and beyond in not only serving the community, but also representing the fire department and the fire service. Check out the photos of our awesome firefighters formally receiving the badges of their rank. We are so proud of you!!!

Always on the job....today our firefighters will be working on hydrant testing in various locations including Kingfish, The Thistle, Beach Drive, and Sherman Drive. Please remember that residents in hydrant testing areas may experience a temporary decrease in water pressure and/or discolored water. If this happens, please don't use hot water or do laundry until your cold water runs clear. Enjoy this glorious Sunday weather!

Hickman Rd near S Crow Creek is finally back open to thru traffic after an accident with injuries. Please drive carefully.