Kernersville Fire Rescue

Happy 4th Of July from the Kernersville Fire Rescue Department, family and friends! 🎉🎆🎇

Kernersville Engine 16 and Kernersville Ladder 41 (C-Shift) made a quick stop on this garage fire this afternoon. Special thanks to our mutual aide partners who responded to assist. Greensboro City Fire, High Point Fire Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, and Guilford County Emergency Services.

Reminder we are in abnormally dry conditions, and special care should be used with any type of open flame outside.

Remembering the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots who perished 11 years ago today. The Yarnell Hill Fire remains one of the nation's deadliest wildfires.

Kernersville Fire Rescue crews are currently operating at a large equipment fire on West Mountain Street. Fire is under control and no injuries.

June 30, 1937- The Kernersville Board of Alderman approve the fire departments annual budget of $420.

MAJOR ROAD CLOSING!! East Mountain Street is closed at Macy Grove Road in both directions. The Macy Grove Road bridge over East Mountain is closed as well due to multiple power lines down. ROAD will be closed for several hours.

Arbor Ridge of Kernersville hosted the 1st Responders Lemonade Stand this afternoon. Several C-Shift companies rotated through enjoying food and fellowship. Thank You for the invite!!

Congratulations to Kernersville Police Sergeant Sandy McGee on her retirement.

The Kernersville Fire Rescue Department is proud to announce our three new firefighters! Family and friends came gathered today as each new firefighter was pinned with their new badge by family and loved ones. Deputy Chief Boles read the oath of office and presented each member with a new helmet with firefighter shield. The badge pinning ceremony is a proud tradition within the fire service signifying the introduction of department members to their new duties. The Kernersville Fire Rescue Department is proud to continue this tradition continuing to stoke the flames of tradition in the fire service. Bios below:

Firefighter II Bradley Farmer has seven years of fire service experience, having served with the Mineral Springs, Stokesdale, and Forsyth County Fire Departments. He began his journey in fire service as a volunteer at the Mineral Springs Fire Department. His passion for the fire service was ignited during his time at Walkertown High School, where he attended fire academy classes that laid the foundation for his career.

Firefighter I James Hendricks brings six years of fire service experience, having served and volunteered with the Horneytown and Beesons Crossroads Fire Departments. His interest in the fire service was sparked after working with EMS and seeing firsthand the crucial role that firefighters play.

Firefighter I Brian Solano brings almost two years of fire service experience, beginning as a volunteer at Old Richmond Fire Department and then working full-time with the Forsyth County Fire Department before coming to Kernersville. His interest in the fire service started after talking to a fire crew that responded to an incident at his high school, inspiring him to pursue a career in the fire service.

Kernersville Fire Rescue units investigating smoke inside a restaurant this morning. Source located and problem fixed.

Join us for our July 4th Celebration! Bring your lawn chair and enjoy an evening of singing, dancing, food and fireworks!

Gates open at 5 pm! For full details & food trucks visit the event page at https://kvparks.com/event/4th-of-july-concert-fireworks/

We to invite you to join us in celebrating our newest Kernersville Fire Rescue Department firefighters as they receive their badges! This special ceremony marks the beginning of their dedicated service to our community.

📅 Date: Friday, June 28th
🕒 Time: 1:30PM
📍 Location: Station 42: 1180 NC Hwy 66 South, Kernersville

ROAD is OPEN. Pine view Street and Salisbury Street closed due to MVA. Please avoid area.

June 20, 1998- At 2:47 pm all KFD companies were dispatched to a motor vehicle crash on Business 40 in the Colfax Curve. Arriving unit E-141 found a westbound gasoline tanker had rolled across all lanes of Bus. 40 landing just over the guardrail on the eastbound side. WSFD Haz-Mat 1 arrived within minutes and was able to control the large gasoline leak with a dome clamp. Water supply and foam was requested from every department in Forsyth County and several departments in Guilford. KFD units were on the scene for three days and flowed over 365 gallons of foam.
At 3:18 pm second accident occurred in the eastbound lanes of Business 40 near Hwy 66 in the backed up traffic from the previous accident. This accident also involved a tractor trailer carrying pesticides that was on fire. Several people were critically injured in this accident, including one fatality.

Today, we pause to remember a tragedy that occurred 17 years ago. On June 18, 2007, a small trash fire escalated into a devastating blaze at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, S.C., claiming the lives of 9 brave firefighters and leaving a profound impact on the firefighting community.

The fire began on a loading dock and quickly spread through the large showroom, fueled by the furniture inside. Thick black smoke filled the air. Tragically, 9 Charleston firefighters were trapped when the roof collapsed, and they made the ultimate sacrifice.

We honor the memory of:

Captain Mike Benke
Captain Billy Hutchinson
Captain Louis Mulkey
Engineer Brad Baity
Engineer Mark Kelsey
Assistant Engineer Mike French
Firefighter Melvin Champaign
Firefighter Earl Drayton
Firefighter Brandon Thompson
Their courage and dedication will never be forgotten.

A group from the Kernersville Fire Rescue Department has just completed an intensive two-week course to earn their Technical Rescuer Ropes certification.

This training equips our team with advanced skills and knowledge in rope rescue techniques, allowing them to safely and effectively handle complex rescue operations. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and commitment to enhancing their expertise to better serve our community.

The Kernersville Fire Department career staff in June 1986.

Photo: 1986– Career Staff. (L to R) Henry Idol, J.S. Beavers, Ed Jerrell, Mark Apple, Don Moore, Mike Bogardus, David Penry, Danny Kiger, Homer Castle, G.T. Carter, J.L. Smith, Curtis Teague, Steve Wilson, Grady Price, Charlie Hilton, Richard Johnson, Terry Brown.

June 14, 1983- Eddie Darrah is announced as Kernersville Fire Departments fire chief. Making him the 6th fire chief in the history of the department.

A BIG thank you to Greif Kernersville for being an outstanding community partner! Your generous donation of pallets for our burn building has significantly supported our live fire training. This training is invaluable for our firefighters to learn and maintain their critical skills. Your contribution helps us stay prepared and ready to serve our community. Thank you for your support!

June 11, 1956- Order placed for a 1957 American LaFrance fire engine, The apparatus had a 1000 gpm pump, carried 500 gallons of water, and was powered by a 240 hp gasoline engine. with a 240 hp engine. Total cost of $19,432

June 7, 1977- Station 2 was opened at 1385 South Park Drive.

🎉 Congratulations to Firefighter Madison Hallman on completing all the requirements to advance to the rank of Firefighter II! Your dedication, hard work, and commitment are truly commendable. Here's to your continued success in serving and protecting our community! 🔥

🚒🔥 Engine 43 C-Shift Attends Training Burn with Horneytown Fire Department 🔥🚒

This past Saturday, KFRD had the opportunity to participate in a joint training burn hosted by the Horneytown Fire Department. It was a fantastic day of training and collaboration with our surrounding departments.

The departments represented at the training burn:
Horneytown Fire Department
Beesons Crossroads Fire Department
Union Cross Fire Department
Kernersville Fire Rescue Department

Training together helps us improve our skills and ensures we are prepared to serve our communities effectively. Thank you to everyone involved for making this training a success!

Stay safe out there, and let’s continue to support one another. 💪👩‍🚒👨‍🚒

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day is a special day in the United States of America in honor of the brave military men and women who fought and gave their lives for our country. It’s a time to show respect and gratitude for their sacrifice. On this day, people across the United States come together to celebrate freedom and remember the heroes who made it possible. It is a day of reflection, patriotic pride, and thanksgiving in the country. As the traditional start of summer- many folks will spend Memorial Day weekend on a road trip, having their first big outdoor event of the season. The Kernersville Fire Rescue Department wants everyone to have a safe holiday weekend by following these safety tips:

DRIVING SAFETY

* Be well rested and alert, use your seat belts, observe speed limits and follow the rules of the road.

* If you plan on drinking alcohol, designate a driver who won’t drink.

* Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones.

* Use caution in work zones. There are lots of construction projects underway on the highways.

* Don’t follow other vehicles too closely.

* Make frequent stops.

* Clean your vehicle’s lights and windows to help you see, especially at night. Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather. Don’t overdrive your headlights.

* Don’t let your vehicle’s gas tank get too low. If you have car trouble, pull as far as possible off the highway.

* Carry a Disaster Supplies Kit in your trunk.

* Let someone know where you are going, your route and when you expect to get there. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.

GRILLING SAFETY

* Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.

* Never grill indoors – not in your house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.

* Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.

* Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.

* Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.

* Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.

* Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using grills.

WATER SAFETY

The following tips are layers of protection that will help people stay safe in, on and around the water:

* Do your part, be water smart! Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well.

* Adults: actively supervise children; stay within arm’s reach of young children and newer swimmers. And kids: follow the rules.

* Don’t fool with a pool: fence it in. Enclose your pool and spa with four-sided, four-foot fencing and use self-closing, self-latching gates.

* Don’t just pack it; wear your U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket – always when on a boat and if in a situation beyond your skill level. Inflatable children’s toys and water wings can be fun, but they are no substitute for a life jacket and adult supervision.

* Swim as a pair near a lifeguard’s chair - everyone, including experienced swimmers, should swim with a buddy in areas protected by lifeguards.

* Reach or throw, don't go! Know what to do to help someone in trouble, without endangering yourself; know how and when to call 9-1-1; and know CPR.

Fire moves fast. You and your family may have less than two minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Fine out how to design a fire exit plan for your home on June 4th.

This week in 1971 the Kernersville Fire Department received its second resuscitator after saving a childs life in cardiac arrest. A community member donated the $435 to purchase a new unit that would be placed on the firetruck. Fire Chief Wayne Porter (1st Full-Time Paid Chief) was instrumental in placing the first unit in service, and transported same to medical incidents in town.

✅Mark off that To do list!✅
Join us this Saturday, May 25th, for our Car Seat Check Event from 9 AM to 12 PM. Make sure your child's car seat is installed correctly and safely with the help of our certified technicians.
✅ When: Saturday, May 25th, 9 AM - 12 PM
✅ Where: 1180 NC Hwy 66 South, Kernersville
✅ Why: Because your child's safety is our top priority!
Did you know?
🔹 3 out of 4 car seats are not used correctly.
🔹 Proper use of car seats reduces the risk of injury in a crash by 71-82% for children.
🔹 Rear-facing car seats provide the best protection for young children in a crash.
Bring your little ones and cross this crucial task off your to-do list. Spread the word and let’s keep our kids safe together! 🚗👶💕

Kernersville Fire Rescue Government organisation

Look who paid us a visit this morning at Station 42! Mom and dad goose proudly paraded their goslings, eager for a tour. While we can't accommodate wildlife for station tours, we would be happy to host your family or group for a station tour, safety presentation, or fire extinguisher class. Request yours here: https://toknc.com/forms/fire-and-life-safety-education/

🌀🌊 NC Hurricane Preparedness Week 🌊🌀

This week marks NC Hurricane Preparedness Week, a crucial reminder for all of us in our area. With our susceptibility to tropical systems, it's vital to prepare EACH and EVERY year. Remember, it only takes ONE storm to make a significant impact on our lives.

Preparedness Week serves as a timely opportunity to reinforce what we should do to brace ourselves for each hurricane season. While many of us are familiar with hurricanes, it's important to acknowledge that people relocate to our area every year, some with little to no experience dealing with such storms.

We must emphasize that every tropical system poses a threat, and its impacts can extend far beyond the coast and the storm's center, even outside of "the cone!"

Today's topic is Prepare Before Hurricane Season. Visit https://www.noaa.gov/prepare-before-hurricane-season for more information.