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(From left) Newly elected Lt. Kevin Bryson, Full-time firefighter Phil Carson, Lt. Darius Blanton, Cpt. Jeff Gasaway, Cpt. Jeramy Shuler, and Cpt. Tyler Taylor of BC Fire Department stand in front of recently delivered new fire truck.
Hannah Styles
hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Right now, Bryson City Fire Department is operating with 31 volunteers and a few paid members. Bryson City Fire Chief Charles Bryson explained an election is held every two years, the first Tuesday in June and a couple weeks ago the department elected Darius Blanton as Lieutenant, Jeramy Shuler moved into 1204 Captain, Kevin Bryson elected Lieutenant, and Captain Tyler Taylor.
Fire Department Member Donna Taylor was awarded one of the American Red Cross Salute to WNC Heroes in 2020 and was to be awarded at a breakfast that was canceled due to the pandemic. Donna has been caring for her community for 37 years as a paramedic and is a vital part of the Bryson City Fire Department team. Helping people runs in the family, with Donna’s husband, Chuck Taylor also a part of the fire department team, is a retired Highway Patrol Officer and their son Garrett Taylor is Assistant Chief at the department.
The fire department itself is one big family, as some have been working together for years.
Lt. Darius Blanton has been a volunteer firefighter for the past two years, Cpt. Jeramy Shuler has been with the department for around six years, newest paid member Phil Carson has been with West Swain Fire Department for 10 years and worked at BCFD since May. Some members are in multiple departments like Jerry Head who works Cherokee and Qualla and some are volunteers on the rescue squad also. These firefighters love their community and use extra time in their day to give back.
“There are three Captains, one for equipment which is Tyler (Taylor), who determines and tests what equipment they have, schedules annual inspections, and one vehicle captain which is Jeff Gasaway, who determines when tires need to be replaced, conditions of vehicles, and one training officer which is Jeramy Shuler, who makes sure people have all their hours for the year and classes,” Chief Charles Bryson said.
Expenses rising
Just like all of us, the local fire departments are experiencing effects of rising gas prices.
“So far, we haven’t seen a big impact on the number of volunteers coming out, but if the price increase (for gas) continues going on for a period of time, that will have a factor. In the past we have had people focus on the areas where they live near, and see what resources are needed and if it is a larger incident, we all go out for it,” Chief Bryson said. “The price increases do have a significant impact on the budget apparatus. We expected the fuel increase, so we requested more on fuel budget this year when we did the fiscal budget and we tried to cut down on unnecessary trips.”
Not only gas but equipment prices are climbing.
“There has been a significant increase in protective gear, radios, and vehicles. Last year we had a quote for a brush truck. The estimate from last year has increased 15%,” Bryson said.
Forest fires
Chief Bryson said the department was heavily involved in fighting the recent forest fires in Thomas Divide and Cooper’s Creek.
“Tyler (Taylor) was incident commander on the Cooper’s Creek side and TJ Shuler was the incident commander on the second fire that started. He did a great job of seeing what resources we needed and getting everybody started,” the chief said. “Our primary goal was structure protection. There were about 26 structures protected during the wildfires. When our resources started depleting, we called in surrounding departments.”
The department believes to be seeing an increase in wildfires recently.
“This year has been more difficult than in previous years, I think we’re seeing the impact of climate change. We have always had wildland seasons and had potential for wildland interface fires. That gets compounded as more housing development goes up. Every place people can build they do,” Bryson said.
Remote developments
BC Fire Department member Chuck Taylor said that another problem for them is as people build more and more on mountains, it makes it tricky getting the trucks in.
“It’s difficult getting the large trucks up the steep, switchback driveways, so that’s another obstacle for us,” Taylor said.
Severe weather events, tornados, like the recent one on Deep Creek, and heavy thunderstorms are also adding more calls.
Chief Bryson said calls have nearly doubled this year.
“From four to five calls, now it is up to 10-15 within a period of time,” Bryson said.
The chief said they have been averaging 400 fires for the past six years, but he believes if they continue with the same pace through December they’ll be at 500 this year.
Donation drive
Bryson City Fire Department relies heavily on donations and at last Tuesday night’s meeting, members were filling envelopes mailing them out for their letter drive, which Bryson said is where the department’s primary donations come from.
“We get $15,000-$25,000 per year from these donations. Bryson City doesn’t have a fire tax so we rely heavily on the town and donations,” Chief Bryson said. “We are very careful to spend funds as wisely as we can. These donations will be spent on helping us get new equipment, including a new thermal imager that is very important for rescue.”
The thermal imager is extremely beneficial for three aspects: finding victims in fire, locating them quickly through smoke, and helping find firefighters who might get injured in the blaze, and helps locate hotspots inside walls.
“If we get the fire knocked down and it’s still burning in hidden areas, we will have to go back out. The thermal imager helps us make sure everything is out,” Chief Bryson said.
Volunteers welcome
The department is always trying to improve services they offer and want to have more paid staff and 24-hour firefighters in the next few years. Contact Bryson City Fire Department if you would like to volunteer or donate at (828) 488-2621.