More information on local firefighters, law enforcement responding to Gatlinburg fires

 

We have more information on local firefighters and law enforcement that have either responded to help fight the fires in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park—or remain in standby in case they are needed.

Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas and other officials said Andersonville, Claxton, Clinton, Marlow, Oak Ridge, and Oliver Springs fire departments all sent resources to the fire.

Anderson County EMS sent its mass casualty response vehicle on Monday night, and they sent three ambulances Tuesday morning, Lucas said.

Lucas said he talked to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals on Monday night, and Anderson County deputies are on stand-by in case Sevier County needs additional law enforcement personnel.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevier County and with all who have responded to the fires,” Lucas said.

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank said Emergency Management Director Steve Payne is in the Gatlinburg area offering whatever help he can, and Anderson County EMS Director Nathan Sweet has been there, serving in a command post for emergency medical response on Tuesday.

On Monday night, Sweet sent the county’s Ambulance-Bus and two critical care trucks—and they remain there Tuesday, Frank said.

If you want to donate anything to help the firefighters and emergency responders in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, you can call Leean Tupper in the mayor’s office at (865) 457-6200.

“We can make arrangements for picking up the donations, and they will be delivered to the area,” Frank said. “My heart is with our brothers and sisters here in Tennessee who are in need of help with the fires.”

Roane County has firefighters from its cities who left Monday afternoon and have worked through the night to save structures and evacuate residents, according to The Roane Alliance.

On Tuesday afternoon, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam said the Gatlinburg wildfire is the largest in Tennessee in the last 100 years. Four hundred personnel from many different departments have responded, Haslam said.

See previous story on the response from fire departments in Oak Ridge, Clinton, Oliver Springs, and Marlow here. That story includes information on the fires.

See story on how to donate supplies to help firefighters here.

More information will be added as it becomes available.