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Oak Ridge firefighters help rescue 12 people trapped in cars surrounded by fires near Dollywood

Posted at 3:03 pm November 30, 2016
By John Huotari 2 Comments

People being removed from vehicles while Oak Ridge Fire Department crews helped respond to the Sevier County wildfire starting Monday, Nov. 29, 2016. (Photo by Oak Ridge Fire Chief Darryl Kerley)

People being removed from vehicles while Oak Ridge Fire Department crews help respond to the wildfires that raged across Sevier County on Monday, Nov. 29, 2016. (Photo by Oak Ridge Fire Chief Darryl Kerley)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 4:30 p.m.

Oak Ridge firefighters helped rescue 12 people and four dogs from three cars surrounded by fires behind Dollywood near Pigeon Forge on Monday.

The 12 visitors had been staying in rental cabins behind the Dollywood theme park.

The rescue happened at about 11 p.m. Monday after wildfires fueled by high winds spread from Chimney Tops in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the Gatlinburg area.

Before the rescue, an Oak Ridge Fire Department crew, along with five Maryville firefighters, had responded to several fire-related situations in Pigeon Forge, most of them in the Dollywood area, a City of Oak Ridge press release said. Pigeon Forge is near Gatlinburg.

At about 11 p.m., the firefighters were dispatched to Mitchell Road to help a man trapped in a cabin with fire all around him. But firefighters were unable to get there because the road was blocked by downed trees and power poles, the press release said. Firefighters began cutting trees until they encountered downed power lines and transformers.

Once Sevier County Electric System workers arrived and cut electrical power to the area, the crew again entered the fire area to rescue the man, the press release said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fire, Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Slider Tagged With: Bill Haslam, brush fire, City of Oak Ridge, Darryl Kerley, Dollywood, fire, forest fire, Gatlinburg, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, James Jordain, Jordan Alcorn, Mark Watson, mutual aid, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Pigeon Forge, rescue, wildfire

Local fire departments send crews to help fight Gatlinburg wildfires

Posted at 10:25 am November 29, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

tennessee-highway-patrol-walks-people-out-of-gatlinburg

Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers walked into areas of Gatlinburg that were surrounded by fire to remove those who were trapped by flames in fires that started Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. (Photo by THP)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 4:50 p.m.

Fire departments in Oak Ridge, Clinton, Oliver Springs, and Marlow sent crews to help fight the fast-moving wildfires that started burning in the Gatlinburg area on Monday.

The Oak Ridge Fire Department was helping crews in the area around Gatlinburg, a mountain town near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on Monday night, the City of Oak Ridge said.

Oak Ridge Police Department officers were also on standby, the city said.

Tuesday morning, firefighter Jordan Alcorn said it was a long night, but the Engine 2 crew was on Interstate 40 West headed home.

“Thank you all for the prayers and kind words, that fight is not over, so keep our relief in your prayers!” Alcorn said.

Later Tuesday morning, the city said Oak Ridge Fire Department crews were continuing to help battle the Great Smoky Mountains wildfire.

“There is massive damage and reports of people injured or missing,” the city said. “Please continue to keep everyone affected by this in your thoughts and prayers today.”

Also Tuesday morning, Clinton Fire Chief Archie Brummitt said the Clinton Fire Department was in Gatlinburg in Sevier County. One CFD engine and five firemen responded Monday night around midnight, Brummitt said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Clinton, Fire, Front Page News, Marlow, Oak Ridge, Oliver Springs, Police and Fire, Slider Tagged With: Archie Brummitt, Bill Haslam, Chimney Top Fire, Clinton Fire Department, drought, fire, Gatlinburg, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Highway 441, Jordan Alcorn, Marlow Volunteer Fire Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, Oliver Springs Fire Department, Pigeon Fire, Red Cross, Sevier County, TEMA, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, wildfire

Two injured, one picked up by medical helicopter after head-on crash on Mahoney Road

Posted at 10:19 pm July 21, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Two-Car Crash on Mahoney Road July 21 2016 Slider

Two people were injured and one was picked up by a medical helicopter after a head-on two-vehicle crash on Mahoney Road in Oliver Springs on Thursday, July 21, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 12:30 a.m.

OLIVER SPRINGS—Two drivers were injured and one was picked up by a medical helicopter after a head-on two-vehicle crash on Mahoney Road in Oliver Springs on Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

The crash was reported at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday near New Mountain View Baptist Church. Charges are pending against one of the drivers, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The THP said a 1997 Cadillac STS driven by Blake Brakins, 33, of Oak Ridge, was traveling south on Mahoney Road when it crossed over the center line and crashed head-on into a 2016 Ford Fusion traveling north on Mahoney Road and driven by Isabel Cates, 80, of Oliver Springs.

Brakins and Cates were both injured, the THP said. Cates was wearing a seat belt, while Brakins was not, authorities said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County EMS, Anderson County Rescue Squad, Blake Brakins, crash, Isabel Cates, Jordan Alcorn, Lifestar, Lifestar medical helicopter, Mahoney Road, Marlow Volunteer Fire Department, Oliver Springs, Oliver Springs Fire Department, Oliver Springs Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, THP

Two cars crash into homes, one into brick landscaping wall

Posted at 1:32 pm April 26, 2016
By John Huotari 5 Comments

Car-Crash-Everest-Circle-Home-5-April-26-2016

No one was injured when a Buick LeSabre crashed into the laundry room of a home at 104 Everest Circle at about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Two vehicles hit two homes in Oak Ridge in the past week, and one car crashed into a brick landscaping wall at the new drive-through at ORNL Federal Credit Union.

In the most recent crash, a four-door Buick LeSabre crashed into the laundry room of a home at 104 Everest Circle at about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

No one was in the laundry room at the time, and no one was injured, authorities said. A dog and cat in the house were also reported to be okay, according to a neighbor.

The cause of the single-vehicle crash had not been determined. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Police and Fire, Slider Tagged With: Austin Keathley, crash, Darrell Mull, Duane Craig, Everest Circle, Jordan Alcorn, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, ORNL FCU, ORNL Federal Credit Union, ORPD, Ray Burney, West Outer Drive

Neighbor with fire extinguisher helps control Oliver Springs kitchen fire

Posted at 2:08 pm April 3, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Cedar-Drive-Fire-Oliver-Springs-April-1-2016-2

The Oliver Springs Fire Department responds to a kitchen fire at 506 Cedar Lane on Friday evening, April 1, 2016. (Photo by Tom Scott)

 

OLIVER SPRINGS—A neighbor with a fire extinguisher in his camper helped control a kitchen fire in Oliver Springs on Friday, authorities said.

The fire was reported at about 5:35 p.m. Friday at 506 Cedar Lane in Oliver Springs. A resident of the home had been cooking, getting ready to fry potatoes, and stepped away from the stove, said Jordan Alcorn, captain of the Oliver Springs Fire Department. When the resident returned to the kitchen, grease was on fire, and the flames had extended up into the cabinets above the stove, Alcorn said.

The neighbor got his fire extinguisher and used it until it ran out. Then he exited the home, shutting the front door on the way out, a move that helps control fires, Alcorn said.

“He made a difference,” Alcorn said of the neighbor. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Blair, Front Page News, Oliver Springs, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Blair Volunteer Fire Department, Cedar Lane, fire, Jordan Alcorn, kitchen fire, Oliver Springs, Oliver Springs Fire Department, Seth Alcorn

Oak Ridge Fire Department announces promotions, new firefighters

Posted at 2:15 pm December 23, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Jody Durham

Jody Durham

Submitted

The Oak Ridge Fire Department recently held a ceremony to promote three officers and to introduce four new firefighters and their families to the organization. Congratulations to these recently promoted officers and new firefighters.

Jody Durham was promoted from battalion chief to assistant chief of operations. He has been with Oak Ridge Fire Department for more than 10 years. Durham has experience as a U.S. Department of Energy firefighter and as a paramedic with Morgan County Ambulance Service.

Eric Rackard

Eric Rackard

Eric Rackard was promoted from captain to battalion chief and is assigned as the A-Shift commander. He has been with Oak Ridge Fire Department for eight years, and he has served as a firefighter/engineer and paramedic.

Rackard is an Air Force veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Eric Rackard, firefighters, Gage Whitman, Greg Fisher, James Jordain, Jody Durham, Jordan Alcorn, Josh Kerley, Knoxville Fire Department, Marlow Fire Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Oliver Springs Fire Department, ORFD, promotions, Rural/Metro Fire Department

Woman reports falling asleep with cigarette in hand before Tuesday fire

Posted at 1:55 pm September 2, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Smith Road Mattress Fire

A woman who escaped a Tuesday morning fire with her son and dog told authorities she fell asleep with a cigarette in her hand. (Photo by Tom Scott)

 

Information from WYSH Radio/Oak Ridge Today/Tom Scott

A woman who escaped a Tuesday morning fire with her son and dog told authorities she fell asleep with a cigarette in her hand.

The fire was reported at about 6:45 a.m. Tuesday on Smith Road in Anderson County, east of Oliver Springs in Marlow.

The 77-year-old woman who lives at the home woke up to her hand being burned, said the incident commander, Captain Jordan Alcorn of the Oliver Springs Fire Department.

She activated a Life Alert emergency alarm and fled the home with her son and small dog, said Alcorn, who is also an Oak Ridge firefighter. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Marlow, Oliver Springs, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Sheriff's Department, fire, Jordan Alcorn, Kevin Brown, Marlow Volunteer Fire Department, Oliver Springs Fire Department, Smith Road, Tom Scott

Four workers evaluated, released after electrical fire at Toxco

Posted at 8:37 pm November 13, 2014
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Fire Department Fire Engine at Toxco

The Oak Ridge Fire Department responded to a small, intense electrical fire on Thursday morning at Toxco, a company that processes low-level radioactive waste. The fire was in a one-story metal building at the back of the company’s site on Flint Road.

 

Four workers were evaluated for minor respiratory issues and released after a small, intense electrical fire was reported at a company that repackages low-level radioactive waste in central Oak Ridge on Thursday morning, authorities said.

The fire at Toxco Materials Management Center on Flint Road was reported at about 11:03 a.m. Thursday. It was in a large one-story metal building at the back of the site, said Marty Griffith, Oak Ridge Fire Department battalion chief.

Electrical equipment inside the building was on fire, and the only way to put it out was to disconnect power, which the Oak Ridge Electric Department did, Griffith said. He said the area where the fire occurred is used to repackage waste, and it is fed by 440 volts of electricity.

Once the power was disconnected, firefighters were able to put out the fire with fire extinguishers. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fire, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Adam Daugherty, Ben Taylor, electrical fire, fire, hazardous materials, Jordan Alcorn, low-level radioactive waste, Marty Griffith, Oak Ridge Electric Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, radiation, radioactive waste, Toxco, Toxco Materials Management Center

Spotlight: ORFD officers receive national accreditation

Posted at 1:14 am April 15, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Charlie Elliott

Charlie Elliott

The Center for Public Safety Excellence has notified three members of the Oak Ridge Fire Department that they have received national accreditation.

The Center for Public Safety Excellence Inc. is a nonprofit organization that, for more than a decade, has helped local public safety agencies around the world streamline and improve the services they provide their communities, a press release said. Through its individual commissions, CPSE provides a host of programs including accreditation for fire and emergency service agencies and professional designations for senior-level fire and emergency service officers.

Capt. Charlie Elliott, Capt. Brandon Payne, and Firefighter Engineer Jordan Alcorn have received notification from the Center for Public Safety Excellence that they have been approved for the designation of fire officer, or FO. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Honors and Spotlight, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire Tagged With: Brandon Payne, Center for Public Safety Excellence, CFO, Charlie Elliott, chief fire officers, Commission on Professional Credentialing, Darryl Kerley, fire officer, FO, Jordan Alcorn, Josh Waldo, Oak Ridge Fire Department

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Classifieds

Availability of the draft environmental assessment for off-site depleted uranium manufacturing (DOE/EA-2252)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

Public Notice: NNSA announces no significant impact of Y-12 Development Organization operations at Horizon Center

AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

ADFAC seeks contractors for five homes

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) is a non-profit community based agency, … [Read More...]

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