Bluff City Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

  Not every call will be listed, just some of the more serious or "unusual" ones.

We were dispatched at 1215 today to assist Sullivan County EMS on a cave rescue at Worley's Cave.  A female visiting the cave with a group from University of South Carolina fell and injured her ankle.  Our members, along with EMS, went into the cave approximately 3/4 mile and found the injured female.  She was placed in a stokes basket and carried out to the ambulance.  The rescue took a little over 2 hours.

We have responded to 3 structure fires since July 29.  The first one was July 29 in Lakeview Trailer Park.  The fire heavily damaged 1 trailer.  We were assisted by Piney Flats and Avoca VFDs.  The second fire was Sunday morning, August 9 in Piney Flats on Piney Flats Rd.  That fire heavily damaged a house and 2 firefighters suffered minor injuries.  We assisted Piney Flats VFD on this one, and the summer heat and humidity made it especially tough on firefigters.  The third fire was on August 12, on Dry Branch Rd in Bluff City, and it heavily damaged a house.  We were assisted by Piney Flats and Avoca VFDs.

We have responded to 4 motorcycles accidents since April.  Wings Air Rescue has flown 3 patients from the accidents, and one accident had a fatality.  PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN RIDING!! ALSO, MOTORISTS IN OTHER VEHICLES SHOULD WATCH OUT FOR MOTORCYCLES. 

We responded to assist Piney Flats VFD on a structure fire at The Auction Barn on Jonesboro Rd this morning.  The call came in around 0030.  On arrival, there was heavy fire at the back of the structure.  The fire was extinguished and all units cleared around 0300.  Avoca VFD also responded to assist, and Sullivan County VFD responded a truck to standby at Avoca's station, and Hickory Tree VFD responded 2 trucks to standby at our station.  Thanks to all that responded and helped out!!

We assisted Sullivan County VFD early this morning on a house fire.  The fire was on Isley Rd, neard Interstate 81 and Central High School.  Avoca VFD, Warriors Path VFD, and Piney Flats VFD also responded. 

This morning, we responded to assist East VFD on a structure fire.  On arrival, units found a garage "fully involved," as well as 2 vehicles.  The fire had spread to the back of a house, but thanks to quick action from East VFD, the house was saved and had only minor damage.

On Monday morning, January 5, 2009, we responded to a report of an overturned tractor trailer.  When units arrived on scene, Bluff City Police Dept advised no injuries and the truck was carrying barrels of apple juice concentrate, several of which had busted open.  We were on scene from 0651 AM until 1256 PM. 

We responded with Piney Flats VFD to a structure fire on Geisler Rd.  When the first units arrived on scene, they found a large log house with fire and smoke showing on the back side.  It took several hours to extinguish due to styrofoam insulation in the roof.  Avoca VFD and Sullivan County VFD also responded for assistance. 

At 11:03 am this morning we responded to a motor vehicle accident in Riverbend Subdivision.  On arrival, we found 2 vehicle head-on collision with 7 patients.  BCVFD members assisted Sullivan County EMS personnel in removing patients from vehicles and loading in ambulance.  Along with 2 BCVFD units, Bluff City Rescue 25 and Sullivan County EMS MED 3, MED 5, and MED 1 also responded.  The accident was investigated by Sullivan County Sheriff's Office. 

Today, we had one of the busiest days I can remember.  We responded to 2 car wrecks, 3 fire alarms, and an odor investigation.  We responded to 6 calls in less than 12 hours!!

Assisted East VFD on structure fire.  On arrival, crews found fully involved log home.  Roof collapsed after first units arrived on scene.  Bluff City VFD shuttled approximately 12,500 gallons of water.

Piney Flats and Bluff City VFDs were dispatched to a warehouse fire at Thompson Metal Services this evening at 5:38 pm.  On arrival, crews found heavy smoke and fire coming from roof.  BCVFD and PFVFD were assisted by Avoca VFD, Sullivan County VFD, East VFD, and Hickory Tree VFD.  We remained on scene until 8:30 pm. 

On Thursday afternoon, we responded to a mobile home fire on Fox Pvt. Drive.  First units on scene advised the mobile home was approximately 60% involved in fire.  After extinguishment, the scene was turned over to Sullivan County Sheriff's Department for further investigation. Thanks to Piney Flats VFD and Avoca VFD for their assistance.   

On Thursday morning, June 22, we responded to 297 Jonesboro Drive in reference to a natural gas leak.  Embarq Phone Co. was drilling a hole to set a new pole, and struck the 2" line.  With the assistance of Bluff City Police Dept. and Piney Flats VFD, the houses within a 500' radius were evacuated.  Jonesboro Drive was closed from Cedar Street to Highland Drive.  Captain Brandon Hicks was the Incident Commander, and he had Sullivan County 911 use the "Reverse 911" system to alert area residents.  Houses within 2000' of the leak were called and residents were told to stay inside and turn off all electrical appliances.  Atmos Energy arrived on scene within 45 minutes, and had the leak stopped.  All residents were then advised by "Reverse 911" that the situation was secured.  Thanks to Bluff City PD, Piney Flats VFD, and Atmos Energy for their help.

Bluff City VFD was dispatched to a structure fire on Main Street in Bluff City on Sunday afternoon, June 8.  After arrivng on Main Street, units were unable to locate.  We were then advised by Sullivan County 911 that the fire was on Main Street in Piney Flats.  We responded to that location along with Piney Flats VFD.  On arrival, we found a storage building fully involved, along with a car.  There was also a brush fire that was spreading to a nearby field.  Fire was extinguished with assistance of Piney Flats VFD. 

This afternoon we responded to another MVA in front of Tri-Cities Flea Market.  Although both vehicles had major damage, there were no injuries.  That area is very congested on the weekends.  Usually people involved in accidents there are seriously injured, and we have had fatalities there.  Please be EXTREMELY careful when pulling out from the Flea Market.  Cars going North on Hwy 11E are usually traveling at a high rate of speed coming down the hill. 

This morning, about 9:25 a.m. we responded to a report of a dump truck vs car at the intersection of Hwy 19E and Bluff City Hwy.  When units arrived on scene, they found a TN Dept. Of Transportation (TDOT) dump truck had hit a car on the passenger side.  Luckily, only 1 patient was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.  Due to a hydraulic fluid leak from the truck, Hwy 19E and Bluff City Hwy had to be closed for about 2 hours while the fluid was cleaned up.  It was a big inconvienence for commuters, but for everyone's safety, it had to be done.  Thanks to the Bluff City Police Dept, the TN Highway Patrol, and TDOT for their assistance with traffic control and cleanup.  The highways were re-opened about 12:05 p.m.

On Wednesday, February 27, at 8:12 pm, Bluff City VFD responded to a report of a structure fire on Elizabethton Hwy.  We were assisted by Piney Flats VFD and Avoca VFD.  We arrived on scene and found a single story brick house with smoke and fire coming out of the living room window on the right side of the house.  Neighbors were not sure if any one was home, so a search operation was started.  After it was determined no one was in the home, the fire was extinguished.  From the time the call was disptached by Sullivan County 911 until the fire was extinguished was only 10 minutes!!! GREAT JOB GUYS!!! The fire was contained to the living room, but the rest of the house had some smoke and heat damage. 

On Tuesday, February 5, we responded to a report of a dryer fire.  The first member that arrived on scene advised there was smoke coming from the mobile home.  When he went to the door, the homeowner was there, and she had just discharged a fire extinguisher, putting the fire out.  The fire had started in the dryer's vent hose, and spread to some clothes, and started up the wall behind the dryer.  Luckily, the homeowner had a fire extinguisher and knew how to use it.  Had she not used it, there would have been a lot more damage.  Go to our "Fire Safety Tips" page for more information on how to use fire extinguishers, and better protect your home.

This morning, we responded to an accident with minor injuries.  Two vehicles ran up under a flatbed tractor trailer.  Amazingly, no one was seriously injures. 

Today we responded to a 2 car accident in front of the Post Office.  3 people were transported to the hospital by Sullivan Co EMS.  Out of 5 calls so far this year, 3 have been car wrecks.