APD says drones can be a force multiplier for the department, which is understaffed. However, privacy experts warn that the usage of such technology by the government needs to be proactively curtailed.
Tag: asheville fire department
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Asheville firefighters roll out community responder team pilot
Four firefighters compose the team — two primarily reaching out to people who may be unhoused or experiencing a behavioral health issue, and two primarily meeting with downtown business owners to address their needs and concerns.
First responders prepare for hazmat disasters
Area residents noticed when a Norfolk Southern Railway train derailed in Ohio, spewing clouds of toxic gas and later smoke. After all, Norfolk Southern trains pass through Western North Carolina.
Letter: Kudos to AFD — and check those smoke alarms
“The whole procedure took about two hours and cost about $100 to save lives and structure.”
From CPP: Buncombe launches online emergency platform during pandemic
Carolina Public Press reports: Buncombe County’s newly launched opt-in program, Community Connect, will allow residents to create accounts and provide first responders with such potentially lifesaving information. Flinn led the creation of the program.
State report suggests social distancing may be needed through May
“Our current best estimate is that if, after April 29, we immediately return to the rates of viral transmission occurring prior to widespread social distancing, stress on hospitals to cope with rising demand from COVID-19 patients could begin as soon as Memorial Day,” says the report, prepared by a team of North Carolina scientists.
Council to hear 2020 census update on Nov. 12
Buncombe County had a 76% response rate during the 2010 census, in line with the state average, but Asheville officials will try to raise participation to 80% next year. The city will join Buncombe’s Complete Count Committee to work alongside county government, area schools and universities, nonprofit and faith communities, business leaders and the media to spread information about the count.
Voluntary registry helps police find people with dementia
Hendersonville Police Chief Herbert Blake has established a voluntary registry for residents with dementia. In the event a person on the registry wanders from home or otherwise goes missing, the information can instantly be shared with local emergency responders.
News briefs: Asheville Habitat celebrates women in construction
Women make up over half of the local nonprofit’s construction staff and work in roles that provide new construction, home repair, volunteer coordination and construction administration. Each year, the Women Build Advocacy Team — aka WomBATs — recruits female volunteers and raises funds. This year’s Women Build House will come together on May 7.
Asheville Archives: Top views for 2018
See what historical events captured readers’ attention throughout 2018.
News in brief: Party green, explore affordable housing, community EMTs on the beat
Community EMTs will hit the streets of downtown Asheville for a six-week pilot program to test a new model of providing community policing and response services.
Asheville Archives: The formation of the Asheville Fire Department, 1882
Prior to the formation of the Asheville Fire Department in 1882, residents and business owners had only themselves and their neighbors to rely on.
Remembering the fire that nearly destroyed the Old Kentucky Home
July marks the 20-year anniversary of the unsolved arson that nearly destroyed one of Asheville’s historic landmarks.
Fire chiefs ask county for $2.7M increase for retention, other needs
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners heard requests by 12 fire departments on May 8 to increase fire tax rates in their districts. If all the requests are approved, the county will spend an additional $2.7 million on fire service in the upcoming fiscal year.
Shedding light on Asheville’s third shift
Third shift can be challenging to acclimate to — whether it’s learning to sleep during the day, finding a healthy work-family balance or forgoing the social components that are more readily available to those who work traditional hours. But as those who spoke with Xpress note, it has its perks, too. Along with empty streets and a less harried work pace, workers tend to come across colorful personalities at night.
Letter: Asheville has long history of institutional racism
“Very little has changed here since I was co-captain of the first integrated Asheville High football team and learned much about how Asheville has stacked the deck against nonwhites, and frankly that has not changed nearly as much as it should have over the years.”
Election results spark flag burning outside Federal Building
In protest of President-elect Donald Trump, an Asheville resident burned a flag in front of downtown Asheville’s federal building on Thursday, Nov. 1. Shell said his family made the flag eight years ago to celebrate the election of Barack Obama.
Mayor calls $74 million bond referendum catalyst for equity
Mayor Esther Manheimer delivered her State of Asheville speech on Tuesday, Oct. 4. It stressed the need for the city to foster equity before ultimately advocating for approval of $74 million in bond referendums to achieve equity goals.
Letter writer: Kindness doesn’t go unnoticed
“I was having car trouble downtown in one of the parking lots and Squad 1 pulled in to see if they could help.”
City council to consider Eagle Market Place modifications; Shiloh storage facility
At its Tuesday, Nov. 10 meeting, city council will hear public input on a proposed self-storage facility rejected by the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission. Council also will consider a request from the Eagle Market Place housing project to modify the terms of city loans to enable the project to obtain additional bank financing.
Hot stuff: In the kitchen with Asheville’s firefighters
In addition to knowing how to put out fires and save people’s lives, firefighters need to have a few culinary skills to carry them through long shifts in the firehouse. Step into the kitchen at West Asheville’s Fire Station 6, and find out what’s cooking.