April 11, 2025 • 17 mins
Scott Burnette never expected to be fighting a fire at his own fire station. After 36 years in firefighting, the Interim Chief of Mills River Fire Department faced this surreal scenario in January 2024 when their substation burned down - just months after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina.
"When you're fighting your own house fire, like our firefighters did that night, it's very emotional and very impactful," Burnette explains, reflecting on the loss of the station built on land donated by a founding member's family. Despite this setback, plans are already underway to rebuild on the same site, with construction expected to begin this summer and completion within 12-18 months.
The conversation reveals how Burnette's entire career stemmed from a childhood experience when the fire department saved his family home from a wildland fire. Walking through the damaged woods with a junior firefighter friend who simply said, "you should join us," launched a lifelong commitment to protecting others. Now leading a department of 73 members (5 full-time, 68 volunteers), Burnette warns that Hurricane Helene's aftermath creates significant wildfire dangers that will persist for 3-5 years due to downed trees and debris.
This powerful episode highlights both the challenges faced by rural fire departments and the extraordinary resilience of first responders who continue serving their communities through multiple disasters. Whether responding to medical emergencies, rescues, hazardous materials incidents, or educating the public, Mills River's firefighters exemplify what it means to be hometown heroes. For those inspired by their story, Burnette offers encouragement to consider the fire service: "It's the best job in the world," with opportunities for training, education, and meaningful community impact available to people of all ages.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The George Real Estate Group radio broadcast is
celebrating 10 years on WHKP.
The George Real Estate Group iscelebrating 10 years on the
radio live every Thursdaymorning at 10.05 on WHKP 107.7
FM and AM 1450 and streamingonline at WHkpcom.
(00:24):
Each Friday morning at 845,.
The George Real Estate Grouppresents the Hometown Hero Award
to someone in our community whogoes above and beyond to make
our hometown a better place tolive.
Here's this week's HometownHero Show.
It's 845 on Friday morning Timefor the George Real Estate
(00:46):
Group Hometown Hero Show.
It's 845 on Friday morning Timefor the George Real Estate
Group Hometown Hero Series andit's our favorite time together
with our friend Noah George fromGeorge Real Estate Group, and
Noah brings us the show everyweek.
Thank you so much, noah, forsponsoring this great show.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
It's a privilege.
I was looking back.
I think we started sponsoringthis some seven years ago.
Are you serious Six or sevenyears ago?
It's a privilege.
I think I was looking back.
I think we started sponsoringthis some seven years ago.
Are you serious Six or sevenyears ago?
It's been amazing.
I mean the men and women thatyou and I have had a chance to
interview over the years and thestories we've shared.
I mean we've been doing thisand then I've been doing my
Thursday show since 2011.
(01:20):
So I mean I was doing the math.
And then I have another radioshow.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
I've um.
So I mean I was doing the math.
And then I have another radioshow.
We've, I've done over 1600radio programs.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Are you kidding me throughout the years?
Man, you're getting up thereclose to randy hughes.
Well, I got a long way to go tocatch up to you.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
That's probably what you've done in a week but your
voice is out there in thestratosphere that's right.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Plenty of plenty of places we're out there, but it's
a it's a privilege and honor tosponsor the hometown hero
series.
And um, yeah, the, the the realestate market uh is moving.
I mean there's actually a sevenpercent increase in the number
of homes sold uh the firstquarter this year versus the
first quarter last year.
Seven percent higher yes, whichis significant.
(02:01):
Now, the one change is thatit's taking homes a little bit
longer to sell.
There's about a 10-day increasein the number of days it takes
for the homes to sell, so that'sabout a 20% increase in the
days on market.
But our average price isholding around $547 right now
and that's because we still havelow inventory, still strong
(02:21):
demand.
I mean the market's the marketand even with all the upheaval
in the economy and the interestrates, life happens.
Therefore real estate happens,and so we're still seeing a lot
of activity.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Well, you just mentioned, right before we went
on the air, that there's a lotof open houses scheduled for
this weekend.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Our team has some wonderful open houses, and that
again back to the activity.
I mean we had an open houselast Sunday.
We had an open house thisThursday.
We have three open houses thisweekend.
We actually have two in FlatRock one at 78 Assembly Drive
Incredible home that's going tobe from two to four this Sunday.
We also have one at 140 OldMill Road in Flat Rock as well
(03:04):
Both great homes, and again, youcan see all of this on our
social media.
And then we have a brand newlisting that's literally going
to be they're pushing the buttonthis morning at 121 Blue House
Road in Hendersonville andthat's going to also be open
this Sunday too as well.
Two to four.
So three open houses.
You can see all this on oursocial media Facebook, instagram
(03:25):
.
You can also go torealestatebygregcom to see all
of our homes for sale.
But we've been really busy andwe're so excited about the
continued activity and theseopen houses are well attended.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
huh they are.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
We're seeing so much activity with the open houses I
mean people are out thereshopping and for buyers, because
there's also an increase ofhomes for sale, buyers have more
options right now.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
Okay, you always do in the spring, usually, right?
Speaker 2 (03:53):
They do.
There is an increase in thespring, but it's still great
Again if it's the right thingfor you.
I mean, timing is only right ifit's your timing.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
You can't time the market as in.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
You know the interest rates or the prices.
You should buy when it's right.
You should sell when it's right.
I mean again, when it's rightfor you.
It's the right time.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
I guess you might have, in your vast real estate
career, actually talked somebodyout of selling.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
We have Actually and that's so funny.
We've actually had some of ourbiggest fans.
We've gone through the exerciseand they decided, because of
the information we gave them, itwas not the best thing for them
to do to sell, and so they wereso grateful and they tell all
of their friends like these guysthey didn't even sell our house
, but they're great.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Well, that's what it gets back to in your commercial
that you're running.
It's easier to do these thingswhen you have a guide.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
That's right, a guide Someone to walk alongside you,
yeah, and we have someincredible men and women that
are our guides here in thecommunity when we face
emergencies.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Yeah, yeah, you do, you do.
You have a great team.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
No, but I'm referring to our men and women that are
serving in our community.
Yes, we do have a great team.
I our men and women that areserving in our community.
Yes, we do have a great team.
I was trying to do a transitionthere, randy, I didn't catch it
.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
I'm asleep this morning.
Hey, I need more coffee, butwell, you did lay it out here
for Interim Fire Chief MillsRiver Fire Chief Scott Burnett.
Good morning, scott, goodmorning.
How are you?
I'm doing really good.
It's good to have you here withus.
We've just been thinking aboutyou guys for a long time.
At Mills River Fire Department,we felt such a tug at our
(05:29):
heartstrings back in Januarywhen you guys lost one of your
substations and we wanted to getyou guys in here and talk with
you about the recovery from thatand how much you guys have been
through since last September.
It's just been a whirlwind foryou guys and you had a little
(05:52):
extra dumped on you with theloss of the substation.
So, uh, so tell us what's goingon at Mills River Fire
Department.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Yeah, the last six months certainly have been a
challenge for our community andour fire department.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
The impacts from Helene and Mills River were very
similar to throughout theregion.
We were all hands on deck forseveral weeks, just like
everybody in the region, and I'mvery proud of our firefighters
very proud, proud of ourcommunity is how they responded
(06:27):
to hurricane helene.
It was, uh, it was isincredible to, to be a part of
and, uh, to be alongside justsome amazing folks well, it was,
uh, you know, hats off.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
It was the fire departments, uh, the volunteers
and the mills river firedepartment, all the fire
departments.
That really jumped up, man, andthat's when we saw you guys
really shine and we are sograteful.
Now the fire at the substationin January.
Tell us about that.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Yeah, that was definitely a significant loss to
our fire department and ourcommunity.
That substation was built inthe early 2000s and it was on
land that was donated by one ofour founding members, and so you
know that family, the Pryorfamily, is very dear to Mills
(07:19):
River Fire Department, millsRiver community and losing that
station that they allowed us tobuild on their land was pretty
devastating, and so right nowwe're in the process of having
what's left of that buildingdemolished and we're going to
start new.
We're going to have a firestation on that same site Okay
(07:46):
fire station on that same site.
Okay, uh, you know the priorfamily is is uh, very uh kind to
continue to let us use thatthat um land for a fire station.
And so we're going to rebuildand we're going to have a fire
station.
Um, hopefully this summer we'llbe able to start and it's under
design right now and sohopefully, in about 12 to 18
months we'll have a fire stationthere again.
It's incredible.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
We all think no one's immune to experiencing fire and
the irony right of the firedepartment's building burning
down.
I mean it can happen to anybody.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Absolutely.
Yeah, I've been in the fireservice a long time and have
never experienced something likethis.
It is definitely ironic and, atthe same time, uh, when you're,
you're fighting your own housefire, like our firefighters did
that night.
It's uh, it's very emotionaland very impactful yeah, it's
heavy.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Is this correct?
You've been in the fire, uh,you've been doing this fire
career 46 years no, not, did Imisunderstand this?
Speaker 3 (08:42):
yes, so um, I started in 1988.
Wow, whatever that math is, soabout 36 years that's amazing.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Yes, it is did you start out in the volunteer?
Yeah, at mills river?
Yeah, sure did.
Who in your world encouragedyou to get into the to this?
Speaker 3 (08:56):
so, uh, growing up in mills river, we had a wildland
fire um, on the, the mountain,in mills river that I lived on
the mountain in Mills River thatI lived on Forge Mountain, and
it was a pretty devastating fire.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
No homes were lost, including our home, my childhood
home, was saved by the firedepartment.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
And I was amazed because the woods around my home
were significantly damaged anda friend of mine who was a
junior firefighter, who uh whowas at the fire.
Um a few days later, he walkedme around and showed me
everything that the firedepartment did, and I was just
amazed in it.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Uh, he said well, you should, you should, you should
join us, and so I did the uh,the next day I went and joined
the fire department and that wasthe catalyst for you, for your.
That's amazing.
What would you say to youngpeople today that would consider
this career?
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Oh it's the best job in the world.
I strongly recommend a careerin the fire service.
There's lots of opportunities.
Most every community hasvolunteer opportunities and you
can start at a young age.
The fire department supportsall of the training, pays for
education, you can go to collegeand earn an education that the
(10:10):
fire department pays for in mostdepartments.
It's just a very rewardingcareer that I would absolutely
encourage.
Any young person that islooking for something meaningful
to do in life the fire serviceis an excellent choice.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
You guys lost in that substation fire some equipment
that was slated to go to LosAngeles.
Tell us about that story.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Yeah, so the Office of the State Fire Marshal in
North Carolina was in theprocess of rostering across the
state resources to go help thewildfires in Southern California
, and so we had rostered a crewand had put extra equipment on
our brush truck to take that outthere, and we had four
firefighters that were gettingready to deploy to California to
help with those fires, and sothat was a significant impact to
(11:06):
lose that truck and that extraequipment.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
Yeah, and I checked your website earlier.
You guys are involved inbuilding a new fire station, so
it's completed now.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
It's completed, okay.
Yes sir, yeah, so that's ourstation one, and we were very
fortunate to have that stationduring the hurricane.
We were able to house all ofthe resources from other areas
that were helping our community,and so we had fire trucks,
personnel, swift water rescueteams, all those resources we
were able to house in ourstation and all of our
(11:42):
volunteers were able to uh, youknow, stay there continuously,
and it was a blessing if if wewere to operate out of our old
station um?
Speaker 1 (11:52):
we would not none of no, we we would not have been
effective in helping ourcommunity well, we are so
grateful to have you guys in ourcommunity and we just wanted to
tip the hat to you and to allof the members.
How many members of the firedepartment am I putting you on
the spot by asking how big youguys?
Speaker 3 (12:12):
are.
We have 73.
Wow, and that includes fivefull-time firefighters and the
rest are volunteers.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Okay, and if anyone would like to get more
information or become involvedwith the Mills River Fire
Department, just stop by theStation 1?
.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
That's correct 5400 Boylston Highway in Mills River.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
And you guys do so much more than just fight fires
right, I think people thinkthat's it, but I mean you're
doing so much more.
I mean from safety to helpingpeople with their child, you
know car seats, I mean there'sso many things that you do for
the community.
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
We're an all-hazards response fire department, and so
we respond to medicalemergencies.
We respond to rescues, hazards,materials releases and
education is a huge part of whatwe do and educating and
reducing that risk in ourcommunity.
Wow, and how long have you beenthe fire chief?
So I'm the interim fire chief.
(13:11):
I've been helping out the MillsRiver's in between fire chiefs
right now, and so, since firechief, I've been helping out
that mills river is in betweenfire chiefs right now, and so
since august I've been helpingout as the interim fire chief.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
Okay, amazing.
We're so thankful foreverything you've done and
everything your entire crew,your, your paid and volunteer
staff.
It's an incredible.
Uh, any thoughts as to what wejust went through with the, the
recent fires here?
I mean, what a blessing to havethe rain it is yeah, we're the.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
The rain that we've had over the last few days
certainly was a blessing.
The damage from HurricaneHelene is making the wildfires
significantly more hazardousbecause of all the fuel that is
down, and so we'll be seeingthat, unfortunately, over the
next three to five years, anincreased fire risk because of
all the trees and everythingthat are down.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Scott, thank you so much.
Thank you to the Mills RiverFire Department.
We've got a certificate.
We'd love you to hang on thewall there at the main station.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
Thank you, and I also want to take this opportunity
to thank you, Thank this radiostation.
During the hurricane, this washow our community got
information.
All the other ways to getinformation were down and if it
were not for you and your radiostation, our community would
have been more impacted.
So thank you.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Thank you.
Thank you, we appreciate it.
It was a trying time foreverybody.
Noah, next week we're going tobe saluting Cat Carlton, who is
the executive director of theUnited Way here in Henderson
County.
Looking forward to that chat.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
We do and we have a number of people.
I mean it's amazing thenominations that are coming in
for the.
Hometown Heroes series and foranyone listening that'd like to
nominate, they certainly can dothat as well.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
And get us in touch with the George Real Estate
Group.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
Absolutely.
Give us a call at 828-393-0134.
Find us online atrealestatebygregcom.
Follow us on social media.
We also podcast all of ourradio shows, but remember we
have three open houses thisweekend and we'd love to see it
come out.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
And we will be podcasting this episode with
Scott coming up right after thenews at 9 o'clock.
Thank you so much for joiningus for the George Real Estate
Group Hometown Hero Series onWHKP.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
If the story I shared with you stopped you in your
tracks, you're not alone.
People have been asking whathappened next.
Dr Robbins' car had plungedinto a freezing river and, as a
teenager, underwater anddisoriented, she remembered her
survival tip blow bubbles andfollow them.
They will rise to the surface.
(15:38):
She did, but when she reachedthe top, expecting air, she
slammed into solid ice, Out ofbreath and nearly out of
strength.
She kept moving, desperately,searching for a break, and just
when she thought she couldn't goon, a stranger appeared and
pulled her to safety.
It's a powerful reminder we cando hard things, but we don't
(16:01):
have to do them alone.
At the George Real Estate Group, we're here to help you through
life's transitions, whetheryou're buying, selling or just
trying to figure out your nextmove.
The George Real Estate Group,because the right guide makes
all the difference.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
The George Real Estate Group is located in Flat
Rock, north Carolina, nearHendersonville in Henderson
County.
You can find them online atrealestatebygregcom.
The George Real Estate Groupcan be reached at 828-393-0134
or stop by their office at 2720Greenville Highway, flat Rock,
(16:37):
north Carolina.
Tune in live each week onThursdays at 10.05 am on WHKP
107.7 FM and 1450 am, or streamonline at whkpcom or download
these podcasts wherever you getyour podcasts.
The george real estate groupbrings you the whkp hometown
(17:00):
hero series every friday morningat 8 45.
The George Real Estate Group radio broadcast is
celebrating 10 years on WHKP.
The George Real Estate Group iscelebrating 10 years on the
radio live every Thursdaymorning at 10.05 on WHKP 107.7
FM and AM 1450 and streamingonline at WHkpcom.
(00:24):
Each Friday morning at 845,.
The George Real Estate Grouppresents the Hometown Hero Award
to someone in our community whogoes above and beyond to make
our hometown a better place tolive.
Here's this week's HometownHero Show.
It's 845 on Friday morning Timefor the George Real Estate
(00:46):
Group Hometown Hero Show.
It's 845 on Friday morning Timefor the George Real Estate
Group Hometown Hero Series andit's our favorite time together
with our friend Noah George fromGeorge Real Estate Group, and
Noah brings us the show everyweek.
Thank you so much, noah, forsponsoring this great show.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
It's a privilege.
I was looking back.
I think we started sponsoringthis some seven years ago.
Are you serious Six or sevenyears ago?
It's a privilege.
I think I was looking back.
I think we started sponsoringthis some seven years ago.
Are you serious Six or sevenyears ago?
It's been amazing.
I mean the men and women thatyou and I have had a chance to
interview over the years and thestories we've shared.
I mean we've been doing thisand then I've been doing my
Thursday show since 2011.
(01:20):
So I mean I was doing the math.
And then I have another radioshow.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
I've um.
So I mean I was doing the math.
And then I have another radioshow.
We've, I've done over 1600radio programs.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Are you kidding me throughout the years?
Man, you're getting up thereclose to randy hughes.
Well, I got a long way to go tocatch up to you.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
That's probably what you've done in a week but your
voice is out there in thestratosphere that's right.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Plenty of plenty of places we're out there, but it's
a it's a privilege and honor tosponsor the hometown hero
series.
And um, yeah, the, the the realestate market uh is moving.
I mean there's actually a sevenpercent increase in the number
of homes sold uh the firstquarter this year versus the
first quarter last year.
Seven percent higher yes, whichis significant.
(02:01):
Now, the one change is thatit's taking homes a little bit
longer to sell.
There's about a 10-day increasein the number of days it takes
for the homes to sell, so that'sabout a 20% increase in the
days on market.
But our average price isholding around $547 right now
and that's because we still havelow inventory, still strong
(02:21):
demand.
I mean the market's the marketand even with all the upheaval
in the economy and the interestrates, life happens.
Therefore real estate happens,and so we're still seeing a lot
of activity.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Well, you just mentioned, right before we went
on the air, that there's a lotof open houses scheduled for
this weekend.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Our team has some wonderful open houses, and that
again back to the activity.
I mean we had an open houselast Sunday.
We had an open house thisThursday.
We have three open houses thisweekend.
We actually have two in FlatRock one at 78 Assembly Drive
Incredible home that's going tobe from two to four this Sunday.
We also have one at 140 OldMill Road in Flat Rock as well
(03:04):
Both great homes, and again, youcan see all of this on our
social media.
And then we have a brand newlisting that's literally going
to be they're pushing the buttonthis morning at 121 Blue House
Road in Hendersonville andthat's going to also be open
this Sunday too as well.
Two to four.
So three open houses.
You can see all this on oursocial media Facebook, instagram
(03:25):
.
You can also go torealestatebygregcom to see all
of our homes for sale.
But we've been really busy andwe're so excited about the
continued activity and theseopen houses are well attended.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
huh they are.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
We're seeing so much activity with the open houses I
mean people are out thereshopping and for buyers, because
there's also an increase ofhomes for sale, buyers have more
options right now.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
Okay, you always do in the spring, usually, right?
Speaker 2 (03:53):
They do.
There is an increase in thespring, but it's still great
Again if it's the right thingfor you.
I mean, timing is only right ifit's your timing.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
You can't time the market as in.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
You know the interest rates or the prices.
You should buy when it's right.
You should sell when it's right.
I mean again, when it's rightfor you.
It's the right time.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
I guess you might have, in your vast real estate
career, actually talked somebodyout of selling.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
We have Actually and that's so funny.
We've actually had some of ourbiggest fans.
We've gone through the exerciseand they decided, because of
the information we gave them, itwas not the best thing for them
to do to sell, and so they wereso grateful and they tell all
of their friends like these guysthey didn't even sell our house
, but they're great.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Well, that's what it gets back to in your commercial
that you're running.
It's easier to do these thingswhen you have a guide.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
That's right, a guide Someone to walk alongside you,
yeah, and we have someincredible men and women that
are our guides here in thecommunity when we face
emergencies.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Yeah, yeah, you do, you do.
You have a great team.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
No, but I'm referring to our men and women that are
serving in our community.
Yes, we do have a great team.
I our men and women that areserving in our community.
Yes, we do have a great team.
I was trying to do a transitionthere, randy, I didn't catch it
.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
I'm asleep this morning.
Hey, I need more coffee, butwell, you did lay it out here
for Interim Fire Chief MillsRiver Fire Chief Scott Burnett.
Good morning, scott, goodmorning.
How are you?
I'm doing really good.
It's good to have you here withus.
We've just been thinking aboutyou guys for a long time.
At Mills River Fire Department,we felt such a tug at our
(05:29):
heartstrings back in Januarywhen you guys lost one of your
substations and we wanted to getyou guys in here and talk with
you about the recovery from thatand how much you guys have been
through since last September.
It's just been a whirlwind foryou guys and you had a little
(05:52):
extra dumped on you with theloss of the substation.
So, uh, so tell us what's goingon at Mills River Fire
Department.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Yeah, the last six months certainly have been a
challenge for our community andour fire department.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
The impacts from Helene and Mills River were very
similar to throughout theregion.
We were all hands on deck forseveral weeks, just like
everybody in the region, and I'mvery proud of our firefighters
very proud, proud of ourcommunity is how they responded
(06:27):
to hurricane helene.
It was, uh, it was isincredible to, to be a part of
and, uh, to be alongside justsome amazing folks well, it was,
uh, you know, hats off.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
It was the fire departments, uh, the volunteers
and the mills river firedepartment, all the fire
departments.
That really jumped up, man, andthat's when we saw you guys
really shine and we are sograteful.
Now the fire at the substationin January.
Tell us about that.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Yeah, that was definitely a significant loss to
our fire department and ourcommunity.
That substation was built inthe early 2000s and it was on
land that was donated by one ofour founding members, and so you
know that family, the Pryorfamily, is very dear to Mills
(07:19):
River Fire Department, millsRiver community and losing that
station that they allowed us tobuild on their land was pretty
devastating, and so right nowwe're in the process of having
what's left of that buildingdemolished and we're going to
start new.
We're going to have a firestation on that same site Okay
(07:46):
fire station on that same site.
Okay, uh, you know the priorfamily is is uh, very uh kind to
continue to let us use thatthat um land for a fire station.
And so we're going to rebuildand we're going to have a fire
station.
Um, hopefully this summer we'llbe able to start and it's under
design right now and sohopefully, in about 12 to 18
months we'll have a fire stationthere again.
It's incredible.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
We all think no one's immune to experiencing fire and
the irony right of the firedepartment's building burning
down.
I mean it can happen to anybody.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Absolutely.
Yeah, I've been in the fireservice a long time and have
never experienced something likethis.
It is definitely ironic and, atthe same time, uh, when you're,
you're fighting your own housefire, like our firefighters did
that night.
It's uh, it's very emotionaland very impactful yeah, it's
heavy.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Is this correct?
You've been in the fire, uh,you've been doing this fire
career 46 years no, not, did Imisunderstand this?
Speaker 3 (08:42):
yes, so um, I started in 1988.
Wow, whatever that math is, soabout 36 years that's amazing.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Yes, it is did you start out in the volunteer?
Yeah, at mills river?
Yeah, sure did.
Who in your world encouragedyou to get into the to this?
Speaker 3 (08:56):
so, uh, growing up in mills river, we had a wildland
fire um, on the, the mountain,in mills river that I lived on
the mountain in Mills River thatI lived on Forge Mountain, and
it was a pretty devastating fire.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
No homes were lost, including our home, my childhood
home, was saved by the firedepartment.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
And I was amazed because the woods around my home
were significantly damaged anda friend of mine who was a
junior firefighter, who uh whowas at the fire.
Um a few days later, he walkedme around and showed me
everything that the firedepartment did, and I was just
amazed in it.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Uh, he said well, you should, you should, you should
join us, and so I did the uh,the next day I went and joined
the fire department and that wasthe catalyst for you, for your.
That's amazing.
What would you say to youngpeople today that would consider
this career?
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Oh it's the best job in the world.
I strongly recommend a careerin the fire service.
There's lots of opportunities.
Most every community hasvolunteer opportunities and you
can start at a young age.
The fire department supportsall of the training, pays for
education, you can go to collegeand earn an education that the
(10:10):
fire department pays for in mostdepartments.
It's just a very rewardingcareer that I would absolutely
encourage.
Any young person that islooking for something meaningful
to do in life the fire serviceis an excellent choice.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
You guys lost in that substation fire some equipment
that was slated to go to LosAngeles.
Tell us about that story.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Yeah, so the Office of the State Fire Marshal in
North Carolina was in theprocess of rostering across the
state resources to go help thewildfires in Southern California
, and so we had rostered a crewand had put extra equipment on
our brush truck to take that outthere, and we had four
firefighters that were gettingready to deploy to California to
help with those fires, and sothat was a significant impact to
(11:06):
lose that truck and that extraequipment.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
Yeah, and I checked your website earlier.
You guys are involved inbuilding a new fire station, so
it's completed now.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
It's completed, okay.
Yes sir, yeah, so that's ourstation one, and we were very
fortunate to have that stationduring the hurricane.
We were able to house all ofthe resources from other areas
that were helping our community,and so we had fire trucks,
personnel, swift water rescueteams, all those resources we
were able to house in ourstation and all of our
(11:42):
volunteers were able to uh, youknow, stay there continuously,
and it was a blessing if if wewere to operate out of our old
station um?
Speaker 1 (11:52):
we would not none of no, we we would not have been
effective in helping ourcommunity well, we are so
grateful to have you guys in ourcommunity and we just wanted to
tip the hat to you and to allof the members.
How many members of the firedepartment am I putting you on
the spot by asking how big youguys?
Speaker 3 (12:12):
are.
We have 73.
Wow, and that includes fivefull-time firefighters and the
rest are volunteers.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Okay, and if anyone would like to get more
information or become involvedwith the Mills River Fire
Department, just stop by theStation 1?
.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
That's correct 5400 Boylston Highway in Mills River.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
And you guys do so much more than just fight fires
right, I think people thinkthat's it, but I mean you're
doing so much more.
I mean from safety to helpingpeople with their child, you
know car seats, I mean there'sso many things that you do for
the community.
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
We're an all-hazards response fire department, and so
we respond to medicalemergencies.
We respond to rescues, hazards,materials releases and
education is a huge part of whatwe do and educating and
reducing that risk in ourcommunity.
Wow, and how long have you beenthe fire chief?
So I'm the interim fire chief.
(13:11):
I've been helping out the MillsRiver's in between fire chiefs
right now, and so, since firechief, I've been helping out
that mills river is in betweenfire chiefs right now, and so
since august I've been helpingout as the interim fire chief.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
Okay, amazing.
We're so thankful foreverything you've done and
everything your entire crew,your, your paid and volunteer
staff.
It's an incredible.
Uh, any thoughts as to what wejust went through with the, the
recent fires here?
I mean, what a blessing to havethe rain it is yeah, we're the.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
The rain that we've had over the last few days
certainly was a blessing.
The damage from HurricaneHelene is making the wildfires
significantly more hazardousbecause of all the fuel that is
down, and so we'll be seeingthat, unfortunately, over the
next three to five years, anincreased fire risk because of
all the trees and everythingthat are down.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Scott, thank you so much.
Thank you to the Mills RiverFire Department.
We've got a certificate.
We'd love you to hang on thewall there at the main station.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
Thank you, and I also want to take this opportunity
to thank you, Thank this radiostation.
During the hurricane, this washow our community got
information.
All the other ways to getinformation were down and if it
were not for you and your radiostation, our community would
have been more impacted.
So thank you.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Thank you.
Thank you, we appreciate it.
It was a trying time foreverybody.
Noah, next week we're going tobe saluting Cat Carlton, who is
the executive director of theUnited Way here in Henderson
County.
Looking forward to that chat.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
We do and we have a number of people.
I mean it's amazing thenominations that are coming in
for the.
Hometown Heroes series and foranyone listening that'd like to
nominate, they certainly can dothat as well.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
And get us in touch with the George Real Estate
Group.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
Absolutely.
Give us a call at 828-393-0134.
Find us online atrealestatebygregcom.
Follow us on social media.
We also podcast all of ourradio shows, but remember we
have three open houses thisweekend and we'd love to see it
come out.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
And we will be podcasting this episode with
Scott coming up right after thenews at 9 o'clock.
Thank you so much for joiningus for the George Real Estate
Group Hometown Hero Series onWHKP.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
If the story I shared with you stopped you in your
tracks, you're not alone.
People have been asking whathappened next.
Dr Robbins' car had plungedinto a freezing river and, as a
teenager, underwater anddisoriented, she remembered her
survival tip blow bubbles andfollow them.
They will rise to the surface.
(15:38):
She did, but when she reachedthe top, expecting air, she
slammed into solid ice, Out ofbreath and nearly out of
strength.
She kept moving, desperately,searching for a break, and just
when she thought she couldn't goon, a stranger appeared and
pulled her to safety.
It's a powerful reminder we cando hard things, but we don't
(16:01):
have to do them alone.
At the George Real Estate Group, we're here to help you through
life's transitions, whetheryou're buying, selling or just
trying to figure out your nextmove.
The George Real Estate Group,because the right guide makes
all the difference.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
The George Real Estate Group is located in Flat
Rock, north Carolina, nearHendersonville in Henderson
County.
You can find them online atrealestatebygregcom.
The George Real Estate Groupcan be reached at 828-393-0134
or stop by their office at 2720Greenville Highway, flat Rock,
(16:37):
north Carolina.
Tune in live each week onThursdays at 10.05 am on WHKP
107.7 FM and 1450 am, or streamonline at whkpcom or download
these podcasts wherever you getyour podcasts.
The george real estate groupbrings you the whkp hometown
(17:00):
hero series every friday morningat 8 45.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com