Dump Truck Wreck Causes Diesel/Oil Leak

Posted on March 27, 2022 by FF Blanton

On Tuesday, March 22, 2022, The Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department responded to a dump truck accident on Russell Brothers Road at the intersection of Ruby Lane in the Sunset Bay area of Sharps Chapel. Union County 911 received the call at 3:17 pm. The driver lost control and rolled the dump truck on its side this causing the truck to leak diesel fuel and leak oil. Engine 54 from the SCVFD arrived on scene to declare one lane of the roadway blocked. Engine 54 then contained the diesel/oil leak and then considered the scene to be safe to open one lane of traffic for the flow of traffic. No injuries were reported for either fire members or the driver of the truck. The truck was then flipped back onto its top and hauled away from the scene to where fire members cleaned up the rest of the diesel/oil from the road. The roadway was reopened, and all Sharps Chapel members went back into service.

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Ray Lane Home Destroyed In Fire

Posted on March 7, 2022 by FF Blanton


The Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a residential fire at 156 Ray Lane on Sunday afternoon, March 6, 2022 around 3:30pm. When Command 5 arrived on the scene 7 minutes later, command reported that flames were coming from the left side of the structure and command had been advised no one was in the residence. No other hazards were reported. SCVFD Engines 51 and 52 arrived on the scene and attack lines were pulled to fight the fire. Units from Northeast Union VFD and Luttrell VFD also soon arrived on scene and assisted with the blaze. Firefighters were able to get a quick knock down on the fire and checked for a few hot spots. Units were on scene less than 2 hours before returning back in service. None of the surrounding homes or structures were damaged. Paulette and Maynardville units were released by command to return to their areas. Although the structure was still standing, Flames and Water damage made it a complete loss with few items to be recovered from inside. According to Information obtained at the scene, the home belonged to Winston and Ruby Eads and their son Josh had been staying in the residence prior to the fire. The cause was listed under investigation at this time. Powell Valley Electric Cooperative was called to the scene to cut power from the residence. A SCVFD firefighter was checked on the scene by Union County EMS for Smoke Inhalation and Overheating, but was later released without further incident. No other injuries were reported.Chief Upton said he would like to thank everyone for their assistance.

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SCVFD holds Shop with Firefighters Shopping Spree

Posted on December 21, 2021 by Deputy Chief Simpson

The Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department held Shop with a Firefighter Shopping Spree on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at the Wal-Mart in New Tazewell. Instead of holding a department Christmas Diner and exchanging gifts within the department this year, the firefighters all make donations to sponsor local kids in the Sharps Chapel Community that are in need, or their families are having financial hard times. The kids are picked from staff at the local school that have not already been chosen or sponsored by other local charities that do a similar program for kids. Chief Chris Upton said the department sponsored 6 local kids in 2019 but did not do the program in 2020 due to the COVID issue. This year we were able to sponsor 8 local kids. Upton said he met with the department members, and they all decided this is what they wanted to do. Upton said $150.00 is spent on each child split up between clothing items and toys. The department hopes to be able to sponsor more local kids next year. Chief Upton said he wanted to thank the Firefighters, Junior Firefighters, and Lady Auxiliary members who helped shop with the children and their parents during the event. 

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SCVFD Firefighters take Santa by Sharps Chapel Elementary School

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Deputy Chief Simpson
Santa Greeting Sharps Chapel Students

On Thursday, December 16, 2021, Santa gave the firefighters in Sharps Chapel a call and requested some help. Santa needed help to be transported by Sharps Chapel Elementary School to make a quick visit with the kids while he was out wrapping up last minute chores before the big day. Apparently, the rein deer were already back in the North Pole getting ready for Christmas Eve. SCVFD Engine 52 and crew took Santa to the front door of the school with bells and whistles meeting all of the kids who were waiting at the entrance. Santa went in and sat with each child who attended school along with some of the staff and took a photo. Santa’s Firefighter helpers gave out candy canes and peppermint candy balls to everyone during the visit. Santa said he wanted to thank Chief Upton and Firefighters Mason, Tyler and Dusty for helping him out. Just before he left, he said, “Merry Christmas to All”.

Click on the video below to watch Santa’s arrival to Sharps Chapel Elementary.

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SCVFD Holds Fire Prevention Day at SCES

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Deputy Chief Simpson

On Wednesday, December 15, 2021, the Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department held their annual Fire Prevention Day activities at Sharps Chapel Elementary School. Chief Chris Upton said, “We are running behind this year, but we made it”. The fire department has conducted fire prevention day for the past 26 years since being in operation in Sharps Chapel. Chief Upton said that he and the members of the fire department would like to once again thank the school staff and students for allowing them to visit each year. This year each class watched a Life Skills and Fire Safety Video and were given fire prevention materials to take home and go over with their parents. Students were also got to look over one of the fire engines. Everyone had a great day and of course “Sparky the Fire Dog” was there to help with the daylong activities. Chief Upton would like to thank Deputy Chief Mason Simpson, LT. Dustin Ray and Firefighter Rich Zerbey for helping with this year’s program and everyone is looking forward to next year’s visit.

5th Grade
4th Grade
3rd Grade
2nd Grade
1st Grade
Kindergarten
Pre-K
Wyatt admiring the helmet sticker.
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Sparky Visits Sharps Chapel Elementary School Halloween Carnival

Posted on November 12, 2021 by Deputy Chief Simpson

On Friday, October 29, 2021 Sparky the Fire Dog attended the Sharps Chapel Elementary School Carnival and Trunk or Treat with members of the Sharps Chapel Fire Department. Asst. Chief Kevin Brantley, Lt. Dustin Ray and Firefighter Andrew Woods along with Sparky visited with the kids and handed out candy during this years Carnival.

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Vehicle Accident on Leadmine Bend Rd. near Shoffner Rd.

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Deputy Chief Simpson

Sharps Chapel VFD was dispatched to a vehicle accident with unknown injury by Union County 911 dispatch on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 around 4:47 p.m. The accident happened on Leadmine Bend Road near Shoffner Road. The driver lost control and struck an embankment. SCVFD Engine 54 arrived on the scene to find a one vehicle accident, the driver was checked and found with no life threatening injuries. SCVFD units then checked the vehicle to make sure that no hazards were found. The driver was checked and refused transport by Union County EMS. The accident was investigated by the Union County Sheriff’s Department. The driver was arrested for traffic violations and transported to the Union County Jail. SCVFD stood by at the scene until the vehicle was recovered by the wrecker and the roadway was cleared.

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Leadmine Bend Vehicle Accident

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Deputy Chief Simpson

The Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched by Union County 911 to a vehicle accident in the area of Edwards Hollow Road on Sunday evening, August 8, 2021 around 9:42pm. A SCVFD firefighter was first to arrive in his personal vehicle to find the one car accident on Leadmine Bend Road just past Edwards Hollow Road. Rescue 51 was in route to the scene, when advised the driver had crawled from the vehicle. Rescue 51 arrived on scene to find that a vehicle had lost control, ran off roadway over an embankment, and rolled on  to it’s top in a field. Engine 54 was cancelled as the driver was found to have minor injuries. Union County EMS arrived and the patient was transported to an area hospital for injuries in the accident. The accident was investigated by Union County Sheriff’s Department and the driver is facing charges from the accident. SCVFD units stood by at the scene until the vehicle was cleared and returned back to service.

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SCVFD and UCRS Members Take Low Angle Rescue Training

Posted on July 2, 2021 by Deputy Chief Simpson
(Pictured above) SCVFD Members – Chief Chris Upton, Asst. Chief Kevin Brantley, Captain Adam Brantley, Lt. Dustin Ray and Firefighters Bret Pursel, Jonathan Blanton and Matthew Dykes. UCRS Members – David Lusk and David Collins with TARS Instructor Stephen Whaley.   

Several members of the Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department along with a couple members from the Union County Rescue Squad took a weekend long Low Angle Rescue Class taught by a Certified Instructor through the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads.

The SCVFD was able to obtain equipment such as rescue ropes, harnessses, a basket and other gear through a grant this past year to enable the department to provide low angle rescues.

This equipment is very expensive and without the help of a grant most volunteer departments could not afford the equipment.

SCVFD Chief Chris Upton said he was very proud of all the members who took the certified class to enable SCVFD to provide this type service to the community in the event one of these type emergencies take place.

Upton said in the past couple of years we have saw more emergencies in our area where low or high angle rescues have had to be conducted. In the past we have had to call on emergency services outside the county to assist with these type calls. Upton said with this new equipment and training most of these type rescue can be handled within our county in a safe and timely manner without having to wait on out of county help to arrive.

The SCVFD and UCRS have plans to hold another class later this Fall in order to get more of their members trained. UCRS is looking into purchasing some of the equipment also as both departments plan to work and train together in forming a team here in the county to assist with these type emergencies.

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SCVFD Recently Purchases Newer AED units

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Deputy Chief Simpson

The Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department recently purchased two newer model Philips AED Defibrillators to be carried on our trucks. The newer units will replace older units that were in need of repair and one that was out of service. The SCVFD is requested by Union County 911 dispatch often to assist the Union County EMS with medical emergency calls in our district. If a med unit (ambulance) is not close by the area or at level zero meaning all of the current units are on other calls. SCVFD is called out to assist until an ambulance is available to respond to the emergency. SCVFD has some Emergency Medical Technicians, Emergency Medical Responders and all members are trained in CPR. Chief Chris Upton said the new units were greatly needed and plans are to purchase more in the near future in order to have one on each of our emergency vehicles. Time is a very important factor of a cardiac emergency and proper CPR along with the AED gives a greater chance of saving lives. Upton also said the department currently has a certified CPR Instructor and plans to offer CPR classes through the American Heart Association to the community in the near future.

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