Suches Fire Department

Union County Fire Station No. 5 & 11

The Suches Fire Department was organized in 1984 as a part of the new county-wide fire department and was quartered in a single bay building with the voting precinct. We shortly moved across the parking lot to a new, larger building and when it was enlarged still further to provide us a day room and training space, the voting precinct followed us. The original building is now home of the community pre-K program.
Nearly two dozen men were trained as basic firefighters (a twenty hour course) and the equipment consisted of a Georgia Forestry Commission rural fire defense "fireknocker" (still in service as Tanker 11). Over the years we have increased our numbers, level of training and equipment. The thirty men and women in the department now train to a basic 60 hour course and many are certified as first class firefighters. The majority are emergency medical first responders and several are EMTs. (See the “Personnel” link on the sidebar)
Our vehicle list has grown from the single fireknocker and now includes 2 engines, 2 tankers, a 2,000 Gal. pumper/tanker, a rescue vehicle, a SAR vehicle, 2- 4WD brush fire units and 2- 4WD SUV’s used for remote area rescue access (one of which tows a 6WD ATV) and as staff vehicles. The vehicles were obtained through the combined efforts of the county, the community and from a search and rescue grant from the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. (See the sidebar link “Equipment” for more information)

The departments primary mandate is fighting residential fires, but we have very few. The members are pleased that we maintain our fire fighting fitness through training rather than practice. In the past several years much of our call volume has dealt with emergency medical matters and we have placed a lot of emphasis on this aspect of our operation. In addition to the training already mentioned, our state certified rescue truck carries much more emergency medical equipment and supplies than is required. Along with IV supplies for the EMTs and oxygen we have AEDs (automatic external defibrillator) for "jump-starting" heart attack victims and pulse oximeters in both rescue trucks. This "extra" equipment has proven its value many times in this remote area where ambulance response times are necessarily long.

The Suches Fire Department also tries to be a good citizen outside our lights and sirens operations. We have sponsored square dances for the community and we sponsor the annual Independence Day fireworks. We host the annual Christmas tree lighting sponsored by the Gaddistown Homemakers as well as other meetings from time to time. The department gives an appreciation dinner and open house each summer to thank the community for their support, particularly the response to our annual fund-raising letter drive. (See “schedule and events” on the sidebar list.)