The Firefighter Fall 2021 West

Black Mountain IAFF Local 5246 In an emotional funeral ceremony on Tuesday, PFFPNC President Scott Mullins knelt in front of grieving widow to present her with the IAFF Martin E. Pierce Medal of Honor, the highest award given by the IAFF, in memorial of Black Mountain Firefighter Garrett Presnell. Presnell died of COVID-19 on August 31 at age 28 and is survived by his wife Kelsey, who is expecting a daughter they planned to name Kora. The solid gold medal etched with the words “Honor and Sacrifice” is named after a Boston firefighter who spent his life working on behalf of firefighters. “Garrett's name will also be forever memorialized in the granite walls of the the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial located in the shadow of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado,” said Mullins after the ceremony. “Our fallen brother will join every other firefighter who has perished in the line of duty.” Presnell was a proud member of the Professional Fire Fighters of Black Mountain (Local 5246), located just outside Asheville.

The funeral included an outpouring of grief from the communities Presnell served, including Buncombe County where he served on Task Force 2, which led water rescues just weeks ago as Tropical Storm Fred left the community devastated with lives lost.

Like many professional firefighters, Presnell also worked part-time at area fire departments, including North Cove, Pleasant Gardens, Old Fort, and volunteered for Sugar Hill-Montfort Cove Fire Department. Presnell also taught classes on selfrescue and how to save oneself in a medical and fire emergency.

To watch the 90-minute funeral service, including Mullins’ presentation of the IAFF memorial medal, click this video captured by WLOS and posted on its Facebook page.

Locals 3286 and 4633 (OBX)

PFFPNC political director Josh Smith traveled to Currituck County in the western part of North Carolina, alongside District Vice President Ben Bobzene to meet with local IAFF leaders to asssit in building the Fire and EMS Professioanals of Currituck County. Constant contact from PFFPNC with members statewide is critical to ensure all local’s remain up to date on the latest information from the state organization but also to ensure the needs of the local’s are being met by PFFPNC.

HICKORY IAFF LOCAL 2653 Local 2653 President John Warren (left) alongside Conover Fire Department firefighter Ricky Allen.

Brother Allen has recently received a cancer diagnosis and Local 2653 members extended a helping hand to assist in ensuring he and his family are taken care of both financailly and mentally during his upcoming trying times.

Conover Fire Department is also located in Catawba County, home to IAFF Local 2653.

HICKORY IAFF LOCAL 2653

Each fall, the Hickory Fire Fighters Association award two scholarships to members or their children who are futuring their education. This year, Local 2653 was proud to be able to contribute to four of their members children to assist ease the financial burden associated with college expenses. Pictured top left is Local 2653 member Tom Oxentine and his daughter; Emma. Top right is Local 2653 member Nick Reese and son Noah. Bottom left is the Kelsey; daughter of Local 2653 member Chris Wise. Bottom right is Clayon; son of Local 2653 member Jeffrey Boggs.

Congratulations on your recent high school graduations and good luck on your college journeys!

With Halloween right around the corner, PFFPNC would like to provide a few tips for children across the state as well as their parents to assist in ensuring a COVID-19 safe night of trick-or-treating. These tips provided by the International Association of Fire Fighters are just a few ways our little goblins can remain as safe as possible!

Sunday November 7, 2021 will mark the end of daylight savings time.

Your professional fire fighters across the state remind you that when you change you set your clocks back; this is an excellent time to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your residence. With the constant evolving technology in these proven life saving detectors, lithium ion battiers may be present that do not require or allow changing. Some of these newer batteries can last up to ten years and only need to be tested. Often, they are labeled when they are manufactured as well as the expected life span of the batteries. If you find this is the case, simply press and hold the test button on the detector to ensure proper operation. If you need assistance or are not sure what kind of detector you have, do not hesitate to call the non emergency phone number for your local fire station and the fire fighters on duty will gladly respond out to assist you!

PFFPNC members from Asheville to Wilmington responded to recent flooding caused by Tropical Storm Fred in the Western part of North Carolina. Multiple rescues were performed by crews in the areas of Cruso and Canton in Haywood County, North Carolina. Not only do these fire fighters serve their respective communities on a day-to-day basis; they respond at a moment’s notice anywhere in the state when needed anytime disaster strikes. Pictured top left is North Carolina Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 11 from New Hanover County which is over five hours from the affected areas.

Thanks to these emergency responders who make the sacrifice to be away from their families to ensure safety to our citizens of North Carolina.

(704) 872-3621

901 A N Wendover Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211 (704) 919-1111

On August 25, 2021 PFFPNC leaders were at the General Assembly in Raleigh, North Carolina along with IAFF President Ed Kelly and DVP Walt Dix advocating for inclusion of the Firefighters Fighting Cancer Act in the final budget. Firefighters are nearly 250% times more likely at risk for cancer than someone who does not work in the fire service. With statistics like this that have been discovered and proven through constant research across the country, statewide cancer coverage for fire fighters is a main priority for PFFPNC. Thanks to all the legislators who took the time to meet with PFFPNC leadership while advocating for inclusion of the Firefighters Fighting Cancer Act in the final budget.

Happy Halloween from the Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics of North Carolina

Raleigh IAFF Local 548 Engine 21 was first arriving to a working fire in a mobile home. E21 had fire attack. E12 gave water supply and assisted E21. L12 cleared searches for victims.

Your Raleigh firefighters are dedicated to providing a high level of service to the citizens of the city of Raleigh.

To support your Raleigh Firefighters and Local 548 visit local548.com and check out our store.

T NEW HANOVER COUNTY IAFF LOCAL 4576 wo members from Local 4576 recently traveled to Baton Rouge, LA to assist residents recover from damages sustained from Hurricane Ida. Laura Leigh and Blair teamed up with Heart 9/11 to make sure citizens could return to normalcy as fast as possible.

We will never forget September 11, 2001- not ever.

We will never forget what our profession sacrificed for others twenty years ago as these brave men and women ran into the twin towers as they came crumbling to the ground.

May God continue to hold our brothers and sisters and may their families feel a semblance of peace.

THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL FRIENDS PAY SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO OUR FIREFIGHTERS FOR KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE WHEEL BLOCKERS 401 HAWHORNE LN #110-192 CHARLOTTE, NC 28204 704-606-4166

BOAT REPAIT PLUS 7900 COMMERCE DRIVE DENVER, NC 28037 704-489-1442

BABCOCK HOME FURNITURE 1392 E. FRANKLIN BLVD. GASTONIA, NC 28054 704-862-6022

LAURA PRODUCE 586 GRIFFITH ROD CHARLOTTE, NC 28217 704-527-4046

ATLANTIC COAST CONTRACTOS 7680 TOWNSEND DRIVE DENVER, NC 28037 704-483-8282

MARTIN TAYLOR LAW FIRM 431 S. YORK STREET GASTONIA, NC 28052 704-675-9939

REMAX - LAURA MILLER 2240 ROSWELL AVE #8 CHARLOTTE, NC 28207 704-661-4166

UNIVERSAL RUBBER PRODUCTS 77810 FOREST OAK DR. DENVER, NC 28037 704-483-1249

BEDAZZLED BRIDAL & FORMAL 605 SOUTH NEW HOPE RD. GASTONIA, NC 28054 704-865-3492

MERRIMAN SCHMITT ARCHITECTS 605 LEXINGTON AVE. #300 CHARLOTTE, NC 28203 704-377-1177

GILLELAND REALTY 201 S. POPLAR STREET LINCOLNTON, NC 28092 704-735-0099

GROUNDMASTER LANDSCAPE & TREE SERVICE 735 MAIN ST, SW CONCORD, NC 28027 704-782-6227

WAYNE HUCKEL LAW 438 QUEENS ROAD CHARLOTTE, NC 28207 704-333-0073

MCMURRAY FABRICS 1140 N. FLINT STREET LINCOLNTON, NC 28092 704-732-9613

MAGELLAN AIRCRAFT SERVICES 2345-B TOWNSHIP RD. CHARLOTTE, NC 28273 704-504-9204

SAINE ACE HARDWARE 127 SPAKE ROD LINCOLNTON, NC 28092 704-735-3911

KC STARNES & SONS AUTO BODY 5700 OLD PINEVILLE RD. CHARLOTTE, NC 28217 704-523-3415

KEEVER PHARMACY 1814 E. MAIN STREET LINCONTON, NC 28092 704-735-9072

CELIA ESTRADA, REALTOR 1709 CENTRAL AVE #B CHARLOTTE, NC 28205 704-335-4400

LINCOLN CLEANING SERVICE 3863 MAIDEN HWY LINCOLNTON, NC 28092 704-735-7355

INK FLOYD INC. 1101 E. 36TH STREET CHARLOTTE, NC 28205 704-607-2910

NEW YORK LIFE 333 E. MAIN STREET LINCOLNTON, NC 28092 704-735-3770

THOMAS RENTALS

A STYLED POOCH 350 GEORGE W. LILES PKWY #10 CONCORD, NC 28027 704-478-9033 SOUTHERN LEGACY HOMES 3640 AIRPORT RD. CONCORD, NC 28025 704-791-7560 REFUJEO SUPERMARKET 476 CHURCH ST. N. CONCORD, NC 28025 980-248-1318 FRUITFUL CATERING 270 COPPERFIELD BLVD CONCORD, NC 28025 704-467-3062 CARPET CONNECTION 1216 S. MAIN STREET KANNAPOLIS, NC 28081 704-932-1929

THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL FRIENDS PAY SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO OUR FIREFIGHTERS FOR KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE MASTER METAL FABRICATIONS 2592 HICKORY HWY STATESVILLE, NC 28677 704-872-5070

MATHEWS POWER EQUIPMENT 1122 INDUSTRIAL DR. #110 MATHEWS, NC 28105 704-845-0444

PERFORMANCE AC & HEATING 121 MONTROSE DRIVE MOORESVILLE, NC 28115 704-799-3245

FRONT STREET SERVICE CTR 202 W. FRONT STREET STATESVILLE, NC 28677 704-871-1660

BROOKS PRINTING SERVICE 514 BUSINESS PARK DRIVE DALLAS, NC 28034 704-923-0414

DALE QUARTERLY RACING 206 PERFORMANCE RD. MOORESVILLE, NC 28115 704-660-3270

MCDONALD’S 536 N. GREENBRIAR RD. STATESVILLE, NC 28625 704-873-2896

LOVES DIESEL SERVICE 13535 BETHEL AVE EXT. MIDLAND, NC 28107 704-888-4655

DYNAMIC MACHINE WORKS 804 PERFORMANCE RD #C MOORESVILLE, NC 28115 704-360-1086

BENHAM BUILDERS

JACKSONS CAFETERIA

BHT FENCE

EARTHS EDGE 1800 SILAS CREEK PKWY WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27103 336-727-1663

STEEL ROOTS 1436 RIVER RIDGE DR. CLEMMONS, NC 27012 336-778-2332

NORTHWEST GEOSCIENCE 1912 EASTCHESTER DR. HIGH POINT, NC 27262 336-885-4381

SPC MECHANICAL CORP. 3936 WESTPOINT BLVD. WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27103 336-785-9500

COOKS HEATING & COOLING RURAL HALL, NC 27045 336-969-6576 WWW.COOKSHC.COM

WESLEY MEMORIAL SCHOOL 1225 CHESTNUT DRIVE HIGH POINT, NC 27262 336-884-4232

GRUBBS WOODWORKS 2900 GRIFFITH ROAD WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27103 336-794-0355

FLEET WASH 3107 S. ELM EUGENE ST. GREENSBORO, NC 27406 336-545-8832

MORGAN SAND COMPANY 2007 W. ENGLISH RD. HIGH POINT, NC 27262 336-869-9550

KETNER & ASSOC. INSURANCE 750 BETHESDA ROAD WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27103 336-765-3112

TRIAD FLEETWASH 3107 S. ELM EUGENE ST. GREENSBORO, NC 27406 336-545-8832

MURROWS TRANSFER HIGH POINT, NC WWW.MURROWS.COM 336-475-6101

AUTOMOTIVE CONCEPTS 1143 SHATTALONENTERPRISE WAY WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27105 336-287-7077

DILLARD HEATING & AIR 266 RIVERVIEW DR. LEXINGTON, NC 27292 336-242-7040

OAK VIEW BAPTIST CHURCH 810 OAKVIEW RD. HIGH POINT, NC 27265 336-841-6511

SOUTHEASTERN TITLE COMPANY

CARR INDUSTRIES

BLACK SAND GRAVEL & MULCH

VILLAGE GRILL - LEXINGTON

CROWN CERAMICS 221 LINDSAY STREET HIGH POINT, NC 27262 336-889-3583

THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL FRIENDS PAY SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO OUR FIREFIGHTERS FOR KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE MCLEOD CORP. 19701 W. CATAWBA AVE #G CORNELUS, NC 28031 704-896-5552

BLUE RIDGE METAL RECYCLING 9 MULVANY STREET ASHEVILLE, NC 28803 828-254-2840

HENDERSONVILLE, NC 28793 828-693-7261

GREENWAY MOTORS 3909 US HIGHWAY 70 SW HICKORY, NC 28602 828-323-1081

BETTY B. WILLIAMS & ASSOC. 43 COLLEGE PLACE #120 ASHEVILLE, NC 28801 828-252-2199

BAY BREEZE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 1830 ASHEVILLE HWY HENDERSONVILLE, NC 28791 828-697-7106

PRICES WELL DRILLING 963 12TH ST. SE HICKORY, NC 28602 828-327-0268

GRIGG ELECTRIC COMPANY 111 COXE AVE. ASHEVILLE, NC 28801 828-232-0021

JORDON ENVIRONMENTAL 68 LITTLE HORSE RD. WAYNESVILLE, NC 28786 828-734-2612

HICKORY PAWN & GUN 316 US WHY 70 SW HICKORY, NC 28602 828-324-5985

TEAMSTERS LOCAL 61 45 SARDIS ROAD ASHEVILLE, NC 28806 828-665-2834

ROC N SOC 151 KELLY PARK LANE WAYNESVILLE, NC 28786 828-452-1736

D & H MARKETING GROUP

CAROLINA MOUNTAIN PHARMACY 7 PISGAH HWY #100 CANDLER, NC 28715 907-987-0303

AUTRY’S PLUMBING 2426 BEAR CREEK RD. LEICESTER, NC 28748 828-253-4269

ACCU RITE 3893 SLANTING BRIDGE RD. TERRELL, NC 28682 828-478-1299

DAROLD’S SMALL ENGINES 2641 NEW LEICESTER HWY LEICESTER, NC 28748 828-583-2121

BLUE RIDGE X-RAY 56 RABBIT LANE MILLS RIVER, NC 28759 828-231-4480

BROCKS HEAT AND AIR 302 WHALEY DRIVE RUTHERFORDTON, NC 28139 828-429-6688

ARDEN FLETCHER MINI STORAGE 53 E. JOHNSON FARM CT. FLETCHER, NC 828-691-9978

JAMES AUTO UPHOLSTERY 3787 HENDERSONVILLE RD. FLETCHER, NC 28732 828-650-6505

CREEKSIDE SUBS 491 N. BROAD STREET BREVARD, NC 28712 828-553-0498

MEDITERRANEAN TILE & STONE

K & M TIRE

COCULA MEXICAN RESTAURANT

BRITTAIN ENGINEERING

ASHEVILLE STEELE

ANTIQUE RECLAIMED LUMBER 9798 NC HWY 226 S. NEBO, NC 28761 828-273-4211

FUTURE NAILS

CLEAN OFFICE ENVIROMENT

GLENWOOD CUSTOM BUILDERS

PRECISION CABINTRY 811 RIDGE DRIVE NEWTON, NC 28658 828-312-2860 ABZORBIT INC. 2628 NORTHWEST BLVD NEWTON, NC 28658 828-464-9944 CATAWBA FIRST INSURANCE 232 WEST A STREET NEWTON, NC 28658 828-464-3829

MARTIN STARNES & ASSOCIATES

BRYAN EASLER TOYOTA

1409 SPARTANBURG HWY

YOUNT AUCTION & REAL ESTATE