Station 8 Hemptown
Posted by: 
debbado
N 34° 53.386 W 084° 10.261
16S E 758531 N 3864471
This volunteer fire station is part of the Fannin County Fire Department
Waymark Code: WM6Q70
Location: Georgia, United States
Date Posted: 07/06/2009
Views: 4
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The Fannin County Fire Department is served by local volunteers. There are 14 stations to cover the 385 square miles of mountainous terrain. Each station serves the community it is located in, but they also work together when needed. Most of the 14 fire stations were built by and are manned by the people of the communities they serve.
There are approximately 120 volunteer firefighters and two paid officers registered with the county. Each volunteer must go through specialized fire training before they can become a certified member. Many of the volunteer firefighters also undergo specialized training in rescue and response services. Such as, swift water rescue, mountain wilderness rescue, and hazardous material response. Most have also completed a first responders course. The training they receive is much the same as that of larger fire departments.
Fannin County's beautiful mountains and vast wilderness areas are viewed by many as a blessing, however these blessings can be quite a hindrance to firefighters. With more and more people choosing to build vacation and retirement homes, away from the local communities, firefighters are having increased difficulties responding to calls. Many of theses homes are being built on the tops of mountains, or out long and steep dirt roads. The challenge is often related more to the time and the difficulty it takes to get to the home, than the firefighting itself.
Thankfully the county is blessed with a dedicated group of individuals who go over and beyond in their efforts to overcome whatever obstacles these mountains or the people building in them dish out.