Tryon firefighters had a busy day on Tuesday, April 15 with strong winds knocking down trees and power lines, but as they returned to the fire station from a fire on Hwy. 176, Tryon Town Council recognized members with certificates for fighting a woods fire in the Plum Tree Lane area last week.
Tryon Fire Chief Joey Davis said a fire began at 115 Plum Tree Lane with Marshall Lipscombe being the first on scene and discovering that the fire spread to Jackson Street Extension. The fire burned 15 acres and although 20 structures, including homes and outbuildings were threatened, the department contained the fire with no structural damage or injuries. Davis said Tryon received mutual aid from the N.C. Forest Service and fire departments from Landrum, Columbus, Mill Spring and Saluda with a total of 65 manhours spent containing the fire.
Davis also said as firefighters were coming into the fire hall to be recognized that the group was returning from a structure fire along Hwy. 176 where they had to cut a tree that had power lines in it in order to get to the fire.
“I have the greatest job in the world and the greatest fire department,” Davis said.
Council also recognized Blake Arledge, the town’s communication director, who updated the town on the CodeRed alert system Tryon has recently installed with the Polk County Emergency Management and the City of Saluda to share costs. The Town of Columbus already has CodeRed.
Arledge said CodeREd is a mass notification for citizens and is specifically designed for local governments to communicate with the public in times of emergency through phone, email, texts and social media. Arledge said the town will continue to use Nixle as well for mass communications to Tryon residents for town information and news alerts. CodeRed will be used when the area has a major event that has widespread impact.
Town commissioners thanked the fire department and Arledge for jobs well done with commissioner Bill Ingham saying he keeps hearing what a fabulous job the fire department does time after time.
“Thank you for a great job,” Ingham told firefighters.
Commissioner Roy Miller said he actually viewed firefighters at the Plum Tree Lane fire and said he is proud the town has a fire department capable and well trained. He said he really appreciates each firefighter’s level of commitment and service to the town.
“For me as a citizen and as a council member I say thank you for your dedication and service,” said Miller.