Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

New Blowing Rock Fire Department Nears Completion

Story by Anna Oakes

The new Blowing Rock Emergency Management facility is on track to open in early May, said Kent Graham, Blowing Rock Emergency Management Services director.

Currently, Amber Contracting of Mount Airy is completing the final 10 percent of the $4.2 million job, including final interior and landscaping work and corrections to the roof, Graham said.

The 21,000-square-foot building at 8001 Valley Boulevard will house the Fire Department, Rescue Squad and EMS, providing shelter for 12 fire, rescue and EMS vehicles, he said.

“We’ll be able to put some vehicles inside that we currently store outside,” he said. “We hope to be able to take better care of them in the building.”

In addition, conference and meeting room space at the new building will be available for use by community and civic groups. Caldwell Community College plans to use the space for distance learning and training, he said.

Construction on the new building began in November 2006. It was funded through a partnership between the Town of Blowing Rock and the fire department, Graham said. He noted that although the Blowing Rock town limits encompass only nine square miles, the fire department is responsible for 52 square miles, including some area in Caldwell County.

“If we didn’t work together that way, we wouldn’t be able to provide the level of service that we do,” he said.

The Blowing Rock Fire Department, established in 1926, has about four career personnel and 32 active volunteer members. Dennis Bolick is the fire chief and R.L. Suddreth is the fire department president. The Rescue Squad, formed in 1974, has four paid staff and 22 volunteers.

When the new facility is completed, the Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments will move into the old fire facility on Park Avenue, and the Police Department will move into the old rescue facility next door.

“The Police Deparment is in dire need of space as well,” Graham added.