Buncombe County Rescue Squad

02/01/2026

Service Update from Buncombe County Rescue Squad:

We want to share an important update with our community. Due to a continued reduction in patient transport calls, Buncombe County Rescue Squad has ended routine transport services as of 1/31/2026. This change helps us better focus our time, training, and resources where they are most needed today.

What’s not changing?

Our commitment to the community remains strong. We will continue to proudly provide:

- Event Standby coverage
- Search and Rescue operations
- Community Resilience training and support

This adjustment allows us to stay mission-ready, support our volunteers, and remain a reliable resource for the community long into the future. We’re incredibly grateful for the support and trust you’ve shown us over the years. If you have questions or would like to learn more about our services, feel free to message us or reach out at [email protected].

Thank you for being part of our community ❤️

08/20/2025

Today Blue Ridge Public Radio published a story on our CERT training in Swannanoa last month. We plan to offer another one soon, stay tuned for an announcement on when/where.

Residents of Swannanoa gathered for a training that aimed to help them prepare in case of another disaster.

07/24/2025

We're happy to announce that tonight we received a grant from the Swannanoa Valley Medical Center (SVMC) that will go toward funding our CERT training program in the Swannanoa Valley. This will enable us to offer several more classes in the coming year like the one we taught last weekend for members of the Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance. It is only through grants, sponsorships, and donations that we are able to continue this program, and we are incredibly grateful for the support of the SVMC as we advance our mission of helping to build community resilience and emergency preparedness.

07/20/2025

Thanks to sponsorship funding from Footprint Project, we were able to provide our first public Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training for Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance at Lake Eden Retreat this weekend. Rescue Division Supervisor Ron Ramsey taught the class, assisted by Deputy Chief Thomas McNally and SAR Team Leader Jeff Stilber. This marks the first of a series of CERT classes we will be offering, which is a central part of our efforts to build partnerships that enhance community resilience. By offering these classes, we are working to educate and empower communities to be better prepared to take care of each other in the event of disasters and emergencies. CERT training will always be free. Our ability to fund this program is made possible by sponsorships, grants, and generous donations from the public. If you would like to help us sustain these operations, you can donate at buncomberescue.org

07/10/2025

We're trying to help one of our Special Event clients acquire a wheelchair that we would be able to use to assist patients with limited mobility. Do you have one in good condition that you don't need anymore that you would be willing to donate? Or do you have a suggestion for somewhere local that we could acquire one inexpensively? Please let us know!

04/28/2025

WE ARE HIRING!!!!
The Buncombe County Rescue Squad is now hiring PRN EMTs for our 2025 Event Season! Our Squad provides Stand by coverage for multiple venues and events in the area all season long.
If interested, Applications can be pick up at the station located at 116 Hansel Ave, you can also apply online at buncomberescue.org or email Phoenix Smith - [email protected] for more details.
We expect it to be a busy event season this year and would love for you to join our team!

01/27/2025

Code Purple Notice is in effect tonight in Buncombe County, please see attached post

Code Purple has been called for Asheville and Buncombe County from Jan. 27 through Jan. 28 to provide emergency shelter for those experiencing homelessness during cold weather.

Code Purple is a coordinated effort to increase emergency shelter capacity with fewer requirements than typical programming. Participating sites will also connect individuals to long-term shelter and housing options.

Code Purple Shelter Sites:

ABCCM (Single Men)
Location: 20 20th Street
Phone: 828-259-5333
Hours: Intake: 4–8 p.m. | Exit: 7:30 a.m.
Transit Route: WE2 Bear Creek Rd

ABCCM’s Transformation Village (Single Women & Women with Children)
Location: 30 Olin Haven Way
Phone: 828-259-5365
Hours: Intake: 4–8 p.m. | Exit: 7:30 a.m.
Transit Route: W2

Safe Shelter (Families)
Location: 587 Haywood Road
Referral Required – Complete the referral form online: www.counterflowasheville.com/contact-referral, then call to confirm availability:
Phone Numbers: 828.606.2091 or 828.595.6101
Hours: Intake: 6:00 PM | Exit: 7:30 AM
Transit Route: W1, W2, W6

Transportation Details:
- Free ART Bus Transit: Available to and from Code Purple sites. Riders must inform drivers they’re going to a Code Purple site.
- ABCCM Shuttle: Picks up at Crisis Ministry (24 Cumberland Ave.) at 4 p.m.
- Community Support: Paramedics, AFD-REST, and Mission Hospital can assist with transportation for those unable to access bus services.
For additional weather updates, visit weather.gov.
Please note: Families will be triaged on a case by case basis, and may be offered hotel options if no other shelters are available. Both locations are wheelchair accessible.

01/27/2025

Over this past weekend the squad held their Christmas get together. We had to reschedule due to some snow and ice we’ve had the past couple weeks, but we were able to finally get together at Wild Wing Cafe in Arden over the weekend!

We were all glad to be able to get together outside of work and enjoy time with one another.

The Squad would also like to recognize and congratulate our Volunteer of the Year; Victoria Marrero! Victoria has been nothing but a blessing since joining the squad. Victoria played a huge role during our response to Hurricane Helene. She ran SAR missions, she pitched in without hesitation, she shuffled relief supplies, she arranged meals, she complied reports, she triaged calls. Anything and everything that she was tasked with, from early morning until late in the evening, she performed selflessly and with a great attitude.

Victoria thank you again and congratulations on being Buncombe County Rescue Squad: Volunteer of the Year!

12/31/2024

WE ARE HIRING!!!!

The Buncombe County Rescue Squad is now hiring PRN EMTs for our 2025 Event Season! Our Squad provides Stand by coverage for multiple venues and events in the area all season long.

If interested, Applications can be pick up at the station located at 116 Hansel Ave, you can also apply online at buncomberescue.org or email our Event Coordinator Kyle Nush [email protected] for more details.

We expect it to be a busy event season this year and would love for you to join our team!

12/19/2024

The Bridge on U.S. 70 that goes over the Swannanoa river has reopened.

Still lots of work to be done, slowly but surely.

12/03/2024

Information Regarding Code Purple. Code Purple will remain in effect while we have these winter temperatures coming through. Everyone stay warm out there!

Code Purple has been called for Asheville and Buncombe County to provide emergency shelter for those experiencing homelessness during cold weather.

Code Purple is a coordinated effort to increase emergency shelter capacity with fewer requirements than typical programming. Participating sites will also connect individuals to long-term shelter and housing options.

Code Purple Shelter Sites:
ABCCM (Single Men)
Location: 20 20th Street
Phone: 828-259-5333
Hours: Intake: 4–8 p.m. | Exit: 7:30 a.m.
Transit Route: WE2 Bear Creek Rd

ABCCM’s Transformation Village (Single Women & Women with Children)
Location: 30 Olin Haven Way
Phone: 828-259-5365
Hours: Intake: 4–8 p.m. | Exit: 7:30 a.m.
Transit Route: W2

🚍 Transportation Details:
- Free ART Bus Transit: Available to and from Code Purple sites. Riders must inform drivers they’re going to a Code Purple site.
- ABCCM Shuttle: Picks up at Crisis Ministry (24 Cumberland Ave.) at 4 p.m.
- Community Support: Paramedics, AFD-REST, and Mission Hospital can assist with transportation for those unable to access bus services.

For additional weather updates, visit weather.gov.

Please note: Families will be triaged on a case by case basis, and may be offered hotel options if no other shelters are available. Both locations are wheelchair accessible.