Herring Volunteer Fire & Rescue

07/07/2026

NEW FALL FIRE CLASS SCHEDULE starting JULY 21 at Herring FD.
https://sampsoncc-register.fundfive.com/course

06/30/2026

Send us a message for more information!

06/30/2026

Congratulations!

Sampson County is pleased to announce that Joshua Deaver has been selected as the next Emergency Services Director. His official start date is July 1, 2026. Deaver brings a strong background in emergency services, GIS, fire investigation, 911 telecommunications, emergency medical response, law enfor...

06/13/2026

June 13, 2002 - LODD
Firefighter/EMT Bridgett Nicole Autry, 18
Herring Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. Clinton, North Carolina
Firefighter Autry died from traumatic injuries sustained after being involved in a motor vehicle crash while responding to a fire alarm. Firefighter Aurty was thrown from the vehicle and was later pronounced dead at Sampson Regional Medical Center in Clinton.

06/04/2026

🚜🌾 Public Notice: Wheat Field Burning Season 🌾🚜

As wheat harvest season begins across Sampson County, residents may notice smoke from fields throughout the area. Many local farmers utilize controlled burns to remove crop residue and prepare their fields for the next planting season. These burns are a common agricultural practice and are typically conducted under controlled conditions with careful monitoring.

If you see smoke or a field being burned, there is generally no cause for alarm. However, if you observe a fire that appears to be spreading beyond the intended area, threatening structures, or appears to be out of control, please call 911 immediately so emergency personnel can respond and assess the situation.

05/23/2026

Autryville Fire Department Junior Firefighter Program

Ages 15 & Up

🚒 We are looking for young men and women who want to grow into future firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and community leaders.

This program is designed to give teenagers a positive environment, strong role models, and a head start toward a career in emergency services.

⸻

FOR PARENTS

The Junior Firefighter Program is a step-by-step development program that helps prepare young adults for future opportunities after high school.

We understand that:
✅ School comes first
✅ Grades and attendance matter
✅ Family responsibilities are important

Our department works to help students balance school while building real-world skills and responsibility.

For students who stay motivated and attend training classes, this program can help create a pathway toward:

* Firefighter certifications
* EMT certifications
* Leadership development
* Teamwork and communication skills
* Career readiness after graduation

Many departments today are looking for young adults who already have training, discipline, and experience. Starting early gives students a major advantage entering the fire service after high school.

Parents contact us if your child is interested.

05/03/2026

🔥 Update for Sampson County Residents 🔥

The state-issued ban on open burning has been lifted for many areas across North Carolina—including Sampson County.

Beginning Sunday, May 3 at 8 a.m., residents may resume open burning with a valid burn permit. Please continue to use caution, follow all local guidelines, and stay mindful of weather conditions to help prevent wildfires.

If you have questions about burn permits or safety guidelines, contact Sampson County Emergency Services. Stay safe!

04/27/2026

The statewide burn ban remains in effect until further notice despite weekend rain in some areas. Persistent dry weather and increasing rainfall deficits from the last several months have left most of the state needing 10 inches of rain or more.

“While the rainfall we received over the weekend was a welcome sight, it offered little to no relief from widespread drought conditions while being nowhere near enough to reduce our wildfire risk,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Even the areas that received the heaviest amount of rain will quickly dry out from the sunshine and warmer temperatures. Until we get some additional rain and see more green-up in our forests, holding the burn ban in place statewide is the best option right now.”

While green-up and leaf-out are progressing at normal rate, low soil moisture, dry surface fuels and persistent low humidity are contributing to wildfire activity. For Western North Carolina, excessive forest fuels from Hurricane Helene are more available now than they were in 2025, low water levels in coastal areas have helped produce intense fire behavior where ground fire will likely be a long-term issue, and the Piedmont experienced 87 new wildfire starts over the weekend alone. Extended attack and mop-up efforts will be taxing and long-winded until drought conditions improve.

Read news release: https://bit.ly/497dNht

04/21/2026

Today, we received official notification from OSFM that our fire insurance rating has improved from a Class 6 to a Class 4. This is a tremendous accomplishment, and I want to sincerely thank everyone who played a part in making this possible.

I am honored to serve as Chief of the Herring Fire District and to work alongside such a dedicated team committed to protecting our community while continuing to grow and strengthen the Herring Fire Department.

This achievement reflects the hard work, dedication, and countless hours invested by every member of our department. It truly takes a team effort to reach milestones like this. If you see one of our officers or firefighters, please take a moment to thank them for their commitment and service.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Sampson County Fire Marshal’s Office, 911 Communications, and our mutual aid departments for their continued support and partnership. Their assistance played an important role in this success as well.

I could not be more proud of what we have accomplished together.

Thank you,
Chief Michael Cottle

04/17/2026

A few pictures from today of our staff conducting our annual hose testing.