Cornelius-Lemley Fire Rescue

05/27/2026

🔥NEW CHALLENGE COIN ALERT🔥

Rescue 4, aka “The Mutt” is returning to Cornelius soon after its nearly year long refurbishment. What better way to celebrate its return than to release a new challenge coin featuring The Mutt himself.

💰This coin will be $15 (this includes shipping) and paid by Venmo to (If you can’t see it at first, click on businesses at the top).

✉️ PLEASE EMAIL US AT [email protected] with A SCREENSHOT OF PROOF OF PAYMENT, ADDRESS TO SHIP TO, AND THE NUMBER OF COINS WANTED.

Don’t miss out, and stay tuned for a post on the return of “The Mutt”

05/26/2026

🚨🚨 WORKING FIRE🚨🚨

At 1351 hours, Cornelius, Huntersville Fire Department, and Davidson, NC Fire Departments were dispatched to the 20000 Block of Northport Drive for a structure fire. Cornelius Engine 2 arrived and laid in from the hydrant and found a 2 story home with smoke showing from the garage. HL44 and Engine 3 arrived and were assigned primary search and water supply. Engine 3 completed the hookup at the hydrant and supplied water to Engine 2. Once searches were complete, HL44 transitioned to ventilation of the garage and home. A quick control time was issued, releasing Huntersville and Davidson. All searches turned up negative. Fortunately, no injuries were sustained. Cause and origin is being investigated by the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshals Office.

05/22/2026

Ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, Captain Ranson had the opportunity to speak with WBTV's Cam Man Ron Lee yesterday about our lake training, capabilities, and safety while on the water.

A few reminders while enjoying the water:
• Always wear a life jacket when underway, and kids must ALWAYS have a life jacket on (even when not underway) and while swimming
• Keep a sober operator for every boat
• Watch your speed near docks, marinas, and swimmers
• Keep an eye out for kayakers, paddleboards, and small watercraft
• Check weather conditions before heading out
• Make sure kids are supervised at ALL times near the water

With lake levels lower than normal due to the drought in our area, this could bring some underwater obstructions (debris, limbs, etc) closer to the surface. Please be safe while on the water and as always, we’re here if you need us.

05/21/2026

Members of Cornelius-Lemley Fire Rescue recently attended a Public Safety Boat School hosted by Steele Creek Fire Department, focused on strengthening regional water rescue operations, interagency coordination, and operational readiness.

Training opportunities like this bring together firefighters, law enforcement, rescue teams, and public safety professionals from across the area to sharpen skills, share knowledge, and build the relationships that matter when real emergencies happen.

Whether responding to boating incidents, search operations, or other emergencies on the water, preparation and teamwork are critical. These classes help ensure responders are ready to operate safely, effectively, and seamlessly alongside one another when seconds count.

Our members were able to practice on boat maneuvering, grid searches on the water using Sonar equipment, UAV (Drone) Operations, and recovery operations utilizing our ROV.

A huge thank you to Steele Creek Fire Department for hosting the training, as well as all of the instructors and participating agencies committed to improving public safety for our communities. Strong partnerships and continuous training are what make successful outcomes possible.

05/19/2026

Last night, our Special Operations Team and Mount Mourne Fire Dept were requested by Cornelius Police Department for a subject possibly in the water in Lake Cornelius. Due to this part of the lake being “separated” from the big part of Lake Norman by Interstate 77, Fireboat 4 couldn’t access it. Fortunately, we’ve trained for this and have boats strategically located on land that we can deploy during this type of situation. We responded with Fireboat 2, and our Special Operations trailer which houses an inflatable zodiac. Fireboat 2 is a 2023 Carolina Skiff that we keep trailered.

Our crews deployed the Zodiac and began looking for the subject in the water and members also put our UAV (Drone) in the air to assist with thermal capabilities. It was later determined that the subject was not in the water, and was located in a safe location unharmed.

05/10/2026

🚨🚨 WORKING FIRE 🚨🚨

At 0133 hours, Cornelius and Mount Mourne Fire Dept were dispatched to assist Davidson Fire Department on a fire alarm at the Kappa Sigma house at Davidson College. Truck 4 responded with 5 personnel. A few minutes later, Davidson Engine 1 arrived to find fire showing from the fraternity house and upgraded it to a working fire, adding Cornelius Engine 3 and 4 more members. Truck 4 was assigned primary search and once completed, transitioned to vertical ventilation while Engine 3 was assigned secondary search of the building. All searches proved negative. Our units operated on scene for approximately an hour before returning to service.

We respond as automatic aid on fire alarms to Davidson College daily. The easy thing to do is become complacent.

This morning was a reminder of why we don’t.

Every alarm gets the same response. Every call gets the same mindset. Companies getting dressed out, prepared, and ready to work is what sets us up for success when the one alarm we respond to is actually burning.

05/09/2026

Join us in congratulating Firefighter Hunter Goss on graduating from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte this week!

Hunter earned a Bachelors Degree in Fire & Safety Engineering Technology! Congratulations!

04/22/2026

Several of our members recently had the opportunity to attend the Spring Fire Camp at Fire Department Training Network in Indiana, where they trained alongside some of the best instructors and firefighters from across the country.

This program is known for its high-intensity, hands-on approach—focusing on engine company operations, truck work, fire behavior, and making aggressive, smart decisions on the fireground. Our personnel were pushed physically and mentally, gaining valuable experience that directly translates to better service for our community.

Also pictured are Assistant Chief McCormick and Captain Slagle that serve as instructors at the facility.

04/17/2026

We would like to offer our condolences to the family and friends of former Fire Chief Wilson Sadler of the Davidson Fire Department. Chief Sadler was a staple in the fire service for over 50 years in northern Mecklenburg County. Wilson had a true servants heart and his contributions to the Town of Davidson and the north end of the county will always be appreciated.

https://newsofdavidson.org/2026/04/14/105010/in-memoriam-wilson-mcphail-sadler/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRPG1VleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFFM3dwdXdDc3I5N0tpa2JJc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjxaFLc3skiwqMfeS4GmQuvtdlwIw_dPaCgMk544hEpjPfPDfXMLMUTg3w5G_aem_T5qxDgZ59tscV9e77V5LQw

Search for:  NEWSIn Memoriam: Wilson McPhail Sadler by The Family | Apr 14, 2026 Wilson McPhail SadlerA true son of Davidson, Wilson McPhail Sadler passed away at The Pines, surrounded by family and caregivers, on April 10, 2026.Wilson was born on May 10, 1941 and grew up in Davidson, along with hi...

04/15/2026

Emergencies don’t wait for the perfect time. They happen in the middle of the night, during bad weather, or when visibility is at its worst.

That’s why leveraging the tools and technology available to us is more important than ever. From drones providing aerial perspectives to assist in search and rescue, to enhancing situational awareness on complex scenes—these resources
help us make faster, smarter, and safer decisions.

Last night, our duty crews did just that and conducted a training mission for an “injured person” that was running on the greenway. Crews utilized our UAV with thermal capabilities to locate him, and provide coordinates via what3words to precisely put companies on his exact location within minutes. Crews then packaged the person that was located in thick brush and safely removed him.

DJI