Camp Merrill Fire Department

02/03/2026

Camp Merrill Fire would like to extend a well-deserved congratulations to our mutual aid partners at Lumpkin County Fire on their recent promotions.

Congratulations gentlemen!

12/25/2025

🎄 🎅 🧑‍🚒 🚨 🚒

11/27/2025

From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving from the Camp Merrill Fire Department

11/17/2025

11/16/2025

15 November 2025

It was a busy day for the on-shift Camp Merrill firefighters. The day began with live-fire training at Lumpkin County Station 4. Shortly after completing training operations, Camp Merrill Fire was dispatched to a vehicle fire. Engine 10 crews responded and assisted Lumpkin County Engine 1 with extinguishment and overhaul.

After clearing the scene and re-servicing, Camp Merrill was dispatched to a residential structure fire. Camp Merrill Engine 10 arrived first on scene to find the structure fully involved. Multiple Lumpkin County Fire units, Battalion 1, the Georgia Forestry Commission, and the U.S. Forest Service responded to assist. The fire extended into the surrounding forest and ultimately burned nearly 50 acres.

Tragically, the structure was a total loss. Our hearts go out to the homeowner, an Army Veteran, who suffered this devastating loss.

Camp Merrill Fire Department extends our sincere appreciation to Lumpkin County for their support. Today was a true demonstration of mutual aid at its finest.

10/09/2025

At Camp Merrill, the training never stops. Over the past few weeks, our firefighters have been pushing their limits — sharpening their technical rescue skills and mastering the tools they depend on when seconds matter.

People often ask what we do all day up here on the Camp. The answer is simple: we train. Nearly every day, we’re refining our skills, identifying weaknesses, and working until every motion becomes muscle memory. Because when a soldier’s or civilian’s life hangs in the balance, that’s not the time to learn — it’s the time to act.

Preparedness isn’t built overnight. It’s earned through repetition, discipline, and teamwork.

09/25/2025

9/23/2025
Camp Merrill Fire personnel have been busy this week training in technical rescue. On-shift crews worked alongside flight medics on remote-area patient extractions, using the SKED stretcher to simulate a downed soldier needing evacuation from deep in the wilderness. Fire personnel coordinated with flight medics using GPS technology to pinpoint locations—an essential skill when patients must be extracted from areas without an established landing zone.

9/24/2025
Camp Merrill Fire personnel participated in a technical/low-angle rescue scenario with our mutual aid partners at Lumpkin County Fire and Emergency Services. The drill involved receiving the call, locating the patient, setting up a haul system, packaging the patient, and safely transferring them to an ambulance for transport. These incidents are often time-intensive and require seamless teamwork among all personnel to ensure a successful rescue. Regular training ensures our crews remain proficient and ready when these emergencies occur.

09/12/2025

September 12, 2025 0735 hours.

Camp Merrill Fire responded mutual aid with Lumpkin County to a residential structure fire. The initial call came in as a possible brush fire. Lumpkin County Emergency Communications Center began receiving multiple 911 calls advising of a home on fire. First arriving units declared a working fire with total involvement of the structure. The property had an adjacent garage with an apartment above that caught fire due to exposure. Camp Merrill firefighters along with Lumpkin County began making an interior attack, search, and ventilation on the apartment and garage. Once the fire in the adjacent structure was declared out, Camp Merrill Fire personnel assisted Lumpkin County with salvage and overhaul. White County Fire provided water tenders due to the lack of hydrants in the area. There were no injuries and both structures were vacant at the time of the fire.

The Black Sheep

09/11/2025

On shift Camp Merrill Fire personnel participated in a 9/11 memorial ceremony with Lumpkin County Fire. Today is a day of reflection and remembrance of an event that shook the entire world to its core. Chief Stowers said it best this morning when he reminded the group that even though this was a terrible and tragic event, it is a day that helped to unite Americans across the nation. He also stressed the importance of us to continue to stand united. Our moment of silence was held for all of the victims of each flight, the World Trade Center towers, the Firefighters, Police Officers, EMS, and all agencies that gave their lives on that fateful day.

Thank you to Lumpkin County Fire for the opportunity to share in this moment with the brothers and sisters we work hand in hand with to protect this community.

08/28/2025

🚨 New Squad 2 in Service 🚨

After many years of service, Squad 32 has been officially retired. CMFD is proud to introduce Squad 2 — a Ford F-350 4x4 outfitted with:
🔹 Technical rescue gear (ropes, rigging, harnesses, patient packaging)
🔹 Vehicle extrication and stabilization equipment
🔹 EMS supplies
🔹 Air packs
🔹 Firefighting tools
🔹 Saws
🔹 MCI equipment
🔹 Front and Rear Winch setup

Squad 2 can also transport personnel to support complex emergencies, reach remote areas our engine can’t access, and serve as a command vehicle when needed.

With Squad 2 now in service, CMFD is better equipped to respond quickly, operate safely, and provide the highest level of service to Camp Merrill and the surrounding community.

08/14/2025

Camp Merrill Fire is saddened to report of the passing of one of our own, Prevention Chief Steven Lowell (retired). We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of Chief Lowell. We ask that you keep his family and department in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Rest easy Chief, we have the watch.

06/17/2025

Camp Merrill Fire personnel trained with the Army Medevac crews working on tag line operations and patient hoists. Camp Merrill is home to an Air Medical detachment with full Advanced Life Support capability. This training focuses on the ability to quickly extract patients from a remote location, whether that be a Ranger student, instructor, or civilian. Conditions, terrain, and location make air evacuations a necessary component of Camp Merrill operations. Fire department personnel are trained to work hand in hand with Army medics to locate, package, and secure patients for air medical transport.