Harrells Volunteer Fire Department

05/12/2026

Last night, we conducted live fire training drills focusing on hose advancement and fire behavior. Training like this helps ensure our personnel stay prepared and ready to perform when it matters most. Train like it’s real. 🚒🔥

05/05/2026

We have some exciting news for our department!!!

We’ve officially placed an order for a new E-One engine through Fire Connections, Inc. This apparatus is being built with purpose designed for reliability, efficiency, and to meet the needs of our community for many years to come.

This is a big step forward, and it wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our truck committee, the hard work of our department and board, and the partnership with the county. Most importantly, thank you to our community for your continued trust and support in allowing us to carry out our mission.

Estimated delivery: 2029

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05/05/2026

On International Firefighters’ Day, we recognize the firefighters who show up, do the job, and take care of their communities every day.

Proud of the members of Harrells Fire Department and thankful for the support from our neighboring departments and community.

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05/04/2026

Another busy weekend for Harrells Fire Department.

Today, we responded to a fire in Garland as part of our automatic aid system. While we receive assistance from neighboring departments when needed, we also respond to support them ensuring the closest resources are on scene as quickly as possible.

We’re proud to work alongside our mutual aid partners and appreciate the teamwork that helps keep all of our communities safe.

As always, thank you for your continued support. 🚒

05/03/2026

05/02/2026

Saturday Talk 🚒

Today’s picture is from a dispatched residential structure fire in our district. While it did not turn out to be a working fire, it’s a good reminder of why we respond the way we do.

We often get asked, why do we have other departments respond to Harrells?

It comes down to getting the right resources on scene, fast.

Structure fire calls require multiple personnel and tasks at once. Having automatic aid in place means additional units are already en route, allowing us to operate more efficiently, safely, and in line with best practices.

We also want to thank our automatic aid departments for their response and continued partnership today we appreciate the teamwork.

At the end of the day, it’s about being ready and providing the best service possible to our community.

05/01/2026

Harrells Fire successfully conducted a Physical Rescue of four stranded boaters on the Black River. The survivors were stranded for over 12 hours last night and we were contacted for services around 0400 this morning. They were located using a Sampson County Fire Marshal Drone and the FD rescue boat. This was a successful ending to a potential disaster. Harrells Fire would like to acknowledge the assistance provided by;
Sampson EMS
Sampson Emergency Services
Atkinson FD
Pender Fire
Union Rescue
Autryville FD
NC Wildlife
Sampson County 911
The search area encompassed areas in 3 counties and all agencies worked together seamlessly.

04/29/2026

Harrells Fire Department helping keep our community safe with a smoke detector check and battery changes.
detectors save lives
an evacuation plan
911 to report an emergency

04/28/2026

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

04/22/2026

A combination of gusty west southwesterly winds and very dry air and fuels will increase the risk of wildfires and fire spread today.

04/15/2026

Congratulations to our very own Fire Chief Shelton James on being sworn in as the Fire Chief of the Town of Leland Fire Department. Proud moment for our department and community. Well deserved! 🚒🔥