Collettsville Fire & Rescue

05/27/2026

**Public Notice**
Collettsville Fire Department Annual Meeting. Date has been moved to Monday June 15th. Meeting will start at 7pm.

05/22/2026

05/21/2026

Collettsville Fire and Rescue would like to thank UNC Health Caldwell for lunch, and the gifts provided today.

05/06/2026

05/03/2026

05/01/2026

Collettsville Fire & Rescue has part-time positions available. Message us or stop by Station 1 for more information and an application.

04/25/2026

We mourn the loss of a great fire service leader, Chief Keith Owens. Chief “O” faithfully responded, mentored, and provided unwavering support to the Collettsville Fire Department over many years through his service with Gamewell Fire Department, he also served as a member of our department.

We will always cherish the friendship, leadership, and lasting legacy you leave behind. Your impact will continue to guide and inspire us.

Rest easy, Brother. We’ll take it from here—until we meet again.

We deeply mourn the loss of former Fire Chief Keith Owens, a leader whose bravery and dedication inspired generations of firefighters and citizens. Chief Owens’ extraordinary commitment spanned over five decades, including 55 years of service with the Gamewell Fire Department, where he served as Chief for 31 years (1990–2021).
His passion for the fire service extended throughout North Carolina, with 20 years at the Lenoir Fire Department and 13 years with the NC Forest Service. Beyond his operational leadership, Chief Owens was a devoted educator. In 2018, his vision for youth mentorship became a reality with the founding of a junior firefighter academy, which was renamed the Chief Keith Owens Junior Fire Academy in 2023. His legacy will live on through the cadets who continue to learn the values of emergency services in his honor.
Funeral arrangements are currently pending and will be announced as soon as they are finalized.

04/10/2026

A burn ban has been issued for Caldwell County beginning at 5 p.m. today (Friday, April 10).

Under the county’s ban, Caldwell County residents are not allowed to have open fires of any type, including campfires, bonfires, yard or leaf burning, etc., and residents should note that burning trash is illegal.

The only exception to the ban is cooking on/in outdoor charcoal, pellet, or gas grills provided precautions are taken to prevent fire from escaping those appliances.
The ban will remain in effect until rescinded.

Learn more at https://www.caldwellcountync.org/m/NewsFlash/home/detail/256

04/03/2026

Meet Squad 50! The truck was delivered this past week. A 2026 Vengeant Blizzard Mini Pumper build on a Ford F-550 Chassis. The truck is equipped with a 1500GPM Hale DSD Pump, 280G of Water 20G of Foam. This truck features a Buckstop Super Single Kit, Warn 16.5k winch, Whelen Emergency Lighting, and HiViz LED Lighting Scene Lighting. Look to see it out in the district soon! Many thanks to Atlantic Emergency Solutions for making this dream a reality! The truck will be in service soon once we have all of our equipment mounted and our firefighters trained.

03/28/2026

STATEWIDE BURNING BAN IN EFFECT MARCH 28th at 6pm UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Due to increased wildfire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits statewide effective 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28 until further notice.

Under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning in the affected counties, regardless of whether a permit was previously issued. The issuance of any new permits has also been suspended until the ban is lifted. Anyone violating the burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 court costs. Any person responsible for setting a fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire.

The burn ban does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The local fire marshal has authority to issue a burn ban within those 100 feet.

Read news release: https://www.ncagr.gov/news/press-releases/2026/03/28/statewide-burn-ban-issued-north-carolina-due-hazardous-forest-fire-conditions