Pittsboro Fire-Rescue

08/20/2026

A Message to the Community Regarding Recent Safety Grant Funding:

We have heard the questions and concerns from our community regarding the $ 8,500 grant awarded to the Pittsboro Fire Department through the Enbridge Safe Community First Responder Program. We deeply appreciate your open dialogue and want to be completely transparent about what this funding means for our department and our town.

First and foremost, these funds are strictly restricted to life-saving and safety equipment. Under the grant guidelines, every dollar goes directly toward essential tools that keep our crew and community protected:

• Firefighting & Rescue Equipment: Essential tools and apparatus for emergency response.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gear that safeguards our firefighters in the line of duty.
• Communication & Training Technologies: Upgrades to keep our team prepared and connected.
• Life-Saving Tools: Items like AEDs, rescue sleds, flashlights, and specialized HAZMAT training.

The Safe Community First Responder Program is open to small communities across the United States and Canada. In 2025 alone, the program provided $2.5 million nationwide, making our grant a very small portion of a broader initiative designed to support under-resourced emergency services.

For many years, the Pittsboro Fire Department has collaborated with local energy providers—including Duke Energy, Dominion Energy, and Public Gas prior to Enbridge—to ensure swift, safe responses to gas-related emergencies at homes, local businesses, and new developments.

Every year, our local fire department partners with energy providers to conduct joint safety and emergency response training. Because our current natural gas infrastructure requires specialized safety protocols, this annual collaboration ensures our first responders are fully trained on hazard mitigation and tactical response.

Through hands-on drills, tabletop scenarios, and specialized coursework, both teams align their communication channels and emergency procedures. This ongoing preparation guarantees a unified, rapid response to keep our neighborhoods safe.

We care deeply about Pittsboro, and we understand the strong feelings surrounding local pipeline and infrastructure projects. Please know that our sole focus is protecting our residents. Decisions regarding pipeline routing, regulatory oversight, and municipal agreements are entirely outside the Pittsboro Fire Department’s control.

Our highest priority will always be the health, safety, and well-being of the people we serve. Utilizing grant opportunities like this allows us to equip our first responders with vital, life-saving tools without placing an added financial burden on local taxpayers.

We are truly grateful for your continued trust, support, and partnership. Thank you for standing behind your local first responders!

08/20/2026

08/18/2026

🚨 SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION! 🚨

All of our area schools will be back in session next week - Morning traffic is returning, and so are excited kids walking to school and waiting at bus stops.

Drivers, please remember:

1️⃣ SLOW DOWN in designated school zones.
2️⃣ STOP when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop sign extended.
3️⃣ PUT DOWN THE PHONE—distracted driving puts all lives at risk.

Let's keep our community's kids safe! Have a fantastic and safe school year!

08/12/2026

As the school year is starting, did you know that fire trucks and firefighters use STEM every day? Well, they do! Firefighters rely on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) every single day to carry out their operations safely and effectively:

* Science (Chemistry & Physics) *
Fire Dynamics & Chemistry: Firefighters must understand the Fire Triangle/Tetrahedron (fuel, heat, oxygen, and chemical chain reaction) to know how to extinguish different types of fires.

Thermal Dynamics: Understanding how heat travels (conduction, convection, and radiation) helps crews predict fire spread, structural collapse, and hazardous conditions like flashovers.

Hazardous Materials (HazMat): Identifying chemical properties, reactions, toxic gases, and proper neutralizing agents when dealing with spills or chemical incidents.

Protective Gear: Science goes into developing heat-resistant, moisture-wicking turnout gear to protect against extreme temperatures.

* Technology *
Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC): Used to see through dense smoke, detect hot spots inside walls, and locate victims quickly.

Dispatch & GPS Systems: Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) and GPS mapping route fire engines along the fastest, safest paths.

Communication Equipment: Advanced multi-channel radios allow coordination between crews inside burning structures and incident command outside.

* Engineering *
Hydraulics & Nozzles: Fire trucks are engineered with complex pumping systems designed to regulate water flow rates (GPM) and pressure (PSI) across various hose lengths and diameters.

Building Construction: Firefighters study structural engineering to understand how different building materials (wood, steel, concrete) behave under heat and stress.

Apparatus & Rescue Tools: Hydraulic rescue equipment (like the "Jaws of Life") utilizes high-pressure fluid mechanics to cut metal and pry open vehicle frames.

Ladder Physics: Calculating center-of-gravity, load capacity, and optimal placement angles (typically $75^\circ$) ensures aerial ladders stay stable under heavy loads.

* Math*
Hydraulic Calculations: Engine operators perform rapid friction loss calculations using hose diameter, length, and flow rate to determine exact pump discharge pressure.

Air Management: Firefighters calculate air consumption rates based on tank pressure (PSI) and physical exertion to determine maximum work time inside hazardous environments.

Dosing & Dilutions: Calculating medical dosages for EMS calls based on patient weight or determining foam-to-water expansion ratios for chemical suppression.

Response Metrics & Geometry: Estimating distances, ladder reach, and timing emergency response routes

07/30/2026

Ending summer on a cool note! 🚒💦

Our crew loved getting out into the community today at YMCA Summer Camp for some water play and fire safety fun! It was great connecting with all the awesome kids before back-to-school season kicks into high gear.

Remember: Safety starts at home! Make sure your smoke detectors have fresh batteries, and your family has a safe escape plan. 🏠🔥

07/17/2026

Hazardous Weather Update July 17, 2026

☀️ Heat Advisories are in place across portions of central and eastern NC today, with additional heat advisories possible on Saturday. Possible triple digits!

⛈️ Widespread severe weather returns over the weekend when showers and storms may produce damaging wind gusts and locally heavy rain.

Safety Tips:
✅ Be sure to stay hydrated!
✅ Check with local government for any cooling stations available.
✅ Limit time spent outdoors and wear light or loose-fitting clothing if spending time outside.
✅ Stay tuned to your local weather station.

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Birthday, America! Wishing everyone a fun and safe Fourth of July!

Whether you’re spending the day with family, friends, or watching fireworks, remember to stay hydrated, celebrate responsibly, and look out for one another.

Have a great Independence Day from all of us at Pittsboro Fire Department! 🇺🇸🎆

06/30/2026

With the temperatures that North Carolina is experiencing, please take precautions when outside - stay hydrated!!!

06/24/2026

Please join us in congratulating C- Shift Firefighters Patrick Locklear and Madison Prevatte on their well-earned promotions to Driver Operator!

Through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to serving our community, they have demonstrated the skills and leadership necessary to take on this important role. As Driver Operators, they will play a critical part in ensuring our apparatus and crews respond safely and effectively to emergencies.

We are proud of their accomplishments and look forward to seeing them continue to grow and excel in their careers. Congratulations, Driver Operators Patrick and Madison!

06/23/2026

Pittsboro Fire would like to congratulate Braden Phillips on his promotion to A-Shift Driver Operator. Through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to serving our community, Braden has demonstrated the professionalism and leadership that this position requires.