Thomasville Fire & Rescue

08/28/2026

We are excited to see these SCBAs being utilized once again to protect those who serve and protect others. Thank you Programa Mayday México for distributing these to departments across Mexico 🇲🇽, that can utilize them.

For those who don't know, we were able to donate these SCBAs and spare cylinders. Although they had reached their service life here in the US, they can still be utilized a while longer under standards in Mexico.

We look forward to seeing you all again in 2027! Stay safe Brothers and Sisters.

¡SCBA’s de regreso al servicio!

Háganos comunidad y hermandad….
————————
SCBAs back in service! 🚒

Building community and brotherhood, one step at a time… 🇲🇽🤝🇺🇸

Thomasville Fire & Rescue
Pan De Fe Bakery
Ata Cardenas
Efrain Gerardo
Robert Alan Yancey Jr.
Poll Lópz
Isaai Galvan
Goty CL
Jon Cinco Ele

08/27/2026

The 2026 Battle of the Badges Blood Drive between Thomasville Fire & Rescue and the Thomasville Police Department NC officially ended at 6pm on Wednesday — and the trophy will be housed at the fire department for the upcoming year! 🏆 🚒 (They took great care of it last year!)

We want to extend our sincerest thanks to every donor who took time out of your day to support this important effort. We set a high goal of collecting 62 lifesaving units, and because of your generosity, the American Red Cross collected 69 units! Absolutely amazing!

We would like to say a special thank you to Thomasville Fire & Rescue's Deputy Chief Michael Wilson and Thomasville Police Department's Chief Dustin Carter for working so feverishly to bring this drive to life. Your dedication made all the difference.

The American Red Cross is currently facing a severe blood shortage. If you were unable to attend this event, please consider finding another nearby drive and donating. Your gift could truly help save a life.

Thank you again for your continued support of our community!

Pictured are: Deputy Chief Michael Wilson and Thomasville Police Department's Captain Wesley Barber.

08/25/2026

Tomorrow is the day!

Thomasville Police and Thomasville Fire & Rescue are going head-to-head in the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive—and your donation helps decide who takes home the trophy!

Wednesday, August 26, 2026
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Ball Park Community Center – Multipurpose Room
7003 Ball Park Road, Thomasville, NC 27360

Give blood, support your local first responders, and help save lives in our community. Donors in August can also receive a $20 Amazon E-Gift Card (terms apply).

Schedule your appointment at RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code BOBThomasville.

Will Police or Fire & Rescue claim this year’s title? Come cast your vote by giving blood!

08/20/2026

Thomasville Fire & Rescue is proud to place our updated HURST Jaws of Life E3 CONNECT rescue tools into service.

These new battery-powered tools give our crews added speed, mobility, and flexibility during vehicle extrication incidents, helping us work more efficiently when seconds matter most.

We’re grateful to continue investing in equipment that supports our firefighters and improves service to our community.

08/13/2026

We were honored to host Programa Mayday México on Tuesday evening. Although storms prevented us from conducting water rescue drills, we quickly adapted and transitioned into rope rescue training and aerial ladder operations. The firefighters in this program represent agencies from across Mexico, bringing a wide range of expertise—from rural, remote environments to highly industrial areas with complex hazards. Their visit was a powerful reminder that camaraderie and the Brotherhood know no borders, including international ones.

This event would not have been possible without the support of many. We are grateful to the administration of The City of Thomasville, NC - Government. We also appreciate Thomasville Parks & Recreation for providing access to their facility. A special thank-you to our very own Atalia Cardenas from City of Thomasville Economic Mobility, along with her husband, Efrain, for assisting with logistics and speech translation.
The pastries, croissants with ham, chicken, or tuna, and the incredible fire truck cake were generously prepared by our friends at Pan De Fe Bakery on National Highway.

We are proud to be a part of this partnership with Programa Mayday Mexico and look forward to your next visit to North Carolina. Be safe, Brothers and Sisters.

Fuimos honrados en recibir a Mayday México el martes por la noche. Aunque las tormentas nos impidieron realizar ejercicios de rescate acuático, nos adaptamos rápidamente y pasamos al entrenamiento de rescate con cuerdas y operaciones con la escalera aérea. Los bomberos que participan en este programa representan agencias de todo México, aportando una amplia variedad de conocimientos, desde entornos rurales y remotos hasta áreas altamente industriales con peligros complejos. Su visita fue un recordatorio poderoso de que la camaradería y la Hermandad no conocen fronteras, incluso las internacionales.

Este evento no habría sido posible sin el apoyo de muchos. Agradecemos a la administración de la of Thomasville, incluido el alcalde Raleigh York, Jr. y el subadministrador de la ciudad Eddie Bowling, por su apoyo y visita. También apreciamos a Parks and Recreation por proporcionarnos acceso a sus instalaciones. Un agradecimiento especial para nuestra compañera Atalia Cardenas del departamento de City of Thomasville Economic Mobility, junto con su esposo, Efrain, por su ayuda con la logística y la traducción de los discursos.

Los pasteles, croissants con jamón, pollo o atún, y el increíble pastel con tema de camión de bomberos fueron preparados generosamente por nuestros amigos de la panadería Pan de Fe en National Hwy.
Estamos orgullosos de ser parte de esta colaboración con Programa Mayday México y esperamos su próxima visita a Carolina del Norte. Hermanos y Hermanas, cuídense mucho.

08/04/2026

Safety is always our priority.

The Thomasville Police Department regrets to announce that this year’s National Night Out event has been canceled due to inclement weather in the area.

The safety of our community, partners, and staff is always our top priority, and today’s conditions make it unsafe to move forward.
Please remember to stay weather‑aware, avoid flooded roadways, and report any hazardous conditions you see. Your safety comes first.

We also want to give kudos to all the community members, volunteers, and local organizations who helped plan and prepare for this event. Your dedication and support mean a great deal to us, and we look forward to celebrating together at future events.

Stay safe, Thomasville. Let’s take care of one another.

08/04/2026

Thomasville Fire & Rescue was proud to host an engaging and forward-thinking training last week centered on Public Information Officer (PIO) best practices, social media outreach, and the growing role of AI in public communication. The session was led by two exceptional women whose combined expertise created a dynamic and insightful learning experience. Their resumes and accolades are truly impressive.

We are grateful to the Town of Apex Government for allowing their PIO, Victorian Simmons, to join us and share her insights and experience navigating complex media releases @ Town of Apex Fire Department and @ Town of Apex Police Department. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Pinecroft Sedgefield Fire Department for sending their Fire and Life Safety Educator, Bre' Ball, who provided an exciting look into emerging technologies and how AI is reshaping community engagement.

Their professionalism and dedication to serving communities across North Carolina made this training h truly impactful.

Representatives from numerous City of Thomasville departments attended, reflecting our shared commitment to improving communication and strengthening relationships with our residents, visitors, and business owners. This collaboration is a shining example of how we continue "Building a Better Thomasville Together."

08/03/2026

Over the past two weeks, Thomasville Fire and Rescue conducted a trial run of a Kid’s Summer Camp, fondly created in memory of Battalion Chief Mark Holt. Prior to his passing, Chief Holt made a presentation during an assessment center on launching a summer camp for kids — an idea rooted in community, education, and inspiration.
Although summer camps aren’t new to many departments, this was our first experience implementing one under our current administration. We partnered with the Thomasville Parks & Recreation and their summer campers to get our feet wet — both literally and figuratively.

Campers were divided into four age‑based groups and bussed to one of our fire stations for most of the day. Each group enjoyed similar activities, adjusted for age appropriateness, along with additional training tailored to their level. Some of the activities included:
• A firefighter demonstrating how they don protective gear
• Campers trying on gear themselves (some pieces were a bit too big, as you’ll see in the photos!)
• Friendly gear‑donning competitions between campers and firefighters
• Search technique practice using thermal imaging to locate a stuffed animal
• A kid‑friendly physical abilities course that quickly became competitive
• An “old school” bucket brigade, using small buckets to transfer water just like early firefighters
• Communication drills, fire station tours, and a fire truck walk‑through

Our firefighters truly enjoyed this camp as much as the kids did. We extend a sincere thank‑you to Thomasville Parks & Recreation for handling much of the logistics and providing pizza lunches.

We are beyond excited to see where this journey takes us!

07/07/2026

We were honored to participate in the Chair City Rising program. The students were engaged, inquisitive, and eager to learn. We had the opportunity to highlight how every component of STEM is integrated into the fire service—from the engineering and design behind our structural firefighting gear that protects firefighters in otherwise deadly conditions, to the technological advancements in drones and their expanding applications.
It was truly refreshing to see the enthusiasm demonstrated by the attendees of this STEM and Literacy Summer Camp. A special shout‑out to City Councilmember JacQuez Johnson for his tireless work in bringing this vision to life.

07/06/2026

We are saddened by the unexpected and untimely passing of Thomasville Rescue Squad Chief Rusty Goins. Chief Goins faithfully served Thomasville and the surrounding community for many years. He was a dedicated advocate for volunteer rescue services, even as response costs rose and budgets tightened. All of us at Thomasville Fire & Rescue extend our heartfelt condolences to the administration and members of the Thomasville Rescue Squad, and especially to Chief Goins' family, during this difficult time.