City of Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS

07/22/2026

07/22/2026

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Today’s forecast updates shifted some of the early precipitation north and west of our area, which resulted in minor changes to the timing of our expected rainfall and overall rainfall totals. These changes have been noted below.

Rain
A persistent rain is expected to move into our area around noon tomorrow and continue through late Saturday/early Sunday morning.
Beaufort County is expected to receive 2 to 5 inches of rain during this time. (Locally higher amounts will be largely dependent on the formation and track of heavier rain bands/thunderstorms.)
Our heaviest rains are currently forecasted to occur between 7pm Thursday and sunrise Friday.

Severe Thunderstorms
This system will have the potential to produce severe thunderstorms capable of heavy rains that could cause localized flash flooding. Our greatest chance for threats for severe weather includes:
-Thursday morning between 7am and 10am.
-8pm Thursday afternoon through noon Friday.

We encourage everyone to continue to monitor trusted sources for additional information.

We also ask that everyone take a moment to ensure that you, your family, friends, and neighbors have a means of being alerted to any watches and/or warnings that may be issued. (Through weather radio, weather apps with push notifications, etc.)

Remember, turn around, don’t drown!

Thanks to Beaufort County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service-Morehead City/Newport for keeping us updated!

07/22/2026

Good Morning Everyone,
In coordination with Beaufort County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service, we are monitoring the potential for severe storms and periods of heavy rain between Wednesday and Saturday. Please see below for Beaufort County’s forecast details.

High Winds
• S & SW winds will increase becoming sustained between 10 and 15 mph with frequent gusts of 20 to 30 mph.
o Our highest winds are expected between now and 3pm today.
o Our winds are expected to remain elevated through 10pm Thursday.

Rain
• A persistent rain is expected to move into our area around sunrise Thursday morning and continue through 8pm Saturday, with 3 to 5 inches expected for most areas during this time.
o Our heaviest rains are currently forecasted to occur during the following time period: (Please note: These periods of heavy rain will have the potential to produce localized flash flooding.)
- Between 3pm Thursday afternoon and 3am Friday morning.
- Between 3pm and sunset Friday afternoon.

Severe Thunderstorms
• While there is a potential for scattered severe thunderstorms possible for this afternoon, our greatest threats will occur as follows:
o Between 5am and 10am Thursday morning.
o Between 5pm Thursday and 3am Friday.

Please take time today to secure any outdoor items that are vulnerable to high winds and move items out of low-lying areas that are susceptible to flash flooding. We also encourage everyone to take a moment tomorrow to ensure that outdoor pets and livestock are protected from this approaching weather.

We will continue to pass along information as we receive it.

07/20/2026

With the new Washington Elementary School nearing its completion, everyone from our department has now toured the school with the Fire Marshal. This important training is not only to get familiar with the layout of the building, but also to see locations of important fire detection, alarm and suppression components, check the communications system inside the building and become familiar with the new parking and driving areas at the school.

07/17/2026

🚒 2026 MIDYEAR STATISTICS 🚑

With the first six months of 2026 complete, Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS has reviewed our year-to-date activity and compared it with our 2025 year-end statistics.

From January through June 2026, our fire apparatus responded to 917 incidents:

🔥 186 fire-related and other emergency incidents
🚗 87 motor vehicle collisions
🚑 601 medical assists
🛠️ 23 non-emergency service calls
❌ 20 responses cancelled while en route

Our EMS units responded to 1,958 calls and transported 1,360 patients during the first six months of the year.

If call volume continues at its current pace, we are projected to respond to approximately 3,916 EMS calls in 2026. That would be about 660 more responses than the 3,256 EMS calls handled in 2025—an increase of approximately 20%.

One of the most significant changes has been the addition of our second city ambulance in January 2026.

In 2025, the City of Washington staffed one ambulance and turned over 404 overlapping EMS calls to mutual-aid agencies. Through June 2026, only 48 calls have been turned over. At the current pace, we project approximately 96 calls will be turned over during the entire year—a decrease of approximately 76%.

The second ambulance has also affected our fire-apparatus statistics. Previously, when our only ambulance was already committed, a city fire apparatus responded to begin patient care while a mutual-aid ambulance responded. Many of those overlapping calls can now be handled by our second city ambulance without requiring an additional fire-apparatus response.

As a result, fire-apparatus medical assists are projected to decrease by approximately 20%, even though total EMS demand is increasing.

Overall fire-apparatus responses are projected to decrease approximately 15%. However, fire-related incidents—which include structure fires, vehicle fires, vegetation fires, alarms, elevator rescues, hazardous conditions and similar emergencies—are projected to increase approximately 25%. MVC responses are projected to increase approximately 6%.

These numbers show that the second ambulance is allowing Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS to handle more EMS calls using city resources while reducing our reliance on neighboring agencies and keeping fire apparatus available for fires, rescues and other emergencies.

🎓 TRAINING

Responding to emergencies is only part of the work completed by our personnel. During the first six months of 2026, department members completed 6,275.62 hours of training.

These hours include training completed by our fire shifts, EMS personnel, day staff and volunteers. This continuing education and hands-on training help ensure our personnel are prepared to respond safely and professionally to the wide variety of emergencies our community may experience.

🧯 FIRE PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY

Through June, our Fire Marshal’s Office completed:

▪️ 203 new inspections
▪️ 70 re-inspections
▪️ 13 plan reviews
▪️ 19 permits
▪️ 256 violations identified
▪️ 201 violations corrected (Still working towards correcting remaining outstanding violations.)

At the current pace, the Fire Marshal’s Office is projected to complete approximately 406 new inspections during 2026. That would exceed the 339 new inspections completed in 2025 by approximately 20%.

All 2026 year-end figures are projections based on January–June activity and may change as the year continues.

07/04/2026

Happy Fourth of July from Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS!

Today, we join our community in celebrating 250 years of freedom, resilience, and unity. As families, friends, and neighbors come together to enjoy the holiday, we want everyone to celebrate safely and responsibly.

Please remember to drive sober, use fireworks with caution, keep an eye on children, check on seniors, secure your pets, and look out for one another.

From all of us at Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS, we wish you a joyful, peaceful, and safe Fourth of July.

07/01/2026

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Eastern North Carolina is forecasted to experience hazardous high temperatures over the 4th of July weekend. Forecast details for Beaufort County include:

Friday (7/3)

Our temperatures will peak around 4pm, with a high of 98 and a Heat Index of 106.
We will experience a Heat Index over 100 degrees between noon and 7pm.
Light S and SW winds around 5 mph are expected throughout the day.

Saturday (7/4)

Our temperatures will peak around 4pm, with a high of 99 and a Heat Index of 110.
We will experience a Heat Index over 100 degrees between 10:30am and 8pm.
Light S and SW winds between 5 and 10 mph are expected throughout the day.
** Attendees of local firework displays (9p – 9:30pm) should expect a heat index of near 90 degrees, with little to no breeze. **

Sunday (7/5)

Our temperatures will peak around 4pm, with a high of 99 and a Heat Index of 108.
We will experience a Heat Index over 100 degrees between 10:30am and 8pm.
Light S and SW winds between 5 and 10 mph are expected throughout the day.

Monday (7/6)

Our temperatures will peak around 4pm, with a high of 98 and a Heat Index of 109.
We will experience a Heat Index over 100 degrees between 11am and 8:30pm.
Light S and SW winds between 5 and 10 mph are expected throughout the day.


We encourage everyone to take the following important steps to protect yourself, your family, friends, neighbors, and pets from heat-related illness as you enjoy your holiday weekend.

Protecting Yourself and Your Family

-Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Limit or avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks, which speed up dehydration.
-Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
-Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and reapply every 2 hours, especially after swimming or sweating.
-Take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning and pace yourself.
-NEVER leave children, elderly family members, or anyone in a parked vehicle, even with windows cracked. Interior temperatures can rise to dangerous levels in minutes.
-Check on neighbors, especially older adults, those with chronic health conditions (heart, lung, diabetes), pregnant individuals, and families with young children.
-Have a “buddy system” for outdoor events.

**Know the Signs & Act Quickly**
-Heat exhaustion — heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, or muscle cramps. Move to a cool place, loosen clothing, apply cool cloths, sip water, and rest. Seek medical help if symptoms worsen.
-Heat stroke (life-threatening emergency) — high body temperature, confusion, hot/dry skin, rapid pulse, slurred speech, or unconsciousness. Call 911 immediately. While waiting, move the person to shade, cool rapidly with water or ice packs on the neck and armpits, and fan them. Do not give fluids if unconscious.

Protecting Your Pets

-Provide constant access to fresh, cool water. Place multiple bowls in shaded spots if pets are outdoors and consider adding ice cubes to encourage drinking.
-Ensure pets have reliable shade or cool indoor space during peak heat hours.
-NEVER leave pets unattended in vehicles or tied outside in direct sunlight.
-Limit walks and exercise to early morning or late evening. Before walking on pavement, use the “5-second rule”: if it’s too hot for the back of your hand, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws.
-Watch closely for signs of overheating in pets: excessive panting, drooling, weakness, stumbling, bright red gums, or collapse. Contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal clinic right away and begin safe cooling measures.
-After any swimming or boating, rinse pets to remove salt or chlorine and offer fresh water.

Have fun, but stay safe this Holiday weekend!

06/23/2026

06/23/2026

🚑🚒 Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS Monthly Activity Report – May 2026 🚒🚑

During the month of May, Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS personnel continued serving our community through emergency response, training, fire prevention activities, and public service.

📊 May Highlights
• 1,211 Hours of Training
• 23 Fire Prevention Inspections
• 341 EMS Responses
• 235 Patient Transports
• 169 Fire Apparatus Responses

One question we are frequently asked is:

❓ "Why does a fire truck respond when someone calls for an ambulance?"

When a 911 medical call is received, emergency dispatchers use nationally recognized medical triage protocols to determine the severity of the emergency based on the information provided by the caller. Calls that are identified as higher-acuity emergencies often receive both an ambulance and a fire apparatus response.

This allows additional trained personnel to arrive quickly and begin patient care. Our firefighters are certified Advanced Life Support (ALS) providers and assist EMS crews with tasks such as:

• Patient assessment and treatment
• Obtaining and interpreting 12-lead EKGs
• Establishing IV access
• Administering medications
• Packaging and moving patients safely

Most ambulances are staffed with only two personnel. In critical situations, additional providers are often needed to deliver advanced patient care while en route to the hospital. Firefighters can provide that extra manpower in the patient compartment or even drive the ambulance so EMS personnel can focus entirely on patient care.

Fire apparatus also assist with physically demanding patient removals from locations such as:
• Elevated homes
• Narrow stairwells
• Tight hallways
• Difficult terrain

Additionally, if all City of Washington ambulances are already committed to other emergencies, a fire apparatus will respond to any medical call regardless of severity level. Because our fire apparatus are staffed by ALS-certified personnel, they can begin patient assessment and treatment immediately while an ambulance is responding from another jurisdiction.

Our goal is simple: get the right resources to the right place at the right time to provide the highest level of care possible for our citizens and visitors.

Thank you for your continued support of Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS and the opportunity to serve our community.