Fire Suppression

Interior Attack - Trailer Fire - 2002
(image courtesy of nc911.com)

The original and main focus of Wayside Volunteer Fire Department was to provide fire protection and awareness to the residents of the Wayside Community. Over time, the focus has grown but fire suppression is still the main response of the department.

Fire Suppression includes the control and stabilization of any emergency situation in an attempt to save the lives and property of those in the community.

In order to respond, all apparatus must be inspected regularly. Each week, the firefighters meet on Monday nights in order to inspect all equipment and units. During these duties, any equipment found to be in a non-working condition is either repaired or placed out of service until it can be repaired or replaced.

In Iredell County, two departments are required to respond on any structure fire. Wayside is the initial department responsible in the Wayside district while surrounding departments provide mutual aid.

In order to do any interior firefighting, each firefighter must complete a series of training classes. No member is allowed inside burning structures until an officer has approved them for interior firefighting.

The members of Wayside Volunteer Fire Department are expected to respond to calls at any given time. Many leave their families and their jobs in order to respond to emergency calls. Response can be expected any time and the firefighters strive to provide assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Nothing is expected in return for the job the volunteers do, but a "Thank You" goes a long way! Have you thanked a firefighter today?

Exterior Attack - Trailer Fire - 2002
(image courtesy of nc911.com)