Fire Chief's Monthly Newsletter

Hendersonville Fire Department September 2026

Message from the Fire Chief

Team and community members, 

Welcome to the first edition of our fire department newsletter. My hope is that this newsletter will help keep everyone informed, recognize the great work being done across our department and strengthen communication within our department and the community we serve. 

We’ll share a look at the calls, activities, and safety initiatives that kept our team busy throughout the month of September. We hope these updates offer a better understanding of our work, promote safety awareness, and provide a meaningful look at how we serve Hendersonville.

Did you know that September was National Preparedness Month? As firefighters, we know that taking steps to prevent emergencies and prepare for the unexpected can make all the difference. Benjamin Franklin said it best: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Those words remain just as true today.

During the month of September, the department responded to 408 incidents, including 253 EMS calls, 25 motor vehicle incidents, and 8 fire incidents. The highlights below reflect the dedication of our personnel and the support of our community. Thank you to every member of the department for your professionalism and readiness.

Beyond emergency response, our life safety division completed 205 inspections and 17 plan reviews. Staff also connected with over 4,000 citizens through community education programs and events.

Thank you for your continued support of the Hendersonville Fire Department and the public safety professionals who proudly serve our community.

Stay safe,
Justin S. Ward
Fire Chief

Monthly Performance Snapshot

September 2026 Incident Statistics

Total incidents were up 12% from September of 2025. Average response time was 5:32, compared with 6:01 last month. 

Incident Highlights

• 9th Avenue Structure Fire: Thursday, September 3rd the Hendersonville Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at approximately 2:30 AM.  The residence was fully involved with fire already coming through the roof upon our arrival.  Crews quickly extinguished the fire and conducted a thorough search of the structure with no one being home.  The structure is a total loss.

September 2026 Fire Prevention & Inspection Statistics

Fire Prevention and Inspections

Prevention personnel completed 205 inspections this month, including 63 annual inspections, 142 re-inspections, and 6 new-business or construction-related inspections. Staff completed 17 plan reviews or permits.

Training and Professional Development

Department members completed 708 total training hours during the month. Training emphasized water supply, aerial operations, and officer development. Additional achievements included: 

• Parker Kanupp completed the fire/EMT Academy.
• Tanner Trantham joined the department and started the Blue Ridge Community College Fire Academy.
• Ricardo Cabrera also started the Fire Academy.
• FF/EMT Kristopher Miller, Pablo Saavedra, and Jerry Villars completed their National Child Passenger Safety Certification.
• New Safety and Training Officers promoted: Captain Jared Morgan, Captain Corban Hossley, and Captain Patrick Corn will take on this new role in the department. 
• New Part-time members Harlie Branham & Savannah Selby.

Department Accomplishments

• 80th North Carolina Apple Festival

• Hydrant Maintenance Completed
• City Staff CPR class held for seven newly certified employees. 
• Bruce Drysdale Field Trip to Fire Station 1
• Part-time Firefighter hiring process.

Community Safety Message

National Preparedness Month was observed this September to encourage individuals, families, and communities to prepare for natural and man-made disasters. This year’s theme was “Americans Stand Ready,” which highlights the spirit of unity, self-reliance, and resourcefulness.

Taking a few simple steps now can make a big difference when disaster strikes. Build an emergency kit with essential supplies, create a family emergency plan, sign up for local emergency alerts and make sure everyone in your household knows where to go and how to communicate during an emergency.

Personnel Recognition

• Congratulations to Parker Kanupp for completing the Blue Ridge Community College Fire/EMT Academy. 
• Congratulations to Captain Patrick Corn, Corban Hossley, and Jared Morgan for being promoted to Safety and Training Officers. These folks did an outstanding job in the promotional process and should be proud of this accomplishment. 

Upcoming Fire Safety Tips and Events

• First Responder Day - October 28th
• October 31st Treat Street: Main Street Hendersonville from 2:00 - 5:00 PM
• October's priorities: Fire Prevention Month- “Charge into Fire Safety. Safe Charging is a Superpower.”

Looking Ahead

• Daylight Savings Time November 1st: Remember to change your clocks and change/check your smoke alarms.

For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergency questions, contact Hendersonville Fire Department at 828-697-3024. Follow us on social media and visit our website at https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/fire-department