Union County Fire Station 3

10/13/2026

10/09/2026

10/08/2026

10/07/2026

Fall Outdoor Burning
The Fall season has started and that means cooler temperatures and of course, the falling leaves. We will begin to see property owners removing and destroying these leaves and other yard debris by outdoor burning. These fires are small most of the time and may be in a person’s yard or on their private property. These fires do produce some smoke and may be concerning to neighbors or persons passing by. Most of these fires are well contained, controlled burns and should not be a concern; however, some do get out and become wildfires.
Property owners are allowed to burn hand piled leaves and/or yard debris as long as they follow the outdoor burning safety standards as explained by the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). It is important that everyone understands the elements and dangers of outdoor burning as well as the outdoor burning safety standards.
The outdoor burning safety standards are actions and precautions that property owners must take to promote safety and to prevent wildfires. A GFC awareness campaign was launched a few years ago introducing the theme “Take Five” before the burn and to remember the acronym “S-S-T-A-R” representing the five points of the outdoor burning safety standard.
The first “S” represents Space. There must be 25 feet or more between the fire and woodlands. The second “S” also represents Space stating that there must be 50 feet or more between the fire and any structures. The “T” represents Time. Burning can only be conducted from sunrise to sunset. The “A” represents Attendance. A person responsible for the fire must stay onsite with the fire until it is completely extinguished.
The “R” represents Reasonable Precautions. The concept of reasonable precautions is to have tools and measures in place to prevent the fire from escaping. These include things such as a continuous pressurized water source on site; man-made or natural barrier to contain the fire; hand tools or fire-containing equipment on site; weather awareness such as red flag warnings, High Fire Danger designation, and other hazardous conditions such as low relative humidity, high winds, etc.
Just as a reminder, property owners are only allowed to burn certain materials. Only hand-piled leaves or naturally occurring yard debris can be burned. Household garbage or other man-made materials cannot be burned.
Anyone who burns hand-piled leaves or yard debris should research the law and outdoor burning safety requirements. For more information about outdoor burning and the five safety precautions, please visit www.gatrees.org. Union County Fire Department ~Our Family Protecting Your Family~

09/11/2026

Today, the members of Union County Fire Station 3 pause to remember September 11, 2001.

For those of us in the fire service, September 11 carries a special meaning. We remember the 343 FDNY firefighters who reported for duty that morning, climbed the stairs, entered the towers, and never came home. We also remember the law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, military members, and civilians who lost their lives that day and in the years that followed.

Here at Station 3, we may serve a small community in the mountains of North Georgia, far from New York City, but the example set by those firefighters continues to reach firehouses like ours across the country.

Their courage, sacrifice, and commitment to serving others represent the very best of the fire service and remind us of the responsibility that comes with answering the call.

Twenty-five years later, we remember their names, their sacrifice, and the families and departments they left behind.

From all of us at Union County Fire Station 3:

We will never forget.

September 11, 2001

09/09/2026

09/07/2026

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Union County Fire Station 3 held its monthly business meeting, followed by hands-on training focused on bleeding control in emergency situations.

The training was led by Lt. Eric McClure and gave members the opportunity to practice controlling severe bleeding using a training aid designed to simulate active bleeding from a deep wound.

Realistic, hands-on training like this allows our members to practice critical skills in a controlled environment, helping them stay prepared to respond effectively when faced with real-world emergencies.

We appreciate Lt. McClure for leading the training and all of our members who continue to dedicate their time to training and serving our community.

08/12/2026

SPLOST
Recently, I was asked about SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) and how that effects the fire department, emergency management, and 911 center. After explaining what the 1% SPLOST sales tax is, where it comes from, the specific uses, the regulations and accountability, how it is shared with locals and visitors, and, most importantly, the powerful impact it has on public safety and the county as a whole, these people were understanding and supportive. It is truly amazing what a penny can do. Some people were surprised to learn that we have had a SPLOST in Union County for almost 30 years and, at the time of this column, there were only three counties in Georgia who didn’t have SPLOST https://dor.georgia.gov/sales-tax-rates-general.
I cannot speak about all SPLOST projects but I can explain the projects that have affected our departments. The Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has benefited from SPLOST funds by the purchasing of rescue equipment and by the building of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) which was part of the upgrade to the fire department headquarters station in 2013. The EOC is the coordinating center for disasters and other major emergencies that affect Union County. Prior to this, Union County EMA and EOC was operating out of a small office.
The fire department has seen the largest benefit from SPLOST. The new headquarters station (Station 1) as mentioned above is one example. Other volunteer and career stations throughout the county have been built with SPLOST funding. The UCFD Training Facility as well. These new stations and the Training Facility increase our capabilities and reduces the ISO Rating (Insurance Services Office) of Union County which reduces insurance premiums for home and business owners.
The SPLOST funding also has purchased fire apparatus, rescue vehicles, the ladder apparatus, and support vehicles that enable the department to respond safely and effectively. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has also been purchased with SPLOST funding including turnout gear and the recent replacement of 120 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. This PPE protects our firefighters and better equips them to fight fire and save lives.
The latest SPLOST funded project is the new 911 center. The current 911 center is in a run down, old building approximately 65 years old. The new center is larger, more secure, and built to house the 911 services for many years. SPLOST funding also purchased the high tech equipment and software that is required to provide the most up-to-date 911 communication services.
These are just a few SPLOST projects that affect the EMA, fire, and 911 departments. There are too many to list in this column. There is little doubt that SPLOST funding has improved and enhanced the public safety of this county.
SPLOST can be confusing, especially in a world of misinformation. The best practice is to do your own research and educate yourself; ask questions and get the facts from reliable sources. For more information on Union County SPLOST visit www.unioncountysplost.org. Union County Fire Department ~Our Family Protecting Your Family~