Transylvania County Rescue Squad

10/07/2026

At approximately 1330 on Tuesday October 6th the Transylvania County Rescue Squad was notified of a mountain biker with a significant head injury on the Black Mountain Trail in the area of Club Gap. Crews responded into Pisgah Forest alongside Transylvania County EMS and Transylvania County Emergency Services establishing command off FS477.

An initial hasty team reached the patient on foot at 1408 and began providing medical care. The initial crew was able to request the appropriate tools and following crews brought equipment to package and carry the patient out. Due to the distance, weather, and terrain crews from Henderson County Rescue Squad, Little River Volunteer Fire Department, and were requested to support carryout operations. The patient was carried 2 miles and transferred to EMS’s care just before 1600. The patient was eventually flow by MAMA - Mountain Area Medical Airlift to Mission Hospital.

This marked the 5th Search and Rescue for the squad in 4 days. Members have been busy supporting their community. Although this call was during daylight hours many of our recent calls have involved parties being benighted without adequate supplies. As days get shorter and the nights colder make sure to plan ahead by bringing warm layers and lights. When in doubt start earlier or scale your plans to match the time you have.

09/21/2026

The anatomy of a team.

Transylvania County Rescue Squad welcomed 15 new volunteers to their team just 3 weeks ago. They spent the past 3 days bonding and learning together during Fundamentals Weekend.

09/21/2026

Transylvania County Rescue Squad's newest academy recruits spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday doing a fast track of basic SAR didactics and skills. Spending the whole weekend in the forest.

The culmination of which was a final grid search of the John Rock area, patient medical care, and extrication.

Check out what these hard working volunteers were able to learn and put to the test in less than 3 weeks!

09/10/2026

Help us welcome Transylvania County Rescue Squad to the Chamber! 🚑

We’re proud to have this longtime community organization join the Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce. Since 1961, their dedicated team has provided emergency medical and technical rescue services to our community and visitors.

We’re grateful for all they do to keep Transylvania County safe. Welcome to the Chamber!

08/29/2026

Transylvania County Rescue Squad has been requested to assist with an extended search operation in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

TCRS is preparing its mountain search and rescue team for deployment to assist with the operation.

Per Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
"Bachleda-Blaszczak is described as 5 feet, 6 inches tall and approximately 170 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He is from Illinois.
Following the missing person report, Bachleda-Blaszczak’s vehicle was located in the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking lot. Based on the investigation to date, his last known location was the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking lot on Aug. 22."

Anyone with information about Bachleda-Blaszczak’s whereabouts is requested to contact [email protected].

UPDATE 9/1/26: After a multi-day search, Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak was confirmed safe in North Carolina outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Read more here: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/news/marcin-bachleda-blaszczak-confirmed-safe-outside-of-great-smoky-mountains-national-park.htm

----------------------------------------------

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with assistance from local agencies, continues to search for Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak, who was reported missing on the evening of Aug. 24.

Bachleda-Blaszczak is described as 5 feet, 6 inches tall and approximately 170 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He is from Illinois.

Following the missing person report, Bachleda-Blaszczak’s vehicle was located in the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking lot. Based on the investigation to date, his last known location was the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking lot on Aug. 22.

A team of 47 park rangers and volunteers is actively searching areas in and around the park, with additional resources en route to assist. As the search area expands, visitors may encounter search personnel wearing brightly colored shirts both on and off established trails.

Anyone with information about Bachleda-Blaszczak’s whereabouts, or who may have seen him in or around the park, is asked to contact [email protected].

NPS Poster

08/19/2026

Another annual Waterfall Weekend success!

Transylvania County Rescue Squad got out to train with Henderson County Rescue Squad South Orange Rescue Squad and jacksoncountyrescuesquad and we had a blast!

We practiced rappelling in a waterfall environment, lowering and mechanical advantage systems, patient packaging and first aid, high line transfer, drone coordination, and team communication.

We are already looking forward to next year's training!

Thank you to everyone who came out to make this day special. Thank you to Blue Ridge Community College and for making this possible.

In the Land of Waterfalls, remember to "Be Waterfall Wise"
Check out Explore Brevard's website for waterfall safety tips:
https://explorebrevard.com/waterfall-safety/

07/13/2026

Don't let the rain keep you away!

Swing by our station for informal meet and greet! We'll give tours of our station, talk about what we do, and answer questions about our training academy that begins this September!

Hope to see you!