Pickens County Fire and Rescue

SMOKE ALERT

This is to inform the community that there is a "control burn" taking place in Dawson County today. The smoke is drifting Northwards covering most of our mountainous areas. Some areas are reporting the smoke is dense in and around the Bent Tree area. Again, this burn is in Dawson County. There is no known or reported wildfire or control burn in Pickens County as this post is created so there is no cause for alarm if you are in any of these areas.

FUN TIME AT COWBOY CHURCH

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING ISSUED

The National Weather Service, Peachtree City, has issued a severe thunderstorm warning until 8:15 PM EDT for our area.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS & FLOODING POSSIBLE

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Cener has placed much of Northern Georgia in a Level 2 of 5 Risk for severe thunderstorms late Wednesday Afternoon - early Thursday Morning. Heavy rainfall is also forecast during the same time frame. There will be potential for damaging winds, very heavy rainfall, large hail, dangerous lighting with tornadoes possible. The greatest risk begins after 4:00 PM Wednesday and continues into early Thursday morning. Please have a way to receive warnings even at night during hours of sleep and have a plan to take shelter.

𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗭𝗘𝗡𝗦! 🔥🚫

Due to ongoing extreme fire weather and drought conditions, the Pickens County Fire Chief and Fire Marshal’s Office have made the decision to implement a burn ban effective immediately.

This burn ban will remain in place until October 1.

At this time, outdoor burning is prohibited with the exception of small, controlled fires such as those used for cooking, warming, and recreational bonfires. All allowable fires must be attended at all times and conducted safely.

This decision has been made in the interest of public safety. Current conditions, combined with limited available wildfire suppression resources in our region, significantly increase the risk of uncontrolled fire spread.

This burn ban is subject to change should weather conditions change.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping protect our community.

PRE-HOSPITAL BLOOD PROGRAM LAUNCHED

On Saturday, April 11, 2026, Pickens County Fire Rescue participated in the official groundbreaking for the prehospital blood administration program hosted by Gilmer County Fire & Rescue. The program is made possible by the Georgia Trauma Foundation that places life-saving blood products directly on select ambulances enabling specifically trained paramedics to administer them to critically injured trauma patients in the field.

Pickens County Fire entered into a tri-county partnership with Gilmer County Fire & Rescue and Fannin County Emergency Services to launch the pre-hospital blood program, which is a first “regional initiative” in the state along with several other individual agencies already delivering the services across the state. The initiative represents a major advancement in emergency medical care for North Georgia. It is estimated that approximately 60,000 people across the nation lose their lives annually because of blood loss resulting from trauma. By providing blood transfusions before patients reach the hospital, first responders can begin treating severe blood loss, the leading cause of preventable death in trauma, well in advance of arriving at a hospital and maybe reducing loss of life nationally by 40%.

Gilmer Fire will be the region leader with the initiative, assisting, delivering the blood products and equipment to designated scenes or locations when it is needed and requested. Gilmer Fire hosted the “train the trainer” class that allowed local emergency personnel to be trained to deliver the training which has now been delivered to paramedics in all three counties. “The program will allow our paramedics here in Pickens County the ability to deliver “hospital-level” care in the field which can significantly improve survival of trauma patients’” says Pickens County Fire Chief, Tim Prather. The expectation is for the program to progress to where each county will eventually manage and maintain its own program in the near future.

Huge thanks to the Georgia Trauma Foundation and the blood center of Life South for their support of the program. Also, thanks to Gilmer County Fire and EMS Chief Paul Beamon for taking the lead in getting the program started along with our area coordinator Scott Stephens from the Regional Trauma Advisory Committee.

PROMOTION CEREMONY - CAPTAIN CLARK, CAPTAIN HOLAWAY

Pickens County Fire conducted a promotion ceremony tonight at Station 11 to promote two Captains. Lt. Jody Clark and Lt. Isaac Holaway were read their promotion warrant by Deputy Chief Capps charging them with the duties of their new position by Fire Chief Tim Prather. Friends and families were invited and attended the ceremony and enjoyed a grilled meal afterwards. Several fellow co-workers attended as well. Capt. Clark is now assigned as the Commander of Station 12, Carlan Road, and Capt. Holaway is assigned as the Commander of Station 5, near Bent Tree. Thanks to all the friends and family that attended to witness the recognition earned by both these men. Congratulations to Capt. Clark and Capt. Holaway on their accomplishment and we wish them continued success with their career here at Pickens Fire.