The Mountain Home Fire and Rescue is a nonprofit organization that operates off a fire protection tax base in Henderson County, North Carolina. We are combination volunteer-paid fire department operating out of 3 stations. We have 25 volunteers and 13 paid firefighters that provide 24-hour coverage for our district.

We cover 17.5 square miles with a population of 15,000. We have an annual budget of $1,150,000, for the year 2010, that is overseen by a 9-member board of directors.

In April 2008 our department was inspected by the North Carolina Department Of Insurance (DOI).  As a result of the inspection, our Insurance rating was lowered from Class 5/9 split rate to a Class 5 district wide rate. The new rating goes into effect November 1, 2008.

A Few Facts About Us:

• We were the first fire department in the county to purchase the jaws-of-life rescue tools.
• Was the first fire department in the county to have lifetime members get their retirement check for 20 years of service.
• Purchased the first pumper-tanker in the county in 1976.
• Combination years service for active members: 315 years
• Total training hours in 2007 was 7,352 hours vs. 1,500 hours in the early 80’s

Certifications:

Firefighter II: 26 members

Rescue Techs: 9 members

EMTs MRs: 20 members

Level II Instructors: 4 members

Swift Water Rescue Techs: 7 members