Elk Mills Poga VFD helps community amidst loss of fire station and truck

POGA, Tenn. (WJHL) – The Elk River overflowed due to heavy rain from Hurricane Helene, leading to significant flooding that swept away the Elk Mills Poga Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) station and one of its fire trucks.

Fire Chief Michael Walsh said members of the VFD were already responding to emergency calls when the station started flooding.

Unicoi Co. EMA representative addresses donation confiscation rumors

"They were actually out on a few tree calls and different things, and then it just kept getting worse and worse," Walsh said. "And then they got back and they tried to get all the trucks out and take them over to the store where it's a little higher ground. And they actually got them all out but one. And that's when they took the fire department away, when it took the last truck. "

Walsh said gear was also lost in the flood, but the other four fire trucks only received a little water damage.

"They're getting checked out, and they're going to be okay," Walsh said.

With the Elk River right beside where the station used to sit, Walsh emphasized the need for future planning.

"If it flooded once here, it might not do it in my lifetime, but it'll eventually do it again. So we're going to start fresh and new and be on a little higher ground next time," Walsh said.

Despite their losses, the VFD is still committed to serving their community.

"Our main prerogative is our people, our community," Walsh said. "As a fire service, we provide whenever in need, whatever it is. So I haven't been really working on the fire department stuff right now because our community is in need. So we try to get the best we could, a food bank set up to give to our community. And now we have a communications trailer donated to us, so we can get started on our fire department stuff."

Jason Clawson, a fifth-generation resident of Poga, said the fire department is a lifeline for the community.

"I think like in 1981, [is] when they started it," Clawson said. "And it's always been the hub of this little community here. And it's where we vote. That's where we got our elections at. So, everybody's concerned even where we're going to vote, where we're going to meet because it's such a hub for our community."

In a show of solidarity, fire departments from across the country have reached out to donate equipment. The Midway VFD in Virgilina, Virginia is donating a truck that had previously been given to them during a time of need.

Their fire Chief, Brent Inscore, sent News Channel 11 a statement about the donation. He said he found out about the Elk Mills Poga VFD loss from a video of a member, Darren Clark.

"Our fire department had discussion about the situation and without any hesitation, it was approved," Inscore said in the statement. "We received this 1994 Freightliner Pumper/Tanker from a donation from Alberta Volunteer Fire Department when we were in a bad place ourselves. This truck has serviced us well. So, we as a department said we need to help this department out by donating the fire truck. When I called Clark back and told him about donating the truck you could hear the emotions just over the phone. I told him it will be fully equipped when it arrives to start answering calls of service for his community. I also told him we would have a lot of equipment including turnout gear, SCBA's, extrication equipment and a lot of other tools. As well as EMS supplies."

Inscore said 15 fire departments from both Virginia and North Carolina have given them gear to donate to the Elk Mills Poga VFD. He said he is continuing to pray for everyone affected by the flooding.

"We had a department yesterday from all the way up next to the Ohio River in Kentucky brought [an] American flag and wanted us to know that they [were] thinking about us," Walsh said. "So they drove a long way just for that."

East Tennessee ATV & Tractor even donated side-by-side ATVs for the VFD and other responders to use in Poga.

Both Walsh and Clawson expressed gratitude for their community's support.

"I'm just so proud of this entire community, how they've joined together and went and checked on their neighbors and made sure everybody went through," Clawson said. "Carter County Rescue Squad showed up and went door to door and was [marking] things like medical attention and letting everybody know who needs to be checked on."

Clawson said volunteers have been helping 12 to 16 hours every day.

"We honestly don't need a disaster to come together," Walsh said. "When anybody's in need, all these people here they come to the rescue most of the time."

Walsh is still thinking of others affected, even when his own town is struggling.

"You know, North Carolina, there was a lot of destruction there," Walsh said. "I mean, a lot of it was a lot worse than what we got. And I want everybody to know if there's anything that we have that we can send that way, that's what we are here for and we will send it that way."

Looking ahead, Walsh said it may take months to restore full phone and electrical services. However, he emphasized that the focus will remain on assisting the community before tackling the rebuilding of the fire station.