Tennessee’s finest headed for Sevier County

The 7th Annual Smoky Mountain Weekend will be presented by the Sevier County Fire Chiefs’ Association, the Sevier County Training Officers’ Association, and the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy this next weekend, March 5 and 6. The event, which is the largest in the state, is expecting one thousand firefighters to participate, and over 130 departments to be represented. Pigeon Forge Fire Chief Greg Patterson said, “The firefighters will use the Pigeon Forge Fire Department, the Pigeon Forge High School, the Sevier County High School and the Pigeon Forge Community Center, as well as the Sevier County Fire Department for special classes.” Some classes that the firefighters will be taking are hands-on practical drills, emergency response, terrorism, and incident command training. Basic courses include ladders, fire streams and self-contained breathing apparatus, while advanced courses include training for fire service leadership. Arson Detection for First Responders is an example of one of the more specialized courses. The class teaches the basics on how to determine the cause of a fire, and how to preserve and protect the fire scene. Almost 70% of the states firefighters are volunteers who must work their daily jobs during the week.