GrahamCountyEMS

Rescuers descend off the Appalachian Trail with an injured hiker at Yellow Creek Gap on Friday.

Rescuers descend off the Appalachian Trail with an injured hiker at Yellow Creek Gap on Friday.

Injured hiker rescued off Appalachian Trail

Marshall McClung
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Yellow Creek – For the second time in a span of 2 1/2 weeks, a hiker had to be rescued from the Appalachian Trail in Graham County. Personnel from Graham County Fire and Rescue, Stecoah Fire and Rescue, and U.S. Forest Service responded to a report of an injured hiker around 5:45 p.m., Friday.
Paramedic Jay Chastain, EMT Jon Marsh and Graham County EMS Captain/Paramedic Leon Allen (from left) stand with several recent purchases the county has made to better serve first responders when called into service. In totality, the items pictured are worth over $80,000. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Paramedic Jay Chastain, EMT Jon Marsh and Graham County EMS Captain/Paramedic Leon Allen (from left) stand with several recent purchases the county has made to better serve first responders when called into service. In totality, the items pictured are worth over $80,000. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

24 hours of bravery

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 31, 2023
* Editor’s note: Graham County EMS Director Brian Stevens proposed a day of shadowing with those who work to save lives on a daily basis. This is a first-hand account from spending over half of a 24-hour shift with a rotation.
After a lot of brainstorming, ground was first broken on the Graham County EMS garden earlier this year. From left are Bob Keber, Travis Chastain, David Maennle, Drew Silvers and Cameron Wiggins. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

After a lot of brainstorming, ground was first broken on the Graham County EMS garden earlier this year. From left are Bob Keber, Travis Chastain, David Maennle, Drew Silvers and Cameron Wiggins. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

New way of delivering aid

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, July 27, 2023
* Conclusion of a 4-part series West Fort Hill – Our gardens are often a place of mediation, therapy or healing. Whether the end results be amazing or disappointing, there are no mistakes, only experiments.

Drone interferes with EMS helicopter

Randy Foster
Thursday, September 1, 2022
West Fort Hill – Someone operated a remote-controlled drone near the Graham County Emergency Medical Services base between 9-10 p.m. Aug. 23, as a medical helicopter was at the base preparing to transport a patient with a serious medical condition.
Station 3 Fire Chief Brian Johnson is planning construction of a three-bay metal building to supplement the existing structure off Tapoco Road. Station 3 volunteers have been saving up for years for the project, which will cost an estimated $80,000. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Station 3 Fire Chief Brian Johnson is planning construction of a three-bay metal building to supplement the existing structure off Tapoco Road. Station 3 volunteers have been saving up for years for the project, which will cost an estimated $80,000. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

An aging fleet

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Graham County emergency services have come a long way. A handmade two-wheel cart with fire hose served in lieu of a fire engine in the late 1940s, and a hearse served as the county’s only ambulance until the early 1960s.
Discarded medical supplies are piled on the floor at the Graham County Emergency Services garage on Fort Hill Road. A whistle blower complaint alleges that some of the supplies were misidentified as being past their expiration date due to labels being misunderstood.

Discarded medical supplies are piled on the floor at the Graham County Emergency Services garage on Fort Hill Road. A whistle blower complaint alleges that some of the supplies were misidentified as being past their expiration date due to labels being misunderstood.

Complaint alleges EMS mismanagement

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Link to full complaint: https://www.grahamstar.