Community
Before, during, and after.
The practical things: how to keep a fire from starting, how to help us when one does, and what to do the morning after.
Station tours
The department gives station tours. Call 910-245-4331 or email crainscreekvfd@pinehurst.net to set one up.
No charge for fire calls
Crains Creek doesn't charge for fire calls.
Incident reports
To get a copy of a report, contact the department with your request and it will make arrangements.
Burning
In North Carolina, a fire in or within 500 feet of woodland needs a free N.C. Forest Service permit between midnight and 4 p.m. Burn only natural vegetation: leaves, branches, yard debris. Check for a burn ban, and never burn on a windy day.
Programs
What we do for the district
Car show and Trunk or TreatThe department's fall fundraiser at Station 23: a car show, BBQ plates, live music, bounce houses and Trunk or Treat. This year, Saturday, October 24.Read more about Car show and Trunk or Treat
Tuesday night trainingMembers train together on Tuesday nights, from live fire on a donated car to ladder rescues with a Stokes basket, and with the county's departments at the Sandhills Community College training center.Read more about Tuesday night training
Water where the hydrants don't reachMembers keep static water points, each marked with a red post and a blue reflective sign, so tankers can haul water where hydrants are too far away or too weak.Read more about Water where the hydrants don't reach
Fire prevention at Vass-LakeviewA fire prevention coloring contest at Vass-Lakeview Elementary every October, with a prize bag for each grade, and Ladder 23 at the school's Touch-a-Truck day.Read more about Fire prevention at Vass-Lakeview
Santa on a fire truckEvery December Santa rides through the district on a Crains Creek fire truck. Watch the department's Facebook page for this year's schedule.Read more about Santa on a fire truckAfter the fire
The morning after
Call your insurance company first; they will tell you what to do and will often arrange cleanup and a place to stay. Don't go back into the building until we have told you it's safe, and don't reconnect gas, electric or water until the utility or an electrician has checked them. The Red Cross can help with immediate needs. Gather what documents you can: insurance, identification, bank, medical.
You may notice we opened windows, cut holes in the roof, or opened walls. Ventilation lets heat and smoke out so firefighters can get in, and fire hides in walls and ceilings; we open them to make sure it's out. It looks like damage. It's how the rest of the house survived.
Common questions
Things people ask us
Do I need a permit to burn leaves or brush?
In North Carolina, a fire in or within 500 feet of woodland needs a free N.C. Forest Service permit between midnight and 4 p.m. Burn only natural vegetation: leaves, branches, yard debris. Check for a burn ban, and never burn on a windy day. Get the permit online at apps.ncagr.gov/burnpermits or from a local permitting agent.
What kind of fire extinguisher should I have at home?
A multi-purpose ABC extinguisher, at least 5 pounds, mounted near the kitchen and the garage. Check the gauge monthly. If a fire is bigger than a wastebasket, get out and call 911.
What should I do when an emergency vehicle approaches?
Pull over to the right edge of the road, clear of any intersection, and stop until it passes. North Carolina law requires it, and it gets us there faster.
How do I get a copy of an incident report?
Contact the department at 910-245-4331 or crainscreekvfd@pinehurst.net with your request, and arrangements will be made. Medical run records are held by Moore County EMS, not the fire department.
Who answers when I call 911?
Moore County 911 takes the call and pages Crains Creek and any neighboring departments the call needs.
Does the department charge for fire calls?
No. Crains Creek doesn't charge for fire calls.
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