Cornelius-Lemley Fire Rescue

Today, members of the Cornelius-Lemley Fire Rescue Special Operations Team spent the day sharpening their skills on Swiftwater Rescue scenarios at the new NC Emergency Training Center.

While the swiftwater environments we trained in aren’t something we commonly encounter around and on Lake Norman, maintaining proficiency in these specialized rescue disciplines is critical. Emergencies don’t always happen under ideal conditions, and our team remains committed to being prepared for any situation, anywhere, at any time.

Our members hold certifications in swiftwater rescue, and keeping those skills current through continued training and realistic scenarios is paramount to ensuring we can safely and effectively serve our community and assist our neighboring agencies when called upon.

This new facility is a state of the art complex that provides excellent training opportunities to public safety agencies around the country.

A huge thank you to HIDR and Workhorse Marine LLC for their outstanding support of our agency and their time spent updating Fireboat 4 this week.

This week, their teams assisted us with removing Fireboat 4 from the water, updating and installing new Humminbird software to enhance our sonar operations and mapping capabilities, and safely returning the vessel back into Lake Norman. Their expertise and professionalism ensured the work was completed efficiently and with minimal downtime.

The new enhanced, state of the art, sonar capabilities will help our crews continue to provide the highest level of service during search, rescue, and recovery operations on Lake Norman.

We greatly appreciate the partnership and support from both HIDR and Workhorse Marine. Your commitment to public safety helps make our community safer every day.

Today, Truck 4 was honored to fly the colors alongside East Lincoln Fire Department during funeral services for Retired New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Battalion Commander William Peter Blaich of Battalion 1 who recently passed away after a long battle with World Trade Center related cancers.

Chief Blaich dedicated his life to the fire service and leaves behind a legacy of leadership, commitment, and service that will not be forgotten.

This tribute holds special meaning for our department. His son, Pete Blaich, is a longtime member of Cornelius-Lemley Fire Rescue and also a retired FDNY firefighter. Pete was also instrumental in helping establish the 9/11 Memorial that stands at our Firehouse #1 today, ensuring that the sacrifice and courage of those lost on September 11th are never forgotten.

We extend our deepest condolences to the Blaich family, friends, and the FDNY. It was our privilege to honor Battalion Commander Blaich and his family’s enduring contributions to the fire service.

Rest easy, Chief. Your watch is complete.

🚨 PLEASE KEEP EMERGENCY VEHICLE PARKING AREAS CLEAR 🚨

We’ve recently experienced issues with vehicles parking in designated emergency vehicle parking areas at Peninsula Yacht Club. While it may seem convenient for a few minutes, these areas are specifically reserved to allow emergency responders quick access to the lake during emergencies.

When emergency apparatus and support vehicles cannot access these designated locations, response times are delayed. Those delays can make a critical difference when someone is experiencing a medical emergency, drowning incident, boating accident, or other life-threatening situation on the water.

We ask everyone visiting Peninsula Yacht Club to please respect all posted emergency access and emergency vehicle parking areas. Your cooperation helps ensure that firefighters, EMS personnel, and rescue crews can respond quickly when seconds matter most.

Thank you for helping us keep Lake Norman safe.

Cornelius Police Department
Town of Cornelius

🔥NEW CHALLENGE COIN ALERT🔥

Rescue 4, aka “The Mutt” is returning to Cornelius soon after its nearly year long refurbishment. What better way to celebrate its return than to release a new challenge coin featuring The Mutt himself.

💰This coin will be $15 (this includes shipping) and paid by Venmo to (If you can’t see it at first, click on businesses at the top).

✉️ PLEASE EMAIL US AT [email protected] with A SCREENSHOT OF PROOF OF PAYMENT, ADDRESS TO SHIP TO, AND THE NUMBER OF COINS WANTED.

Don’t miss out, and stay tuned for a post on the return of “The Mutt”

🚨🚨 WORKING FIRE🚨🚨

At 1351 hours, Cornelius, Huntersville Fire Department, and Davidson, NC Fire Departments were dispatched to the 20000 Block of Northport Drive for a structure fire. Cornelius Engine 2 arrived and laid in from the hydrant and found a 2 story home with smoke showing from the garage. HL44 and Engine 3 arrived and were assigned primary search and water supply. Engine 3 completed the hookup at the hydrant and supplied water to Engine 2. Once searches were complete, HL44 transitioned to ventilation of the garage and home. A quick control time was issued, releasing Huntersville and Davidson. All searches turned up negative. Fortunately, no injuries were sustained. Cause and origin is being investigated by the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshals Office.

Members of Cornelius-Lemley Fire Rescue recently attended a Public Safety Boat School hosted by Steele Creek Fire Department, focused on strengthening regional water rescue operations, interagency coordination, and operational readiness.

Training opportunities like this bring together firefighters, law enforcement, rescue teams, and public safety professionals from across the area to sharpen skills, share knowledge, and build the relationships that matter when real emergencies happen.

Whether responding to boating incidents, search operations, or other emergencies on the water, preparation and teamwork are critical. These classes help ensure responders are ready to operate safely, effectively, and seamlessly alongside one another when seconds count.

Our members were able to practice on boat maneuvering, grid searches on the water using Sonar equipment, UAV (Drone) Operations, and recovery operations utilizing our ROV.

A huge thank you to Steele Creek Fire Department for hosting the training, as well as all of the instructors and participating agencies committed to improving public safety for our communities. Strong partnerships and continuous training are what make successful outcomes possible.

Last night, our Special Operations Team and Mount Mourne Fire Dept were requested by Cornelius Police Department for a subject possibly in the water in Lake Cornelius. Due to this part of the lake being “separated” from the big part of Lake Norman by Interstate 77, Fireboat 4 couldn’t access it. Fortunately, we’ve trained for this and have boats strategically located on land that we can deploy during this type of situation. We responded with Fireboat 2, and our Special Operations trailer which houses an inflatable zodiac. Fireboat 2 is a 2023 Carolina Skiff that we keep trailered.

Our crews deployed the Zodiac and began looking for the subject in the water and members also put our UAV (Drone) in the air to assist with thermal capabilities. It was later determined that the subject was not in the water, and was located in a safe location unharmed.

🚨🚨 WORKING FIRE 🚨🚨

At 0133 hours, Cornelius and Mount Mourne Fire Dept were dispatched to assist Davidson Fire Department on a fire alarm at the Kappa Sigma house at Davidson College. Truck 4 responded with 5 personnel. A few minutes later, Davidson Engine 1 arrived to find fire showing from the fraternity house and upgraded it to a working fire, adding Cornelius Engine 3 and 4 more members. Truck 4 was assigned primary search and once completed, transitioned to vertical ventilation while Engine 3 was assigned secondary search of the building. All searches proved negative. Our units operated on scene for approximately an hour before returning to service.

We respond as automatic aid on fire alarms to Davidson College daily. The easy thing to do is become complacent.

This morning was a reminder of why we don’t.

Every alarm gets the same response. Every call gets the same mindset. Companies getting dressed out, prepared, and ready to work is what sets us up for success when the one alarm we respond to is actually burning.