North Raleigh Today

The Raleigh Fire Department's deployment to western North Carolina, led by Chief Patrick Marks, has been described as the most significant mission in his 23 years with the department.

“Our team has made several rescues, helped with dozens upon dozens of evacuations,” Marks stated. “They are helping families, and believe me, it’s a big job. It can be emotional, exhausting, and exhilarating.”

Marks remains in Raleigh but oversees the 14 firefighters who were dispatched to Haywood County just before Hurricane Helene made landfall. These firefighters are part of Task Force 8, one of the state’s Urban Search and Rescue teams.

Despite being miles away from his team, Marks communicates with them twice daily via internet due to limited cell service in some remote areas.

In Waynesville and Maggie Valley, Raleigh firefighters have been involved in evacuating residents and their pets. They have conducted several water rescues and searched numerous structures door-to-door to identify those in need of assistance.

Marks emphasized the importance of community during such times. “They are hundreds of miles away, but these people are still our neighbors,” he said. “The next time a hurricane comes through, Raleigh could be the area that gets devastated. The people we are helping today wouldn’t hesitate to come help us.”

The deployment is expected to last for seven days.