Yancey County E-911

06/04/2026

We are partnering with Yancey County Schools as a pick up location for free meals to anyone in need with children throughout the summer.
Check out details below:

06/04/2026

Congratulations to Yancey County's own... Gina Scharf

🌟 Celebrating Excellence at MAMA Air 🌟
We are incredibly proud to share that Gina Scharf, our exceptional MAMA Air Medical Manager, has been nominated for the prestigious Frist Humanitarian Award!
Established in 1971 and named in honor of Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Sr., this award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in demonstrating compassion, community service, and an unwavering commitment to caring for others.

Gina embodies these values every single day.
With a rare blend of clinical expertise, operational excellence, and genuine compassion, Gina consistently elevates the care we provide across the entire MAMA system. She approaches every patient with deep respect and the belief that you receive the patient you are given and provide the very best care possible. This philosophy guides her leadership and inspires her team.

Gina strengthens the cohesiveness of MAMA Air, Ground, and Communications, fostering a culture built on trust, collaboration, and shared purpose. She is proactive, thoughtful, and always willing to step in wherever she’s needed—often before anyone asks. Her steady presence and patient‑centered mindset uplift not only her team, but the entire hospital community.

Simply put, Gina’s compassion, integrity, and unwavering dedication make a lasting impact on everyone around her. 💙 Please join us in congratulating Gina Scharf on this well‑deserved nomination!

05/11/2026

During National Police Week, we proudly recognize and honor the dedicated men and women who serve and protect our communities each and every day.

The members of the Yancey County Sheriff's Office and Burnsville Police Department work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens they serve. Their courage, professionalism, sacrifice, and commitment do not go unnoticed.

This week, we also pause to remember and honor the law enforcement officers across our nation who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their bravery and dedication will never be forgotten.

Thank you to all law enforcement officers, dispatchers, detention staff, and support personnel for your unwavering service to Yancey County and our surrounding communities.

Please join us in showing appreciation for those who wear the badge and stand the line every day. 💙🖤

04/25/2026

We are so thankful for the rain however, as dry as we still are the burn ban remains in effect for all of NC.

04/16/2026

💛 National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week 💛

This week, we proudly recognize the incredible men and women behind the headsets at Yancey County Sheriff’s Office 911 Communications.

Our telecommunicators are the calm voice in the chaos — the first, first responders. They answer every call with professionalism, compassion, and strength, often guiding callers through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. From life-saving instructions to coordinating emergency response, their dedication never goes unnoticed.

❤️They work long hours
🤍They make critical decisions in seconds
💙They serve our community with unwavering commitment

To our team: thank you for your sacrifice, your resilience, and your heart for service. You are truly the unseen heroes of public safety.

A message from Director Gina Duncan:
“It is truly an honor to serve alongside such a dedicated and professional team. Each of you brings strength, compassion, and resilience to this center every single day. The work you do is not always seen, but it is always felt throughout our community. You are the steady voice in someone’s worst moment, and that is something to be incredibly proud of. I am beyond grateful for each of you and the difference you make in Yancey County.”

We also encourage our community to take a moment this week to thank a telecommunicator for the vital role they play in keeping Yancey County safe.

💙 We are proud of you. We appreciate you. We thank you. 💙

03/29/2026

Please note we are under a red flag warning. There is a State and County restriction on burning. This means NO OUTSIDE BURNING. There are also active fires in Mitchell, Avery, and McDowell counties. Unless you see live flames or a column of smoke please understand that this is likely to be drift smoke from these counties. We are receiving many 911 calls about the smoke and this is tying up emergency lines. Also, there is a non-emergency number to reach us if it is not a true emergency 828-678-9463. Thank you and as always, please stay safe!

02/25/2026

***** Scheduled Phone Line Outage *****

Please be advised that the Yancey County Sheriff's Office phone lines will be down for approximately 30 minutes starting at 10:30 pm on Thursday, February 26th, for maintenance. If you have an emergency call 911 for non-emergency calls please dial 678-9463.

02/24/2026

So proud of out dispatcher's!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2026

Yancey County 911’s New Emergency Fire Dispatch System Already Making a Difference

Burnsville, NC — The Yancey County 911 Communications Center is already seeing lifesaving results following the recent launch of its Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) protocols.

Yancey County 911 officially went live with EFD on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 11:27 a.m., marking a major advancement in the county’s emergency communications capabilities. The center’s first call on the new system was successfully processed later that day as a Service Call case, demonstrating a smooth and confident rollout.

Today, the value of the new system became clear during a residential structure fire call. Using the EFD protocols, Yancey County emergency communicators provided the caller with critical Pre-Arrival Instructions, including guidance to close the bedroom door. Fire officials believe that action likely helped slow the spread of the fire and may have saved much of the home.

“The instructions given over the phone—especially directing the caller to close the bedroom door—likely prevented the fire from spreading more rapidly and probably saved the house from burning.” said Chief Derek Murphy of the Pensacola Fire Department.

With EFD now in place, Yancey County Emergency Communicators are equipped with structured, evidence-based protocols that help them gather consistent, critical information on every call and ensure the right response is sent every time. Beyond dispatching resources, the system empowers call takers to serve as true first responders by delivering potentially lifesaving instructions while crews are en route.

Sheriff Shane Hilliard praised the implementation and credited Yancey County 911 Director Gina Duncan for her leadership and vision.

“This investment strengthens not only our Communications Center but also supports every fire, EMS, and rescue agency serving the citizens of Yancey County. I want to personally commend Re*****on Pate and Jessica Schofield for their professionalism and quick action on this call,” Sheriff Shane Hilliard

The successful launch of EFD officially makes Yancey County active users of the Fire Priority Dispatch System (FPDS) and Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS), representing a significant milestone for public safety in the county.

The Yancey County 911 Communications Center commends its emergency communicators for their professionalism and quick adaptation to the new protocols and remains committed to providing the highest level of service to the community.

02/07/2026

Happy 2nd Birthday to our spoiled, wild, sweet, loving 70 lb lap dog, Sarge!! Every 911 center should have one. I’m not sure what we did before him he certainly knows how to make everyone’s day better!! We love you, Sarge!!!

01/24/2026

🚨 **WINTER STORM WARNING – YANCEY COUNTY PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST**

***IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS***

**CALL 911** — *Life-threatening emergencies only*

**Yancey County 911 – NON-EMERGENCY**
**828-682-2124**
**828-678-9463**

Highway Patrol
*SHP from your cell or 800-445-1779

DOT
**828-682-6144**

(Use for weather-related assistance, road issues, welfare checks, and non-urgent calls.)

https://drivenc.gov/ **road conditions**

Stay informed by monitoring Yancey County Sheriff's Office on the app and facebook. Also, ReadyNC.gov

UTILITY CONTACTS

**French Broad Electric Membership Corporation**
**828-682-6121** — Report outages & power issues

**Duke Energy Outages**
**800-419-6356** (NC outage reporting)
Outages can also be reported via the Duke Energy app

**BEFORE THE STORM**

✅ Monitor official weather updates
✅ Charge phones, medical devices & battery packs
✅ Stock 3+ days of food, water & medications
✅ Prepare emergency kit (flashlight, batteries, first aid)
✅ Fuel vehicles; check antifreeze & washer fluid
✅ Bring pets indoors & shelter livestock
✅ Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbors

**DURING THE STORM**

⚠️ Avoid travel unless absolutely necessary
⚠️ If driving, carry blankets, food, water & a shovel
⚠️ Stay indoors & dress in warm layers
⚠️ Use generators & heaters **OUTDOORS ONLY**
⚠️ Keep vents clear to prevent carbon monoxide buildup

**POWER OUTAGE SAFETY**

🔌 Use flashlights — **no candles**
🔌 Keep refrigerator/freezer doors closed
🔌 Never use grills or ovens for heat
🔌 Report outages to your power provider

**AFTER THE STORM**

✔️ Avoid downed power lines — assume they are live
✔️ Clear snow carefully to avoid injury
✔️ Check on neighbors and family
✔️ Continue monitoring official updates

📣 **REMINDER:** *Please reserve 911 for emergencies. Use the non-emergency numbers above when appropriate.*

Stay safe, Yancey County!!

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