Thurston Volunteer Fire & Rescue

06/23/2026

🚨 Sign Up for Upson Alerts Today! 🚨

When emergencies happen, every second counts. Make sure you and your family receive important notifications directly from Upson County through the Upson Alerts system.

Receive alerts for:
🌪️ Severe weather
🚧 Road closures
💧 Boil water notices
⚡ Utility outages
🚨 Evacuations and other emergency situations

Alerts can be delivered by text message, phone call, email, and mobile app notifications, allowing you to stay informed wherever you are.

Registration is free for all Upson County residents. We encourage each family member to register their own phone number to ensure everyone receives critical information when it matters most.

👉 Sign up here: https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/?regionid=2130&fbclid=IwdGRjcASnhRhjbGNrBKeE-mV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHuDnA02OzNoTaTR7ek7GPaI2Qdcyl8-rgdTbdnVp-ylGK-9Qr-yzNb65MEG6_aem_3LBg_ys9gZWkXJdm6bUtFg

Being prepared starts with staying informed.

Upson County is able to send you emergency alerts via text message, email, pager, or voice mail (in extreme cases), based on your preferences. It is important that we collect this contact information because many households no longer utilize traditional land-based telephone lines. The system is int...

06/21/2026

🚒 Training in Perry 🚒

Today, Thurston members traveled to the Perry Training Center for a day of hands-on training alongside more than 10 fire departments from across the region.

Members trained on searching multi-story buildings for victims in a house fire scenario, utilizing the VEIS (Vent, Enter, Isolate, Search) method to improve victim rescue operations and learn how isolating a fire can buy valuable search time.

Special thanks to the Peachbelt FOOLS for putting on the training, Perry Fire Department for hosting, and Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services for providing the instructors.

Strong training like this helps us improve our skills so we can better serve and protect our community. 🚒🔥

06/18/2026

WEATHER ALERT

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for Upson County and surrounding areas until 11:00 PM tonight.

A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Now is the time to review your safety plan, make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, and know where you will seek shelter if warnings are issued.

✔️ Charge your phones
✔️ Keep weather alerts enabled
✔️ Identify your safe place now

-Thurston Fire Department 🚒

06/13/2026

Today, we join the fire service family in mourning the loss of one of our brothers from the Rockdale County Fire Rescue.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the firefighter’s family, friends, and the entire department during this incredibly difficult time. The loss of a firefighter is felt far beyond the walls of a single station—it impacts the entire fire service community.

May we honor their dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to serving others. Please keep everyone affected by this tragedy in your prayers as they navigate the days ahead.

Rest easy, brother. Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. ❤️🚒

06/08/2026

🚒 Happy Birthday, Chief Richard Hickmon! 🚒

Today we're celebrating the man who keeps us on our toes, answers the phone no matter the hour, and somehow always seems to have another project for us to do!

Thank you for your leadership, dedication, and the countless hours you put into serving both our department and our community. Your commitment to Thurston Volunteer Fire Department does not go unnoticed.

From all of us at Thurston, we wish you a very Happy Birthday and many blessings in the year ahead!

🎉🚒 Happy Birthday, Chief! 🚒🎉

06/05/2026

Road blocked
Deputies are working an accident with an overturned log truck at Crest Highway (Hwy 74 west)near Crestside Grill. The road is completely blocked. The driver did not suffer serious injuries.
Please avoid that area until the roadway is clear

Our county Volunteer Fire Department has extinguished the fire

GDOT is on scene

Traffic can detour by using Hebron Church Rd to Hendricks Church Rd or PICKARD and Fire tower to avoid the accident scene

Update:

The roadway has been cleared and is open for traffic

06/02/2026

Thank you to our firefighters, EMS personnel, Air Life crews, 911 dispatchers, and neighboring volunteer fire departments for your continued dedication and service. Together, we help keep our communities safe—day and night, rain or shine. 🚒🚑📞💙

- Thurston Fire Department 🚒

05/21/2026

Today, Thurston got to join in on the fun with Overcomers' Academy for their End of the Year Bash! 🎉🚒

We had a great time hanging out with the kids, enjoying the celebration, and helping make the day a little extra special. Thank you for having us out — we always love spending time with our community! ❤️