West McCracken Fire / Rescue

06/11/2026

Today we had the opportunity to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the all new Paducah/McCracken County radio system. This modern P-25 digital radio system will allow us to have more clear and consistent radio communications throughout McCracken County. In addition to all new equipment at the E-911 dispatch center, we were able to secure all new handheld radios for our members, new mobile radios installed in all of our apparatus, and all of the necessary accessories to utilize the system’s potential. It has been our experience so far that the radio coverage for the western portion of McCracken County is exceeding our expectations, while providing the ability for more reliable communications than we have had in years past. This will undoubtedly help us to provide an even better service to our tax payers while also helping to ensure the safety of our firefighters. In addition, this new system provides the valuable benefit of added flexibility and customization that will serve us well into the future as our needs continue to evolve. Thank you to all of the leadership, representatives, departments/agencies and personnel that helped make this upgrade and transition possible.

05/16/2026

This past Monday night we enjoyed training with mutiple departments on pump operations. Firefighters practiced general pump operations, simulated drafting water from a static water source such as a pond or a pool, and relay pumping. Thanks to Chris Peeler with KY State Fire Rescue for helping us facilitate the training!

05/05/2026

Tonight before training began we had a moment of prayer as we often do any night that we incorporate a meal. However, tonight despite not having a meal it felt very necessary. This passed week has been an exceptionally difficult time for our community, neighbors, fellow departments, and some of our own members. While we are thankful for our ability to train this evening to better serve our community, we know that our brothers at Concord Fire Protection District are still navigating the recent loss of one of their members. We also have multiple firefighters of our own department with family members that are in serious condition in the hospital and as a result they were not able to attend training tonight. Know that the members of West McCracken are thinking of you, praying for you, and are here for you.

This evening we were privileged to have State Fire Instructor Chris Peeler with State Fire Rescue bring the smoke maze trailer for some hands on training evolutions. This gives firefighters an opportunity to exercise their victim search and rescue skills while also testing their abilities to navigate tight spaces where visibility is extremely limited. We also had some firefighters attend from Hendron Fire Department and the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant Fire Department.

05/01/2026

Prayers for everyone affected by this tragic accident and for our brothers with the Concord Fire Protection District, as they navigate this difficult time.

This morning our department suffered a tragic loss. Responders were dispatched to the 9800 block of Blandville Road for a 2 vehicle crash at around 5:30 A.M. Upon arrival it was found that Concord Firefighter Kameron Bristoe was killed in this collision. Another victim was transported to an out of state hospital for treatment.

First and foremost please keep the family of Firefighter Bristoe in your thought and prayers, Kameron leaves behind a wife and 3 young children. Please also keep the other victim in your thoughts and prayers as well as all the responders on the scene and fire department family he leaves behind.

We also want to show our appreciation to West McCracken Fire Department, Lone Oak Fire Department, Mercy Regional EMS, McCracken County Rescue Squad, McCracken County Coroner’s Office, Emergency Management, and McCracken County Sheriff’s Office for all their support during this time.

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us at West McCracken Fire Department.

We are grateful to serve such a strong and caring community. This season is a time to reflect on family neighbors and the spirit of looking out for one another.

We wish everyone a safe joyful and peaceful Christmas and a wonderful holiday season.

11/15/2025

UPDATE

We would like for our community and fellow agncies to join us in prayer for one of our devoted members Guy Smith (West McCracken 512) who is currently in serious condition after a vehicle accident yesterday evening. Out of respect for the family’s privacy we are not releasing any more specific details at this time.

UPDATE from Donna Smith (Guy Smith’s wife): Since most know already it is Guy. All I will ask for is prayers. I’m not going into details I am just holding on. I’m ok I’m with him, please say a prayer for us and especially the boys.

11/15/2025

We would like for our community and fellow agncies to join us in prayer for one of our devoted members Guy Smith (West McCracken 512) who is currently in serious condition after a vehicle accident yesterday evening. Out of respect for the family’s privacy we are not releasing any more specific details at this time.

UPDATE from Donna Smith (Guy Smith’s wife): Since most know already it is Guy. All I will ask for is prayers. I’m not going into details I am just holding on. I’m ok I’m with him, please say a prayer for us and especially the boys.

08/17/2025

Lt. Corey Howard and firefighters Paxton Boldry and Dylan Grief spent the weekend achieving their swift-water rescue technician certificates. This 32 hour course not only prepares personnel to rescue potential victims, but to also be able to self rescue and look out for each other in a multitude of circumstances. This training will prove valuable in scenarios involving stranded motorists in flooded vehicles, rescues performed in areas involving water current, performing water rescues using throw ropes, and operating a boat for the purpose of rescue. The weekend was filled with learning individual skills and then putting those individual skills to work during multiple scenarios and exercises.

Having firefighters from multiple departments throughout McCracken county attend the same training will prove most valuable any time the need arises, as this will allow all of our departments to be able to work together even more seamlessly. A great job by everyone involved and a big thank you to Reidland-Farley FD for being top notch hosts!

07/18/2025

We would like to reach out to our community and brothers and sisters from all emergency response organizations in the surrounding area, in order to provide an update on our Chief Donald Elrod.

Chief Elrod has been battling pancreatic cancer since the beginning of this year. From day one, Chief Elrod has vowed to fight this battle not just for himself, but for his family, his department, and the community for which he has selflessly served since 1962.

In the past weeks, Chief Elrod was admitted to a nursing and rehabilitation facility following some complications. We are pleased to share that Chief Elrod recently arrived home, where he will receive around-the-clock care that is 100% focused on his individual needs. He is currently home enjoying the company of his loved ones and visits from friends and colleagues.

While we hope to receive more information in the coming days on the status of his condition:

- We ask that our community and the many people that Donald Elrod has touched the lives of join us in invoking the power of prayer and continue to have the Elrod family in your thoughts.

- Pray for our members as we continue to navigate our way through the absence of our long-time leader, mentor, friend, and father figure.

- Pray for our officers and leadership as we ensure the vital mission and commitments to our community continue. That we may continue our path in a way that will undoubtedly allow our chief to rest without worry and, above all, make him proud.

God bless West McCracken 501 and his community for which he is so dedicated.

- Lieutenant Corey Howard

06/10/2025

Thanks to the children at Spring Bayou Baptist Church for your kindness in providing us with some snacks and some beautiful cards! Helping people in our community and snacks are always at the top of our priority list!😁