A local fire and rescue department is dispatching assistance to western North Carolina

“Seeing how scary it was up there, I knew we had to do something.”

COLUMBUS COUNTY (WWAY) — First responders from across the state descended on western North Carolina to assist with rescues and more.
Nikina is home to a one-of-a-kind fire and rescue department, and Chase Soles, one of the youngest fire chiefs in Columbus County, is pulling it out of a nearly month-long suspension. And he is on a mission to help others, whether here, locally, or far away.

“We didn’t really get hit hard here. I monitored the weather situation all night long and seeing how devastating it was up there, I knew we had to do something,” Soles says.
This is how you give a helping hand.
“They help answer calls to the Black Mountain Fire Department. They helped in rescue operations. Some of the calls they couldn’t help,” Soles says.
Four members of the 40-person crew were dispatched to Buncombe County to assist with the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Captain Bobby Nichols and firefighters Chris Chinni, Adam Voyales and Joey Santos are the crew who can help.
“These guys have ever been on deployment. They didn’t really know what to expect. I told them to make sure you have all the necessary things,” Soles said.
The crew left on Friday. They were released from their duties on Monday, September 30.
“There was no cell service. I couldn’t get up with the guys for at least three hours,” Soles says.
However, he had no doubt that they would not be able to complete this task.
“I can’t thank my boys enough for leaving their families behind – responding to emergencies in another county and risking lives they’ve never met.”