*White County Fire Services recently joined the Camp Merrill Fire Department for a hands-on rope rescue training day at the army’s Camp Frank D. Merrill in Dahlonega. Participants worked through several scenarios involving highly technical rope systems designed to strengthen critical thinking, decision-making, and rescue skills. Interagency training for these high-risk, low-frequency incidents is invaluable and helps ensure responders are prepared when called upon, according to a White County Fire Services Facebook post.
*There’s a void at the top of the Demorest Police Department’s organizational chart. Both the chief and assistant chief have now resigned. Chief Casey Chastain announced plans this week to step down effective Oct. 7. No reason was given for his decision which follows Assistant Chief James Minutello’s resignation earlier this month. He’s taking a job with the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.