Middlefork Volunteer Fire and Rescue is a dedicated all-volunteer brotherhood and sisterhood delivering 24/7 all-hazards fire suppression, heavy rescue extrication, wilderness search & rescue support, and certified aeromedical helipad operations to Slade, Bowen, and the eastern third of Powell County.
Middlefork Volunteer Fire and Rescue is an independent, non-profit emergency service provider staffed 100% by volunteer firefighters, officers, rescue specialists, and support members who live and work right here in the community.
Middlefork Volunteer Fire and Rescue was formally established in 1992 by a committed group of local residents dedicated to bringing localized emergency fire protection to the rural hollows and scenic mountain corridors of eastern Powell County.
In 1993, through community fundraising, volunteer labor, and local support, our permanent fire station was erected at 9219 Campton Road, Slade, Kentucky. Located approximately two miles west of Nada, this facility remains the operational headquarters and training hub for Middlefork Fire/Rescue.
Our response district is one of the most geographically diverse and visited regions in the Commonwealth. Encompassing Slade, Bowen, Nada, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, and the rugged gateway to the Red River Gorge Geological Area, our volunteers protect thousands of full-time residents and millions of seasonal tourists, hikers, rock climbers, and campers every year.
Emergency incidents in the mountains demand seamless teamwork. Middlefork Fire/Rescue works side-by-side with regional partners to guarantee fast, coordinated mutual aid:
Every firefighter, driver, officer, and administrative responder gives their time without receiving a salary. All funding directly supports life-saving equipment, turnout gear, fuel, and apparatus maintenance.
We are equipped and certified to handle structure fires, motor vehicle crashes with heavy extrication, wildland & forest fires, off-road UTV accidents, and medical first-response incidents.
Middlefork Fire hosts a dedicated, certified Emergency Helipad for rapid aeromedical helicopter landings, dramatically slashing trauma transfer times from the Red River Gorge to Level-1 Trauma Centers in Lexington.
We work actively with local Powell County schools, civic groups, and campgrounds to present fire safety programs, smoke alarm installations, and wilderness fire prevention clinics.
From high-speed Mountain Parkway vehicle collisions to steep Appalachian cliffside rescues and structure fires in non-hydrant hollows, Middlefork Fire/Rescue is ready for any challenge.
Rapid response attack teams for residential homes, cabins, vacation rentals, commercial lodging, and barns. Operating two structural engines with preconnected attack lines, thermal imaging, and positive pressure ventilation.
Primary heavy extrication unit along the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway (KY-9000), KY-11, and winding scenic routes. Equipped with hydraulic cutters, spreaders (Jaws of Life), and vehicle stabilization struts.
Specialized initial attack on woodland fires, ridge-top brush blazes, and forest fires bordering the Daniel Boone National Forest. Utilizing 4x4 Brush apparatus, forestry hose, and wildland hand tools.
Lead agency support for search and rescue missions within Natural Bridge State Resort Park and eastern Powell County's portion of the Red River Gorge Geological Area, working alongside Powell County SAR.
Middlefork Fire operates an on-site, state-certified emergency landing zone (LZ) for aeromedical evacuation helicopters (Air Evac Lifeteam, PHI Air Medical, UK Kentucky Children's Hospital).
Eastern Powell County contains extensive rugged logging trails, recreational off-road vehicle routes, and steep slopes. Our volunteers deploy specialized gear to reach remote wilderness accident locations.
As detailed in our department profile, Middlefork Fire/Rescue operates two frontline structural engines, a high-capacity water tanker, a light rescue unit, and an all-terrain 4x4 brush truck.
Primary first-due structural response engine for residential and commercial alarms. Equipped with high-output fire pump, onboard water tank, and preconnected attack hose lines.
Secondary structural pumper providing backup attack capability, large-diameter supply hose lays, water relay operations, and mutual-aid deployment when requested across Powell County.
Vital mobile water supply for rural hollows, mountain ridges, and backcountry properties without municipal fire hydrants. Features high-capacity rapid rear dump and portable drop tank.
Specialized tactical unit for motor vehicle crashes, technical extrication, backcountry search & rescue support, high-angle rope gear, and medical first-response incidents.
High-clearance four-wheel-drive wildland attack unit capable of negotiating rugged logging roads, mountain ridgelines, and forest trails where full-size pumpers cannot travel.
Designated on-site emergency aeromedical landing zone at 9219 Campton Road, serving as the critical patient exchange hub between ground EMS and medical flight helicopters.
Under Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 149.370, seasonal outdoor burning restrictions are strictly enforced across Powell County to prevent devastating forest and wildland fires.
During the spring season, dead winter vegetation, fallen leaves, and rising winds create extreme fire propagation hazards during daylight hours.
Autumn leaf-drop combined with low humidity and drying autumn winds significantly elevates wildland fire danger in our Appalachian forests.
Regardless of season, every person lighting an outdoor fire is legally and civilly responsible for any damage caused if that fire escapes containment.
Because many homes and rental cabins in Slade and Bowen are nestled against forested ridges, maintaining defensible space is critical:
A functioning smoke alarm doubles your chances of surviving a residential structure fire:
Middlefork Fire/Rescue is 100% volunteer. When the pager sounds in eastern Powell County, it's ordinary men and women doing extraordinary work for their neighbors. No prior experience is needed — we provide full training and gear.
You do not have to run into burning buildings to make an immense impact. It takes a complete team to operate a volunteer fire and rescue department:
Interior and exterior fire suppression, attack hose handling, ventilation, forest fire containment, and search operations.
Operating our engines, tanker, and brush units, driving safely on mountain routes, drafting water, and managing pressure gauges.
Hydraulic extrication (Jaws of Life), CPR/First Aid medical first response, wilderness litter carry-outs, and Gorge search operations.
Incident scene rehab (water/hydration/cooling), station maintenance, community fundraising, public relations, and grant writing.
Interested in volunteering or learning more about our department? The fastest way to get in touch with our team, ask questions, or find out about our next training drill is to send us a message on Facebook.
Message Our Department on FacebookHave a question about burn regulations, fire safety programs, station tours, or department operations? We are here to help.
For structure fires, vehicle collisions, wildland fires, medical emergencies, or lost hikers, dial 911 immediately. Dispatched through Powell County 911 Communications.
Emergency Call: 911
Middlefork Volunteer Fire and Rescue
9219 Campton Road
Slade, KY 40376 (Eastern Powell County)
Approx. 2 miles west of Nada along KY-11
Chief of Department: Robert Campbell
Dispatch Center: Powell County 911 Dispatch Center
Affiliation: Powell County Fire Department