Congratulations to Aurora Leftwich, a first-grade student and the Grand Prize Winner of the Franklin Fire Department's 2026 Fire Prevention Week Helmet Shield Design Contest! Aurora's winning design will be reproduced on a real fire helmet shield displayed on Sparky the Fire Dog at Franklin Fire Station 8 in Westhaven. She will also receive a $100 Visa gift card! The contest invited Williamson County students to create designs inspired by this year's Fire Prevention Week theme, “Charge Into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower!” Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to every student who participated! Special thanks to Atmos Energy for sponsoring the prizes. View all the winning designs: bit.ly/4zcdixE

The Franklin Fire Department was dispatched to a reported commercial structure fire at the Lasko fan manufacturing facility at 300 Confederate Drive today (10/29) at 10:08 AM. According to Fire Marshal Andy King, a vacuum pump motor near the roof overheated, producing a significant amount of smoke inside the building. Employees used a dry chemical fire extinguisher on the overheated motor and began evacuating the facility. Upon arrival, Franklin Firefighters confirmed there was no active fire and worked to clear the smoke from the building. Two employees were treated for smoke inhalation and transported to the hospital by Williamson Health EMS. Firefighters remained on scene for more than an hour to ensure the building was safe. Lasko closed the facility for the remainder of the day while repairs were made.

Two Fires. Two Sprinklers. Zero Tragedies. Halloween is days away, but the scariest hazards don't come from costumes or haunted houses - they start with an overheated motor or an unattended stove. This month, automatic fire sprinklers proved their value twice in Franklin, stopping two separate structure fires before firefighters arrived. Contrary to the Hollywood myth that every sprinkler head discharges at once, a single sprinkler head activated in each incident to control the fire: •October 7 | Aloft Hotel (South Springs Dr.) – 8:40 PM A fire broke out inside an elevator motor at the six-story, 174-room hotel. A single fire sprinkler head extinguished the fire at the source. While guests were relocated during ventilation and cleanup, the building suffered minimal structural impact and reopened two days later. •October 25 | Single-Family Home (Johnson Circle) – 3:50 AM An unattended stovetop grease fire ignited in the early morning hours. When an occupant attempted to move the flaming skillet, grease splashed onto nearby curtains and blinds. A second resident was asleep down the hall. A single fire sprinkler head activated, knocked down the fire, and allowed both occupants to escape uninjured. The house remained habitable. Two different buildings, two different fire types, and two catastrophic losses prevented by the nearest sprinkler doing its job. Kitchen Safety Reminder from the Franklin Fire Department: Never leave cooking unattended and never carry a burning pan. If a grease fire starts, slide a metal lid or baking sheet over the pan to smother the flames, turn off the burner, and call 911. #firesprinklersave

Today is National First Responders Day, and we want to recognize the dedicated men and women who help keep Franklin safe! We're especially proud of the outstanding work our @FranklinTNPD and @FranklinFire Departments do every day. From responding to emergencies to helping residents in their time of need, their dedication to serving our community makes a difference. We also want to thank Williamson Health EMS, Williamson County public safety agencies, dispatchers, and all the first responders who keep our community safe. Thank you for your service, your dedication, and everything you do for Franklin!

The Franklin Fire Department would like to recognize and thank Eagle Scout candidate David Taylor for designing and building a specialized drying station for its Hazmat Team! David, the younger brother of Franklin FF Charles Taylor, created the station to dry Level A hazmat suits after they have been worn and cleaned. These suits provide the highest level of protection against hazardous substances. The new drying station will help firefighters return the protective equipment to service more quickly and efficiently. David developed the design, tested a prototype, secured the necessary approvals, and organized volunteers to complete the project. With the help of seven Scouts and three adult volunteers, the drying station was built over two days, totaling 64 volunteer hours. David recently delivered the completed drying station to Fire Station 6, where he demonstrated how it works. The FFD appreciates David's hard work, creativity, and commitment to supporting its firefighters, as well as the volunteers who helped make this project possible! Photos: 1) The completed Level A hazmat suit drying station. 2) Capt.-P Dustin Anderson, Lt. Anthony Sedlak, and David Taylor. 3) David Taylor with his brother, Franklin FF Charles Taylor.

Calling all young artists! There's still time to enter the Franklin Fire Department's Fire Helmet Shield Design Contest! Students in grades K–8 are invited to design a new fire helmet shield for Sparky the Fire Dog, inspired by the 2026 Fire Prevention Week theme, “Charge Into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower!” One grand prize winner will receive a $100 Visa gift card, and nine additional winners will each receive a $50 Visa gift card! Deadline: Sunday, October 25! Contest details and entry form: franklintn.gov/FFDcontest Prizes generously provided by Atmos Energy.

HELP US BRING LOVED ONES HOME SAFE. Last year, the Franklin Police Department launched Home Safe Franklin, a voluntary program designed to help officers quickly and safely reunite vulnerable individuals with their families or caregivers if they wander or become disoriented. The program is available for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, Down syndrome, or other cognitive or developmental challenges that may increase their risk of wandering. Families and caregivers can provide important information, including a recent photo, physical description, known routines, and emergency contacts, so officers have critical information available when every minute counts. IMPORTANT UPDATE: Home Safe Franklin now has a new registration tool. Whether you are registering a loved one for the first time or previously enrolled in the program, you will need to register using the new system. Taking a few minutes to register today could make a tremendous difference during an emergency. Help us be prepared before a loved one goes missing. Learn more and register: franklintn.gov/government/de…

Flashback Friday – Remember Baby William? Back in 2024, the Franklin Fire Department helped bring William into the world! Shortly thereafter, his parents brought him to Fire Station 2 for a special reunion with the firefighters who helped deliver him. Fast forward two years… we were thrilled to see William and his mom, Kim, again this week at Story Time with the Franklin Fire Department at the Williamson County Public Library! Two-year-old William is still as adorable as ever! Pictured: 2024 – Lieutenant-Paramedic Joe Burwell and Lieutenant Jeff Boggs with baby William. 2026 – Engineer-Paramedic Matt Anderson with William and his mom, Kim.

Congratulations to the 11 graduates of the Franklin Fire Department’s 18th Citizens’ Fire Academy! Over eight weeks, participants got a firsthand look at what it takes to be a firefighter through hands-on training in vehicle extrication, search and rescue, hose and aerial operations, live firefighting, and emergency medical response, including a special visit from LifeFlight! This annual free program gives those who live or work in Franklin a behind-the-scenes look at fire department operations and the challenges firefighters face every day. A special thank you to Captain Jonathan Gill, who coordinated the academy, and all the Franklin Fire Department personnel who helped make this year's program a success! Learn more at franklintn.gov/CFA

A big thank-you to the 200+ people who joined the Franklin Fire Department for Story Time at the Williamson County Public Library today! There's another chance to join the fun this Thursday, October 15! Franklin Firefighters will once again be the special guest readers for Story Time, followed by a fire truck tour and firefighting gear demonstration. Two Story Time sessions: 9:30 and 10:30 AM Location: Williamson County Public Library, 1314 Columbia Avenue, Franklin (Meeting Room) All ages welcome. No registration required. Hope to see you there!

Charge large items like e-bikes, scooters, and power tools outside when possible. Do not block exits when charging. These batteries store more energy, and fires can grow quickly if they fail. Learn more: franklintn.gov/FirePreventio…

Unplug your device when it is fully charged. Leaving it plugged in longer than needed can increase heat and stress on the battery. Learn more: franklintn.gov/FirePreventio…

A damaged battery can overheat and start a fire. Stop using your device right away if the battery smells strange, is warm to the touch, makes popping noises, changes in shape or color, or if you see smoke. If it is safe, move the device away from anything that can catch fire. Learn more: franklintn.gov/FirePreventio…

Beds, couches, and pillows can trap heat and block airflow, which can cause a battery to overheat. Charge on a hard, flat surface like a table, desk, or floor. Learn more: franklintn.gov/FirePreventio…

Not all chargers are created equal. Using the wrong charger can damage your device or battery and increase the risk of fire. Use the charger that came with your device or one approved by the manufacturer. Learn more: franklintn.gov/FirePreventio…

Are you charging your devices safely? For Fire Prevention Week, FFD Deputy Fire Marshal and Fire Investigator Jerry Thomas shares simple steps you can take to help prevent fires involving lithium-ion batteries. Using the right charger, charging devices on a hard, flat surface, and knowing the warning signs of a damaged battery can help reduce the risk of fire. Jerry also explains why it’s important to check whether products in your home have been recalled because of fire or explosion hazards. Check your products at franklintn.gov/Recalls. For more safe-charging tips and resources, visit franklintn.gov/FirePreventio…. “Charge Into Fire Safety. Safe Charging is a Super Power!”

Several lanes on I-65 south near the McEwen Rd. exit are closed due to an injury crash involving multiple vehicles. Please seek an alternate route if possible.

Calling all young artists in grades K–8! Sparky the Fire Dog needs a new fire helmet shield, and your design could be the one he wears! In honor of Fire Prevention Week, the Franklin Fire Department is asking students to create a helmet shield inspired by this year’s theme: “Charge Into Fire Safety. Safe Charging is a Super Power!” The Grand Prize Winner will receive a $100 Visa gift card, and their design will be made into a custom helmet shield for Sparky. Nine First Place Winners, one from each grade level, K–8, will each receive a $50 Visa gift card. Prizes are courtesy of Atmos Energy. Entries are due Friday, October 30. Contest guidelines, entry form and helmet shield template: franklintn.gov/FFDcontest Show us your creativity and help give Sparky a brand-new look!

🚨 Missing Juvenile 🚨 The Franklin Police Dept. is looking for Aytana Nicol Garcia Tovar, 11. She was last seen on foot near the 800 block of Del Rio Pk. around 3 p.m. and may be on foot. She was wearing a black long sleeve t-shirt and purple shorts. If you have information on her whereabouts, please contact 9-1-1.