Having a crystal ball would make life much easier.
For people who live and work in Highlands and Cashiers, the future is always a hot topic. With tourism booming, a red hot real estate market, and major developments in the works, there is a lot of positive momentum and also a lot of uncertainty as to what the two communities will look like in 20 years.
One thing is certain however, Highlands and Cashiers are both in great shape when it comes to emergency services and fire departments.
Saturday morning marked the grand opening of the Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad station in Cashiers. The new facility, directly adjacent to US64 and less than a half mile from the crossroads, is a big addition for the organization.
Rescue squad captain Nat Turner beamed as he talked about the faster response times to the heart of Cashiers as well as the benefits for property owners near the crossroads. He was right to be excited, as the new facility is a clear asset to many nearby homes and businesses.
The new substation, which welcomed the community for a grand opening event Saturday, is the third major EMS/fire facility to open on the plateau in the past two years.
The Town of Highlands relocated the Highlands Fire Department to Franklin Road in 2023. What was hailed as a step into the future of firefighting, the Highlands Fire Department is among the finest facilities anywhere in the Southeast – especially when compared to facilities in communities of similar size.
Cashiers Fire and Rescue opened its fifth substation near the entrance of Wade Hampton Country Club in January 2024. With the main fire station on Frank Allen Road in an ideal location, and substations strategically located around the community, the department is set up to handle its call volume for years to come.
While there is no way to know what the future of life in Highlands and Cashiers will look like, it is comforting to know that our first responders are well equipped to handle the changing landscape.