HISTORY

October 5, 1948 – A fire broke out in a hotel located on Route 11 at the intersection of Red Hill Road. A kerosene heater started the fire and the care taker of the hotel died in the fire. Lexington & Staunton fire departments responded to the fire. 

October 7, 1948 – A meeting consisting of the property owners in and near Fairfield was held at the Fairfield School to discuss establishing a formal means of fire protection. The Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department was founded as a result of this meeting. The Fairfield United Methodist Church bell would sound to alert firemen when there was a fire. Fire Department meetings were held at Fairfield School. Kenneth Althouse elected as First Fire Chief.

November 1948 – Bought first fire pump for $315.00. Gas powered pump, 50 feet of suction hose, 1000 feet of discharge hose and other accessories were bought for a total of $940.76. A wagon was built in the AG shop at Fairfield School to carry the pump. Members installed trailer hitches on their vehicles to pull the wagon to fires.

December 1949 – H. L. Engleman elected as Fire Chief

January 1953 – The fire department received a charter from the state corporation commission and is known as South River District Volunteer Fire Department Inc. (the name change was because there is a “Fairfield” Volunteer Fire Department already in VA.)

January 1953 – J. P. Arehart elected as Fire Chief

March 1953 – First fire engine was bought. 1953 Ford F-750 bought from Roby Motor Company in Buena Vista VA and sent to Elmira NY to be equipped. The truck had a high pressure pump and 500 gallons of water.

April 1953 – Jeff Fitzgerald gave land to build a firehouse. Members built the building and had it finished before the arrival of the first fire engine.

August 1954 – First carnival was held

November 1955 – 2-way radios bought

April 1956 – E. O. Huffman Jr. elected as Fire Chief

September 1956 – First tanker bought. It was a 1952 Ford F-800 that carried 1000 gallons of water. It was sent to Rock Island Ill to LaFrance Company to be equipped.

February 1959 – The first ambulance was bought. A Dodge Plymouth station wagon was bought from Lexington Motor Sales in Lexington VA for $2500. The South River District Volunteer Rescue Squad was formed and went into operation when the ambulance was equipped.

June 1959 – A decision was made for the fire department and first aid crew to become two separate organizations. The two would still operate out of one building. The fire department agreed to give half of their money to the first aid crew for 10 years, and 1/3 the profit from the carnival for 10 years.

December 1959 – Two Motorola walkie talkies were bought for $ 500

April 1963 – Roosevelt Staton elected as Fire Chief

May 1964 – Scott air packs bought for $250 each

April 1966 – Donnie Fox elected as Fire Chief

September 1968 – A new tanker placed in service. 1968 F-800, 250 GPM, 1000 gallons of water (Tanker #2, later changed to Tanker 72)

September 1969 – A first aid building was built by members of the fire department and first aid crew, on land given by the fire department.

November 1974 – A new fire engine placed in service. 1974 F-700, 750 GMP, 750 gallons of water (Engine #1, later changed to Engine 71)

February 1975 – Sold the first engine and first tanker to Jack L. Slagle Fire Equipment of South Boston VA for $ 2400

April 1975 - Steve Wilmer elected as Fire Chief

December 1981 - The position of Second Assistant Fire Chief was created

December 1986 – First brush truck placed in service. 1985 F-350, 250 GPM, 250 gallons of water (Brush 75)

January 1988 – Utility vehicle placed in service. 1988 suburban (Utility 73)

July 1988 – A new fire engine placed in service. 1987 F800, 1000 GPM, 1000 gallons of water (Engine 71)

June 1993 - Moved into a new fire station (current location)

October 1998 – Celebrated 50 years of service

January 1999 - Upgraded all air packs to Survivair Panther 4500 psi

January 1999 - Went to high band radio system

April 1999 – A new fire engine placed in service. 1999 Freightliner FL-80, 1250 GMP, 1250 gallons of water and 40 gallons of foam  (Engine 74)

June 1999 – Obtained a BLS non-transport emergency medical services license

March 2001 – First hurst tools bought

May 2001 – A new tanker placed in service. 2001 Western star 4900SA, 1250 GPM, 2500 gallons of water (Tanker 72)

April 2002 – First Thermal Imaging Camera bought. Bullard commander.

April 2003 – Ben Wilmer elected as Fire Chief

February 2005- New apparatus placed in service. 2004 F-250 (Response 73)

March 2006 – New brush truck placed in service. 2005 F-350, 300 GPM, 300 gallons of water and 10 gallons of foam (Brush 75)

February 2008 - First 5 inch supply line purchased. 1000 feet.

History compiled by: Leo Clemmer, Steve Wilmer, Ben Wilmer, Jamie Wilmer, Lance Rowsey, Kelly Snyder, Patrick Snyder, & Joseph Bahhur