Swift Creek Fire Department

History


1960

Incorporated by members of Swift Creek / Macedonia community as Swift Creek Rural Fire Department, Incorporated. (June 7, 1960) ar1, sos

Board of Directors elected at a public meeting at Swift Creek School. (August 29, 1960) ar1

Officers elected at Board meeting. (September 13, 1960) ar1

First Fire Chief is Joe Womble. ar1

Fire department budget is supported by membership fees of up to ten dollars raised by members of the department. ar1

First fire engine is 1961 Chevrolet 70 Series / Howe pumper 500 GPM, 500 gallons is purchased for $14,769.98. ar1

Second fire engine is a tanker is constructed in Joe Womble's garage by mounting a 1,000 gallon tank donated from N.C. Butane Company on a 1946 Chevrolet 1 1/2 ton truck chassis purchased from Pine State Creamery for $150.00.  Board members "pass the hat" to raise funds to complete the purchase of the vehicle.  ar1

The newly formed fire department receives Civil Defense surplus property after the dissolution of the Western Boulevard Fire Department.  Received are two vehicles, miscellaneous equipment, and $1,000 in cash. 

Western Boulevard vehicles consist of:

  • 1943 Dodge 3/4 ton brush truck with 50 GPM pump and 300 gallon tank

  • Jeep with a two-way radio to be used by the Chief.  ar1

Last major item of equipment purchased is a 7 1/2 horsepower siren at a cost of $790.50. fdr, 2

1961

First barbecue supper held for purpose of fundraising. (February 18, 1961) ar1

Temporary fire station constructed in tin shed offered rent free by Lewis Furr.  Location is Tryon Road behind present site of Swift Creek Grocery. (late March) 2, oh

Fire district boundaries measuring a four-mile radius established by Wake County Fire Commission.  Also approved is County support in amount of $100 per month beginning in May.  Inspection of equipment by Fire Commission indicates meeting of minimum standards. (April 10, 1961) ar1

Second barbecue supper held for purpose of fundraising. (May 8, 1961)

Fire station site at 6115 Holly Springs Rd. leased for 18 years from Mr. Earl Franklin.  Mr. Franklin receives as rental, free fire protection service for houses he owns in the fire district not to exceed $55 in any given year. (July 31, 1961)ar1

Reduction of fire insurance rates in Swift Creek Fire District approved by NC Fire Rating Bureau. (August 15, 1961)ar1

Stanford Mizelle becomes Fire Chief.fdr

1962-1969

1962, construction of permanent fire station approved by Board of Directors. Concrete block building with 2800 square feet of floor space has estimated cost of $8,270.ar1

1962, fire department answers 27 calls between July 1, 1961 and June 30, 1962 fdr

1963, L. D. Warner becomes Fire Chief.  Serves until 1987.fdr

1963 fire department answers 34 calls between July 1, 1961 and June 30, 1962 fdr

1964, fire department answers 34 calls between July 1, 1961 and June 30, 1962 fdr

1970-1979

1971, fire department budget begins being supported by tax base of Swift Creek residents.  Five cents from every one-hundred dollars of tax money within the district is budgeted by the County to the fire department.fdr

1976 (?), apparatus delivery:  1976 Ford / Pierce pumper.

1980-1989

late '83 / early '84, present fire station constructed at 6000 Holly Springs Road. oh

mid-80's, apparatus delivery: Pierce pumper.

mid-80's, apparatus delivery: tanker, 2500 gallon capacity.

late-80's, apparatus delivery: tanker, 1500 gallon capacity.

1988, Harold Estes becomes Fire Chief.fdr

1990-1999

1990 (?), apparatus delivery: 1990 Chevy 3500 brush truck.

1993, First Responder service started. (Fall 1993)

1991, Robert Estes becomes Fire Chief.  Serves until 1994.fdr

2000-present

2000 (?), apparatus delivery:  1999 Pierce Dash 2000 pumper.

2000 (?), apparatus delivery: 1999 Pierce Lance service truck.

2001, extrication services started.

2002, apparatus delivery: 2002 brush truck.

Vehicles

See Wake County apparatus register.

Sources

  • ar1 First Annual Report
  • cfd Cary Fire Department records
  • dah NC Department of Archives and History
  • fdr Fire department records
  • oh Oral history
  • rt Raleigh Times
  • sos NC Department of the Secretary of State
  • wcfa Wake County Firemen's Association records

Last updated: June 16, 2004


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Copyright 2008 by Michael J. Legeros