Who We Are

Welcome to West Yadkin Volunteer Fire Dept., Inc.

1959-1966

It was the beginning of an era. The West Yadkin Volunteer Fire Department was formed in order to address the need for fire protection services in western Yadkin County. This movement was made possible through the efforts of concerned and dedicated citizens of which many would go on to become the department’s first members. Nearly all the funds to obtain a location and equipment were made possible through donations. Finally after many man hours a location was secured and bare bones equipment and turnout gear was obtained in late 1959. An apparatus was also received by the end of October 1959. The first station was a converted barn located just north of Brooks Crossroads across from where the current station stands today. The first apparatus for the department was a state of the art American LaFrance pumper on a Chevrolet chassis that was purchased at a cost of $10,000. This apparatus was one of the most modern around and quickly became known to the department as “Old Faithful”.

Boone Trail Fire Department

The department was originally going to be called Boone Trail Fire Department, as Hwy 421 was just around the corner and was the main road from Winston-Salem to Boone, NC. It was decided though to name it West Yadkin.

The department was officially chartered on November 12th, 1959 and was the 7th Fire Company to be established to provide fire protection services in Yadkin County. Between 1956 and 1958 the other Fire Companies were organized except for Boonviile, which started in 1941. Four other Companies would be established over the next several years.

The first Fire Chief was Dwight Money. The membership at the Department’s inception totaled 18 men, which quickly grew to 27. Soon after, the traffic patrol division was formed and became 25 members strong. The West Yadkin Firemen continued to use a hard work ethic that had gotten them to this point through the years.

Funds continued to come in, many in the form of donations still. The fleet of apparatus grew to include “Old Faithful”, an auxiliary pumper, a tanker, and a patrol wagon. Plans for a new building had been in place as the fleet began to grow.

Finally in 1966, a new location was selected and a new building was built on land that was donated by Dwight Money. The building included 3 bays and some of the basic amenities of a typical home. The location, which was across the street from the original station, would become the location of the departments headquarters until present day. The construction material cost totaled $10,000, as much of the material was again donated. At this time West Yadkin Firemen were responding to about a call a week on average for help, and had even responded as far away as Wilkesboro to assist. The real measures that made this all possible other than the members was the great support from the community.

1967-1972

Support and membership in the department began to grow, and as more and more advanced technologies and equipment became available, West Yadkin Firemen stayed with the times. More modern communications equipment, turnout gear, and tools were purchased. Call volume continued to increase, and planning for the future continued to be a priority for the members. Being at the forefront of technology was a grand ideal of the department. In line with that, the department purchased another new apparatus. It was a 1972 Ford pumper purchased new with a John Bean Pump. This apparatus was retired in September 2013.

1973-1989

During this era, the department took more and more efforts to make the department better, and the community safer. Designated water points and dry hydrants were created, and more equipment, including SCBAs were purchased. These devices did not become a regularly used tool until several years later. Today of course, SCBA use is mandated and a requirement for interior fire suppression operations.

It was during this time that the Buck Shoals and Lone Hickory Fire Departments were established, which helped shape our primary district into the one we know today.

In 1984, David Brown was elected as Fire Chief and would become the longest serving Chief as he remained in this position until his retirement 28 years later. Additional apparatus were obtained including a larger tanker, a brush truck, and a small equipment truck. With that, room at the station began to get cramped.

Plans for two larger single bays were created and in the late 1980s, the addition was made on the south side of the station. Shortly after that, the department placed into service another tanker, which was on a 1988 Mack chassis. Plans for a new Engine Company had also been made. The West Yadkin Fire Department would be known for having several firsts in the County, including this new Engine. Being it was the first apparatus to be considered a custom cab apparatus. It was a custom Grumman Mack Engine Company, which is in service today as Engine 1802.

1990-2005

By this time, the West Yadkin Fire Department was one of the busiest and most technologically advanced departments in Yadkin County. Membership would be at its highest during this time and up to present day. Newer equipment and tools continued to be purchased to keep our firefighters safe and to better serve the community. By this point a tax base had been established for county fire departments to ensure an adequate funding of the departments.

In 1995 another new tanker was order to replace the existing one. It was a 1995 International/Semo tanker, and was also another first to Yadkin County. It was the first tandem axle truck and the first elliptical tanker. In addition it carried the largest amount of water at 2000 gallons. As the new tanker was placed in service, the Mack tanker was refurbished and converted into a service/rescue company. The chassis had a 21′ Hackney rescue body placed on it. The truck remains in service today as our rescue and support truck.

Later on in this era, the medical and first responder program was established. With that, some of our members became trained to deliver basic life support or BLS and began responding to medical calls along with EMS. This was based on the fact that there were more fire stations and first responders available than EMS units and could get to patients faster.

In 2004 two Ford apparatus were purchased. One would become our QRV or medical truck and the other was our Brush or Wildland truck. These replaced the old brush truck and the old medical/equipment truck. These two units are in service today. The medical truck is also part of the water rescue unit.

In the later parts of this time, the station was once again remodeled. The two large single bays were extended to create 2 large drive through bays that would allow parking for four apparatus. Plans for a new custom engine were also begun and specifications began in 2005.

Unfortunately, there were no Ladder Companies operating in Yadkin County in spite of several large commercial facilities. As fate would have it, one of these buildings in Yadkinville’s area caught fire, and Ladders from Lewisville and Mocksville had to be called from outside Yadkin County. The location was also West Yadkin’s second due response area. As a result of the incident, the purchasing of a Ladder Company was made a priority.

2012-2019

2012 marked the ending of an era as Fire Chief David Brown retired after 36 years of service, of which he spent 28 consecutively as the Fire Chief. Kenneth Dowell was elected Fire Chief.

In 2013 the department made one of the biggest advances since 2006. The department purchased its newest apparatus to the fleet, Rescue Engine 1804, which replaced old “West Yadkin Number 1 (1804). In addition, equipment for technical high-angle rope rescue was purchased as well.

The department also became a member of the NC State Rescue Association. The awarding of State and Federal grants was a big help in pushing the department ahead and expanding its services.

By 2014 it was apparent that Ladder 18 was going to have to be replaced due to growing maintenance issues and costs. The search began for a replacement and by mid-2014 a new ladder company had been found. The 1996 Pierce 100′ Platform was purchased and later put in service to replace not only Ladder 18 but Rescue 1818 as well. This was done because both Ladder 18 and Rescue 1818 were both dated apparatus along with the maintenance issues with the Ladder. These two vehicles also were not as safe as the newer ladder truck, and with consideration to the larger size of the new Tower Ladder and the payload of equipment it could carry, it was decided to consolidate the two apparatus functions into the new Ladder.

Tower Ladder 18 became the newest apparatus to join our fleet and retired two pieces of proud West Yadkin history. It marked the second major apparatus replacement and upgrade under Chief Dowell’s command.

Today additional apparatus and equipment replacements continue to be planned for in order to keep the department’s fleet modern and best fit to serve. The paid staff coverage was expanded from Monday through Friday to seven days a week in January 2015.

From 2015 to 2018 our department has continued to advance its services and capabilities by planning and budgeting for many new tools and pieces of equipment. In particular, our rescue services greatly expanded with the purchase of items such as additional rope rescue hardware and Paratech rescue struts and airbags which occurred in 2018.

In the summer of 2018 Fire Chief Kenneth Dowell stepped down after 6 years of service as Chief. During his time as Chief, the department seen some of its biggest advancements in service and expansion of services.

Upon Chief Dowell’s resignation, the Board of Directors appointed then Deputy Chief Chris Messick as the interim Chief until July when he officially took on the role of Fire Chief. Picking up where Chief Dowell had left off, Chief Messick and his staff continued to pursue the task of lowering the ISO Rating of the department. In this process, the department worked to plan many projects including a new training facility for our members and obtained around 30 additional rural water points, and began the process to certify them with the DOI to help homeowners in the immediate area by qualifying them for lower homeowners insurance premiums.

2019-Present

COVID-19 …

After years of talking about an upgrade and update of the station and after hundreds of hours working on a renovation project. The plans have been drawn, approved by our Board of Directors, and approved by Yadkin County Building/Permitting. With this new adventure comes the parting of ways with three of our apparatus. Car 18, Squad 1815, and our War Wagon – Engine 1802. Brush 1814 is moved into Engine 1802 bay and the project is underway. The bid for construction was won by Landmark Builders out of Winston-Salem, NC and this is their first construction project in Yadkin County. After months of hard work and teamwork with the command staff, the project comes to life. After some months, the project is done, 2 private bedrooms, a bunk room for 6, a day room, a new ADA-compliant bathroom, and vending area. New flooring and painting is done throughout the building to match our newly remodeled area. This project was done after years of saving taxpayer dollars for a building remodel and this was it, no loan, just paid in full!

The goal of lowering the rating district-wide continues to be pursued. We are one of the busiest fire stations in Yadkin County and have some of the largest numbers of certified Firefighters, Technical Rescuers, and EMTs in the county. As we enter 2021 we have prepared ourselves to be evaluated by OSFM/DOI for our regrade. The day has arrived, we have trained, we have thought problems out, we do, and now we wait to find out the results… to be continued September 1st, 2021 ISO Grade 4/9e!

Our officers have been extremely busy working on grants, the construction of Engine 1802, and seeking to advance our rescue services for our department. We were grateful to place in service on February 9th, 2023 our 2022 Pierce Enforcer Engine. Now as of May 26th, 2023 we are proud to say that the West Yadkin Volunteer Fire Department was awarded the title as a NC Heavy Rescue provider. We hope to continue to expand our services and keep providing the best services that we can.

As time continues, our department will grow and so will this page. We look forward to continuing to do what we have for over 64 years in serving our community and neighbors in Yadkin County.