Cherry Lane Volunteer Fire Department
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History



Cherry Lane Volunteer Fire Departments First Roster


Officers
Tommy Andrews Chief
David Woodruff Assistant Chief
Jerry Brooks Captain
Charles Williams Lieutenant
Gale Halsey Safety Officer
Staley Wood Chaplain


Firefighters
Johnny Adams Joe McKnight
Patsy Andrews Gary Miles
Michael Andrews James Miles
Wayne Andrews Mack Osborne
Carl Blevins Andy Royal
Junior Bottomley Arron Royal
Neal Brooks Benjamin Royal
Donald Choate Ricky Royal
Randy Choate Allan Shaw
Russell Choate Alvin Choate
Boyd Crouse James D. Smith
Hobert Dowell James L. Smith
Dennis Durham Gilmer Stoker
Wayne Evans Joe Stoker
Steven Faw Kenny Stoker
David Fender William Todd
Gary Halsey John Toliver
Lillie Mae Halsey Pauline Williams
Ina Hawkins Robert Williams
Elgin Jones Roger Williams
Gregory Lyons Byron Woodruff
James McKnight



EQUIPMENT
  • Various types of Firefighting Apparatus were studied before purchases were made
  • Purchased 12 complete turnout gear at a cost of approximately $1800.00
    Included (helmets, pants, boots and gloves)


FIRST FIRE DEPARTMENT VEHICLE
  • "Brush Buggie" 1962 Dodge 4x4 military vehicle donated by the N.C Forest Service
  • Used for fighting forest fires and off road fires
  • Volunteers worked night and day to construct the tank and do all necessary plumbing
  • Invested approximately $14,000.00


RADIO EQUIPMENT
  • $3,600.00 worth of radio equipment used in the form of pagers (12) worn by firemen during their daily work schedules
  • Another $1700.00 was donated by the N.C Forest Service through the application of a grant, for the purchase of more radio equipment


FIRE TRUCKS

New Pumper
  • Built by "Emergency-One" in Ocala, Florida
  • Ordered special chassis(New 1980 GMC Series 7000) to get exact options needed
  • May 21st, 1979 purchased first apparatus from "Emergency-One" for a total of $55,000
  • November 30th, 1979 members traveled to Ocala, Florida to pick up the apparatus
  • Took the apparatus to South Boston, Virginia where lights, airens, extinguishers, and ladders were installed
  • 10 firefighters traveled to South Boston, Virginia to pick up the truck and to be trained on the pump
  • Decemeber 26th, 1979 new pumper was put in service
New Tanker
  • 1980 GMC series 7000 with a 1250 gallon tank
  • All aluminum
  • Built by "Emergency-One"
  • March 5th, 1980 new tanker was put in service


ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT
  • 24 Uniforms at $146.00 = $3,516.00
  • 24 pairs of gloves at $11.25 = $270.00
  • 1 pumper 500 GPM (Includes: Hose, Ladders, Fire Axes, Nozzles, etc.) at $70,000.00
  • 1 tanker 1000 gallons at $33,000.00
  • 4 breathing apparatus at $2,000.00
  • 24 pagers at $4,800.00
  • 1 base radio at $2,000.00
  • 3 two way radios at $2,700.00
  • 1 siren 10 HP at $2,000.00
  • 1 smoke ejector at $400.00
  • Total Equipment Price = $120,686.00


TRAINING
  • August 1978 firefighters recieved first basic training in firefighting which involved the burning of a house in Elkin, NC
  • 42 firefighters completed 42 hours of firefighter training through Wilkes Community College
  • Training included use of ladders, extinguishers, fog nozzles, and practical exercises including actual burning & training
  • Firefighters completed a 60 hour course in advanced first aid sponsored by the American Red Cross
  • Firefighters completed a 12 hour course in CPR
  • May 1979 first training in the use of SCBA sponsored by N.C Department of Insurance (4 nights of training at State Road, NC)
  • After arrival of new pumper training in driving and pump operation began
  • January 14th, 1980 first official training at Cherry Lane Volunteer Fire Department was held
  • January 16th, 1980 firefighters used CLVFDs own equipment and pumper to burn a 2 story frame house
  • Fire was rekindled and extinguished 12 times before allowing it to burn completely
  • Glade Creek and Laurel Springs Volunteer Fire Departments participated in the rekindled/extinguished exercise.


LADIES AUXILIARY
  • August 14th, 1978 Ladies Auxiliary met for the first time at the Cherry Lane Community Center
  • Ladies Auxiliary: open to all interested women in the community
  • First fund raiser benefiting CLVFD was a chicken BBQ and a bake sale
  • Many other fund raisers were conducted including: gospel singings and serving refreshments at events
  • Ladies Auxiliary also completed a course in CPR
  • Raised over $7000.00 through fund raising (1978-1980)
  • Ladies Auxiliary is now open to both men and women and has became known as just Auxiliary


FAST FACTS
  • Discussion held on idea of the formation of CLVFD on June 1st, 1978 by community residents
  • Meetings have been held monthly since the first meeting in June of 1978
  • Became a 4 Mile 9-A rated department in a year's time, covering approximately 50,000 acres of land
  • Original firehouse consisted of 3 bays, kitchenette, and training/meeting facilities
  • Site donated by F.A McKnight and Wayne Blevins families
  • Cost of original building $65,000.00


CLVFD HONORS THOSE MEMBERS WHO HAVE DIED WHILE STILL IN SERVICE
  • Carl Dean Blevins
  • Richard Crouse
  • Ray Smith
  • James D. McKnight
  • Staley Wood






Website Created By: Monica Miles 2007