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Original Station and Trucks |
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First Truck |
History
Out of a need for fire protection for the area and what
was then Campbell College a committee was appointed
in the early 1950's to see to it that a fire
department was started. The committee went to
Camp Lejune and got an old Marine fire truck. The
Buies Creek Volunteer Fire Department was
chartered June 20, 1956 even though the department
had been fighting fires for about a year. Firemen held many plate
sales before the district was established and a vote was
held approving a tax levy. That levy was 10 cents per
$100 valuation, which it remains today. The first
budget was around $1600. District lines were drawn
around residents supporting the new fire department.
Campbell donated
the land for the first fire department building.
The department was built near the old post office on the
spot where the Campbell athletic guest house is now
located. The old water tower that was behind the
station still exists today.
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Pre-2003 Station |
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Completed Station |
In
1968, the department purchased the land that the station is
currently located on for $10,000. In 1974, the new station was
completed. The station had a meeting room, office, radio room,
storage room, 2 double drive through bays and 1 single bay. In
1992, a double drive through bay was added. In 2003, a 7,500
square foot addition was completed. The new addition added a
large meeting room, multiple offices, board room, decon/laundry
room, storage, 2 bunk rooms and baths, kitchen and 3 single bays.
The old meeting room was converted to a fire fighter's lounge and
the old office and radio room were combined to make an exercise
room.
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Building
Addition during construction 2003 |
In 1989, the department purchased a Hurst tool and
began providing extrication services. Buies Creek
became the first fire department in the county to
provide emergency medical first responder service,
in 1991. In 1997, Buies Fire Department
purchased 2 defibrillators and began running at the
EMT-Defib level.
Buies Creek Fire Department made a commitment to
lower insurance ratings for its' district. In 1991, a three year
effort was started to get ready for an ISO inspection. After a lot
of hard work by volunteers, the inspection was completed. When the
new rating was released, Buies Creek Fire Department carried a class 5
ISO rating. This significantly decreased insurance premiums for
the citizens. Buies Creek Fire Department continues to maintain
the effort to keep its' rating low.
The next big step was
to begin providing EMS transport services. In
1998, an ambulance was purchased, and transport services
were offered as a backup to Harnett County EMS. In
1999, the Harnett County EMS system was overhauled to
provide paramedic services to all citizens in the
county. The paramedics respond on quick response
vehicles along with an ambulance from a rescue squad.
Buies Creek became a primary transport agency and
purchased a second ambulance.
In the mid 1990's, call volume was increasing and
placing a burden on the all volunteer staff. With
the major increase in call volume due to EMS responses,
it was determined that supplemental staffing was needed.
In 1999, a paid staff was hired to cover the
daytime hours when volunteers are at work or class.
This original paid staff consisted of just 1 full time &
1 part time person from 6 am - 6 pm. Now 10 years
later we still operate with just 1 full time member, but
have increased to a total of 8 part time staff w/ 3-4 of
them working during the day hours of 6 am - 6 pm.
The volunteers still cover 2nd duty EMS runs during the
day as well as respond on fire calls.
In 2004, Buies Creek Fire Department purchased its first
ladder truck from the Town of Cary. It was a 1987
Pierce Arrow 105' Platform. This is 1 of only 2
ladders in the county. In 2007, the ladder was
sent to Pierce for a refurb and was placed back in
service in 2008.
The Buies Creek Fire Department continues to strive to
be pro-active and provide the highest level of service
to its citizens.
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