HISTORY
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The History of Trinity Vol. Fire Dept.
Approximately 100 citizens met in the Bethany Community in 1961 at the Yadkin Baptist Church on Highway 115 North for the purpose of organizing a volunteer fire department for the surrounding community. Harold Millsaps was spokesman for the group that met to discuss plans and appoint officers. O.C. Gregory was elected Chief, Paul Watt was elected Asst. Chief, J.L. Mayberry was elected Captain, and Howard Harris was elected Secretary/Treasurer. A nominating commitee was appointed consisting of L.G. White, Kenneth (Bud) Watt, Leland Mayberry, D.O. Travis, and Bruce Moore.
On April 24, 1961, a meeting was held at Whites Store to select a building commitee, a building site, complete the list of officers, and appoint other commities. Statesville Fire Chief Frank Crowson and Cool Springs Chief Reuben Starrette were speakers at the meeting. The members appoionted to the building commitee consisted of Hoke Crider, Paige Baity, Fleet Sprinkle, Huber Reid, and C.H. Stikeleather. The finance commitee consisted of Henry Sherrill, Curt Goforth, Howard Harris, Edgar Robertson, and Hubert Schild. A location beside Gregory's Store on HWY 115 was chosen as the site of the department building.
After the organizational meetings, election of officers, and commities, the Trinity Volunteer Fire Department really got underway. Funds began to be pledged to buy materials for the building and most of the labor was donated by different people in the community. The ladies of various commitees were on hand, as the building work was done, to provide food and refreshments for workers. Henry Sherrill, finance chairman, made an announcement that on December 4, 1961; funds totalling four thousand dollars had been raised, and then announced plans that a musical jamboree was to be held at Central Elementary School for the benefit of the Trinity Volunteer Fire Department.
Then came the idea of the "Envelope Campaign". Different persons took sections of the territory and handed out envelopes to be returned containing contributions. These activities, and the progress of the building really boosted enthusiasm as the community got behind the department. The approximate total cost of the materials for the original building was eleven thousand dollars, with most of the labor being donated. With funds continuing to come in or being raised by projects, the building was soon completed and equipped with the appropriate fire trucks.
The area served by the Trinity Volunteer Fire Department starts near the Blankenship Chiropractic Clinic on Highway 115 to the south, Snow Creek Road to the north, South Chipley Ford Road to the east, and the Midway Methodist Church to the west. This area includes approximately 800 residences.
In March 1981, plans were approved for a building expansion which almost doubled the size of the original building. Construction on the expansion was started in April and was completed in early May 1983. The addition included more kitchen space and a board room, which is also used as a training room, located upstairs over the department.
A new pumper was ordered in August 1982 and delivered in June 1983. The addition to the building and the purchase of the pumper represented capital expenditures of approximately one hundred twenty-seven thousand dollars. The main fundraising activities were the Envelope Campaign, an Auction Sale, and a Ham Day.
In 1987 Kenneth (Bud) Watt stepped down from the Chief's position. At that time, Russell Johnston was elected as the new Chief to bring the fire department in to the new decade. Russell Johnston remained Chief for seven years. In 1994 Russell Johnston stepped down as Chief. William (Jay) Stewart was elected as new Chief. During 1994 a truck commitee was formed and a Frieghtliner built by 3D was purchased. In 1995 another truck commitee was formed to buy another Freightliner built by 3D. The Fire Department in 1996 also purchased a new Ford F-350 Powerstroke Brush Truck built by Chiefs Fire and Rescue.
On April 24, 1961, a meeting was held at Whites Store to select a building commitee, a building site, complete the list of officers, and appoint other commities. Statesville Fire Chief Frank Crowson and Cool Springs Chief Reuben Starrette were speakers at the meeting. The members appoionted to the building commitee consisted of Hoke Crider, Paige Baity, Fleet Sprinkle, Huber Reid, and C.H. Stikeleather. The finance commitee consisted of Henry Sherrill, Curt Goforth, Howard Harris, Edgar Robertson, and Hubert Schild. A location beside Gregory's Store on HWY 115 was chosen as the site of the department building.
After the organizational meetings, election of officers, and commities, the Trinity Volunteer Fire Department really got underway. Funds began to be pledged to buy materials for the building and most of the labor was donated by different people in the community. The ladies of various commitees were on hand, as the building work was done, to provide food and refreshments for workers. Henry Sherrill, finance chairman, made an announcement that on December 4, 1961; funds totalling four thousand dollars had been raised, and then announced plans that a musical jamboree was to be held at Central Elementary School for the benefit of the Trinity Volunteer Fire Department.
Then came the idea of the "Envelope Campaign". Different persons took sections of the territory and handed out envelopes to be returned containing contributions. These activities, and the progress of the building really boosted enthusiasm as the community got behind the department. The approximate total cost of the materials for the original building was eleven thousand dollars, with most of the labor being donated. With funds continuing to come in or being raised by projects, the building was soon completed and equipped with the appropriate fire trucks.
The area served by the Trinity Volunteer Fire Department starts near the Blankenship Chiropractic Clinic on Highway 115 to the south, Snow Creek Road to the north, South Chipley Ford Road to the east, and the Midway Methodist Church to the west. This area includes approximately 800 residences.
In March 1981, plans were approved for a building expansion which almost doubled the size of the original building. Construction on the expansion was started in April and was completed in early May 1983. The addition included more kitchen space and a board room, which is also used as a training room, located upstairs over the department.
A new pumper was ordered in August 1982 and delivered in June 1983. The addition to the building and the purchase of the pumper represented capital expenditures of approximately one hundred twenty-seven thousand dollars. The main fundraising activities were the Envelope Campaign, an Auction Sale, and a Ham Day.
In 1987 Kenneth (Bud) Watt stepped down from the Chief's position. At that time, Russell Johnston was elected as the new Chief to bring the fire department in to the new decade. Russell Johnston remained Chief for seven years. In 1994 Russell Johnston stepped down as Chief. William (Jay) Stewart was elected as new Chief. During 1994 a truck commitee was formed and a Frieghtliner built by 3D was purchased. In 1995 another truck commitee was formed to buy another Freightliner built by 3D. The Fire Department in 1996 also purchased a new Ford F-350 Powerstroke Brush Truck built by Chiefs Fire and Rescue.
