History

History of the Department

The Fire Department was formed in 1911 as the Central Hose Company, with Sulon B. Stedman as Chief. The department used only hand-drawn carts because the water system was only installed in a small section of the City. The original fire station stood just a few feet north of the current City Hall.

Original Officers and Members:

• W.J. Armfield, President
• Sulon B. Stedman, Fire Chief
• J.H. Kivette, WA. Coffin, C.M. Hayworth, Duke Smith, L.B. Lambert, F.F. Brittain, W.A. Hinshaw, Cary Lovett, W.H. Dickens, D.K. Lockhart, Fred McPherson, John Grey, A.J. Craven, D.M. Sharpe, O.V. Woosley

1920, a Republic hose wagon was purchased, and Clarence Rush was sworn in as Fire Chief

In 1923, a 750-gallon-per-minute American La France pumper was purchased for $12,000. The city restored and maintained this Historic pumper.

1923 American La France Pumper

The current city hall was built in 1939, including space for the fire department. Chief Rush and two firefighters became the first paid personnel. In 1955, the paid force increased to a Chief and six firefighters, and in 1956, an upstairs addition was added for dormitory, living, and kitchen space.

In October 1961, Chief Rush died while driving the Chief's car on Sunset Avenue, having served 41 years as Chief. Many still remember and mention his distinguished appearance, cigar smell, and white hair.

John A. McGlohon succeeded Chief Rush and served as Chief until retiring on December 31, 1985. During his tenure, the department's stations, equipment, personnel, and services experienced much growth and improvement.

• 1966 - First aerial apparatus
• 1968 - First fire prevention code
• 1970 - Bond election for a station and pumper
• 1970 - Merger with North Asheboro - Central Falls Sanitary District and Fire Department
• 1971 - Occupied two new fire stations with a force of 26 paid members, 25 volunteers, and 4 dispatchers
• 1981 - Obtained  Class 4 insurance rating for the City

On January 8, 1986, James W. (Jim) Smith was sworn in as Fire Chief

• 1991 - The department joined a county-wide dispatch system, which became a 9-1-1 dispatch center on March 17, 1993.
• Chief Smith added staff to increase operations size to 42.   (14 personnel per shift)
• Fire Inspections moved to City Hall
• On November 1, 2012, Chief James W. Smith Retired

On March 16, 2013, Roy C. Wright was sworn in as Fire Chief.

• Chief Wright added staff to increase the size of the operation to 48.   (16 personnel per shift)
• 2017 - Obtained the current Class 3 insurance rating for the City
• The Battalion Chief position is assigned to each shift.
• On April 3, 2018, Chief Roy C. Wright Retired

On October 4, 2018, Willie Summers was sworn in as the new  Fire Chief.

• Changed the current 24.25-hour work schedule to an entire 24-hour work schedule that eliminated sleep time exclusion.
• Increased the department's total staffing size to 66 personnel with an increase in the Operations Division's size to 57. (19 personnel per shift)
• Increased the Budget.
• Renovated Station One and Station Two, along with Station One Gym
• Changed the name of the department to Asheboro Fire and Rescue Department
• Implemented the following positions: Division Chief, full-time Training Captain, and full-time Fire and Life Safety Educator
• Implemented Special Operations Pay, a Public Safety Educational Reimbursement Program, and a retirement Benevolent Fund (Members only)
• Upgraded dispatched alerting to separate AFRD station alert tones
• Earned Heavy Rescue Certification, Trench Rescue Certification, and High Angle Rescue Certification
• Purchase of a 100’ Aerial Tower,  Heavy-Duty Rescue Apparatus, and Quick Response Vehicle (F-550)
• Implemented an annual Physical Fitness Assessment
• Acquired land for Fire Station #3.

2023 - Obtained the current Class 1 insurance rating for the City

• On November 15, 2024, Fire Chief Willie Summers retired
• On November 16, 2024, Eddie Cockman was sworn in as Fire Chief