The History

Of

Sugar Loaf Fire Department

    In the year of 1974, a group of residents from the Sugar Loaf area of Alexander County started the task of forming a fire department to serve the Sugar Loaf community. On May 3, 1974, a meeting was held to elect twelve people to serve on the Board of Directors, further organize fund raising efforts and discuss the purchase of equipment and land for the new fire department. The charter members of the Board of Directors were: Dennis Wike (President), Allen Fox (Vice President), Tim Glass (Secretary), Eddie McDuffie (Treasurer), Toice Kerley, Joe McDuffie, Cam Hayes, Haven Bowman, Royde Kerley, Joe Deal, Lindsay Deal and Ray Bentley. The first Board of Directors meeting was held after the general meeting.

   A total of $1,048 was collected at this meeting from the first fund raiser. An auction was planned for May 25, 1974, and approximately 27 women attending the first meeting prepared sandwiches, drinks and cakes to sell at the auction.

    On May 17, 1974, the Ladies Auxiliary held their first formal meeting and elected the following officers: Doris Lowe (President), Becky Burke (Vice President), Betty Kerley (Treasurer) and Jeanette St.Clair (Secretary). The Auxiliary is currently led by Heather McCurdy, the auxiliary has made many improvements to their program and help the firefighters in many ways.

On June 5, 1974, a draft Constitution and Bylaws was presented before the Board of Directors for discussion. Also it was decided that each active member of the fire department would pay a yearly membership fee of $10.

    Other fund raisers held that first year included: A Home Made Ice Cream sale and auction on July 20, a songfest on August 10, a Bluegrass and Gospel Concert on September 21, Skeet Shoots on November 16, November 30 and December 14, several raffles were also held. Funds raised in 1974 amounted to a net of $8,458.56.

    The Late Roland Burgess served as the first Fire Chief for The Department from 1974 until 1985. Danny Chapman served as Chief in 1986. John McCurdy was elected Chief in 1987 and stepped down in March of 2004 when he was elected President of the Board Of Directors. Dennis Johnson is currently serving as Chief. All four men have served the Department in an excellent manner.

   The Fire Department took delivery of its first pumper on November 5, 1975 it was a 1957 Ford by Howe and was purchased from Conover Fire Department. In October of 1981 the department purchased a 1958 Dodge brush truck from Conover Fire Department. In July of 1984 a 1970 International tanker was purchased from Bandy's Fire Department, which has been refurbished to a 1991 Navistar Chassis which is currently in service for the department today. A new 1990 Ford FMC Pumper/Tanker was added to the fleet in January of 1991. The Department has since purchased two brush trucks, with one of the two currently in service, a 1979 Chevrolet Dually 4WD. The Department recently purchased a 1985 Ford Support Truck from Bethlehem Community Volunteer Fire Department. The department's front line pumper is a 2004 International Pumper/Tanker from W.S. Darley. The specifications for the apparatus include a compressed air foam system (CAFS), which will drastically improve our ability to rapidly control fires and reduce water damage.

   A tract of land was secured in 1975 and landscape construction started in 1976. On May 5, 1978, the Board of Directors approved the signing of a contract with Wilkie Construction Co. to erect a building for a sum of $28,935. A well was dug and water and sewage lines were connected to the building in September of 1979. Chairs and tables were purchased by the department in March of 1980, which were recently replaced with new ones. Cook stoves were donated to the kitchen area in June of 1980 by Central Junior High School and Sugar Loaf School. Floor covering was installed in October of 1981. The department recently purchased an additional tract of land that joins the current site. We have recently made improvements to our station by installing a new heating and cooling system and ceiling. We also have expanded our office and added additional apparatus bays to more effectively serve our community. Plans are currently underway to expand the station to house more apparatus and training facilities.

The Department has acquired several grants over the past few years from the NC Office of the State Firemarshal and was recently (2007) awarded a Federal Grant in excess of $102,000 to purchase personal protective equipment.

The Auxiliary of the Department currently offers Reflective 911 Address Signs to the county and community as a fundraiser, this has been beneficial to both the community and the department in several ways; including increased ability to locate your home or business in the event of an emergency.

   Other important events for the department are as follows: In June of 1978, the Department organized a Community Watch Program for the Sugar Loaf Community. On September 8, 1978, the department began covering its members with Workman's Compensation insurance. The department installed it's first dry hydrant in Sam Davis' Pond in October of 1979. The Sugar Loaf Fire Department was officially rated by the Fire Insurance Commission on November 2, 1981. The Department recently revised its Standard Operating Guidelines in an effort to improve safety among its members.