History of the Rockwell City Fire Department
The present fire department was organized in 1939, after the town water system was installed. G. H. Moose was appointed as the first fire chief and served in this capacity for five years. L. C. Barringer has served as chief since 1944. The charter was signed by twenty-one members, eight of whom are active members. The department joined the State Firemen’s Association the year it was organized. The first fire fighting apparatus was a trailer that could be hooked to a member’s car. Later the town board provided a pick-up truck, on which about 800 feet of hose was carried, along with a ladder, an axe, and two chemical cans. In 1953 a new truck, meeting all requirements of modern day fire fighting was bought costing approximately $12,000. There are now twenty-nine members of the department. Eight members belong to the Firemen’s Fraternal Insurance Fund.” (Dedication Brochure, 1954)
In 1978, The Rockwell City Fire Department had a total of 36 Volunteer Firemen and 3 trucks. The first pumper was a 1953 Pumper with a 500 GPM pump and a 600 gallon tank. The second pumper was a 1975 Pumper with a 1000 GPM pump and a 500 gallon tank. The budget was $4,500. The State Insurance rating (ISO) was a 9AA. (Rowan Co. Planning Board, 1978)
For fiscal year 1995 thru 1996, the fire department had a total of 33 Volunteer Firefighters. Each member put in an average of 238 hours of training and service hours. The fire department had 2 Engines, 1 Ladder, a box style ambulance, a Forestry Brush Truck, and a van. During this year there were 165 calls with 21 being structure fires. Only 2 of those were within Rockwell and the rest was assisting Granite Quarry (6), Rockwell Rural (12), and Salisbury (1). The State Insurance rating (ISO) was a 3. (Fiscal Report, 1996)
Operating now as a combination department where we have a total of 30 members in which there are 14 Volunteers, 14 Part-Time, and 2 Full-Time Personnel. The apparatus has improved over the years with the department having 2 Engines, 1 Ladder, a brush truck, and a squad.
Fire Department Chiefs
G. H. Moose 1939-1943
L. C. Barringer 1944-1967
A. L. Linker 1968-1976
H. Bost, Jr. 1977-2000
T. C. Linker 2001-Present
