Sometimes a school teacher’s most interested students are outside the classroom. This was the case in 1956 when James R. (Jim) Graham, vocational agriculture teacher at West Wilkes High School, mentioned the possible benefits of a community organization to some of the adults in the Millers Creek Community. They liked what Jim was talking about and immediately set out to act on his suggestions.

            Not much later, some of these adults stood by in helpless frustration as they watched a residence burn to the ground. No fire-fighting equipment was available since the North Wilkesboro Fire Department could not respond to an emergency this far out of their district. Again, Jim Graham planted a productive seed when he mentioned that Millers Creek ought to have their own fire department. At first, most of the residents thought it would be impossible to financially support such a venture. However, Jim arranged to have various officials visit the community and talk with the members of the newly formed community organization. These visitors often wound up talking about the ways a community could raise money, and the ways that a volunteer fire department could help protect the community without spending as much money as first envisioned.

            At a meeting held in the Millers Creek School auditorium on October 10, 1956, the theme was “Should Millers Creek community have a fire truck?”. This was a new progressive idea, since no other un-incorporated community in Wilkes County had ever attempted such a project. In fact, there were no rural fire departments anywhere in northwestern North Carolina. Jim Graham kicked off the meeting and introduced Thurmond Kenerly, Chief of the North Wilkesboro Fire Department, who talked about fire protection for rural communities. After some discussion, Graham’s ‘adult students’ decided they could successfully organize and operate the first rural volunteer fire department in Wilkes County. Clate Bumgarner was elected President; Jim Graham, Vice President; Mrs. Allen Phillips, Secretary; Paul Delp, Treasurer and Harold Baker, Publicity Chairman. Charlie Bishop and Hensley Eller were named to the Board of Directors and Joe Owings was named Fire Chief. Before the end of 1956, Millers Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. had been chartered as a non-profit corporation.

            The officers set out on uncharted waters as they worked to bring their idea to fruition. How could they recruit volunteers? How could volunteer firemen be trained? What equipment was essential? How much would it cost? Where could they build a fire-station? How could the money be raised?

            Soon 26 individuals had committed to serve as volunteer firemen. The NC Insurance Rating Bureau conducted a one-week fire fighting school in Charlotte, and five of the local men attended. Later, evening classes were presented locally by the Rating Bureau. 

            Leaders of the organization talked with everyone who was available in an effort to determine what equipment was essential, and what would be effective in a rural area where a water system did not exist. Other fire departments, insurance industry specialists and representatives of equipment manufacturers all proved to be valuable resources. Their recommendations were mixed with the good old country ‘horse sense’ of the community leaders. In addition to the small essentials, it was decided that a professionally built vehicle capable of carrying a sizeable quantity of water, and capable of fast resupply from a creek or pond was the minimum requirement. Why not go first class? An order to build their first fire truck was placed with American LaFrance. It was to be built on a 1957 Chevrolet chassis, and would cost $10,000 f.o.b. their factory in Elmira, N.Y.

            Claude C. Faw, executive of a North Wilkesboro insurance agency, but with family roots in Millers Creek, donated a lot on the highway adjacent to the school property on which the fire station could be built. Much of the material to construct the building was donated, and the members of the organization pitched in and did most of the work themselves. Many of them worked on a job during the day, and then donated their skills to the project, working well into the night on week days and part of the day on Saturday. The building they constructed was designed to house the fire-fighting apparatus, and to provide a meeting place for the members of the community organization.

            Everyone was searching for ways to raise funds required to equip and operate the fire department. Donations had been solicited, but they knew that other revenues would be needed. Clifton Pratt, the County Agricultural Extension Agent, asked if they had ever thought about selling barbecued chicken. Chickens were certainly available, and most local folks enjoyed eating them. But you barbecued pork or beef, not chicken! Another challenge to local ingenuity! Soon a temporary pit was built and one hundred plates of barbecued chicken was offered for sale at $1 each. It was an instant success, and the most popular fundraiser in our area was born.

            After receiving donations and having a lot of barbecue suppers, the new fire truck was ready for delivery. Clate Bumgarner and his long-time friend and fellow fire department member, Charlie Bishop, went to Elmira, N.Y. to take delivery. They drove the new fire truck into Millers Creek on April 2, 1957, welcomed by all the members of the fire department and several hundred interested local citizens who lined the roadside. All the students at Millers Creek School were on the front lawn of the school because of a fire drill which some way or the other had been called at exactly the time the fire truck arrived. 

            Things soon settled down to business, and the Volunteer Fire Department responded 27 times during the remainder of that year. Since the beginning days in 1956 and when the department became operational in 1957 the department has seen many changes. Some of the significant changes include in 1974, the adoption of fire taxes for a stable funding source; In 1985, the establishment of First Responders to provide the public with quicker access to basic life support in the time of a medical problem; In 2000, the Fire Department membership conducted an intensive fundraising campaign raising $13,000 for the purchase of the first Thermal Imaging camera in Wilkes County. In 2001, the expansion of the Fire District to a 6-mile district and the establishment of Millers Creek Volunteer Fire Department Station 2 located on Big Ivy Rd.; In 2004, the Fire Department proudly moved into a brand new modern 7 bay Fire Station that currently houses Fire Department equipment, space for an Wilkes County EMS Ambulance, and apparatus from Wilkes Rescue Squad.   

            The department was established with 26 individuals serving as Volunteer Firemen. They trained constantly to learn the art of firefighting. The tradition continues today with many different ways to volunteer. We currently have ten Auxiliary members and 42 Firefighters with 13 in the Junior Fireman program.   Of the 55 we have 30 Firefighter I & II certified firefighters and 5 fire instructors. The First Responder program began in 1985 with 8 medically trained personnel today the program accounts for about 65 percent of our call volume and has 25 medical personnel. 8 EMT-Paramedics, 1 EMT-Intermediate, 14 EMT-Basic, and 2 Medical Responder. 

            The department throughout the years has continuously added and updated equipment since being in a two-bay fire station with one fire truck. Today, we have two modern fire stations with a fleet of nine fire trucks and yes we still have the original 1957 Chevrolet fire truck.  

            From standing and helplessly watching a building burn to the ground, to a well equipped and well trained Volunteer Fire Department ready to respond to emergency threats to life and property is an accomplishment of which any community can be proud.