Connestee Fire Rescue

 

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History

1975
June - Provisional Fire Department organized under Connestee Falls Development Corporation. Total Calls: 5

1976
March - 1976 Dodge mini-pumper purchased by Connestee Falls Development Corporation (CFDC) - $36,000

Rosman Volunteer Fire Department donated 1951 International oil truck converted into fire tanker (replaced)

Al Evatt appointed Fire Chief by CFDC

April - First Fire House (Connestee maintenance Garage)

July - Connestee Falls Volunteer Fire Department (CFVFD) Chartered

November - Connestee Fire District established with 4 mile radius; Rated Class 9A; Earl Jenkins elected Chief by membership; 26 firefighters

1977
May - Treasurer's report cash on hand $1,134.

June - Connestee Falls Volunteer Fire Department (CFVFD) incorporated. Total calls: 7

1978
February - CFVFD Auxiliary organized, a uniquely chartered support group comprised of community non-fire department members of men and women. Total calls: 12

1979
November - Chevrolet fuel truck acquired and converted to fire tanker (replaced) - cost: $6,100

1980
May - 1980-81 budget: $11,420

September - First permanent fire station completed and leased from CF Maintenance Corp. Equipment had been housed in corporation buildings. Total calls: 14

1982
February - First Transylvania County First Responder (EMS) program started, serving southern portion of Transylvania County.

April - All fire personnel issued pagers and radios 

September - EMT class of 18 students at fire station- Instructors: David Carter, Larry Host

1983
February - Total Fire Calls: 27; medical: 61

November - Larry Host elected Chief by membership of CFVFD

1984
April - First Transylvania County owned ambulance, a 1970 Chevrolet - housed at fire station and operated by members of CFVFD

May - CFVFD Fire Tax District established; tax rate .080

June - Junior Firefighter program started

1985
March - 1985 GMC 1500 gallon Fire Tanker delivered (Tanker-95) - Cost: $77,000 (Still in Service)

GMC 750 gallon Fire Pumper delivered (E-93) - Cost: $119,000 (Still in Service)

October - Land at East Fork, site of current fire station, transferred from CFMC to CFVFD

1986
May - Fire Station completed (started 11/85); Total calls: 20

1989
Southern Transylvania Emergency Medical System (STEMS) formed by EMT members of Connestee and Cedar Mountain Fire Departments. Donations by area residents provided major funding for a new ambulance

1990
September - 5 mile fire district established; Total emergency calls - 24

1991
July - 1990 International 1250 gallon Fire Tanker purchased (TK-97) - cost $105,671

November - Keith Owen elected Chief by membership of CVFD

1992
High Band VHF radios/voice pagers to comply with county system - cost $26,912

1995
September - Building mortgage paid off

KVA Generator for building purchased - cost $10,865

Total annual calls - 232

1996
February - 1996 Freightliner Class A 1000 gallon pumper delivered (E91) - cost $213,000

June - Station air-conditioned, heating system renovated - cost $10,000
First BINGO night supported by CVFD Auxiliary (06/21/96)

August - 1996 Ford 4WD (Rescue 94 still in service) first responder vehicle delivered (Cost: 34,000)

1996-97 budget - $99,400; tax rate - .048

1997
Smoke house constructed - cost $18,800

Total annual calls: 245

1998
AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) and rescue tools purchased - cost $36,000

1998-99 budget - $167,735; tax rate - .0625

Dive Team trained

Freightliner 500 gallon rescue pumper delivered (E96) - cost $213,000

Total annual emergency calls: 235

1999
November - Randy Owen elected Chief by membership of CVFD
Total annual emergency calls: 244, including 25 motor vehicle accidents

2000
Storage building erected at training grounds - cost $70,569

2000-2001 budget - $178,441; tax rate - .0625

August - Corporation name changed to Connestee Fire Rescue, Inc.

October - 2000 Ford Excursion all-wheel vehicle for transporting personnel purchased (R99) - cost $39,091

Total fire/medical calls November 1999 - October 2000: 244

November - 2000 Freightliner 1800 gallon tanker delivered (TK98) - cost $211,012

2001
November - Keith Owen elected Chief by CFR membership

Total calls from November 2000 - October 2001: 311

July - Connestee Fire & Rescue received $75,000 FEMA grant

2002
January - Air compressor purchased with Auxiliary donations
           
February -
Three additional AED’s purchased

2003
July - Received $75,370 FEMA grant for fire operations and safety (25 sets of turn-out gear, new pagers and 2 way radio equipment, Personal PASS devices, Thermal Imaging Camera)

2004
January - ISO insurance rating lowered from 9S to Class 6
           

March - 2003 Freightliner/American LaFrance 1250 gpm pumper (Engine 92 still in service) purchased

2005
April - 2005 Freightliner/American LaFrance 1500 gpm pumper (Engine 94 still in service) purchased           

July - Lot next to Connestee Walnut Hollow Gate purchased for substation (Cost: $10,000)

2006
July - Received $126,977 FEMA grant for fire operations and safety (air packs and spare bottles)           

Nov - 2006 Smeal/Altair 75' Aerial Ladder (Ladder 9 still in service) delivered           

Total Calls : 400

2007
May - Construction on substation began

 

Chiefs
Al Evatt: 1976 (appointed by CFDC)
Earl Jenkins: November 1976 – November 1983
Larry Host: November 1983 – November 1991
Keith Owen: November 1991 – November 1999
Randy Owen: November 1999 – November 2001
Keith Owen: November 2001 – Present

Lifetime Members
Ed Hathaway – December 17, 1996
Larry Host – February 4, 2000
Pat Bertlshofer – December 12, 2003 (Passed Away January 4, 2007)
Bob Nelson – December 10, 2004

 

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