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History
In 1926, the town of Huntersville established its Volunteer
Fire Department. At the time, members responded to less than a dozen
calls each year and transported a hose cart to aid them. It wasn’t until
the 1940s that the fire department acquired its first fire apparatus.
The truck (pictured at right) was a 1937 Chevrolet equipped with ladders
and a booster hose box on the roof. Members responded to the truck when a
siren on the corner of Gilead Road and Old Statesville sounded the call of
duty.
By the 1950s, the town’s population was close to 1,000
residents and Chief Piston Page and his members were responding to between 30 and 40
calls each year. With the growth of the town came the purchase of the
department's first true fire truck: a 1953 Howe (pictured at left).
It was placed in service and used as the primary truck until 1972.
Chief Jack Alexander took over in the position as Chief in the 1960s.
At this time the department acquired it's first tanker, a 1956 Chevrolet, as well as a 1948 brush truck.
In 1968 Allen Irvin took over as Chief of the department.
Chief Irvin remained Chief for 39 years and he is still an active member today.
The old fire station, which was part of the town hall from 1955 to 1994,
no longer exists. Huntersville Station 1 was built in 1994 to replace
it and to continue to provide fire protection for the residents of the town.
Since 1997, Larry Irvin has followed in his father's footsteps and taken
over as Chief of the Huntersville Volunteer Fire Department. The town
has grown to a population of 28,000 and members of the department now respond
to over 800 calls each year.
Historic HVFD Photos (click to enlarge)
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