| Brief History of the Pilot Fire Department The Pilot Fire Department was organized through sponsership of the Pilot Lions Club on March 12, 1957. At this time officers were elected and solicitations were begun to finance the newly organized department. After a successful fund raising campaign, an American Lafrance fire truck on a 1957 Chevrolet Chasis with a 500 gallon tank and a 500 gallon per minute pump was ordered at the cost of $9,800.00. After delivery of the new truck, a temporary station was put to use in a bay area of the Rex Oil Garage. In December of 1957, the ladies' auxiliary donated an International tanker to the department which was pruchased from the Civil Defence Headquarters at a cost of $250.00. On May 20th, 1956 four lots in the Pilot View Development were purchased for the amount of $1200.00. Firemen rasied $765.00 at a shooting match to be applied toward the purchase leaving a balance of $435.00 to be paidby the Board of Directors. In November of 1958, the Pilot Fire Department moved to the new station which was constructed mainly by volunteers using donated materials alond with a $7,500.00 Wachocia Bank Loan. Total cost of the new station was $8,182.00. Operating funds were raised by firemen, Ladies' Auxiliary and community volunteers by raising tobacco crops on land and an allotment that Mr. Wallace A. Kennedy permitted the firemen to use at no charge and by conducting camping shows on the Pilot Lions Club Horse Show Grounds. On February 5th, 1959, fire protection fees were set at $10.00 for homes, $15.00 for businesses and $25.00 for large businesses. Non-member fire calls were set at $75.00. On March 26th, 1959 the Fire Insurance District was approved by the State Rating Bureau. On June 9th, 1959, the purchase of a siren for the alarm system was approved in the amount of $640.00. The first Sparky Fire Prevention Program sponsored by the Ladies' Auxiliary was held in October 1959 with 44 children attending. In 1961 the property owners of the Pilot Fire District voted to have fire taxes levied on their property, thereby eliminating the payment of yearly dues and the raising of the tobacco crop. The fire station indebtness was paid off in March of 1966. On April 4th, 1966 approval was made for the purchase of a 1967 Chevrolet 4-wheel drive truck built by the Darley Company to be used in brush and woods fires and and vehicle accidents. On May 25th, 1971 approval was given for the purchase of a Howe fire truck on a 1972 Chevrolet chassis containing an 800 gallon tank and a 1000 gallon per minute pump at the cost of $30,000.000 The first paid daytime were employed on October 22nd, 1974 at the cost of $25.00 per day. Approval was given for the purchase of a new Howe fire truck on a 1979 Chevrolet chassis containing an 800 gallon tank and a 1000 gallon per minute pump at the cost of $52,000.00 on May 7th, 1978. On March 12th, 1981 approval was given for the purchase of a 1982 Chevrolet 4-wheel drive pumper containing 250 gallon tank and a 300 gallon per minute pump for use primarily in woods and brush fires and vehicle accidents at teh cost of $33,500.00. A 1984 Gruman fire truck with a 750 gallon tank and a 1000 gallon per minute pump was ordered on March 8th, 1984. A 1989 Diesel pumper-tanker containing a 1000 gallon tank and a 1250 gallon per minute pump was approved for purchase in the amount of $122,775.00 on November 15th, 1988. On March 9th, 1989, the firemen purchased a 1969 Chevrolet equipment van that also carries air tanks to supply air packs with refills at the fire scene. The purchase of a new computer was approved on April 23rd, 1992. On May 5th, 1994, approval was given for the purchase of a new air unit truck at the cost of $69,700.00. The department has outgrown the present station and efforts to secure suitable property located in the vicinity of the present station have been an object of the Board of Directors since 1990 when a new building fund was established. The value of the Pilot Fire Department property and equipment is over $500,000.00. Compiled by Charles Stout |
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