Courtney Volunteer Fire Department was started in 1960 by neighbors who wanted fire protection for their community. Here's how we got here.
- 1960On May 27, 1960, about 50 men from the Courtney area met at Courtney School to organize a fire department. The first work day was Saturday, September 10, 1960. Men began clearing the lot, and two pickup loads of wood were cut and sold for $12.00.
- 1961Between January 2 and January 10, the footings were poured and construction began. The department had ordered a new 1960 Howe fire truck along with 10 fire suits, 2 air packs, and a 5 HP siren with controls, at a cost of $14,259.75. The equipment arrived in April 1961. A 1951 Chevrolet tanker was bought at the same time, and a Traffic Patrol was organized.
- 1961The department took on community projects to raise money. The first Pork Bar-B-Que Supper was held October 21, 1961, with plates selling for $1.25.
- Early yearsThe station started with 2 truck bays and a meeting room in the back, about a third the size of the one we use today. Later the meeting room was expanded and 2 more stalls were built. A 1975 Howe fire truck was bought for $33,399.55. It was retired in 2001 and dedicated in memory of Assistant Fire Chief Lester Gray Dixon.
- 1976An equipment van was purchased and stocked with specialized gear, including a generator, lights, saws, first aid supplies, a smoke ejector, a large vacuum, chimney cleaning equipment, shovels, rakes, a refrigerator, air bottles, ropes, a camera, and extra turnout gear.
- 1980The Ladies Auxiliary was started back up. They had the meeting room floor recovered and the restrooms retiled with new fixtures.
- 1981The Ladies Auxiliary hosted the 20th Anniversary Service Awards to thank the firemen for their dedication. Ten charter members were still active at the time. A Service Awards Dinner has been held every 5 years since.
- 1983New turnout gear was purchased at $300.00 per set to meet new safety regulations.
- 1984A drop tank was bought for the tanker with help from the Ladies Auxiliary. The tank and upfitting cost about $3,000.00.
- 1985New pagers were purchased for every fireman at about $350.00 each, along with an Eagle Air Systems air bottle fill station for about $9,891.97.
- 1987A brush truck was purchased for $8,700.00.
- 1989A Chevrolet tanker holding 1,850 gallons was bought for $33,000.00. It was retired in 2001. Another stall was added to the station for more equipment, at a cost of about $30,000.00.
- 1990Courtney Fire Department began being funded by a fire tax.
- 1993CVFD bought a small tract of land beside the station from F.D. Poindexter, and a computer was purchased to keep department records.
- 1994We bought a 1994 custom cab Pierce pumper, our "Pride and Joy," at nearly $222,000.00. Donald Hawks, John Lane, William Keaton, and Richard Potts flew to Appleton, Wisconsin, to tour the factory and inspect and approve the truck. It went into service in August 1994 after plenty of driver training, and it is dedicated in memory of Mr. Roland Legans.
- 1995We started receiving tax money from our district in Davie County. The front parking lot was paved, 8 firefighters earned their Firefighter Certification, and new patches were designed for the dress uniforms.
- 1996All firefighters were outfitted in Class A and Class B uniforms, with guidelines adopted for each.
- 1997A 1997 Ford / Pierce rescue vehicle replaced the 1976 equipment van.
- 2001A 2001 International / Pierce tanker replaced the 1989 Chevrolet tanker.
- 2002We purchased a 2002 Kenworth / Pierce pumper.
- 2005A 2005 Ford / C.W. Williams brush truck replaced the "Little Red Rooster."
- LaterPaid staff began working 8-hour weekday shifts.
- 2010A federal grant replaced the aging air bottle fill station and equipped our members with up-to-date, FCC-regulated communication equipment.
- 2011We upgraded our facility.
- 2012A federal grant put 1 person on duty full time alongside the part-time paid staff.
- 2025Rescue Engine 1901, a 2025 US Fire Apparatus with a 2,000 GPM pump and 1,500 gallons of water, went into service.