The History of the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department

IN THE BEGINNING... (Prior Jan 30th 1939 – 1960)

In 1921 a fire in the Town's waterfront area destroyed the majority of the peanut industry. This fire was labeled "The Great Fire of Smithfield". It was still quite some time before the department was established.

The people of Smithfield were in need of Fire Protection...

A Department was born…

It all started on January 30th 1939 when our charter members came together and decided that there was a need in the community for fire protection. These 30 men, mostly prominent business owners in the town of Smithfield, established the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

There have been many "firsts" for this organization. The SVFD was the first fire department in Isle of Wight County. "Station 1" covered all of Isle of Wight County and the run district extended into portions of Surry and Southampton Counties. The first piece of motorized fire apparatus in the county, Engine No. 1, was purchased by the department in 1939. "Maude" is a 1938 Ford/Oren that has a 500 Gallon Per Minute Pump and 150 Gallon Water Tank. The department still has Maude and it is used in parades and special events to this day.

A PROUD PAST... (1961 – 1979)

As the department grew, so did the size of the fleet. The department already had three engines but decided that a larger engine would better suit the needs of the community. Engine 4, a Chevrolet/Oren was purchased in 1967as the first cab over truck for the department. This engine featured a 500GPM pump and 750 Gallon tank. This purchase would set the tradition of white engines for the department.

The members of the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department moved into a new house in 1968 at the corner of Grace and Institute St. The building originally was the town's community center. The new building gave the members three apparatus bays that were two trucks deep, an improvement over the original building with three single bays. We shared the building with the Town Hall Offices, Smithfield Police Department & Treasurer's Office.

THE TRADITION CONTINUES... (1980 – 2000)

The next big change in the department came in 1981. The members at that time saw a need for a ladder truck to protect the community. At the time, the closest ladder was in Suffolk which was 20 minutes away. A 1949 American LaFrance with a 65' ladder was purchased from the Norfolk Fire Department for $1.00. After being placed in service the truck was sent back to the factory and had the aerial rebuilt. This truck was in service until 1991, when a 1973 Mack/Baker 75' tower was purchased. The Mack, better known as "The Dog" served the department until 2003. A 95' Spartan/AerialScope was purchased and placed in service as Truck 51.

The SVFD has always been a very strong volunteer fire department and its reputation is known throughout the state and region as being a role model department for others. Our training and members are like no other. 

The department celebrated 50 years of free service to the community on Jan 31st 1989 and continues to this day to answer the call. Currently, there are over 50 members on the role and we have opened the membership up to individuals outside of the district, further strengthening our department.

***ANNIVERSARY PHOTOS***

You may have noticed that all of our helmets have a number one on the shield. "The 50 House"The SVFD was originally station number one until 2004, when the county renumbered the stations in the county. That's how "The 50 House" was born. In order to carry on tradition, we renumbered our apparatus to the "50 series" by simply adding a 5 to the original apparatus number.

MODERNIZATION EFFORTS PAY OFF... (2000 - 2006)

The fire service is a constantly changing profession and the volunteers of the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department are committed to meeting the demands of this challenging job. With the recent adoption of changes such as our associate membership program, support services program and department live-ins, the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department is doing everything it can to make sure that the residents of the Town of Smithfield and Isle of Wight County are receiving the highest quality fire protection services possible.

*** PICS OF MORE RECENT TIMES HERE ***