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...

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.