History

In the late 1985, there was a large fire at Chubb’s Corner. This was the only restaurant in the community and before Clinton and Harrells fire departments could get there, the place burnt completely down. At the time, these were the closest departments, both 10 miles away. This sparked an idea by Frank Matthis; what would it take to have our own fire department.

Frank embarked on a mission in 1986, talking with county officials, emergency management and other Fire Chiefs in the county. All were willing to help get a fire department started for the Taylors Bridge Township because the community deserved it. However, Frank would not see this become reality. Frank found out he had cancer earlier that year and died December 8, 1996.

The Taylors Bridge Fire Department was chartered on November 25, 1986 at a meeting held in the Taylors Bridge Community Building on US 421 with approximately 35 men in attendance. Without the vision of Frank Matthis and the very hard work of the men below, the Taylors Bridge Fire Department would have only been an idea lost in time. The first Board of Directors were:

    Tony Matthis, President
    John Hendrix, Vice President
    Ronnie Williams, Secretary
    Ronald Peterson, Treasurer
    Steve Elmore
    Dan Holtom
    Ricky Moore
    Steve Bass

The first department meetings were held mostly at each board member’s home. Each would share in finger food and drinks as they laid the foundation for the fire department. At the time, there were more questions than answers but they continued through the “red tape” and eventually came up with a “real” place to meet. Ever heard of the “right people at the right time”. This is what these men were.

The Taylors Bridge Community Building shown below was the first official home. Normally used by the senior citizens and Boy Scouts, they let us use the building and we began our training. We did not own anything at the time so, we focused on the things that did not require equipment. However, you know this did not last long. So, we were given old gear and equipment from some of our county departments. Plainview and Vann Crossroads are two that come to mind. Everyone helped but these two fire departments gave all they could. We thank them for their support.

The first Officers were elected and served tremendously. These men believed as the Board, what ever it took to be successful, we were going to do it. The men were:

    Tony Matthis, Fire Chief
    John Hendrix, Assistant Chief
    Tommy Heath, Assistant Chief
    DeKalb Wells, Captain
    Andy Powell, Captain
    Ronnie Matthis, Lieutenant
    Ricky Moore, Lieutenant
    Dan Holtom, Safety Officer

In January or February 1988, we moved to another fire department. You see, Tony and the Board got enough money to buy our first fire truck. It was a truck from Myrtle Grove for $5,000.00. It at least pumped water, was dependable and we could begin. They had to find a place so we could put it. We moved into a shop shown below on Union School Road where we put plastic up around the walls to keep the cold out. We continued our meetings and training there. We actually made our first fire call out of that building. The call was a motor vehicle accident on November 24, 1988. Looking back, I don’t know how we did it but, we did.

Miles B. Fowler, Attorney at Law donated the Articles of Incorporation and all the required documentation for the loan from FmHA (known as Rural Development now). When Tony and the Board finally got the load from FmHA, they purchased a new Engine, 1250 gpm pump, 1000 gallon tank from FMC, Fire Station and equipment. Hugh Carr built the building and we all pitched in and finished the inside including the offices. In December 1988, we moved to our present location on US 421, 6825 Taylors Bridge Highway. The new "modern truck" as the Sampson Independent wrote arrived in January 18, 1989. We had everything you could ask for. New truck, gear, hose, air packs, etc... But we soon found out, we had only just begun. With a fire district our size, one truck and a few firefighters would not be enough.

We continued to build a fleet of trucks to assist in the fire suppression we had gotten our selves into. These were not new trucks by far but, were good dependable vehicles and one was donated by Prestage Farms, others were purchases at the Army Surplus in Raleigh. We “homemade” these trucks to fit what we had to do. Tony made sure we always stayed focused on helping the community.

In July 1991 we purchased our second Engine, 1250 gpm pump, 1000 gallon tank from E-One which gave us 2500 gpm pumping capacity. The first truck we purchased from Myrtle Grove, we turned into a tanker. So, we now have two Class A Engines and two Tankers (actually water tenders) which we made, giving us a total of 4000 gallons of water. We needed an Equipment Truck.

Tony and then Assistant Chief Dan Holtom purchase an old Air Force Chevy C20 Step Van from Army Surplus. We had to buy a motor, repair it a little and paint. We added a duel wheel system because during a 10 to 15 mile an hour wind, the truck would sway.

Dan Holtom became fire Chief in January of 1993. We had out grown the Water Tenders and we decided to purchase a real Tanker. In August 1995, we purchased an 1800 gallon with a 300gpm pump, called a “budget buster” tanker from E-One, and sold the two “homemade” trucks. The old Tenders were not baffled to NFPA standards. I still see these trucks around today, but these are used for other types of work.

1998 was a difficult year to say the least. It was the hardest year because something happed that you can not ever be prepared for. I was nominated as Fire Chief, waiting on the Board of Directors decision when we lost a fireman in the line of duty. I had only been selected three days when this tragic accident happened. Brian Cannon was driving back from a call when he lost control of the apparatus in a curve. Keith Powell was with him on the cool rainy night. All the training in the world and the best equipment available could not bring Brian Cannon back to us. We all were so broken hearted. What did we do wrong? Why was he taken from us? All the selfish questions were asked but we knew the answer. God wanted him and we were just the lucky ones to have shared in a part of his life. Now, we can not physically be with him but we feel his presents each time the alarm tolls. Special thanks to all the people that helped us and were there day and night if we needed someone to talk to. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

We replaced the Engine in October 1998 with a four door, 1250 gpm pump, 1000 gallon tank Freightliner from Pierce. Thanks to Wade Farrior and Pierce for building the apparatus so quickly. They knew we were down a truck and expedited it through. In Brian’s memory, we decided to become more involved in the medical aspect of the fire department. Before we just handled the fire suppression and first aid for us but, now we are going to try our best with the ABC’s of patient care. We took the Medical Responder training. We got down to the basics on our fire fighting responsibilities. The department was determined to learn more and more each week to build from Brian’s death, returning as much as possible to the community. The members became more involved in the decision making process and the members were closer than ever before. Writing this history of the department reminds me that Brian Cannon is still a presents and took us to the next level.

The department purchased a new Equipment/Rescue Truck to replace the old Chevy Step Van in July 2004. We were going to begin the Vehicle Extrication in our fire district and provide assistance to our EMS departments when requested. Hydraulic equipment, hand tools and medical supplies were purchased in April 2005, making our Rescue Truck certified as “Light Rescue”. Taylors Bridge Fire Department became known as Taylors Bridge Fire Rescue on May 22, 2005.

The commitment to serve our community continues. 2005 is not the end of growth at Taylors Bridge. We are embarking on new challenges and embracing new technologies in the fire and rescue services. ATV Rescue, Land Search, High Level Rescue, and others are goals that we have set to accomplish in the next few years. The foundation was set back in 1986 with Tony Matthis and the founding fathers of the department. It will take a lot of time, training and money to complete. However, the firefighters here are capable and ready. Our community is behind us 110%. This is truly a place to be in the future.


	Home Fire Chiefs Since 1986 Tony Matthis 1986 - 1992 Dan Holtom 1993 -1997 Teddy Booth 1998 - Present First Female Firefighter Erin Heath 2000 - 2005 First Female Board Member Helen Ballance 2002 - Present Home		In the late 1985, there was a large fire at Chubb’s Corner. This was the only restaurant in the community and before Clinton and Harrells fire departments could get there, the place burnt completely down. At the time, these were the closest departments, both 10 miles away. This sparked an idea by Frank Matthis; what would it take to have our own fire department. Frank embarked on a mission in 1986, talking with county officials, emergency management and other Fire Chiefs in the county. All were willing to help get a fire department started for the Taylors Bridge Township because the community deserved it. However, Frank would not see this become reality. Frank found out he had cancer earlier that year and died December 8, 1996. The Taylors Bridge Fire Department was chartered on November 25, 1986 at a meeting held in the Taylors Bridge Community Building on US 421 with approximately 35 men in attendance. Without the vision of Frank Matthis and the very hard work of the men below, the Taylors Bridge Fire Department would have only been an idea lost in time. The first Board of Directors were: Tony Matthis, President John Hendrix, Vice President Ronnie Williams, Secretary Ronald Peterson, Treasurer Steve Elmore Dan Holtom Ricky Moore Steve Bass The first department meetings were held mostly at each board member’s home. Each would share in finger food and drinks as they laid the foundation for the fire department. At the time, there were more questions than answers but they continued through the “red tape” and eventually came up with a “real” place to meet. Ever heard of the “right people at the right time”. This is what these men were. The Taylors Bridge Community Building shown below was the first official home. Normally used by the senior citizens and Boy Scouts, they let us use the building and we began our training. We did not own anything at the time so, we focused on the things that did not require equipment. However, you know this did not last long. So, we were given old gear and equipment from some of our county departments. Plainview and Vann Crossroads are two that come to mind. Everyone helped but these two fire departments gave all they could. We thank them for their support. The first Officers were elected and served tremendously. These men believed as the Board, what ever it took to be successful, we were going to do it. The men were: Tony Matthis, Fire Chief John Hendrix, Assistant Chief Tommy Heath, Assistant Chief DeKalb Wells, Captain Andy Powell, Captain Ronnie Matthis, Lieutenant Ricky Moore, Lieutenant Dan Holtom, Safety Officer In January or February 1988, we moved to another fire department. You see, Tony and the Board got enough money to buy our first fire truck. It was a truck from Myrtle Grove for $5,000.00. It at least pumped water, was dependable and we could begin. They had to find a place so we could put it. We moved into a shop shown below on Union School Road where we put plastic up around the walls to keep the cold out. We continued our meetings and training there. We actually made our first fire call out of that building. The call was a motor vehicle accident on November 24, 1988. Looking back, I don’t know how we did it but, we did. Miles B. Fowler, Attorney at Law donated the Articles of Incorporation and all the required documentation for the loan from FmHA (known as Rural Development now). When Tony and the Board finally got the load from FmHA, they purchased a new Engine, 1250 gpm pump, 1000 gallon tank from FMC, Fire Station and equipment. Hugh Carr built the building and we all pitched in and finished the inside including the offices. In December 1988, we moved to our present location on US 421, 6825 Taylors Bridge Highway. The new "modern truck" as the Sampson Independent wrote arrived in January 18, 1989. We had everything you could ask for. New truck, gear, hose, air packs, etc... But we soon found out, we had only just begun. With a fire district our size, one truck and a few firefighters would not be enough. We continued to build a fleet of trucks to assist in the fire suppression we had gotten our selves into. These were not new trucks by far but, were good dependable vehicles and one was donated by Prestage Farms, others were purchases at the Army Surplus in Raleigh. We “homemade” these trucks to fit what we had to do. Tony made sure we always stayed focused on helping the community. In July 1991 we purchased our second Engine, 1250 gpm pump, 1000 gallon tank from E-One which gave us 2500 gpm pumping capacity. The first truck we purchased from Myrtle Grove, we turned into a tanker. So, we now have two Class A Engines and two Tankers (actually water tenders) which we made, giving us a total of 4000 gallons of water. We needed an Equipment Truck. Tony and then Assistant Chief Dan Holtom purchase an old Air Force Chevy C20 Step Van from Army Surplus. We had to buy a motor, repair it a little and paint. We added a duel wheel system because during a 10 to 15 mile an hour wind, the truck would sway. Dan Holtom became fire Chief in January of 1993. We had out grown the Water Tenders and we decided to purchase a real Tanker. In August 1995, we purchased an 1800 gallon with a 300gpm pump, called a “budget buster” tanker from E-One, and sold the two “homemade” trucks. The old Tenders were not baffled to NFPA standards. I still see these trucks around today, but these are used for other types of work. 1998 was a difficult year to say the least. It was the hardest year because something happed that you can not ever be prepared for. I was nominated as Fire Chief, waiting on the Board of Directors decision when we lost a fireman in the line of duty. I had only been selected three days when this tragic accident happened. Brian Cannon was driving back from a call when he lost control of the apparatus in a curve. Keith Powell was with him on the cool rainy night. All the training in the world and the best equipment available could not bring Brian Cannon back to us. We all were so broken hearted. What did we do wrong? Why was he taken from us? All the selfish questions were asked but we knew the answer. God wanted him and we were just the lucky ones to have shared in a part of his life. Now, we can not physically be with him but we feel his presents each time the alarm tolls. Special thanks to all the people that helped us and were there day and night if we needed someone to talk to. Your kindness will never be forgotten. We replaced the Engine in October 1998 with a four door, 1250 gpm pump, 1000 gallon tank Freightliner from Pierce. Thanks to Wade Farrior and Pierce for building the apparatus so quickly. They knew we were down a truck and expedited it through. In Brian’s memory, we decided to become more involved in the medical aspect of the fire department. Before we just handled the fire suppression and first aid for us but, now we are going to try our best with the ABC’s of patient care. We took the Medical Responder training. We got down to the basics on our fire fighting responsibilities. The department was determined to learn more and more each week to build from Brian’s death, returning as much as possible to the community. The members became more involved in the decision making process and the members were closer than ever before. Writing this history of the department reminds me that Brian Cannon is still a presents and took us to the next level. The department purchased a new Equipment/Rescue Truck to replace the old Chevy Step Van in July 2004. We were going to begin the Vehicle Extrication in our fire district and provide assistance to our EMS departments when requested. Hydraulic equipment, hand tools and medical supplies were purchased in April 2005, making our Rescue Truck certified as “Light Rescue”. Taylors Bridge Fire Department became known as Taylors Bridge Fire Rescue on May 22, 2005. The commitment to serve our community continues. 2005 is not the end of growth at Taylors Bridge. We are embarking on new challenges and embracing new technologies in the fire and rescue services. ATV Rescue, Land Search, High Level Rescue, and others are goals that we have set to accomplish in the next few years. The foundation was set back in 1986 with Tony Matthis and the founding fathers of the department. It will take a lot of time, training and money to complete. However, the firefighters here are capable and ready. Our community is behind us 110%. This is truly a place to be in the future.