Department Profile[]
The Salisbury Fire Department is a career department providing fire protection and emergency medical services (First Responder) to the City of Salisbury, North Carolina. The department currently operates out of 5 stations, protecting approximately 34,000 citizens and 22 square miles. The department has an authorized strength of 94 personnel and responded to an approximately 9,200 calls for service in 2023.
History[]
Salisbury's first fire company was formed December 8, 1817 by the Town of Salisbury. The formal organization of the Salisbury Hook and Ladder Company No 1 occurred in 1877.
In 1896, a new Central Fire Station was constructed at 117 S. Lee St. The building also served as the Town Hall and Calaboose. As a fire station, it remained in service for 65 years. The building would go on to become a restaurant, a flower shop .and most recently, a brewery (the Firehouse Brew Pit).
In 1906, the department purchased its first steam pumper (an American LaFrance Metropolitan Steam Pumper, second-size (#3216), 600 GPM) for $5,500.
In 1912, the department purchased its first motorized fire truck, an American LaFrance Type 10 Hose and Chemical. The Registry number was #212. A public fire alarm box system was also installed with 20 fire alarm boxes installed on street corners.
In 1920, the department retired the last 4 horses with the purchase a motorized pumper truck, an American LaFrance Type 75, triple combination pumper, Reg. #3087.
In 1978, the department entered into the first responder program by converting a step van into an ambulance. Transport was still handled by a county agency, but the unit was transport certified if needed.
In 1987, the county put in service the 911 system and moved the dispatchers to a new communications center. The last of the fire alarm boxes were removed from service.
In 2007, the department opened Fire Station 4.
In 2021, the department opened Station 6. The station house a HAZMAT/Engine company and also has a variety of training spaces, including a 5 story training tower. It is named in honor of FFs Justin Monroe and Vic Isler.
Line of Duty Deaths[]
On March 7, 2008, the Salisbury Fire Department responded to a large fire at the Salisbury Millworks Company. While fighting the fire, Firefighter Justin Monroe and Firefighter Victor Isler, were killed and Captain Rick Barkley was very seriously injured. Barkley recovered and eventually returned to the job as an inspector until his retirement in 2018.
Fire Stations[]
| Station | Address | In Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1402 South Main Street | 1946-1980 2014-present |
Closed. Reopened as Station 5. Now used as logistics only. |
Apparatus Roster[]
All pump/tank measurements are in US gallons.
Station 1 - 514 East Innes Street[]
Built 1965
- Engine 1 - 2010 Sutphen Shield S1 (1500/500/35A) (SN#HS-4823) (Ex-Engine 2)
- Truck 1 - 2018 Ferrara Inferno (2000/300/100' mid-mount) (SN#H-6140)
- Rescue 1 -
- Squad 1 (Reserve) -
- Battalion 2 (Reserve) -
- Ladder 1 (Reserve) - 1998 E-One (1500/500/75' rear-mount) (SO#19314)
Station 2 - 2312 South Main Street[]
Built 1980
- Rescue 2 - 2023 Pierce Enforcer 6x4 PUC walk-around (1250/300) (SN#37243)
- Squad 2 (Reserve) - 2007 Ford F-350 4x4 / Reading Type 7 (250/25)
Station 3 - 1604 West Innes Street[]
Built 1957
Station 4 - 2325 Statesville Boulevard[]
Opened 2007
- Engine 4 - 2006 Spartan / Crimson (1500/750) (Ex-Rescue 1 - Former transport capable engine (stretcher removed)) (SN#05076-001)
- Ladder 4 - 2006 Spartan Gladiator Evolution 6x4 / Crimson (1500/500/100' rear-mount) (Ex-Quint 2)
- HazMat 4 -
- Squad 4 -
- Engine 14 (Reserve) -
Station 5 - 1402 South Main Street[]
Built 1942
- Antique - 1941 American LaFrance open cab type M-190 aerial (-/-/65' mid-mount) (SN#L-1627)
Station 6 (Justin Monroe and Vic Isler Station & Training Center) - 310 Cedar Springs Road[]
Opened 2021
- Engine 6 - 2018 Ferrara Inferno MVP pumper (2000/750) (SN#H-6147) (Ex-Engine 4, ex-Rescue 2)
- Hazmat 6 - 2015 Sutphen Monarch (1500/500) (SN#HS-5637) (Ex-Engine 6, ex-Rescue 1, ex-Rescue 2)
- (Reserve) - 2011 Sutphen SL 75 aerial (1500/500/30B/75' mid-mount ladder) (SN#HS-4915) (Ex-Quint 3)
- (Reserve) - 2002 Spartan / Quality aerial (2000/500/30/75' rear-mount ladder) (Ex-Quint 2)
Station/Assignment Unknown[]
- Squad 3 - 2007 Ford F-350 4x4 / Reading walk-around
- Division Chief 20 - 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4
- Battalion Chief 50 - 201? Chevrolet Silverado 4x4
Retired Apparatus[]
- 2000 E-One Cyclone II aerial (2000/500/95' rear-mount platform) (SO#12179) (Ex-Ladder 1) (Sold to Spencer Fire Department (North Carolina))
- 1998 E-One Cyclone II aerial (1500/500/75' rear-mount) (SO#19314)
- 1996 E-One Cyclone pumper (1500/500) (SO#16250)
- 1988 E-One Hush pumper (1500/500) (SO#6142)
- 1985 Ford L-8000 / 4 Guys walk-in (Ex-Apex Fire Department (North Carolina))
- 1975 Ford C / JACO pumper
- 1974 Ford C / JACO pumper
- 1972 Ford C / JACO pumper
- 1966 American LaFrance 900 Series aerial (-/-/85' ladder) (Reg#7-1-260)
- 1948 American LaFrance 700 Series pumper (750/350) (Reg#L-3435) (Now privately owned in Salisbury)
- 1920 American LaFrance Type 75 triple combination pumper (SN#3087)
- ca. 1912 American LaFrance Type 10 hose and chemical (SN#212)
- ca. 1906 American LaFrance Metropolitan 2nd size steam pumper (600/-) (SN#3216)
Future Plans[]
Fire Station 5 (which was originally Station 2), was closed and replaced by the current Fire Station 2 in 1980. After closing, the building was used by other city departments until 2014, when the fire department reclaimed the station. The department has begun to renovate/restore the building with the intent of returning it to an active Fire Station 5, with an end goal of housing a Ladder Company in the future.
The department has started the process to build a replacement for Station 3. That station, built in 1957, is more than 50 years old and has reached the end of its useful life. The City has purchased land on Mahaley Avenue which will allow better coverage of a larger area. The construction was originally scheduled to begin in April 2021, however the City of Salisbury pushed back the start date for a year due to the pandemic. Construction began in 2023 and opening is planned in 2024/25.