The history of the Statesville Fire Department is rooted in resilience, service, and community strength.
From bucket brigades to modern apparatus and nationally recognized excellence, the department has grown alongside the City of Statesville for 150 years (1876-2026). What began as a volunteer effort has evolved into a professional organization dedicated to protecting lives and property while honoring the legacy of those who served before.
In 1854, a devastating fire destroyed nearly half of the downtown area, including the courthouse. This tragedy marked one of the earliest turning points in Statesville’s fire protection history and highlighted the urgent need for organized fire response.
By 1869, the first formal attempt to organize a fire department was made. In 1876, momentum grew. On January 21, a public meeting was held at the courthouse where citizens voted to organize a Hook and Ladder Company. Twenty eight members enrolled, and on March 2, 1876, the first official meeting of the Statesville Hook and Ladder Company took place.
A fire at McElwee’s Tobacco Factory further strengthened the drive for improved equipment and organization.
The first dedicated fire station was built in 1912 on North Center Street in downtown Statesville.
On August 13, 1913, the department purchased its first motorized fire truck, a 60 horsepower White Motor Company vehicle. By 1922 and 1923, additional American LaFrance pumpers were added, marking the transition from horse drawn apparatus to motorized response.
In 1952, land was purchased on South Meeting Street for a new Fire Station 1. The station opened in 1953 at a cost of 91,000 dollars and housed seven pieces of equipment, including five pumpers, one rescue unit, and one aerial truck.
The department continued expanding with the opening of Fire Station 2 on Security Drive in 1963 and Fire Station 3 on East Side Drive in 1975.
The history of the Statesville Fire Department also includes profound sacrifice.
On November 5, 1936, Chief W. L. Neely became the department’s first line of duty death after being overcome by smoke at a house fire on Sharpe Street.
On November 22, 1967, Captain Leeroy Horton was killed in a bombing at Fire Station 2, marking the department’s second line of duty death.
These tragedies remain part of the department’s story and serve as lasting reminders of the risks firefighters face in service to their community.
Over the decades, Statesville firefighters have responded to significant fires that shaped the department’s growth, including:
The department invested in advanced apparatus, including its first Sutphen Aerial Platform in 1995 and continued modern fleet upgrades in 2025 with the addition of an ARFF truck, rescue unit, mobile fan trailer, and ballistic protection for apparatus crews.
In 2014, the Statesville Fire Department achieved international accredited status for the first time through the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) and the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). This distinction recognized the Department’s high-level services and began a cycle of continuous improvement with reaccreditation achieved every five years.
In 2019, the Department attained re-accreditation from CPSE and CFAI after conducting an extensive self-assessment, undergoing peer review, and sitting before the Commission to continually improve the Department to better serve the community. Most recently, in February 2024, the Department was re-accredited for a second time by CPSE/CFAI. This recognition reaffirms the Department’s commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of the community from all hazards. With this re-accreditation the Statesville Fire Department joins a select group of approximately 340 agencies worldwide to achieve International Accreditation status.
In 2023, the Statesville Fire Department received its first ISO Class 1 rating from the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal, placing it among the top Fire Departments in the nation for fire protection capability. The hard work and dedication to the safety and the well-being of the community is exemplified by being 1 of 127 Fire Department worldwide that are accredited and have an ISO 1 rating.
In 2022 and 2025 the City of Statesville Fire Department earned first place at the North Carolina Association of Hazardous Materials Responder (NCAHMR) HazMat Challenge.
The department continued expanding to meet community growth. Fire Station 4 opened on Martin Lane in 2013. In 2019, staffing support from a SAFER grant allowed full staffing of the department’s aerial apparatus.
On November 30, 2023, groundbreaking began for a new Fire Station 1 on Wilson W Lee Boulevard. The station officially opened on May 14, 2024, housing Battalion 1, Engine 1, Ladder 1, Ladder 2, Brush 1, and administrative offices.
In 2025, firefighters were deployed to assist with Hurricane Helene rescue efforts in western North Carolina and to combat wildfires in Polk County. That same year, City Council approved the purchase of property for the future development of Fire Station 5, expanding service capacity and adding additional personnel.
