The Clifton Forge Fire Department was originated in 1886 and today has an average of 31 firefighters and three professional firefighters who drive and operate the engines. The Fire Department coverage varies from residential and business throughout the city.

The Fire Department consists of three engines, one utility truck, and a ladder truck. The first due engine for calls within the business district of the city is a 2000 Ferrara on a Freightliner chassis, the engine carries 1,000 gallons of water and is capable of pumping up to 1,250 gallons of water per minute. The second due engine to the business district and first due to retirement homes and nursing homes is a 1992 Custom Built Grumman which seats six firefighters and holds 750 gallons of water and is also capable of pumping 1,250 gallons of water per minute. The department also has a 1966 Ford which is first due on all brush and forest fires. The department's aerial apparatus is a 75 foot Oren which responds to the business and residential districts of the city on all structural related fires.

The Clifton Forge Volunteer Fire association has an annual festival which is held in the middle of every year and consists of several rides and games for young children. The proceeds obtained from this carnival assist the volunteer firefighters when they attend the annual Virginia State Volunteer Firefighters Convention.

The Fire Department is also active in several Fire Prevention programs such as attending the schools and teaching fire safety to the children. We also visit local businesses to teach fire safety, conduct fire drills, train employees on operation of fire extinguishers, and how to respond in case of fire.


HISTORY OF THE CLIFTON FORGE FIRE DEPARTMENT
It was 111 years ago that the Clifton Forge Fire Department was organized. No one seems to be sure of the exact date, but the year is not in question. A plaque on the wall of the new firehouse, erected in 1975, contains a document which states that the Fire Department became a member of the Virginia State Firemen's Association in 1886, the same year the state organization was formed. And according to history of the local Fire Department published in an official program of the 1935 State Firemen's Convention, the Clifton Forge Fire Department was organized in 1886. That year the Convention was hosted by Clifton Forge. That makes the Clifton Forge Fire Department the oldest such organization in the Alleghany Highlands.

We help citizens whether fighting fires, evacuating people during floods, or pumping out basements, getting out and helping people is what it is all about. According to an account in Elizabeth Corrons history of this city, Clifton Forge Scenic, Busy, Friendly, the first years of the Fire Companies formation were anxious ones. During this period from the time the fire department organized until about 1905 business establishments, town property and private homes were being destroyed by fire. It was a very uneasy and anxious time because all the fires were thought to be started deliberate for excitement by a fire bug who wanted to see the newly organized volunteer fire department operate its hand drawn reels. During that time two tragic deaths resulted from supposedly incendiary origin. When fire destroyed a building located on the corner of Main St. where the Methodist Church is now located, Mr. James Ford who maintained bachelor quarters in the same building, lost his life in the holocaust. The other death was that of a prisoner named Fisher in the city jail when it caught fire. Hotels, Business Houses and Private citizens hired watchmen, around the clock, to guard their places.

Consequently the town converted the hand drawn reels into a horse drawn vehicle, and the famous horse George was bought. Due to the steep hills a second horse was bought for the horse wagon, and they were used until 1915 when the Fire Company bought its first motorized equipment. When the motor trucks came, George was given to M. H. Pendleton with the understanding that he was to keep him for as long as he lived.

According to history in the 1935 Convention Program, the Fire Company was organized in the year 1886. This Fire Company is not as fortunate as many of the older companies in the state, as the minutes of the meetings have only been preserved within the past few years. It would be impossible to give a correct list of the charter members of this company as there are no records available.

About 1893 the town council converted the lower part of Town Hall into a Fire House, purchasing an additional reel. About the year 1896, the city purchased a hand drawn hook and ladder truck.

In July, 1907, the city purchased a horse drawn hose wagon and bought the famous horse George that stayed in the Fire Department until the department motorized.

In the year 1915 the city bought its first motorized fire equipment, which was American La France built with a 500 gallon pumper and chemical tank.

In August 1922 the city bought an American la France Hook and Ladder Truck. The Clifton Forge Fire Department, realizing the need of a fire alarm system, in May 1922 purchased with their own funds a Gamewell Switchboard and attachment for same at a cost of about $2,500 and installed it in the Fire House located next to Town Hall. Two years later the city installed the boxes and built the circuits to serve the Fire Alarm system.

In the year 1928 the business people of Clifton Forge presented the Fire Company a ton and one half Republic Truck and the C & O Railway built the body which became known as the white truck that was taken to conventions and used for many things until it was destroyed in a fire.

In 1921 the Fire Association purchased a camping outfit consisting of two tents, coal stove, tables, cots and other things for camping, at a cost of about $800.00 to be used by the members in attending conventions and other outings.

As stated previously there are no accurate minutes available, but as far as recollection goes, the names of the chiefs since its organization are shown below. Their is a possibility of omitting one or two names: James H. Baker, R. A. Ham, W. C. C. Vannerman, J. P. Matthews, Gordon counts, and Frank wheeler. Our present company consists of 46 members. They elect their own chief and other officers. The city furnished all equipment for fire protection. The city council has always cooperated 100 percent with the Fire Company and has always tried to grant any requests made for the betterment of the Fire Company.

The Fire Department remained in its fire house adjacent to the Town Hall until December 8, 1970 when a freak accident occurred. A soft drink truck coming down Jefferson ST. hill lost its brakes and slammed into the front doors, causing the building to burst into flames. In the fire were lost the departments only pumper and ladder truck along with other equipment. Fortunately, no lives were lost.

Also fortunately a new 75 ft. aerial ladder truck that was on order had not arrived until several months later. Fire Departments around the state donated enough equipment to allow the Fire Department to continue operation until additional trucks arrived.

In December, 1975, the Fire Department moved into its new and present location at the corner of Church and D Streets. The new 8,000 square foot firehouse was built with a bond issue at a cost of $167,000.00.

The city employees 3 paid men to man the firehouse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Oddly enough there have been only 11 fire chiefs in its 111 year history. Frank Wheeler served as chief for 50 years. He passed away December 27, 1967, after having been elected to serve his 50th time.

After Wheeler there were in order: Keith Powell, 1968-69, B. G. Broughman 1970-72, Robert Monroe 1973, N. W. Rice 1974-76, R. B. Smith, Jr. 1977-79, S. A. Tyler 1980-91, and our current chief Tommy Fitch.