1950's
 The
Hickory Grove Volunteer Fire Department was organized in
May 1953 and started operating on April 1, 1953. Most of
the fire department meetings were held at the American
Legion Hut or the Hickory Grove Community Building.
During the first year, Hickory Grove answered 21 calls.
The first fire fatality came in December of 1953
― a 7 month old baby. The total
expenses for the first year of operation were $4,581.41.
Total receipts were $5,638.33.
The first fire truck cost
$5974.51. It was built by Southern Fire Apparatus in
Roanoke, Virginia. The first fire station cost $318.38
and was located on Hickory Grove Road.
See the contract
and specs for the 1953 engine
L.M. Taylor was the first Fire
Chief. He served in the position until 1958. W.J. Maye
was the first Assistant Chief. He served in that
position until 1956.
In May, 1955 a lot was purchased
across the street from the fire station for a new
station.
 The
cost of the station was $5,296.23. This was Hickory
Grove's main fire station until 1988.
In June of 1954 a second fire
truck was purchased. In November of 1955 a shortwave
receiver was purchased for the fire station. It was used
to communicate with the two-way radio on Engine 1.
In 1957 a 1948 Dodge Power Wagon
was placed in service for use as a grass unit.
1960's
By 1960, the call volume had increased to 31
calls. The State Department insisted that Hickory Grove
get direct telephone service or lose it's County monies.
Fire department leaders discussed building a station
in Robinson that would operate as Hickory Grove Station
#2 in 1966. However, this station would not become a
reality for another 18 years. By 1967 a new truck
needed to be purchased. A bay had to be added to the
building to house the truck. In 1968, the new truck was
purchased from Beatty Ford Tank and Body and installed
by Mr. Link at a cost of $15,875.00. This truck was in
service until 1998, when it was sold to a department in
Georgia as their front line truck. In 1969 Engine 2
was painted white for $500.00. The grass truck was
painted white by the members for $35.00.
See a roster and
group picture from 1967
1970's
The Seventies saw a huge explosion in growth
for the Hickory Grove area. One of the largest signs of
growth was when Eastland Mall opened. Growth continued
out Robinson Church Road and Harrisburg Road towards
Cabarrus County. Hickory Grove responded to several
large fires at the Lake Apartments with the Oakhurst
Volunteer Fire Department. In 1972 a new Dodge Power
Wagon brush truck was purchased. In 1974 a Ford F750
chassis was purchased from Young Ford for $7227.79. Howe
Fire Apparatus installed a body on the truck. It was
sold by Triad Fire. The first of several annexations
by Charlotte came in the 70's. In 1971 calls had more
than doubled to 61.
1980's
 The
early 80's saw a marked increase in call volume. In 1984
the Robinson fire station was built at 5304 Mecklenburg
Shrine Club Road. This station was known as Hickory
Grove Station #2 Robinson. The 4 bay station was
occupied by Engine 1, the 1968 Ford. In 1987 Hickory
Grove started it's First Responder program to provide
much needed EMS services to the community. A Chevrolet
truck with a utility body was purchased for EMS calls.
It was designated as Rescue 8. Due to a large
annexation, the Hickory Grove fire station at 6115
Hickory Grove Road was closed in 1988. All equipment was
moved to the Robinson Station. The name of the
department was changed to Robinson Volunteer Fire
Department.
A Ford C8000/Grumman pumper was purchased in 1988. The
truck was painted solid red. In November 1988 Engine 3
was totaled in an accident. In late 1988 a matching Ford
C8000/Grumman pumper was purchased. An addition was need
to house the new apparatus, so two bays and an upstairs
meeting room were added to the building. The official
name of the department was changed in 1989 to Robinson
Volunteer Fire Department.
1990's
A new Rescue 8 was purchased in 1991. It had
a Ford F450 chassis with a Frontline Emergency Vehicles
rescue body. A 1991 Chevrolet 2500 pickup was purchased
to replace the 1972 Dodge brush truck. In the mid
1990's, Rescue was added to the legal name of the
department. It was now known as Robinson Volunteer Fire
and Rescue Department. A Pierce Saber engine company
was delivered in August 1998. The 1968 front mount Ford
was sold to a department in Georgia.
2000's
With an increase in medical calls and an upgrade in
equipment, a new rescue truck was needed. In May 2001
Robinson took delivery of a Spartan/Marion 17' rescue
truck.
Another Pierce Saber pumper was purchased in November of
2001. It replaced the 1988 Grumman, which was sold to
Dogtown, Alabama. This is just outside of Fort Payne,
near the home of the music group Alabama. In 2003
Interstate 485 opened, linking the southern part of
Mecklenburg County with Interstate 85. This, along with
explosive residential and commercial construction, has
had a positive effect on call volume. We now answer
almost 4 times the calls in one month than we did the
entire first year! |
