After fire claimed
several items of property in our community the need for a volunteer fire department was seen. Interested persons began meeting
together at different homes to discuss and organize a fire fighting unit. Finally in April, 1962 a charter was drawn up and
a Board of Directors consisting of 8 members was elected and the Pumpkin Center Volunteer Fire Dept. was born. The department
started out with 15 members who volunteered their services and enrolled in a 30 hour training class.
The neighborhood was
canvassed for funds. Good response resulted in the purchase in June 1962 of a 1937 500 gallon Ford fire truck. Age did not
lessen the pride we the community felt for our first piece of firefighting equipment. Land was donated along Highway 17 North,
about 3 miles from Jacksonville city limits and work was begun on a fire station in February of 1963. The first meeting
in the new building was held March 13, 1963. A second pumper, a 1939 Mack was purchased in November 1964. The department now
had 2 pumpers, a 1000 gallon tanker and many smaller items donated by older departments in the county as they outgrew them.
In 1976 a project was
spearheaded to build a new fire station. After 14 years the department outgrew its location and needed a larger building.
The department now had 4 pumpers, a tanker, and an equipment and lighting truck. In 1977 The Department of Agriculture's
Farm Home Administration and Pumpkin Center Volunteer Fire Department closed a $50,000 loan for the purpose of purchasing
a parcel of land and constructing a metal building to house the new fire station. The building would be 50' by 100' and would
be located across from the original station on Highway 17. The station was soon completed and has served as our home since.
On September 14, 1997
tragedy struck the department. Henry "Hank" Perry, the Deputy Chief/ Safety Officer was working at a structure fire in Piney
Green's district and suffered a fatal heart attack. This hit the department hard as Chief Perry was a long time member
and had been Chief for 19 years. In October of 1998 the department sent a group of 5 members to The National Fallen Firefighters
Memorial in Emmitsburg, Va. to honor Chief Perry and to escort his wife. In May of 2006 The North Carolina Fallen Firefighters
Memorial was dedicated and the department sent unit 1204 with a contingent of members to honor Chief Perry.
Since 1962, PCVFD has
evolved into a modern firefighting organization and continuosly strives to provide the best service possible.
