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HISTORY -
The Chatham Fire Department
has a tremendous amount of rich history. From our earliest beginnings, the
Chatham Fire Department has strived to provide the Town of Chatham and
Pittsylvania County with the best possible fire protection.
A MORE DEFINITIVE HISTORY OF THE CVFD IS
BEING COMPILED
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HERE ARE A FEW OF THE IMPORTANT DATES
Historical
Photography Pictures Over The Years
1932 The Chatham Volunteer Fire Department was officially
organized. From the very first day, the department has always been under the
direction of the Town of Chatham. The department does not have a board of
directors; the Chatham Town Council oversees it. However, the town allows the department to operate as it does.
1951 The department responded to the first and most
devastating of the fires to occur at Hargrave Military Academy. Departments
from all around the county provided manpower and equipment for this large
blaze. Many of the original buildings were destroyed and the school was forced
to house students in town and cancel part of the school year due to this
massive fire.
1981 The second of the major Hargrave fires takes place.
Much of the upper floors of both the Camden and Sanford buildings were heavily
destroyed. Hydrants were at a minimum in those days, so the Hargrave pool was
used as a source of water.
1982 Chatham Fire Department purchases a used 75-foot
Aerial Platform-Ladder truck from the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). This
truck is used for fighting major fires in large structures in the Town of
Chatham, and is designated as Ladder 21. Also in 1982 the department purchased
a new Chevrolet 1200-gallon tanker, designated 216.
1987 The CVFD took delivery of a 1986 Ford FMC Pumper
truck. This truck is still in service to this day and is operated as 212. It
has a 1000 GPM pump and a 750-gallon tank.
1995 A large early morning fire destroys an Eastern Panel
Corp. Building, in Chatham. Firefighters from Chatham, Gretna, and Dry Fork
battled the blaze. Two buildings and an adjacent company were spared from the
damages of the fire by the quick response of the firefighters.
1996 Chatham purchased a 1996 E-One Pumper on a
Freightliner FL-80 Chassis. This trucks operates today as 211, our first due
truck. It has a 1250 GPM pump and a 1000-gallon tank.
1997 Pittsylvania County implements the 9-1-1 system
throughout the entire county as well as in the towns of Chatham, Gretna, and
Hurt. This system allows for faster response times from emergency services.
2000 Chatham Fire Department responds to the third major
structure fire at Hargrave Military Academy. The fire destroyed a brand new
roof and heavily damaged the two upper floors of the Sanford Building, which
was being renovated at the time of the incident. Gretna, Blairs, Climax, and
Dry Fork provided mutual aid for this large fire. The building was saved and
has been completely remolded and is serving the school today, thanks to the
CVFD and all the other departments who were there. Also in 2000, the CVFD
purchased a Ford F-350 super duty chassis and had Slagles custom build a body
for the unit. It operates as 215, our first due brush truck.
2001 Large fire nearly destroys the old Powell Hotel,
next door to the Chatham Post Office. Due to quick response and hard work, the
hotel was saved. It is now being renovated for use today. This five-story
structure, along with the many Hargrave fires, proves the reasoning for Ladder
21.
2002 The CVFD took delivery of a 2002 Pierce
Pumper-Tanker on an Freightliner FL-80 chassis. This truck replaces the 1982
tanker, which served faithfully over the years. The new truck has a 1000 GPM
pump and a 2000-gallon tank. It is
designated as 216. Also in 2002, the Chatham Fire Department became the first
department in Pittsylvania County to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
2003 Chatham Fire Chief Landon R. Worsham is honored for
over 50 Years of Service to the Chatham Fire Department and for serving 40
Years as the Chief. Delegate Robert
Hurt and State Senator Charles Hawkins submitted legislation to the Virginia
General Assembly calling for a Resolution Honoring Mr. Worsham for all his accomplishments,
specifically his service to the community through the Fire Department and the
Rescue Squad over the years.
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Last Revised: January 1, 2003