Reason for forming the Department

Back in 1971, a group of men and women concerned about recent fires in their area gathered at the Level Cross Community Center to attempt to organize fire protection for the area in and around Level Cross.  This group was very aware of the damage that fire could cause. A steering committee was appointed to determine the necessary requirements for a fire station. Committee findings and recommendations were presented to the citizens of the community who indicated a desire to continue the pursuit of fire protection. In early 1972, we began to lay bricks for our station. Except for finishing touches, our station was essentially completed in mid-1972.

                       Brief written history of the department 

I quess you could say that we are famous for being the fire department for Petty Enterprises. Petty Enterprises is the home of auto racing's NASCAR champions Richard Petty. Lee Petty and Richard's son Kyle Petty. In fact, under our county fire department numbering system, we are called Station # 43. Our engines are numbered 431 and 432, our tanker is numbered 434, and our Squad is Squad 43. For the first 17 years, each piece of fire equipment that we bought had to be rebuilt by our volunteers. During this time of our history , our budget was very tight and we were unable to buy new equipment, only used items.Over the years we rebuilt about six vehicles, and after our volunteers finished with them, they were just like new. They really did a super job with what they had to work with. In 1988, we received our first new piece of fire equipment. It was a 1988 Emergency One, 1,250-gallon-per-minute pumper. In 191, we bought a 1991 Chevrolet, 250-GPM pumper to be used as a squad unit on medical calls, vehicle accidents and small grass fires.

             Year and type of first fire trucks and equipment

Our first fire truck was a wrecked 1964 Chevrolet, a 750-gallon per minute pumper. We took this vehicle and rebuilt it. Our first tanker was an old fuel oil truck, a 1955 Chevrolet, with a 1,200 gallon tank.

                     First station location

The station is still in the original location. It has been added onto several times to hold the equipment that we have.

 Names of all past chief's

Donald Whitaker  ,  22 yrs

John Hussey

Max Hooker

Stephen Russell ,   present time

                                 Fallen in the line of duty

                                Michael T. Childress       May 7th ,  2005

                                            Present time

At the present time we have 24 hour staff on duty. Have a full-time Chief that is at the station 8 til 5. Have 3 full-time shift personnel that work 24 hrs. With the full-time personnel here at the station, the first piece of equipment is out the door.  This is needed if your house is on fire, or you have a family member that is having a heart attack. The tax payers of the Level Cross Fire district are paying for the service and they are going to get the service. 

                                             ISO Rating

Our insurance rating is a class 6, and this is saving that all of the fire district home owner's and business owner's get.