Skip to main content
Search

Salisbury Fire Department celebrates upcoming 200th anniversary with historical marker and fire truck parade, Friday, Dec. 8

Salisbury Fire Department celebrates upcoming 200th anniversary  with historical marker and fire truck parade, Friday, Dec. 8

One of the oldest documented fire departments in the state of N.C., will celebrate its 200th anniversary, Friday, Dec. 8 with a historical marker dedication and a fire truck parade in downtown Salisbury.

Dating back to December 1817, 32 citizens pledged a total of $415 to start the process to purchase equipment “to protect the city from fire.” Thus beginning the formation of the Salisbury Fire Department (SFD).

To honor its 200 years of service from firefighters past and present, the historical marker in the form of a timeline plaque will be placed on the 100 block of E. Innes St., on the spot where the city’s first hook and ladder building once stood. The plaque dedication will begin at 10 a.m.

The anniversary celebration will continue with a nighttime fire truck parade beginning at 7 p.m., featuring dozens of fire vehicles, complete with blazing lights. The parade will travel through downtown Salisbury along Main St. from Kerr to Fire Station No. 5. 

“This anniversary celebration is 200 years in the making and we couldn’t be prouder of the service we’ve provided to Salisbury over that time,” said Fire Chief Bob Parnell. “We’ve seen a lot of changes in fire service even over the years that I have been fire chief, so you can imagine how we’ve evolved since 1817. This is a historic occasion in a historic city, and we are ever so grateful to be able to honor this occasion with our residents.”

“We are very proud of the Salisbury Fire Department and all our firefighters do to save lives and help protect our city, said City Manager W. Lane Bailey. “Our fire service is one of the top seven in the state in terms of insurance ratings alone. We are more than honored to celebrate 200 years of this well-respected establishment.” 

Throughout its 200-year history, the SFD has embraced a number of fire-related technological advancements with an emphasis on fire apparatus innovation. For example, in 1906 the city was one of the first to buy a steamer pumper, which was a horse-drawn, steam-building, coal-burning machine that pumped water to throw streams onto fires. The steamer cost $5,500, and was supplemented with a motorized hose wagon four years later. Motor-drawn by 1922, it was a reserve unit by 1931. The steamer was scrapped in 1942 during the metal drives of World War II. It is documented that the machine saved downtown Salisbury multiple times from potentially catastrophic fires throughout the early 1900s. In addition, in 1941 SFD was one of the first departments in the region to purchase an aerial device/ladder truck with a hydraulic ladder. The truck remains in inventory today and has been restored to its original specifications.

Some of the other advancements include the evolution from a combination fire service of paid and volunteer firefighters serving together to an all-paid fire department; a potential addition of a sixth fire station to keep up with city growth; and the collection of hybrid fire apparatus that can serve multiple purposes while fighting fires. 

Both anniversary events are free and open to the public.

For more information, call SFD at (704) 638-4457 or email Capt. Rodney Misenheimer at rmise@salisburync.gov

  • Gallery
  • 21 November 2017
  • Author: Fire
  • Number of views: 50049
  • Comments: 0
Categories: Fire News
Tags:
Print

Name:
Email:
Subject:
Message:
x

Media Kit

Media outlets and journalists can get helpful resources in one place.

Go to Media Kit
Para leer los boletines traducidos al español, visite: www.salisburync.gov/NoticiasEspañol

Monthly Newsletter

 TitleDescription
06/2025Lighting the Way and Giving Back | Legacy Mural | City Budget Review
05/2025Rock Out at Cheerwine Festival | Cheers for Shirt Design Winner | Festival Shuttle Service | Festival Information
04/2025Statewide Litter Sweep, Fair Housing Month, BlockWork Call For Neighborhoods, Sidewalk Poetry Call For Poets, Paint the Pavement Call for Artists
03/2025Cheerwine Festival T-Shirt Contest, Spring Spruce Up Week, Protect Your Water Bill, Pilot Traffic Circle
02/2025Tips For Cold Weather, Cheerwine Festival on May 17, Join A City Board, Tree Give-A-Away
01/2025Downtown Winners, BlockWork T-Shirt Contest, MLK Weekend, Wine About Winter, Leaf Collection, Recycling Calendar
12/2024Holiday Contests | Spruce Up Week | Sculpture Show Call For Artists | Empire Hotel Phase 1
11/2024Holiday Events | Safe Shopping Tips | Toss The Grease | Greenway Committee | 130 S. Main St. Survey
08/2024Sign Up To Steer Salisbury | Save the Date for Cheerwine Festival | City Begins Budget Process | Protect Your Pipes This Winter
08/2024Take A Tree Tour | Officer Awarded For Saving Baby | Sculptures in the Spotlight | Go Out on a limb for the Tree Board
08/2024Take A Tree Tour | Officer Awarded For Saving Baby | Sculptures in the Spotlight | Go Out on a limb for the Tree Board
05/2024Cheerwine Festival: Band Lineup, T-Shirt Contest Winner, Free Shuttles, Safety Guidelines and Ways to Stay Connected.
05/2024Cheerwine Festival: Band Lineup, T-Shirt Contest Winner, Free Shuttles, Safety Guidelines and Ways to Stay Connected.
03/2024Vote on Cheerwine Festival T-shirt Design | What to do for Water Line Breaks | Sign Up For RoCo Alerts | Spring Spruce Up Week
03/2024Vote on Cheerwine Festival T-shirt Design | What to do for Water Line Breaks | Sign Up For RoCo Alerts | Spring Spruce Up Week
03/2024Vote on Cheerwine Festival T-shirt Design | What to do for Water Line Breaks | Sign Up For RoCo Alerts | Spring Spruce Up Week
02/2024Sign Up To Steer Salisbury | Save the Date for Cheerwine Festival | City Begins Budget Process | Protect Your Pipes This Winter
08/2023An Outdoor Art Adventure | Summer Program Inspires Youth | Salisbury Invests In Community | City Changes Up Departments
07/2023Hurricane Season | RoCo's Homeless Task Force | Waste Assistance Program | Citizen's Academy | Community Fair and National Night Out
06/2023Dive into Local Pool | Humanitarian Awards | Summer Spruce Up Week | City Budget Updates
03/2023Beautify Salisbury - Litter Sweeps, BlockWork, Adopt-A-Street, We Dig Salisbury | Cheerwine Festival | Salisbury311
10/2022Tips for Trick-or-Treaters | United Way Rowan | Crime Prevention Month | 4th Cultivating Community Conversations | Leaf Collection
10/2022Tips for Trick-or-Treaters | United Way Rowan | Crime Prevention Month | 4th Cultivating Community Conversations | Leaf Collection
10/2022Tips for Trick-or-Treaters | United Way Rowan | Crime Prevention Month | 4th Cultivating Community Conversations | Leaf Collection
07/2022Sculpture Show | Citizen's Academy | Hurricane Season Tips | West End Survey | Council Approves Budget
07/2022Sculpture Show | Citizen's Academy | Hurricane Season Tips | West End Survey | Council Approves Budget
07/2022Sculpture Show | Citizen's Academy | Hurricane Season Tips | West End Survey | Council Approves Budget
07/2022Sculpture Show | Citizen's Academy | Hurricane Season Tips | West End Survey | Council Approves Budget
07/2022Sculpture Show | Citizen's Academy | Hurricane Season Tips | West End Survey | Council Approves Budget
07/2022Sculpture Show | Citizen's Academy | Hurricane Season Tips | West End Survey | Council Approves Budget
05/2022New City Manager | Cheerwine Festival | Local Humanitarian Awards | BlockWork Applications Open
05/2022New City Manager | Cheerwine Festival | Local Humanitarian Awards | BlockWork Applications Open
05/2022New City Manager | Cheerwine Festival | Local Humanitarian Awards | BlockWork Applications Open
02/2022Interim City Manager | Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes | Apply For A Board | City Begins Budget Process | Employee Spotlight
02/2022Interim City Manager | Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes | Apply For A Board | City Begins Budget Process | Employee Spotlight
02/2022Interim City Manager | Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes | Apply For A Board | City Begins Budget Process | Employee Spotlight
02/2022Interim City Manager | Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes | Apply For A Board | City Begins Budget Process | Employee Spotlight
08/2021Rowan Creek Week | Back-to-School Resource Fair | New Crime Information Center | Blockwork Awarded Lowe's Grant For $100,000
06/2021Summer Camps | Transit Director Award | Hurricane Tips | Wine About Winter
05/2021City & Partners to Boost Minority Business | Festival Looks For Volunteers | BlockWork Nominations Open | Bike Safety Tips
04/2021School Officers | New Look For Downtown | Local Humanitarians Receive EDK Awards | Employee Spotlight
04/2021School Officers | New Look For Downtown | Local Humanitarians Receive EDK Awards | Employee Spotlight
01/2021Holiday Storefront Winners, Celebrate MLK, Main St. Plan, Nominate A Local Hero, Funds For Fire Suppression
12/2020SRU Exceeds Water Standard | Bring On 2021 Virtual New Year's Eve | Public Input Wanted
10/2020ACCESS16 Now WSRG-TV | Voting Coming Up Fast | Volunteer For BlockWork | RCUW Donates Cameras To SPD
10/2020ACCESS16 Now WSRG-TV | Voting Coming Up Fast | Volunteer For BlockWork | RCUW Donates Cameras To SPD
08/2020Shop Local | Lock Your Car | Utility Bills | Enjoy Art Outdoors | Census Extended
08/2020Shop Local | Lock Your Car | Utility Bills | Enjoy Art Outdoors | Census Extended
08/2020Shop Local | Lock Your Car | Utility Bills | Enjoy Art Outdoors | Census Extended
06/2020 Virtual Festival Is Big Hit | Hurricane Season | Spring Spruce Up | City Prepares Next Year's Budget | Flush Smart | 2020 Census
02/2020Weathering The Storm | Nixle Is Now RoCo Alerts | EyeOnWater Is Smart On Money | Cheerwine Festival Returns May 16 | Employee Spotlight | Census 2020
11/2019Bike Giveaway | Plan For Downtown's Future | Don't Get Clogged | Lost Families | Sculpture Show
11/2019Bike Giveaway | Plan For Downtown's Future | Don't Get Clogged | Lost Families | Sculpture Show
09/2019Butterfly Release | Scoop the Poop | Dog Swim Party | Transit Month | Blockwork | Neighborhood Officer Map
09/2019Butterfly Release | Scoop the Poop | Dog Swim Party | Transit Month | Blockwork | Neighborhood Officer Map
09/2019Butterfly Release | Scoop the Poop | Dog Swim Party | Transit Month | Blockwork | Neighborhood Officer Map
09/2019Butterfly Release | Scoop the Poop | Dog Swim Party | Transit Month | Blockwork | Neighborhood Officer Map
08/2019Salisbury Youth Employees | New SPD Initiatives | Youth Baseball Camp | Brewbury Fest Returns | Recycling
04/2019Festival Music Lineup | Locals Receive EDK Awards | Business with the City | SPD Foot Pursuit 5K | City Nature Challenge
04/2019Festival Music Lineup | Locals Receive EDK Awards | Business with the City | SPD Foot Pursuit 5K | City Nature Challenge
04/2019Festival Music Lineup | Locals Receive EDK Awards | Business with the City | SPD Foot Pursuit 5K | City Nature Challenge
04/2019Festival Music Lineup | Locals Receive EDK Awards | Business with the City | SPD Foot Pursuit 5K | City Nature Challenge
04/2019Festival Music Lineup | Locals Receive EDK Awards | Business with the City | SPD Foot Pursuit 5K | City Nature Challenge
03/2019Celebrate Spring At Hurley Park | Runner-Friendly Community | Cheerwine Festival Volunteers | Employee Spotlight | SPD Ride-A-Long Program | Contact Directory
03/2019Celebrate Spring At Hurley Park | Runner-Friendly Community | Cheerwine Festival Volunteers | Employee Spotlight | SPD Ride-A-Long Program | Contact Directory
02/2019Cheerwine Festival Vendor Applications Open | Get Involved, Apply Now | Fair Housing Seeks Volunteers | Council Retreat Open to Public | Snow Safety | Employee Spotlight | Main St. Conference in Salisbury
02/2019Cheerwine Festival Vendor Applications Open | Get Involved, Apply Now | Fair Housing Seeks Volunteers | Council Retreat Open to Public | Snow Safety | Employee Spotlight | Main St. Conference in Salisbury
02/2019Cheerwine Festival Vendor Applications Open | Get Involved, Apply Now | Fair Housing Seeks Volunteers | Council Retreat Open to Public | Snow Safety | Employee Spotlight | Main St. Conference in Salisbury
02/2019Cheerwine Festival Vendor Applications Open | Get Involved, Apply Now | Fair Housing Seeks Volunteers | Council Retreat Open to Public | Snow Safety | Employee Spotlight | Main St. Conference in Salisbury
02/2019Cheerwine Festival Vendor Applications Open | Get Involved, Apply Now | Fair Housing Seeks Volunteers | Council Retreat Open to Public | Snow Safety | Employee Spotlight | Main St. Conference in Salisbury
02/2019Cheerwine Festival Vendor Applications Open | Get Involved, Apply Now | Fair Housing Seeks Volunteers | Council Retreat Open to Public | Snow Safety | Employee Spotlight | Main St. Conference in Salisbury
02/2019Cheerwine Festival Vendor Applications Open | Get Involved, Apply Now | Fair Housing Seeks Volunteers | Council Retreat Open to Public | Snow Safety | Employee Spotlight | Main St. Conference in Salisbury
02/2019Cheerwine Festival Vendor Applications Open | Get Involved, Apply Now | Fair Housing Seeks Volunteers | Council Retreat Open to Public | Snow Safety | Employee Spotlight | Main St. Conference in Salisbury
02/2019Cheerwine Festival Vendor Applications Open | Get Involved, Apply Now | Fair Housing Seeks Volunteers | Council Retreat Open to Public | Snow Safety | Employee Spotlight | Main St. Conference in Salisbury
02/2019Cheerwine Festival Vendor Applications Open | Get Involved, Apply Now | Fair Housing Seeks Volunteers | Council Retreat Open to Public | Snow Safety | Employee Spotlight | Main St. Conference in Salisbury
02/2019Cheerwine Festival Vendor Applications Open | Get Involved, Apply Now | Fair Housing Seeks Volunteers | Council Retreat Open to Public | Snow Safety | Employee Spotlight | Main St. Conference in Salisbury
01/2019EDK Nominations | Holiday Storefront Awards | Celebrating MLK Weekend | Employee Spotlight | Winter Spruce Up Week | Transit Survey | New Tools Keeps An Eye On Water

Subscribe to our newsletter

También disponible en español

Subscribe
Copyright 2025 by City of Salisbury, NC Terms Of UsePrivacy Statement
Back To Top