Lascassas Volunteer Fire Department

Established 1974

The first five years

(The article below is from a 1979 brochure)

In October, 1973, a group of Lascassas residents met to discuss the possibility of organizing a volunteer fire department to serve the community and surrounding areas.  The decision was unanimous to organize the Lascassas Volunteer Fire Department (LVFD).

However, there was no money, nor any source of money to purchase a fire truck.  During the next few months several fund-raising activities were held to raise money.  Many individuals donated to the fund, and enough money was raised to purchase a fire truck.

On March 14, 1974, a 1953, 1000-gallon Howe International factory-built fire truck was bought.  At this time the number of volunteer firefighters numbered three or four, and soon the number reached fourteen.

The need for protective clothing and other firefighting equipment was met.  Fire departments as far away as Connecticut and as near as Murfreesboro donated surplus.

It was soon realized that one truck did not provide enough water. a second source of water was badly needed.  The volunteer firefighters then built a "make-shift" tanker, which provided an additional 1800 gallons of water.  The tanker, however, was not a safe one - it was overloaded and dangerous to drive.  But it did furnish water to fight fires.  At this time both trucks were housed at the school in the old shop.

The department acquired an old building in the spring of 1976.  Because of the condition of the building, it was necessary to completely renovate the inside, even tear out the flooring.  From the shell of that building, the volunteers, along with other men contributing their help, constructed the first fire house. (Which is now the building that is our kitchen for our fish fry fund-raisers.)

In 1977, LVFD applied for matching funds from the Tennessee Department of Forestry and received $1,000.00.  Also in 1977, through a government-funded program, a full-time firefighter was assigned to LVFD.  Shortly after that, the Tennessee Department of Forestry leased a 3/4 ton, four wheel drive truck to LVFD for 50 years.  This truck was converted into a brush truck for grass and woods fires.

In November, 1978, another factory-built fire truck was purchased to replace the "make-shift" tanker.  This truck was a 1200-gallon 1956 International.

In 1979,  LVFD has 22 active volunteer firefighters, and 90 percent of them have received training at the Tennessee State Fire Training School in Murfreesboro.  The department has responded to approximately 100 calls since its beginning- burning houses, brush fires,etc.

Who are these volunteers that started LVFD?  They are the dedicated, hard-working men putting their lives on the line.  They are your neighbors from next door or down the road; they are fathers, sons, and husbands.  These volunteers spent approximately 249 man-hours from March 15, 1974 to March 15, 1975 fighting fires alone, and an additional 550 hours working on the building, trucks and equipment.

These volunteers spent countless hours and a great deal of money from their own pockets working on the building, trucks and equipment and fund-raising activities.  They have left warm beds at 3:00 A.M. in 5-degree weather to try and save a burning home.  If a call for help comes, the volunteers leave their families to help someone in need.  All of the volunteers work full-time jobs and do not receive any pay as volunteer firefighters. (That was true in 1974 and is still true today!)

 Like everything else, the cost of operating the LVFD has risen considerably since its beginning in 1974.  The basic insurance needs alone have risen from approximately $300.00 to $1400.00 annually. (2009 it is now $15,000.00)

 To serve the people safely and effectively, the department must continually grow, improve and upgrade its firefighting equipment.  With its growth, its financial needs also grow.

Who were these volunteers that worked so hard and gave so much to organize and start the Lascassas Volunteer Fire Department?  Below is a list of names from the 1979 brochure:

Bill Truesdell, Chief                                                                                                 Bill Batey, Assistant Chief

Charles Duke, FF & Board Member                                                        Fred Timbs, FF & Board Member

Ed Florida,Sr., FF & Board Member                                              Sterling Dunaway, FF & Board Member

Buddy Brown, FF & Board Member                                                                 Earl McCrary, Board Member

J.C. Lawson,Jr., Chaplain & Board Member                                                                     Johnny Timbs,FF

Sidney Ross, FF                                        Kenneth Hudson, FF                                    James R. Batey, FF

Edwin Florida, Jr., FF                                     Andy Dutton,FF                                                    J.C. Reed,FF

Bill Lee,FF                                     Roy Miles III,FF & Photographer                                   Sue Dunaway,FF

Ray Hudson,FF                                         Robert Dutton,FF                                             Johnny Maxwell,FF

Jerry McCullough,FF                                                                                                                 Frank Guida,FF

From the present volunteer Officers and Members of the Lascassas Volunteer Fire Department,

THANK YOU!!!

Assistant Chief Bill Batey and Chief William "Bill" Truesdell