The South Hill Volunteer Fire Department was not officially organized until 1934. However, it was the concern of a group of citizens twelve years earlier that led to the town's first fire protection. The group petitioned the town council on October 2, 1922, for fire protection on the west side of the Atlantic & Danville railway tracks. Council deferred the request for study.

However, on December 4, 1922, council voted unanimously to sign an agreement with Radcliff Motor Company for a new 1922 Ford Model T truck, completely equipped with a bell, several lengths of 2¹/2-inch hose, axes, and other tools for fire fighting purposes at a cost of $1,930.00. The truck was stored in Mr. J. C. Clements' Chrysler Garage. Each time the truck was needed, if it wouldn't start, it was pushed to the scene of the fire. At this time pressure for the hose was furnished from the recently installed fire hydrants and water system. Even though the town still did not have a formal fire department, council appointed W. H. Dean, a councilman, as fire chief on August 4, 1924.

The South Hill Volunteer Fire Department was officially organized in 1934  (date unknown, but thought to be in the early months). There were ten charter members in the department: Conrad L. Temple, chief; Bernard L. Smithson, W. W. Estes, Jr., Garland Creedle, Harry Mewborn, Lacy Howerton, Earl Matthews, Carter Northington, Clyde Williams, and Malcolm Wynn.

On January 7, 1935, council authorized the purchase of a used truck, as cheaply as possible, which turned out to be a 1933 Chevrolet that had to be equipped by the fire department. This truck had been stripped to the chassis. The firemen took the truck to Lewis Ferrell's Blacksmith Shop where a windshield was improvised and the body transferred from the Model T Ford. Council then authorized the sale of the Model T for not less than $25.00.

A law passed by the Virginia General Assembly enabled a Firemen's Relief Fund to be started from proceeds of a tax on all fire insurance policies sold in South Hill. However, this law was later declared unconstitutional and ended the Firemen's Relief except for a small "Love Gift" provided by the Ladies Auxiliary to the Virginia State Firemen's Association, which to this day is still in effect.

The town's first fire alarm system was installed on May 2, 1938, in the Virginia Telephone and Telegraph office, where all fire calls were received. The telephone operator sounded the alarm and the first fireman to reach the place where the fire truck was stored answered the phone to receive directions to the fire scene.

On January 2, 1939, council authorized the purchase of a new 1939 Ford truck which was to be equipped by the fire department. But a counterproposal was made by Chief Clyde Williams offering $300.00 of the fire department's funds in order for the truck to be equipped and built by Roanoke Welding and Equipment Corporation (later Oren-Roanoke Corporation) for the sum of $2,482.00. Council agreed. This was the town's first fire truck to be equipped with a pump, and the truck is still in operation.

This posed a problem, however, as the town still had no fire station to house its trucks and equipment. On April 12, 1939, Council authorized construction of a fire station on West Center Lane. An addition to the building was authorized October 7, 1946, and the building was sold at public auction on January 6, 1958. Work began on the municipal building at the corner of Atlantic Street and Brunswick Avenue and was occupied June 1, 1959.

On March 19, 1951, Chief W. W. Estes, Jr. requested council to purchase an additional truck from Oren-Roanoke Corporation. The request was approved for a 1952 Chevrolet with a 500-GPM pump, hose bed, tools, ladders and other fire fighting equipment. The truck was sold to Slagle Fire Equipment Company on July 9, 1979.

On September 9, 1957, council authorized the purchase of a 1,500-gallon tank truck with the fire department purchasing the truck and the town donating $250.00 toward the tank and offered to maintain and insure it. Council authorized the purchase of a pump for this truck on November 7, 1960. It was replaced by a new Oren 1,500-gallon tanker at a later time.

In 1964, Chief Donnie Wells and Assistant Chief Boney Hudson presented town council a proposal for the purchase of a 1965 Ford, John Bean 750-GPM pumper to cost approximately $18,000.00. The proposal: the fire department would pay for the chassis, borrow $13,000.00 from the bank and the town would pay $2,500.00 annually on the note with the fire department paying the interest. The proposal was approved and the truck purchased.

On April 3, 1967, the fire department requested council to continue the annual payment to the bank and increase the amount to $3,000.00 for a new tanker to replace the 1957 tanker, which was agreed upon.

On September 13, 1976, the fire department signed a contract with Oren for a 1978 Ford 1,000-GPM pumper at a cost of $65,618.69. On April 4, 1978, the purchasing committee was authorized to purchase a Chevrolet four-wheel drive pickup to be used as a brush truck with a skid tank and pump at a cost of $9,831.00 from department funds. This truck has saved time and effort in fighting brush and grass fires with its easy mobility over rough terrain where a larger truck would become stuck or would not as easily adapt to the situation.

At a meeting of the fire department members on March 24, 1980, the vote was unanimous to incorporate under a charter from the State Corporation Commission making the department a legal non-profit organization.

An agreement was entered into between the town council and the fire department on August 4, 1980, to purchase beepers or pagers for each man on the active list at a cost of $9,552.00. The town paid $7,456.00 from the Fire Department Escrow Fund and the fire department paid $2,096.00. These small receivers make it easier for each man to receive and answer calls by carrying it on his belt at all times.

Since the danger of riding on tail boards was evident, the fire department purchased a carryall in 1963. This was replaced by a 1974 Chevrolet (12-passenger) van with air conditioning on December 6, 1973, using department funds.

A used 1966 International 75-foot aerial ladder was purchased from the Chesterfield County Fire Department for $13,313.00. This 750-GPM pumper-ladder truck was refurbished by fire department personnel.

Again needing space, a site at the corner of North Lane and Brunswick Avenue was purchased with Revenue Sharing Funds by town council on April 5, 1976. On February 7, 1977, Norris Edgerton, an architect was authorized to present plans for the present station. Bids were received and Howard David Construction Company was awarded a $352,900.00 contract for construction. Of this amount, $275,000.00 was paid from a HUD Grant and the balance from Revenue Sharing Funds. Construction on this building was begun November 11, 1977, and completed and occupied May 18, 1979.

On March 2, 1981, the fire department's purchasing committee was authorized to purchase a used GMC delivery van from Mr. Don Cappaert. This van was converted into an air truck for carrying air bottles to be used by the firemen wearing air masks at the scene of house fires, building fires, hazardous chemical fires or leaks. A compressor was purchased at the time to fill empty bottles at the fire station for a price not to exceed $12,675.00.

On February 1, 1982, town council authorized the purchase of a Mack pumper­tanker to replace the 1967 tanker which was wrecked during an ice storm. The new pumper­tanker had a 1,000 GPM pump and a 1,000 gallon tank. The cost of the new apparatus was $116,500.00. The 1967 tanker was sold to the Triplett Volunteer Fire Department for $21,000.00.

On April 30, 1983, the department took the 1982 Mack (Attack Unit 103) to the Bensley Muster and Parade in Chesterfield where it won first place in the apparatus judging.

On June 13, 1983, a motion passed for the department to purchase new nomex turnout gear. The gear was black with lime green trim and cost the department $2,000.00.

On June 25, 1983, the state police requested that the department respond to 10-50's (wrecks) for a 60 to 90 day trial period. Since this time, the department has continued responding to all 10-50's which have personal injuries, overturned vehicles, or fuel leaks. This significantly increased the number of calls for the department and has placed higher demands on the department members.

On April 1, 1985, the department passed a motion to begin a 6 month training program. Any firefighter on 6 month probation would be required to attend training exercises. The training not only familiarizes the members with the equipment and the operating procedures, it also prepares the firefighters for the state certifications.

On July 8, 1985, a truck committee was formed to look into purchasing a new pumper. This truck would replace the 1965 Ford pumper. The Department voted to accept the truck committee's recommendation to purchase a MackIPierce pumper. The new pumper had a 1,500-GPM pump and a 750 gallon tank. The pumper (currently Engine 71) cost the department $176,000.00. The 1965 Ford pumper was sold to the Triplett Fire Department for $20,157.43.

On November 4, 1985, the department established the "Ernest L. Reeves Life Membership" Award. This award is awarded to a firefigher who continually goes beyond the call of duty. In order to become a Life Member, the candidate must be nominated by a department member. Included in the nomination^, is a letter of recommendation. Once the recommendation is received, the Life s Membership Committee votes to determine whether or not the candidate will be presented to the department. If the committee recommends the candidate, the department then votes by secret ballot to determine if Life Membership will be granted. Becoming a Life Member requires a tremendous amount of dedication and service. Life Membership is considered to be the highest honor in the department. The department currently has twelve Life Members. They are Jimmy Crowder, Harry Bailey, Lanney Jones, Sam Rainey, Donnie Wells, Boney Hudson, Bob Early, i Archie Dishmon, Rosser Wells, Jim Walker, James Kidd and Harry Justis.

During the second half of 1986, the ~ department discussed the possibility of replacing the 1966 International aerial ladder. It appeared that the replacement model would be purchased from Chesterfield County. To help defray the cost of the new truck, the department voted to sell the existing ladder truck to the Lawrenceville Fire Department for $27,001.00. The department was then notified that Chesterfield County's ladder truck would not be sold. Therefore, the truck committee looked at two possible replacements: one in Virginia Beach and one in New York. On May 4, 1987, the department voted to accept the committee's recommendation to purchase an 85' LTI platform ladder truck. This truck was mounted on a Howe chassis and cost the department $65,000.

On April 15, 1989, the department took delivery of a 1989 Ford Hackney Emergency Support Vehicle (ESV) for $110,000.00 This vehicle is used for structure fires and hazardous materials incidents. It is equipped with a command center, a cascade air system, and Haz-Mat equipment. This vehicle replaced the 1979 GMC Air Utility Stepside Van. The 1979 GMC was sold to the Victoria Fire Department for $10,201.00.

On September 30, 1990, a motion was passed to build an addition on the current fire station. The plans for the addition included a Chiefs office, a day room, a wash bay, an area to cook stews, and three storage closets. After a great deal of planning, the plans were opened for construction bids. Kenbridge Construction was awarded the contract with a bid of $277,000.

On December 16, 1991, the fire department purchased a 75 foot Baker AerialScope from Virginia Beach for $50,000. The AerialScope was completely repainted by the Brunswick Correctional Center. The 85 foot Howe Platform was sold to a department in Washington State for $75,001.

On February 3, 1992, a motion was passed to replace the 1984 Chevrolet (Chief's Car) with a 1989 Chevrolet Suburban. The Suburban was purchased for $16,500 and the car was sold for $901.

On February 17, 1992, a motion was passed to replace the 1974 Chevrolet Carryall. A 1992 Ford 15 passenger van was purchased for $16,000, and the 1974 Carryall was sold to the Victoria Fire Department.

On May 10, 1993, the department voted to purchase a KME Pumper-Tanker from Slagles Fire Equipment for $227,285.00. This Pumper-tanker (Engine 73) has a 1.250 GPM Hale pump, 1,250 gallon tank, a top mounted pump panel, and a 5-man enclosed cab. This truck replaced the 1982 Mack Tanker. The 1982 Mack Tanker was sold to the Lawrenceville Fire Department for $75,000.00.

On September 25, 1993, the department installed its first dry hydrant. Dry hydrants are placed in ponds outside of the town limits where fire hydrants are not available. Dry hydrants have dramatically improved our water supply for rural responses.

During the past sixty years, there have been ten fire chiefs: C. L. Temple, B. L. Smithson, Clyde Williams, Harry Mewborn, W. W. Estes, Jr., C. D. Wells, Archie Dishmon, Clarence Baisey, James E. Crowder and Charles R. Wells.

A Ladies Auxiliary to the South Hill Volunteer Fire Department was organized on October 19, 1972. Fourteen wives met in the fire department's meeting room. Officers were elected and the purposes of the auxiliary were established: (1) to work as a support group for the South Hill Volunteer Fire Department; (2) to provide food, drink and other necessary supplies at large incidents; and (3) to be a fund-raising organization.

The auxiliary has not only met but exceeded their three goals. The auxiliary has always supported every fire department function. Auxiliary members are often called upon to support the department with fund-raisers. This includes the Fish Supper, three stews every year and the door-to-door campaign. The auxiliary has also succeeded in being a fund-raising organization. Its fund-raising projects have included bingo, cookbooks, booths and the annual parade, suppers, womanless beauty pageants, rock-a-thons, trike-a-thons and the annual dance recital.

The auxiliary continues to add a touch of class to the department. It has beautifully decorated the fire station and the new addition providing custom drapes and wall hangings. It also furnished the kitchen.

Over the past twenty-two years, the Ladies Auxiliary has made a tremendous contribution to the success of the department. The department expresses its gratitude to these ladies for their many contributions and acts of love and kindness.

The Department and the Ladies Auxiliary have worked extremely hard to keep pace with the growth of South Hill. Each day, it seems that more demands are placed on us as industrial, commercial, and residential areas continues to expand. Without the support of the citizens, businesses, Town Council, and the volunteers, the department could not exist.