The Bandys Volunteer Fire Department was organized in eastern Catawba County in 1962 and located at Bandys Crossroads. In 1978, due to the size of the response district and the desire to improve services to the community, a second station was built at Olivers Crossroads. The fire department is currently made up of a Fire Chief, two Asst. Chiefs, and 52 other dedicated volunteers, holding various positions of responsibility within the organization. With the addition of water lines throughout areas of the community, firefighting efforts are greatly improved. The department presently holds a Class 8 insurance rating with ISO.

The Catawba Fire Department was organized in 1937 and began proudly protecting the citizens of the Town of Catawba, as well as the rural area surrounding the town. The department originally had one Fire Chief, an Assistant Chief, a Secretary/Treasurer, a Superintendent of Alarms, a Department Doctor, and a Driver. Over the years, there have been 8 men who have served as Chief. One of the earliest fire trucks used in the Catawba Fire Department was a 1954 Chevrolet pumper. This truck was retired in the late eighties, and is now on display in the Catawba County Firefighter's Museum. The department currently operates with a Fire Chief, two Assistant Fire Chiefs, two Captains, and three Lieutenants.

The Claremont Fire Department dates back to the turn of the century, when the founding Fathers of the newly chartered Town Of Claremont realized a need for fire protection. Accordingly, a volunteer bucket brigade was organized. In 1939, a hand pulled hose cart was purchased, with a 1927 Pumper truck purchased later the same year. Many changes have occurred within the Claremont Fire department, with the most recent addition of a new fire station. The department roster consists of a paid Fire Chief, two assistant Chiefs, and other operation officers and firefighters, totaling over 35 personnel. The department currently has a Class 5 ISO rating in the city and a Class 9 rural rating. During the 1997 year, the department responded to 164 calls.

The City Of Conover Fire Department is a combination paid/volunteer organization, operating out of two fire stations. The career staff of nine includes the Fire Chief, a Fire Marshal, a Fire Inspector, and six engineers. Volunteer members include two Assistant Chiefs, two Captains, four Lieutenants, a Safety officer, and a Training officer. The remainder of the volunteer members serve as firefighters and driver/operators. The Conover Fire Department responds to over 400 calls per year. The suburban community is home to a number of diversified businesses that employ some 25,000 workers. Approximately 8,000 residents live in the area. The department currently has a Class 5/9 insurancerating with ISO.

The Cooksville Fire Department was organized in 1967, with the support of the community, especially the late Voyt Rudisill and his family. The department started with a 1941 Ford American LaFrance Pumper. This truck was retired in the 1980's and is presently on display in the Catawba County Firefighter's Museum. Cooksville Fire Department currently operates with a Fire Chief, an Assistant Fire Chief, and 26 other firefighters. After a continuing effort to improve water supplies throughout the community, members of the department and the community now have a water line and numerous hydrants at there disposal, greatly improving the capabilities of the suppression forces of the department. Cooksville Fire Department has a Class 9 insurance rating with IS0.

The Hickory Fire Department serves a population of about 32,500 people, operating out of six fire stations with 112 fully paid personnel, who work 24 hour shifts on a three platoon system, and 22 volunteer firefighters, who work out of Station 6. The organizational structure consists of administration & records, public education, Fire Marshal's office and code enforcement, training division, fire suppression, haz-mat and other related functions. The department responds to approximately 1,600 calls annually. The department has a Class 2 insurance rating with ISO. To achieve the ultimate goal of preventing fires, saving lives and property, and protecting the environment, vast amounts of training and planning go into formulating a successful delivery system for the City of Hickory. One of the departments early trucks, a 1936 American LaFrance pumper, is currently on display at the Catawba County Firefighter's Museum. A 1952 Ford pumper from the Viewmont station is also on display at the Museum.

The Long View Fire Department organized in March of 1953 and serve the citizens in the Long View area as a combination paid/Volunteer fire department responsible for fire suppression. In April of 1994, the Town formed the Long View Department of Public Safety, providing both police and fire department services to the community. This was done to enhance services to the community through a better utilized manpower pool, while keeping operation costs at a minimal level. The Fire Division Major leads the Department, under the direction of the Fire and Police Divisions Director of Public Safety. Assisting the Major as full time employees are one Captain, one Lieutenant, and four apparatus driver/engineers. The remainder of the suppression forces are made up of volunteer officers and firefighters. Long View currently has a Class 5/9 insurance rating with ISO. One of the early pumpers used by the department, a 1951 Dodge pumper, is currently on display at the Catawba County Firefighter's Museum.

The Maiden Fire Department organized in 1922 and it's first vehicle was a 1921 Ford Model T Fire Truck. In the early years, a 1945 Chevrolet pumper was purchased and was used for many years, until it was removed from service in 1974. This truck is currently on display in the Catawba County Firefighter's Museum. There have been 13 different men who have served the department as Fire Chief. Currently, the Maiden Fire Department operates with a Fire Chief, an Assistant Chief, two Captains, two Lieutenants, one full time Fire Prevention Officer/Engineer and 29 other volunteers. The department also sponsors a Junior Firefighter program. Maiden also has a Class 4/9 insurance rating with ISO. As always, the members of the Maiden Fire Department proudly serves the Maiden community and it's citizens.

The Mountain View Volunteer Fire department was chartered in 1962. The location of the fire department was placed on Highway 127 South, where it continues to operate. In April of 1963, the department began answering calls with one pumper and one tanker. Over the years, many improvements have been made, both to the facility and the equipment. With the safety of it's members being a priority, members of the Mountain View fire department adhere to state and national standards and requirements. The departments staff consists of a Chief, who also serves as the departments full time employee, an Asst. Chief, two Captains, three Lieutenants, a Traffic Officer, and approximately 30 suppression volunteers. The department responds to approximately 150 calls per year. Mountain View Fire Department currently maintains a Class 5 insurance rating with ISO.

The City Of Newton Fire Department operates two fire stations covering municipal as well as rural areas. The department is staffed by 13 paid firefighters and 23 volunteer firefighters. The department responds to approximately 525 emergency incidents per year and maintains a $800,000 budget. The Newton Fire Department consists of the Fire Chief, 1 Fire Inspector, 1 Captain, 10 engineers, a volunteer Asst. Chief, and over 20 volunteer firefighters, with various responsibilities. The department currently has a Class 5/9 insurance rating with ISO.

The Oxford (Catfish) Volunteer Fire Department was chartered in 1967 and is located on Oxford School road. The department operates with a fleet of six pieces of suppression equipment, 33 volunteer firefighters, including a Fire Chief and Asst. Chief, and one full time paid firefighter. The department stays active with various station tours and fire prevention programs to students and local organizations. The department currently has a Class 6/9 insurance rating with IS0. The department credits it's success with the continued support from the firefighters, the auxiliary, and the community itself.

PROPST CROSSROADS FIRE DEPARTMENT
(Station 11)

The Propst Crossroads Fire Department was formed in the early sixties to protect the citizens of the southwest area of Catawba County from the dangers of fire. During it's duration, the fire department has had only two individuals serve as fire chief. With the continued support of it's 12 member board of directors, the Propst Crossroads Fire department strives to keep abreast of the ever changing fire service. Along with the Chief and Asst. Chief, the department has over 40 members that serve with dedication and determination. The fire department maintains a Class 9/10 insurance rating with ISO. They credit the Ladies Auxiliary and the community for the always important support given them.

The Sherrills Ford-Terrell Fire Department was chartered in 1969 and after acquiring equipment, land and training, went into operation in April of 1972. They proudly serve the ever growing Sherrells Ford-Terrell community. In 1998, a merger of the Sherrills Ford-Terrell Fire Department with the Sherrills Ford Rescue Squad improved the quality of protection to it's citizens, now operating out of two bases. The department operates under the direction of a Fire Chief, an Assistant Chief, and over fifty volunteer members representing fire & rescue. The department currently has a Class 9 insurance rating with ISO.

The St. Stephens Fire Department protects approximately 13 square miles of district in northwestern Catawba County. The protected population of this area is approximately 12,500 residents. There ISO insurance rating is a Class 6. The St. Stephens Fire Department operates out of two stations, both located on Springs Road. The make-up of the fire department includes a Fire Chief, an Asst. Chief, who also serves as the departments full-time paid employee, and 30 volunteer firefighters, holding various positions of responsibility. The department responds to over 220 calls per year. One special piece of equipment that the department recently purchased and is very proud of is a Cairnes Iris Helmet, a device that allows a firefighter to see in total darkness. This enables firefighters to locate and rescue victims faster, as well as improve suppression operations.