Department History

Before a radio paging system was put in place, members were notified of fire calls by phone. Members would call each other by phone to let them know to go to the fire station. The first member to arrive at the station would wright the address or direction of the call on a backboard in the station.

 

A station siren was purchased in 1972. A letter dated 03-02-1972 shows the department put in a bid of $300.00 into the city of Asheboro for the retired siren that was once on the municipal building on Church Street in Asheboro.

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Station # 12 (Sub-Station) was bult on Southmont Road, to cover the northwest part of the fire district in 1977. This is a 1 bay building, approximately 700 square feet. This sub-station was later renumbered Station # 31 and today is closed down however it is still owned by the fire department and used as a reserve station.

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1968 - 1970’s The Ulah Fire Department was solely funded by membership dues, donations and fund raising, which included fish fries and hushpuppy sales at the annual Fall Festival in Asheboro. Dues were $10.00 and increased to $12.00 in 1978.

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The first fire truck was a 1946 Chevrolet purchased around 1968. The second fire truck was a 1941 Ford fire truck that was purchased from North Asheboro Fire Department for $1,500.00 . The truck was in service until around 1973. This truck would later be restored sometime in the mid 1990’s and is now on display at our station.

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​The first new fire truck that the Ulah Fire Department purchased was a 1973 Ford John Beane. Purchased for $22,945.00 in October 1973. This truck was in service until 1990 when a 1990 Grumman was purchased.

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The Ulah Fire Department was solely a volunteer fire department until paid personnel were added in 1991. Larry Lewallen would be the department’s first paid firefighter. After that grants were received for two more paid firefighters.

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The current fire station on Pisgah Covered Bridge Road (Station # 11) was built in 1968 and has gone through several renovations and additions to accommodate larger trucks.

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Additional fire sub-stations were built on Lanier Road (Station #32) and also on Hopewell Friends Road (Station # 12). Both of these stations are currently still in use.