We try to provide good training for our men, to better prepare them for any situation that may arise. We promote cross training and are very fortunate to have in our ranks: 15 members certified in firefighting 18 members certified in TARS vehicle extrication 2 Vehicle Extrication Instructors 3 certified EMT Paramedic's 4 certified EMT-IV 8 First Responders 2 State Fire Instructors 5 First Aid / CPR / AED instructors 2 First Responder Instructors 1 Certified Chaplin   The Department also has several hours of training in Hazardous Materials, Incident Command, Vehicle Extrication, Helicopter Landing and Scene Teams. We also participate in several Red Cross courses.   We are also members of the following associations:  Tennessee Fireman’s Associations Tennessee Fire Chief’s Association International Association of Fire Chiefs National Fire Protection Agency   Our equipment consists of the following: 1 – 1992 Pierce Dash** Six-man cab custom pumper 1 – 1996 Ford Box Van for Rescue equipment 1 – 2001 Pierce Contender** Six-man cab custom pumper 1 – Retired Truck (for sale) – 1975 Ford / John Beam pumper

Right to Left - 1. Oscar McGuire 2. _____ 3. Jack Smith 4. Jim John Dearman 5. ____ 6. Freddy Tramel 7. Bethel Thomas 8.  ___ 9. Harry Foutch 10. Lee Gothard 11. Ellic Parker 12. Bill Bond 13. J.C. Webb 14. ____ 15. ___   Smithville Fire Department

On January 27, 1938 under the leadership of Mayor J.E. Evins, the city exercised its privilege and responsibility to the community by obligating the sale of bonds under a private act created by the state legislature. Bonds in the amount of $3,500.00 were sold for the purpose of purchasing and installing equipment. A motion was made to purchase the first fire engine for 3,450.00

  On February 3, 1938 the city fathers passed ordinance 92 establishing the Smithville Fire Department and appointing the following: B.E. Thomas, Fire Chief; Freddie Tramel, Assistant Chief; Bob Herndon, Captain; and the following firemen: R.E. Lawrence, M.V. Driver, Roy conger, Sam Colvert, Bill Durgham, Harry Foutch, W.J. Evins, Jim John Dearman, Charles Cantrell, W.H. Vickers, Earl Wade, Paul Willoughby, Bill Bond, Bill Hendrixson, T.J. Potter, Alton Bonham, Houston Lockhart, Kenneth Howard, Joe Young, Van Clevland, James G. Driver.

  B.E. Thomas, Fire Chief, was authorized to purchase a 5-hp siren for the town and also fire fighting suits on February 17, 1938.

  The Smithville Fire Department responded to fires in and out of the city limits for several years, but in the 1950’s insurance regulations did not approve of just one fire truck to cover this large of an area. In 1953 the city purchased another truck to better serve the public and the Department continued to cover the county until 1975 when DeKalb County started the Dekalb County Fire Department.

On March 4, 1985 the City of Smithville voted to purchase the ‘Jaws of Life Rescue’ rescue equipment. The Smithville Fire Department sold the third and oldest fire engine to buy a used step van. They started assembling equipment and manpower to form a rescue team for vehicle extraction and other specialized rescue situations.

  Past and present Fire Chiefs

B.E. Thomas
Charlie Lockhart
W.J. Keith
Jeff Keith
Charles Parker