OVFD Open House on Sunday
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OVFD will hold an Open House to celebrate its 50th anniversary on Sunday, April 3rd, 2pm–4pm.
All are welcome to come to the Fire Hall to share some of the memories of the past 50 years and celebrate what the fire department and community has achieved.
A Short History of OVFD:
In 1966, Ocracoke resident and businessman Sam Jones established the first fire department in the village. The two-story building was constructed by R. Stanley Wahab, and served as a community building until the 1980’s. When the village water system was created in the early 1970’s, fire hydrants were placed throughout the village, and because of donations and fish-fry fundraisers, the fire fighters were able to maintain and their growing supply of equipment. Rescue operation also expanded to include a Rescue Squad. In 1977 Sam Jones and the community association organized the purchase of an ambulance, and then Hyde County added another to the Squad.
After the tourist boom expanded visitation and construction throughout the village, the fire department needed more equipment to match the growth. In an effort to raise funds to purchase more equipment, weekly Bingo games began. From June through August volunteers hosted these Bingo night events, which have been wildly popular and successful. In 1987, because Bingo nights raised enough money, the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department leased OVFD Fire Truck #62. Following the purchase of Fire Truck #62, State grants and money earned from Bingo allowed the department to purchase two-way VHS radios for the fire trucks, ambulances, and dispatchers, as well as other needed supplies.
In 2000, Brush Truck #61, a 4X4 vehicle, was purchased. This truck can produce foam, enabling rescuers to better extinguish structure and aviation fires. The smaller size also allows easier access to locations around the village, and is used to assist National Park Service responders when needed.
Since 2000, the fire department has grown, largely in part to community fundraising events. Pig Pickins’ and the Firemen’s Ball are huge successes, plus grants from the state have bolstered the department. Technology has also improved, allowing the OVFD to communicate with and have access to county, state, and federal agencies. Local groups, like Ocracoke’s Occupancy Tax Board, have matched grants received from the Office of the Fire Marshal. These grants have allowed the department to expand training and education opportunities, as well as purchase more equipment.
In 2002 Occupancy Tax Board purchased a 2002 Kenworth Pumper, which is the large fire truck. Shortly after the large truck was added to the department, the Hutcherson family of Ocracoke donated the property where the current OVFD fire station is located, and in 2012 the OVFD purchased a ladder truck from Atlantic Beach, North Carolina.
The OVFD is currently looking for more volunteers to become certified fire fighters.
State laws require each fire department to have 20 certified fire fighters on their roster. Without this number of certified members, the OVFD will not only be docked points on their upcoming inspection, but homeowner insurance rates could triple.
Fire Chief Albert O’Neal, who just celebrated his 31st year with the OVFD, is hopeful more certified volunteers can join the department. 36 hours of training and education are required each year to be a certified fire fighter in North Carolina. All of the trainings are provided here on Ocracoke through Beaufort Community College and Sandy Yeatts, a local fire fighter and trainer.
Meetings are every-other Thursday at the fire hall (posted on the Ocracoke Current calendar), and training sessions are conducted at the station as well as various locations outside of the village. Anyone who is interested in becoming a member of the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department can attend meetings or speak to Albert or any of the volunteer fire fighters.
