District 8 Fire / Rescue / EMS
Harnett County, North Carolina
BUIES CREEK FIRE & RESCUE
HISTORY OF BUIES CREEK
Buies Creek is located in Harnett County, North Carolina and has always been home to many family farms and a small rural community. In 1887 Dr. James Campbell founded the “Buies Creek Academy” and this was the beginning of our town roots. As the community grew through the years, a town developed which needed many key safety aspects in order to thrive. In 1914, the Town of Buies Creek was officially incorporated and recognized by the North Carolina Legislature as a municipality. Throughout the first and second quarters of that century, the town evolved as local boards of education came to be. This allowed the Buies Creek Academy to become a college and a new Buies Creek School was built including elementary through high school ages. In this time period there was a Buies Creek Police Department, post office, banks and a downtown area composing a mix of single and two story buildings much like you see in our neighboring downtowns to this current day. The Buies Creek Civic club acted much like a town council being composed of the entire town limits and each house received one vote in decisions regarding town actions. Through this group all decisions were made for the betterment of the community. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Buies Creek Academy
Town of Buies Creek
​​​​​​​​​​​As for the fate of the Town of Buies Creek, it was decided in the early 1960’s due to rising costs and no support to create further taxes on the residents, that the town would work with the state of North Carolina legislation & Campbell College to cease township operations. This turned many town features over to Campbell College such as law enforcement, street lighting & repairs, etc. The Town of Buies Creek's charter was repealed and abolished by the North Carolina General Assembly on July 5, 1967. Today, the town feel still exists with Main Street, a post office, various local businesses and home grown residents, but no official incorporation exists. Campbell University has grown to incorporate most of the town area and the Fire Department now stands as the primary community building and location of many area civic organizations, family reunions and voting location for area residents. ​
CREATION OF BUIES CREEK
RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT
Historical documents show many small fires are noted in old school archives as being extinguished via a bucket brigade consisting of community residents, academy teachers & students to prevent any major conflagration’s in the late 1800's. However, in an era of no fire protection systems and using materials on site for building materials a major incident was inevitable & the perfect situation came into light on the night December 20th, 1900.
​​
​​​​​​​​​​ While many students were absent for attending their families for Christmas, a fire that has always been suspicious in nature broke out at the all wooden main building of the Buies Creek Academy. Through many efforts of all those in the area able to come help and what we believe was a request sent by telegraph to Dunn, Fayetteville, Raleigh, Smithfield & Sanford for assistance for their fire departments to bring aid to the area, there was little that could be done to stop the damages that night. By the time daylight shinned on Buies Creek, all that remained was the tabernacle that housed the band program and former church facility for the academy. The incident could have proved to be the end for the small community, but thankfully the academy and community rallied around one another to rebuild. Following this incident there was a half century debate and many fires that would have to occur before the fruition of creating a volunteer fire company would evolve. Records indicate several fires were reported at the bi-weekly meetings over the period of 1925-1954. During these meetings it is mentioned time after time that the need for an organized fire department is of a dire concern for the town.
Charter Members
First Buies Creek Engine
​​​​​​​​​​ Finally, in 1953 our fire department story began to take shape after much advocation from L.E. Shenault. At a town meeting, a vote was carried & passed to put a committee together to explore the options to form a volunteer fire company, outline a corporate fire service district, appoint members, locate affordable equipment, & establish a cost/budget. The committee began meeting immediately and laid the foundation for creating the “Buies Creek Rural Fire Department.” Although the exact dates are not known we do have the approximate years, in 1954 we have first mention of the group appointed to be volunteer firemen. This group is referred to as the “Charter” members, we pay homage to them and their dedication with our training room being called the “Charter Room.”
​
This group of men both old and young was tasked to work together and report to the Civic Club monthly on their progress. Actions of this first group of community members appointed to be firemen were to host many fundraisers such as chicken plate sales, dances or parties & ladies auxiliary was created to assist with soliciting for donors. Talking and working with the leadership at Campbell University a deal was struck to build our first firehouse, the building would be a two-story facility near Main St. able to house 4 fire trucks and include a training room and chiefs work area on the second floor. Where the fire station once stood is where you will find the present-day Saylor Park area on campus the fire station was built one street over from Main on Pope St.
The firemen and ladies, auxiliary worked to save up enough money to purchase the white jump suits seen being worn by many of the charter members as well as secure a fire truck for purchase. The original Engine 1 was found for sale at Camp Lejune Marine Corps Base in eastern North Carolina & members went down to look at it. After being amazed at how well it was taken care of and the ease they would have to place it in service with only some small expenditures they brought the first fire engine back to Buies Creek. Engine 1 was a 1943 Ford cab over, although this picture is often shown and incorrectly labeled as a Chevrolet in the past. This truck was equipped with an independent 500 gpm pump, 300 gallon water tank large hose bed, axes, pike poles, hard tubing for drafting purposes, wooden 35’ ground ladder, hose reel, siren & warning light. Upon their return that night the firemen took the truck to the home of their biggest supporter Mr. Shenault to show him the newly prized possession of the Buies Creek Rural Fire Department! This night would be one of the last Mr. Shenault was able to be involved in decisions & celebrations of the men of Buies Creek around their growing department, his health was in serious decline & he passed a short time later in coming months.
Buies Creek’s fire department quickly began to grow and direct call phone lines were added to the fire chief & assistant chief’s homes, in the event of a fire prior to a county wide alerting system the residents would call the fire chief’s & the first to answer would then drive to the fire station and activate our siren system. In the event that a fire chief could not be reached then the call for help would be activated by the pulling of the alarm station on the front of the firehouse, then await the arrival of firemen and direct them to the location of the fire. Most often the first officer to answer the phone or answer the alarm for a fire call would stand by at the fire station and direct the firemen on where to respond with the trucks, once all of the firemen had turned out for the alarm, he would write the incident address on the chalk board in the bays and respond to the scene in his car. This system would hold until the late 1970’s with the addition of modern radio systems.
It would take 2 years, but finally in June of 1956 an official charter was submitted to the Secretary of State and the Buies Creek Rural Fire Department began drawing tax monies for the delivery of fire suppression activities.
​​​​
Buies Creek would come to be known as District 8 in
Harnett County taking on the moniker, "the Elite Eight."
Growth in District 8
In 1968, the department purchased the land that the station is currently located on for $10,000. In 1974, the new station was completed. The station had a meeting room, office, radio room, storage room, 2 double drive through bays and 1 single bay.
In 1992, a double drive through bay was added.
In 2003, a 7,500 square foot addition was completed. The new addition added a large meeting room, multiple offices, board room, decon/laundry room, storage, 2 bunk rooms and baths, kitchen and 3 single bays. The old meeting room was converted to a fire fighter’s lounge and the old office and radio room were combined to make an exercise room.
Many "Firsts" for the Creek
In 1989, Buies Creek purchased its first Hurst hydraulic extrication tool known as the "Jaws of Life" and began providing extrication services.
In 1991, Buies Creek became the first fire department Harnett County to provide emergency medical first responder service to its citizens who were in need of medical care.
In 1997, after many years of first responder service, Buies Fire Department purchased 2 defibrillators and raised their level of care to EMT-Defib level. This service would allow medical personnel to "shock" patients that were experiencing cardiac arrest in an attempt to save their life.
In 2004, Buies Creek Fire Department purchased its first ladder truck from the Town of Cary. It was used 1987 Pierce Arrow 105′ Platform. To extend its life and use, the ladder was sent to Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. in 2007 for a scheduled complete refurb and was placed back in service in 2008. This ladder remained in service until 2017 when a brand new ladder truck was purchased.
We Need Your Support Today!
Creation of Buies Creek EMS
The board of directors and members of Buies Creek saw a need for their citizens, and worked to fill a void in EMS transport services in the areas. In 1998, an ambulance was purchased, and transport services were offered as a backup to Harnett County EMS.
In 1999, the Harnett County EMS system was overhauled to provide paramedic services to all citizens in the county. The paramedics were placed in quick response vehicles (QRVs) to respond along with an ambulance from a rescue squad, included Buies Creek EMS. After these changes, Buies Creek became a primary transport agency and purchased a second ambulance to support Harnett County EMS and the citizens of Buies Creek.
​
Today, Harnett County EMS moved away from QRV's and now every ambulance is a paramedic level ambulance. Buies Creek still provides ambulances and a EMT on "Medic 8" along with a full time paramedic employed by Harnett County Emergency Services.
Transitioning Service
In the mid 1990’s, call volume was increasing and placing a burden on the all volunteer staff. Much of the call volume was attributed to EMS responses and it was determined that supplemental staffing was needed to support the volunteers. Buies Creek had made it as a full volunteer department for more than 40 years thanks to the dedication of our residents and students of Campbell University.
In 1999, a decision was made to hire paid staff to cover the daytime hours when volunteers were at work or class. This original paid staff consisted of one full time & one part time person from 6 am – 6 pm.
As call volume and services increased, Buies Creek now operates with 4 full time staff members, numerous part time personnel and a volunteer stipend for shift coverage and call response. Our goal is to have one full time staff and two part time staff 24 hours a day.
Continued Professionalism
Buies Creek continues to grow and evolve to maintain the reputation of our elders for being the "elite eight." We continue to offer professional fire & medical response, operate as the only swift water rescue team in Harnett County and house the Harnett County Chiefs' Association Technical Rescue Team.
In 2022, Buies Creek Fire Department successfully lowered their Insurance rating to a 3/9E to better save our tax payers fire insurance premiums.
​
As we progress into the future, we will continue to strive to be pro-active and provide the highest level of service to its citizens with a ever changing community.
