History

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Historic Cary fire truck in front of old Cary Town Hall building.

On June 6, 1922, the Cary, North Carolina, Town Alderman appointed Mr. L.A. Cathey in charge of organizing a fire company so that the town would no longer have to rely solely on outside agencies for fire protection. A resolution was also passed to purchase Cary’s first fire truck. The truck was delivered in February 1924 and was housed in a metal garage.

As a result of Mr. Cathey’s efforts, Mr. H.H. Waddell was appointed the first Fire Chief of the Town of Cary on May 1, 1923 at a Town Council meeting. By 1926, the Cary Fire Department had 12 volunteers and today has over 200 paid firefighters. The department has reached many milestones throughout its history because of the efforts of many in the past and present. Because of those efforts, today the Cary Fire Department is an Internationally Accredited Agency and has an ISO Class 1 designation.

Timeline

Year	Milestones & Accomplishments
1922	Cary's first fire company is organized, and the first fire inspector is appointed.
1923	H.H. Waddell is appointed as the first Fire Chief.
1924	The Town's first fire engine is delivered, a 1924 American LaFrance Chemical Engine.
1925	The first fire hydrant is placed in service.
1934	Fire Department earns accreditation by the North Carolina Firemen's Association.
1936	The Town Council forms a new fire department, the Town purchases its first fire hose, and M.R. Conner is appointed as the new Fire Chief.
1952	James L. Murdock is appointed Fire Chief.
1953	Fire Station 1 opens at 100 W. Chatham St., and Fire Station 2 opens on the 100 block of Cedar St.
1954	The Cary Rural Fire Department Inc. is officially incorporated.
1956	Bob Elder is appointed as Fire Chief, and Boyd Wilson Morris becomes the first paid firefighter.
1958	J. Paul Matthews is appointed Fire Chief.
1960	J.C. Griffis is appointed Fire Chief, and Vernon Lee Thompson becomes a firefighter line of duty death. At the request of Mayor Waldo Rood, the fire department splits into two entities, with the Cary Fire Department serving the Town. J.L. "Pete" Murdoch is appointed the Town Fire Chief.
1963	Calvin Beck becomes the first paid fire chief.
1965	Fire Station 1 opens in a new location, 100 N. Academy St.
1966	John Ward is appointed Fire Chief.
1967	Lee Matthews is appointed Fire Chief. C.F. Ayscue is appointed Fire Chief.
1968	John L. Dew is appointed Fire Chief.
1969	Billy Henderson is appointed Fire Chief.
1970	The Cary Fire Department's ISO rating improves from a 7 to a 3.
1971	Terry Edmondson is appointed Fire Chief.
1973	The Fire Department hires a full-time Fire Prevention Officer.
1975	W. Poole and Macon W. House are named acting Fire Chiefs. Ned Perry becomes the full-time Fire Chief.
1976	Fire Station 2 opens at 875 SE Maynard Rd.
1977	The first female firefighter joins as a volunteer.
1978	The first Fire Educator, Joyce Finnerty, joins the Department.
1979	Cary gets 911 Emergency Telephone Services and is the first municipality in Wake County to adopt the shorter number.
1982	Volunteer firefighters are phased out, and the Cary Fire Department becomes an all paid fire department.
1987	Fire Station #3 opens at 1807 Kildaire Farm Rd.
1988	Fire Station #4 opens at 1401 Old Apex Rd.
1989	The Department begins providing EMT services for Cary.
1992	Fire Station #1 relocates to 1501 N. Harrison Ave, and Fire Administration opens at 100 N. Academy St.
1993	Macon "Wayne" House is appointed Fire Chief.
1996	Fire Station #5 opens at 2101 High House Rd.
1997	The Cary Fire Department celebrates its 75th anniversary.
1999	The Fire Department gains international accreditation.
2001	Fire Station #6 opens at 3609 Ten-Ten Rd.
2003	Allan Cain is appointed Fire Chief.
2006	Fire Station #7 opens at 6909 Carpenter Fire Station Rd.
2013	Fire Station #8 opens at 408 Mills Park Dr.
2015	Fire Station #2 relocates to 601 E. Chatham St., and Fire Station #9 opens at 875 SE Maynard Rd in its place. The Fire Department also obtains an ISO Class 1.
2018	Mike Cooper is appointed Fire Chief.
2020	Fire Station #9 relocates to 1427 Walnut St.
2022	Cary Fire Department celebrates its 100th anniversary.
2025	Cary Fire Department becomes the first fire department on the East Coast to have an electric fire truck, the Pierce Volterra, which is primarily electric-powered with a backup diesel engine, underscoring Cary's and the Council's commitment to sustainability.