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Fire Department
History
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West Knox Volunteer Fire Department was founded in January of 1962. The first
meetings were mostly conducted at citizen’s homes and at Lynn Camp
School. In early 1962, members filed our Articles of Incorporation that
formed our Fireman's Club. The West Knox Volunteer Fireman's Club
members are the Board of Directors of the Fire Department. Members at
that time of Incorporation included George Cox, Ewell B. Cline, Noble
Olsen, William F. James, W. C. Daniels, James T. Ohler, Sam M. Campbell,
Earl Parks, Elbert J. Caddell, Wm. J. Steele, Roy Engle, Calvin Smith,
Ova Ray McCowan, Jack Taylor, Jack Willis, Eugene Helton, Fred Cox,
Connell McCowan, George Hodge, Charles Westbrook, H. H. Gaddis, Albert
Matlock & Ernest Engle. |
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The first Chief of our department was Charles Ray Westbrook. The
first President of our Fireman's Club was Connell McCowan. They started this Fire Department with a strong moral effort to
help the community. Since the beginning, this Fire Department has put
forth every effort to help, no matter what the call. And for those of
you who wonder, Yes we have gotten cats from trees. |
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In mid 1962 we were able to lease land from the Knox County Board
of Education. The lease price was an unheard of $1.00 for the first 20
years. Our Fire Station construction was soon started. In early 1963, we
were able to move in and give West Knox Volunteer Fire Department a
permanent home. The first new truck that was purchased was a 1962 Ford
Pumper. Its cost was about $12,000. The same type truck today would cost
around $250,000.
We have been blessed from the start with quality people to manage
the Fire Department. We have also been blessed with good neighbors that
have helped support us for 50 years. And for those of you who have done that
"We Thank You!"
Several men and women from this community came together to help bring
fire coverage to this area. They worked day and night, scraping by most
of the time. Going door to door to bring in new members. Taking money
from their own pockets to pay bills for the new Fire Department. Never asking for anything in return but the heart felt feeling of
helping their neighbors. These things come natural to men and women who
were mostly raised in this area and have a love for the community in
which we all live.
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In
1998 we dedicated our Station 1 building to one of the founding members.
Although all of the people that help start the Fire Department were
people you would use to measure quality by. Connell McCowan was a
special man. I am sure if you talked to the rest of the founding
members, you would get no argument at all. So after the passing of this
great man, we dedicated our Station 1 building in his name. Our Station
1 is now named the Connell McCowan Building. |
In 2003 we purchased a building in
North Corbin. This building serves as our Laurel County
based Station 2. In this station we house our newest
Engine. It also has our physical fitness training room. |
