The department operates out of three stations to cover an area of approximately 48
square miles. The response area includes rural farmland, residential
property, and industrial facilities which total an estimated $900
million in value. Population in the district is approximately 14,100. Locke Fire Department is a combination department; full-time firefighters provide 24/7 coverage and are suppleme
nted by several part-time and live-in firefighters as well as volunteer personnel. History of the Fire Department
The history of Locke Fire Dept began on January 13, 1956. Approximately 200 people gathered at Lawrence Owens’ shop on Mooresville Highway. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the need for a volunteer fire department for the community. Charter membership began that night. On January 27 another meeting was held in the basement of Salem Lutheran Church. Charter membership was closed this evening. Total charter membership was 170. During the month of March 1956 several more meetings were held. At these meetings elections were held for the board of directors and fire department officers. Also, department by-laws were discussed and accepted. Land for fire stations and equipment needs were talked about. In April bids were taken on two fire trucks. Those first two trucks were 1956 International engines companies with front mount pumps. On June 22, 1956 two tracks of land were purchased for fire stations. One lot was part of J.C. Safrit’s property beside Yount’s Grocery on Mooresville Hwy. This station is still used by the fire department. The second lot was at the intersection of Mooresville Hwy. During these first months of the fire department meetings were held at member’s homes, shops, and businesses. Money for land, trucks and equipment was raised in a variety of ways. The first fund raiser was the raffle of a car. The drawing for that car was held at a fund raising barbeque in July of 1956. Other fund raisers included turkey shoots, auctions, fish fry’s, food booths at the county fair, chicken and dumpling suppers and micro midget races. A lot of hard work went into these fund raisers by the fire department members, their families and many others in the community. Over the last fifty years many things have changed. One station has moved and another has been added. Members have come and gone. Trucks and equipment have been upgraded. One thing that has not changed though is the dedication of the firefighters, their families who often wonder where their loved ones are going or what dangers they may face and the community that has supported the fire department for so many years. Past Fire Chiefs
Earl Davis May 1956 – November 1957
Greer Goodman November 1957 – September 1964
Narvie Lee Bonds September 1964 – September 1999
Jason Brown September 1999 – June 2001
Rusty Alexander June 2001 – Present
Charter Firemen
W.A. Kepley Paul Kistler Jr. Jim Yost
E.T. Rary Harvey Hinson J. Lee Turman
Paul Smith E. Ray Curran James Brown
W.H. White Clem Brown Glen Shook
Junior Link Charles Nail Narvie Lee Bonds
Lawrence Owens J.C. Livengood Hubert Shulenburger
Carl A. Albright Everett Graham Vance Bradshaw
Benny Lee Wise Keith Yount Eddie Robidean
W.C. Goodnight Clyde Beaver George Barringer
Junior Beaver Paul Kluttz P.D. McKinney
Lee Hoffner A.A. McCanless Bill Gardner
Buddy Kepley Council Brown Dean Smith
Cecil Schenk Joe Goodnight Earl McKinney
W.C. Graham Jimmy Miller Joel P. Goodnight
David Sloop Paul McGee Lonnie Rice
Keigh McGee Joe Harrison Kenneth Kerr
Henry Myers John Wise Poe Caravan
Francis Linn Cauble Charles Campbell N.H. Cannon
Carl Rice Leo Peeler J.F. Goodnight
Jim Wilhelm H.L. Hallman Bernard Sloop
Bobby Rector Jack Miller C.P. Simpson Jr. Wayne White Otho Shue Ervin Kluttz
