Bradley County Fire-Rescue: A Brief History
Although Bradley County Fire-Rescue is a fairly new department, relative to many others, it is one that has a rich history that is steeped in tradition. This history not only fuels the residents of the community with pride, but guides the way for this young department as it grows and moves forward at an astronomical pace. The origin of BCFR is traced back to 1958 with a single call for help. A drowning in nearby Parksville Lake was reported, the body was now missing. Word spread quickly to the area and a group of residents consisting of funeral home directors, doctors, and a couple small business owners got together and searched for the body. Using a small boat that one of the residents had, several of the volunteers loaded up and searched the lake tirelessly. The group found what they were looking for, unfortunately too late. This sparked the conversation with this group and the community as a whole, and the Bradley County Rescue Squad was formed. That very boat, to this day, hangs in our headquarters as a reminder of the small piece that started it all.
Going forward this newly established Rescue Department responded from home using tools of their own, personal vehicles, and donated equipment to alleviate and resolve any hazardous situations when called upon by the community. They strictly ran rescue calls during this period. From 1958 to 1993 a local, full-time, City Fire Department ran all fires in not only the city of Cleveland but in Bradley County as well. Then in 1993 Bradley County began to stand on its own and formed a volunteer fire department, separate from its rescue department. This year 5 brand new volunteer fire stations were built to man and respond to all fire and rescue calls in the county. A donation of an old chair factory was also made at this time allowing this budding department to open 6 stations total. With an area that was short in equipment, but plentiful in volunteers and donations, the department grew and became the pride of the area.
In 2000 Bradley County Fire-Rescue took another step forward in appointing its very first full time Fire-Chief and Fire-Inspector. This act got the ball rolling in building a full-time department. A few years later, in 2005, 12 full-time firefighters were hired to man what is now our headquarters. Up until this point there was a volunteer rescue department, and a volunteer fire department, both separate entities. With things now moving quickly, in 2007 Bradley County Rescue and Bradley County Fire finally merged to form what is today Bradley County Fire-Rescue.
Over the next 15 years Bradley County would go on to man 8 full-time stations and 5 volunteer stations covering an area of over 300 square miles. With over 70 full-time firefighters and 30 volunteer firefighters, this department continues to grow as fast as the community that supports it. It is the departments hope that it can continue to follow the path laid out by the selfless acts of the people of Bradley County over 50 years ago.