Prior to 1991, the community of Rushmere did not have dedicated fire protection within the area. The Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department had always responded to the fires in the Rushmere community. The Smithfield Fire Department is at least seven miles away and sometimes they could not get to a Rushmere fire quickly enough. The charter members came together and decided that there was a need in the Rushmere community for fire protection.
There was some controversy over the cost of the fire station and the ability of the community to recruit and train volunteers, therefore local residents arranged to do the interior labor themselves. The comforting thought that aid is nearby if there should be a fire, made it all worthwhile. Many who volunteered were men with specialized talents such as welders, plumbers, and electricians. These were all skills that were needed to complete the building.
The fire department was organized and started having meetings way before the land was acquired. During this time Louis “Red” Harris served as Chief, where he would serve from 1986 to 1991. Some of the members attending these meetings were Henry H. Bradby, Allen Bradby, Rita Wilkerson, Phyllis Bloxom, and Hubert Bradby, Jr. The outpouring support and eagerness was obvious during these meetings.
The Carrsville Volunteer Fire Department was involved in getting the Rushmere volunteers ready for their first training. The assistance from the other departments was outstanding. Some departments donated equipment and firefighting gear while others provided training. The growing department even attracted members from outside the community. Charlottesville and Gloucester fire departments each donated a fire truck to the Rushmere station.
The firehouse that Rushmere built took eight years, $150,000, and a lot of work from residents. Rushmere Volunteer Fire Department went into service March 23, 1991. In 1991 Keith Jones was elected as the Chief. He served as Chief for 17 years. Brandon Jefferson took over as interim Chief in 2008 due to Chief Jones illness. Brandon Jefferson was elected Chief in 2009 and still holds this position today.
Currently, there are over 50 combined members on the role and we have opened the membership up to individuals to help strengthen our department. Rushmere Volunteer Fire Department has always been a very strong volunteer fire department.
Celebrating 25 Years
Rushmere Volunteer Fire Department
August 17, 2016
The Smithfield Times
Willingness and need keep department together
By Diana McFarland
Managing Editor
RUSHMERE — Rushmere volunteer firefighter Rudolph Jefferson said that as a youngster, he used to sit on the curb and watch the Smithfield fire trucks arrive at a fire, then have to return to town to get more water.
It was a 14 or so-mile round trip.
When an elderly Emma Jane Holmes died in a house fire in the 1960’s, community leaders began to consider starting their own fire station.
Many decades later, the Rushmere Volunteer Fire Department is now celebrating its 25th anniversary with a series of events, culminating in a semi-formal dinner and dance in November.
Today the department boasts more than 50 members on the rolls , with many members a couple of generations deep, such as the Jeffersons, the Parkers, the Edwardes’s and Games.
Top leadership is also a family affair, with Jeremiah Jefferson as President, his son Brandon as chief, Brandon’s wife LaToya as treasurer, and brother and uncle Rudolph as assistant chief.
Getting a fire department started in Rushmere wasn’t without its challenges, said Rudolph how now represents the Hardy District on the Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors.
Former Hardy District Supervisor Henry Bradby and community leader Phyllis Bloxom are credited with organizing a civic league at First Hill Gravel Baptist Church with the goal of getting a fire station in Rushmere, located in the northeastern part of Isle of Wight County.
But it wasn’t without challenges.
Rudolph said the station has saved a letter from another Isle of Wight volunteer fire department telling Rushmere there was no way they could raise the money, get trained or even get started.
“Everything was in the negative tone” Rudolph said.
“It was an uphill battle from day one”
Carrollton Volunteer Fire Chief Buddy Johnson and Carrsville firefighter Nelson Carter provided help and guidance, as did former Carrsville District Supervisor Phillip Bradshaw and Bradby, who was also on the Board of Supervisors at the time.
The first building, which took eight years to build, was merely a shell and the department’s first truck was a used 1971 brush truck. The station opened in 1991.
The first chief was Keith Jones, who passed away in 2009. Brandon took over in 2008 due to Jones’ illness, and was elected chief in 2009.
Also on the roster at the outset was the first woman certified firefighter in Isle of Wight County – Jean Jones.
Since then, the department has added two engines, a tanker, two brush trucks and a boat. Some of the equipment was purchased by Isle of Wight County, some by the department and some were donated.
The firefighters run 75 to 85 calls a year and provide regular mutual assistance to the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department as well as aid to Surry County and other departments as needed.
Recently, calls have increased, which Brandon attributes to “people texting and don’t know how to drive” he said.
The department regularly holds fundraisers and gets a good deal of support from those passing through Isle of Wight on Route 10.
The Firefighters also provide fire prevention education at Hardy Elementary School, Little Zion Baptist Church and the senior center at Nike Park.
Future goals include exploring the addition of basic EMT as a back-up for Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad, Brandon said.
Rudolph said being a volunteer firefighter takes dedication.
“It takes a willingness to serve the community and recognition that there is a need” he said.
”The need and willingness even out.”
By Diana McFarland
Managing Editor
RUSHMERE — Rushmere volunteer firefighter Rudolph Jefferson said that as a youngster, he used to sit on the curb and watch the Smithfield fire trucks arrive at a fire, then have to return to town to get more water.
It was a 14 or so-mile round trip.
When an elderly Emma Jane Holmes died in a house fire in the 1960’s, community leaders began to consider starting their own fire station.
Many decades later, the Rushmere Volunteer Fire Department is now celebrating its 25th anniversary with a series of events, culminating in a semi-formal dinner and dance in November.
Today the department boasts more than 50 members on the rolls , with many members a couple of generations deep, such as the Jeffersons, the Parkers, the Edwardes’s and Games.
Top leadership is also a family affair, with Jeremiah Jefferson as President, his son Brandon as chief, Brandon’s wife LaToya as treasurer, and brother and uncle Rudolph as assistant chief.
Getting a fire department started in Rushmere wasn’t without its challenges, said Rudolph how now represents the Hardy District on the Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors.
Former Hardy District Supervisor Henry Bradby and community leader Phyllis Bloxom are credited with organizing a civic league at First Hill Gravel Baptist Church with the goal of getting a fire station in Rushmere, located in the northeastern part of Isle of Wight County.
But it wasn’t without challenges.
Rudolph said the station has saved a letter from another Isle of Wight volunteer fire department telling Rushmere there was no way they could raise the money, get trained or even get started.
“Everything was in the negative tone” Rudolph said.
“It was an uphill battle from day one”
Carrollton Volunteer Fire Chief Buddy Johnson and Carrsville firefighter Nelson Carter provided help and guidance, as did former Carrsville District Supervisor Phillip Bradshaw and Bradby, who was also on the Board of Supervisors at the time.
The first building, which took eight years to build, was merely a shell and the department’s first truck was a used 1971 brush truck. The station opened in 1991.
The first chief was Keith Jones, who passed away in 2009. Brandon took over in 2008 due to Jones’ illness, and was elected chief in 2009.
Also on the roster at the outset was the first woman certified firefighter in Isle of Wight County – Jean Jones.
Since then, the department has added two engines, a tanker, two brush trucks and a boat. Some of the equipment was purchased by Isle of Wight County, some by the department and some were donated.
The firefighters run 75 to 85 calls a year and provide regular mutual assistance to the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department as well as aid to Surry County and other departments as needed.
Recently, calls have increased, which Brandon attributes to “people texting and don’t know how to drive” he said.
The department regularly holds fundraisers and gets a good deal of support from those passing through Isle of Wight on Route 10.
The Firefighters also provide fire prevention education at Hardy Elementary School, Little Zion Baptist Church and the senior center at Nike Park.
Future goals include exploring the addition of basic EMT as a back-up for Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad, Brandon said.
Rudolph said being a volunteer firefighter takes dedication.
“It takes a willingness to serve the community and recognition that there is a need” he said.
”The need and willingness even out.”