The History of Staton House Fire Department
Staton House Fire Department proudly Serves The citizens of Pitt County, North Carolina. Located on the outskirts of Greenville, our service area consist of the following communities - Staton's Mill, House Station, Mt. Pleasant, and Johns Town.
Staton House Community Fire Department Inc. was formed soon after two tragic fires in the area. The burning of the Frank Taylor homeplace on June 8th 1960, and the destruction of a packhouse on the Wadie T. Carson farm one week later. Representatives from the above mentioned communities met and laid plans to purchase a fire truck and to set up a volunteer fire department for protection of the area on June 21st 1960.
Ed Hemingway was elected President of the Board of directors, as well as Fire Chief. Twenty men (four from each community) were selected to be volunteer firemen.
A truck financed by public donations was purchased from the state and equipped with a 1200gal. tank, 100ft. of hose, a 100 g.p.m. pump, and a nozzle at a cost of $1900.00. It was decided that the truck would be located at Harry Cooke's Store.
Staton House Fire Department became operational on July 22nd 1960, making it the first rural fire dept. in Pitt County. The first fire call that the newly formed department responded to was a house in the Greenfield Terrace subdivision (Now located in the city limits of Greenville).
August of 1961 saw the arrival of a much needed second truck for the organization. This unit was both lighter and faster than the first truck, with an 800gal. tank and a 100 g.p.m. front-mount pump. The truck cost the department $2600.00, and was viewed by the members as a symbol of what could be accomplished through inter-community cooperation. It was decided that this truck would be stationed at Howard Forbes Store, allowing a truck to be within approximately 4.5 miles of all members at all times.
In August of 1978 Staton House Fire Department moved into its current main station and has continued to thrive - with the help and support of our community.