Welcome to the Town of
Valdese, a Waldensian settlement in the foothills of North Carolina.
FIRE DEPARTMENT HISTORY
The first organized fire fighting unit in Valdese was formed in 1932
and was totally volunteer. The membership was twenty strong with Town
Manager Lee Ribet serving as Fire Chief. The first fire truck was a 1917
Model T. Edward Pascal, former town councilman, recalls the fire truck
being housed in a one-car garage at the present site of the First United
Methodist Church. Shortly after the department received a brand-new 1932
Mack Pumper. This truck is still used today by the department for
parades.
In 1947 an American LaFrance Quad
(pictured at right) was purchased. The Quad functioned
as both a pumper and a ladder truck due to having a pump and large
selection of ladders including a 50’ ground ladder with tormentor poles.
In 1949, A.O. Anderson became the first full-time member of the
Valdese Fire Department. He served as Assistant Fire Chief under Chief
Lee Ribet.
In 1962, A.O. Anderson became the first paid fire chief. Shortly
after the department took delivery of a 1963 Ford/American LaFrance
pumper. Chief Anderson was instrumental in helping establish the first
countywide fire radio system.
Upon Chief Anderson’s retirement in 1973, Sherrill Brittain moved
from Assistant Fire Chief to become Fire Chief. Chief Brittain oversaw
the move into the department’s present day facility.
In 1975, a Mack pumper was purchased that is still in-service today.
In 1985, the department established its medical response unit and
purchased a Pierce Arrow Quint.
1987 - Sherrill Brittain retired as Fire Chief.
1988 - Ernest Bertalot became Fire Chief after serving as Assistant
Fire Chief since 1973.
A 1995 Pierce Dash was purchased to take the place of the aging 1963
Ford.
On October 1st of 1996, the department initiated the Emergency
Medical Technician - Defibrillation Program within its medical response
unit.
Chief Bertalot retired at the end of 1998.
Charles Watts was named Fire Chief January 1st of 1999.
In 1947 an American LaFrance Quad
(pictured at right) was purchased. The Quad functioned
as both a pumper and a ladder truck due to having a pump and large
selection of ladders including a 50’ ground ladder with tormentor poles.
