TOAST — The Franklin Community Volunteer Fire Department was established on July 6, 1959, and this Saturday, it is celebrating those 50 years of service to the community.

The fire department consisted of 25 members when it was first established. The first fire chief was Roy Lawrence. Now, the station has 37 members and Jamie Fore is chief. There have been 12 fire chiefs through the years.

“I am so excited about our upcoming 50th anniversary. I am especially honored to be the chief during this time. You couldn’t ask for a better group of men and women who volunteer their time to serve their community. Their tireless dedication is something to be commended,” Fore said.

In 1960, to report a fire, one had to call ST 6-2212. The FCVFD’s first fire call was Saturday, April 9, 1960. The department responded to a brush fire off South Franklin Road at Belair Drive. That year, the department ran 39 calls. During that period, Franklin was dispatch to calls via telephones in firemen’s homes. The fireman would respond to the fire while their wives would call dispatch, a list of other firemen to respond to the call.

In October 1960, members took their first CPR class given through the American Heart Association. All firemen were then certified in CPR. FCVFD now has a medical division and it carries a first responder state certification.

In 2002, the department lowered its ISO rating from a 9S to a class 6 district-wide. This provided homeowners with a sizable savings on their homeowners insurance policies.

Now, the FCVFD houses eight trucks at the Toast station and five trucks in the Greenhill Station, which was built in 1986.

The FCVFD ran 857 calls in 2008. That works out to be 2.34 calls every day of the year.

“We are hoping for a large turnout from the community for which we provide fire protection,” said Deputy Chief Jody Seaver of Saturday’s celebration.

The department, which is known as Station 71 in the county, was originally chartered by David Hiatt. James O’Dell sponsored the organization.

During Saturday’s celebration at the Toast station, which will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., activities will include children’s games, fire station tours, fire prevention information and refreshments will be served.

Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.