ROCKINGHAM – The Rockingham Fire Department (RFD) has a proud history of serving the community for many years.
The men and women of the Rockingham Fire Department are committed to providing the highest level of fire protection and emergency service possible. Not only are these emergency personnel trained to respond to emergencies but they also participate in fire prevention activities and other public events in our community.
Under the direction of Fire Chief Harold Isler, Rockingham Fire Department is involved in many community outreach activities and events.
In the summer, RFD partners with the police department to hold a police and fire academy for kids. Isler stated, “I believe Chief Kelly said we had 61 kids last year. I think that will continue to grow.” Isler said the academy is geared more towards public safety.
RFD also participates in a smoke detector program in which city residents can call and schedule a time to have smoke detectors installed by the department.
The department also helps Girl and Boy Scouts earn badges by teaching fire prevention and safety.
RFD is a big part of the Fire Academy at RSHS. Isler said, “Any equipment that we retire from here, we donate to the school system for training.”
October is always fire prevention month. Fire prevention kickoff is in the old Winn Dixie parking lot on the first Saturday of that month. The fire department goes into the county schools and conducts programs during October also.
Chief Isler said that one of the events closest to his heart is the annual Fill the Boot drive for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). This third annual fundraising campaign, which will be May 4-6 at Walmart, raises money to help children and adults with muscular dystrophy. Isler stated, “Last year we raised a little over $3,000. This will be our third year doing it. The monies raised will also help send kids to camp in June. Some of the firefighters participate with the kids, too.”
RFD Administrative Assistant, Kristy Player, helps organize many events and says, “Special Olympics is one of the events the fire department participates in that is near and dear to my heart.” Assistant Chief Vernon McKinnon feels the same way. He said, “The spring games are the biggest event; they will be held on May 8 this year. Participation has picked up because all the schools have gotten involved.”
Player stated that the department also participates in the Hitchcock Creek cleanup, partnering with Cascades, the Sheriff’s Department and the Police Department.
Isler stated that Lieutenant Wayne Covington heads a successful program, partnering with L.J. Bell school, called The Bow Tie Club. Isler stated, “They may go have lunch with them, or go inside the classroom during their special class. If they have field trips, the gentlemen may go with them.”
Covington stated, “We mentor a group of young boys in hope that they will become responsible young men.”
RFD continues to be involved in our community in many ways, and for that, we are thankful. Although RFD was spotlighted in this article we are thankful for all our community fire departments as well as other first responders and the duties they perform on a daily basis.
Location of RFD’s 2 fire stations:
Station 1: 231 South Lawrence Street (910) 997-4002 Fax: (910)997-4573
Station 2: 860 Roberdel Road (910) 895-0336
