Bethany Volunteer Fire Dept
This is an elite group of firefighters and EMT’s who protect and serve the citizens of Bethany. We are made up of 47 volunteers and 1 administrative staff. We run out of two stations and house one engine, tanker, rescue, squad, a RCEMS Suburban with one paramedic on it 24 hours a day and two brush trucks at station 1 on N.C. 65. Then we house one engine, tanker, squad, and Rockingham Countys Mobile Ventilation Unit at station 2 on 13549 US 158 West. We have some of the highest trained and most professional personnel. We hold our Medical Responder certification and our EMS Agency License from the State of North Carolina.
The Bethany Fire Department has seen many changes over the years, but its mission remains the same: to save lives and property. The fire department is located in south central Rockingham County, approximately 8 miles north of Greensboro. The department protects a largely agricultural area of 44 square miles with a population of 3,595 residents. In May of 2007, the Department opened its second Fire Station in response to the explosive residential growth in the southern portion of the Fire District. Between the two stations the Department maintains and responds with a fleet of 8 apparatus which respond to fires, hazardous materials incidents, rescues, and medical emergencies. Station 2 currently houses four resident firefighters that hold state Firefighter II and EMT certifications. The Department also provides Fire/Safety Education to approximately 400 students at Bethany Elementary School.
The department currently has 47 volunteer members and 5 paid part-time employees. Of those, 21 are Level II state certified Firefighters, 18 are state certified Emergency Medical Technicians, and 12 are state certified Level II Fire Instructors. Also, 17 are employed as full time firefighters or paramedics at other agencies. In 2003, the department began staffing with one part-time Firefighter/EMT during the hours of 0730-1530 hours, Monday through Friday. In June of 2007, we increased our daytime staffing to two on selected days. This staffing has allowed the department to decrease response times during the day, when many volunteer members are outside the district. The part time personnel also assist with truck and equipment maintenance, reports, fire prevention, hydrant testing, and pre-plans. As with any organization, our personnel remain our most important asset. Our members dedicate countless hours and sacrifice time away from their families to ensure Bethany will remain a safe place to live.