History and Development of the Elko Fire Department

Elko, South Carolina

The Elko Fire Department was born out of community initiative, public safety concerns, and the installation of a municipal water system in 1976. That year marked a significant milestone for the town, as water lines and fire hydrants were installed, making the idea of establishing a volunteer fire department both logical and timely.

At a special meeting in January 1976, the Elko Town Council agreed that it was an ideal time to begin organizing a local volunteer fire department. Councilman Roy Fields was tasked with contacting the Hilda Fire Department to learn how they had formed their own unit. At this initial meeting, the community's fundraising efforts also began, tickets were distributed for a raffle where the prize was a side of beef, with proceeds dedicated to a new fire truck fund.

On January 18, 1976, a public meeting was held at the Elko Community Center. Mayor M.B. Sanders opened the meeting, with Councilwoman Virginia Mills emphasizing the need for at least 80 residents to connect to the new water system. The event featured Mr. Billy Joe Sharpe of the Hilda Fire Department and Hilda Mayor Tracy Delk, who explained how their department functioned and outlined what it would take to start a department in Elko. Mr. Sharpe stressed the need for:

• A designated Fire Chief

• 18 trained volunteer members

• A command structure where the Fire Chief would oversee the firefighters, under the direction of the mayor and council

He further noted that each member would be required to complete 42 hours of training, and that the Fireman's Association could help provide funding and support. Mayor Delk suggested contacting David Gilliam of Orangeburg for help coordinating the training.

On February 7, 1976, another special meeting was held where the command structure of the new fire department began. Mayor Sanders announced that Whittle Motor Company of Williston had provided a quote of $9,015.82 for a fire truck chassis. While no immediate purchase was made, the department took another major step forward that day with the election of its first officers:

• Fire Chief: Milton Widener

• Daytime Assistant Chief: Roy Fields & Nighttime Asst. Chief: Marty Schumpert

A follow-up meeting was held on February 18, 1976, where Mr. David Gilliam from the Fireman’s Association attended and reiterated the importance of appointing a Fire Chief, which had already been done, and recruiting 18 members to gain formal recognition by insurance underwriters. He advised the town to join the South Carolina State Fireman’s Association at a cost of $50 per department or $2 per individual. He also recommended postponing training until a fire truck was secured.

On March 10, 1976, during a regular town council meeting, it was announced that a fire truck had been officially ordered on March 4, 1976. The order was placed with Spartan Fire and Emergency Apparatus, with a Pierce fire truck built on a chassis supplied by Whittle Motor Company. The fire truck was a 1976 F750, equipped with a 750-gallon-per-minute pump and a 750-gallon water tank. The total cost of the firetruck would be $28,928.00. The order was managed by Mr. Bobby Fore of Spartan Fire and Emergency Apparatus in Spartanburg S.C. Russell Nix was the contact for the chassis at Whittle Motor Co. in Williston SC.

Funding for the Town of Elko’s new fire truck came from state funds secured by Solomon Blatt Sr., a longtime Democratic legislator and former Speaker of the House of Representatives for South Carolina. To house this truck, the town constructed a one-bay block building, which still stands today. It is located next to the town water tank and once was the site of the Elko School house. To this day you can still see the foundation of the old schoolhouse.

Nearly a year later, on April 8, 1977, Elko’s first fire truck officially arrived. With its arrival, the Elko Fire Department was formally organized, consisting of 22 men and 5 women. A fireman’s training school commenced shortly afterward, led by Mr. James Jordan of Aiken, and involved active and enthusiastic participation. Training continued until all members completed the required 42 hours.

During this training period, the Elko Fire Department responded to its first emergency call on April 18, 1977—a significant fire at the Colony West Apartments in Barnwell. The department made a major contribution in the efforts to save the facilities, marking a proud and impactful beginning for the newly formed volunteer fire department. Around 1978 Marty Schumpert was named acting Fire Chief after the resignation of Chief Widener. In July of 1978 Dan Bates was named Fire Chief along with Jimmy Odom being Asst. Chief, Chief Bates served as Chief up until August 21, 1979 at which time Allison Grimes was appointed the new chief. Jimmy Odom remained Asst. Chief and was eventually named Fire Chief and served in that capacity up until the early 1990’s.

Continued History of the Elko Fire Department

In 1977, several significant fires across Barnwell County exposed a critical need for a more reliable and widespread water supply for firefighting. Before the addition of a few tankers, when there was a large fire, a local oil company would use their delivery truck to haul water to the fire. This was a task that took a lot of logistics from making the calls to get the truck, to emptying the fuel from the truck and refilling it with water to be transported to the fire. With assistance from Mr. Cecil Still of the county shop, Barnwell County secured six Army surplus trucks from the South Carolina Forestry Commission and six 1,000-gallon tanks from a petroleum company in Augusta, Georgia. Additional components, including red lights, sirens. PTO pumps from Southern Pump and Tank Company, were purchased to transform the vehicles into functional fire tankers.

Once completed, the Elko Fire Department received one of these newly assembled tankers. This event marked the beginning of Barnwell County's formal investment in its fire services. The tanker was stored outside during the warmer months, but during winter, it was moved to Williston Fire Department to prevent the pump from freezing and cracking.

By the mid-1980s, the town cleared land where the old Elko baseball field once sat and built a three-bay metal fire station next to the Elko Post Office. This station accommodated the original tanker and the town’s first pumper. The three-bay design allowed for future expansion, anticipating the acquisition of additional apparatus.

These surplus-built tankers remained in service until the early 1990s, when an initiative led by County Councilman and Williston Fire Chief Calvin Melton sought to replace them with newer tankers capable of hauling an additional 600 gallons. Funded through the county’s general fund, the new tankers were phased in on a 3–4-year rotation until every department in Barnwell County had one.

Between this modernization effort and 2002, the Elko Fire Department operated primarily with its two trucks. In 2002, the county utilized funds from a 5-mil fire tax, collected over five years, and a significant contribution from Chem-Nuclear, to purchase nine new International/Pierce pumpers. These pumpers were capable of carrying 1000 gallons of water and able to pump 1000 gallons per minute. This allowed Elko to operate with two pumpers and a tanker. The department continued operating with three trucks and gradually acquired more essential equipment to meet the growing demands of the fire service.

Leadership Changes and Department Growth

After Chief Jimmy Odoms retirement in the early 1990’s Michael Grubbs became the newest Fire Chief. Chief Grubbs remained Fire Chief until he stepped down in 1996. His Asst. Chief Michael Schumpert was appointed by the Elko Town Council as the new fire chief—a position he continues to hold to this day.

Expansion and the Rescue Truck

Around 2008, the department identified the need for a rescue/service truck. Along with members of the department, Chief Schumpert found a suitable vehicle at Company Two Fire in Hampton South Carolina, a dealer of used fire trucks. After consultations with Mayor Marty Schumpert and the town council, the truck—a 1987 Ford cab-over with a Ranger walk-in rescue body—was purchased.

Originally serving in Pequannock, New Jersey, the truck had historical significance: while it didn’t respond directly to Ground Zero on 9/11, it did cross the Brooklyn Bridge and participated in the New York fire apparatus staging area during the aftermath. It still retains its original phone-style radio in the cab.

Due to its size, the new rescue truck could not fit in the block building originally built for the Towns first fire truck, so Elko’s original pumper was moved back to the block building on the hill.

Addition of a Brush Truck

Around 2010, Elko acquired a Dodge long-bed pickup from the Town of Hilda Fire Department, which had received the truck from the SC Forestry Commission. It had been used as their brush truck. Once Hilda replaced the vehicle, Chief Thomas Sharpe offered it to Elko, and the forestry service approved the transfer.

The Elko Fire Department purchased a suitable skid unit from a department in Maryland, and Chief Schumpert and Assistant Chief Chris Ashley traveled to Virginia to pick it up. The unit was installed and remained in service for a few years until the truck became inoperable.

Subsequently, Chief Tony Dicks offered to sell his former chief’s truck—a red Ford F250 four-door—to Elko. The town agreed, and the truck became the new brush truck, utilizing the same skid unit.

In 2025, Elko received a V-SAFE grant from SC State Fire, allowing the purchase of a new skid unit that carried 150 gallons, 50 more than the previous one, with modernize features.

Station Expansion and Equipment Growth

As equipment and vehicle needs grew, the department expanded the original three-bay station by adding two more bays. This expansion provided room for the brush truck and a spare Pierce fire engine donated by the Windsor Fire Department, thanks to the efforts of Firefighter Andy Deering. Also in 2023 Elko Fire Department received a new 2000-gallon Freightliner/FES tanker, this truck give the department the ability to haul an extra 400 gallons of water.

Since 2016, the Elko Fire Department has applied for and been awarded over $380,000 in grants and funding, acquiring a range of essential firefighting equipment and PPE, including:

• Ventilation saws

• Battery-powered tools

• Extrication equipment

• And more

This growth has allowed the department to remain proficient, responsive, and equipped to serve the residents of Elko and surrounding areas effectively.

Founding Members of the Elko Volunteer Fire Department

The Elko Volunteer Fire Department was built on a foundation of dedication, community spirit, and selfless service. When the department was first organized, it was led by a committed group of local citizens who volunteered their time and energy to protect their town and neighbors.

The original members of the Elko Volunteer Fire Department were:

• Fire Chief Milton Widener

• Dan Bates

• Janice Bates

• Charlie Bowen

• Alta Bowen

• Leonard Mills

• Virginia Mills

• Paul Green

• Gene Sorrell

• Emory Bodiford

• James Green

• Gale Mole

• Jimmy Odom

• Cindy Widener

• Robert Mills

• Ted Craig

• M.B. Sanders

• Johnny Williams

• Preston Bonds

• Joseph Odom

• Wayne Schumpert

• Marty Schumpert

• Roy Fields

• Isaac Williams

• Buddy Lynn

These individuals were the pioneers of fire service in Elko, stepping up in a time when resources were scarce and the needs were great. Their dedication laid the groundwork for what would become a long-standing tradition of volunteer fire protection in the community.

Present-Day Elko Volunteer Fire Department

As of 2025, the Elko Volunteer Fire Department continues its proud tradition of community service, operating out of a single fire station located at:

📍 10077 U.S. Highway 78, Elko, SC 29826

The department consists of 18 dedicated members, including:

• Fire Chief

• Assistant Chief

• Two Training Captains

• Department Chaplain

The Elko VFD is responsible for primary fire and emergency response within the town limits of Elko, as well as portions of the surrounding unincorporated rural area. In addition to its first-due territory, the department plays a vital role in county-wide fire protection through automatic mutual aid agreements with:

• Williston Fire Department

• Long Branch Fire Department

• Blackville Fire Department

The department also maintains formal mutual aid agreements with all other fire departments in Barnwell County, as well as with the Savannah River Site Fire Department, ensuring regional cooperation during large-scale or complex emergencies.

Services Provided

The Elko Volunteer Fire Department is trained and equipped to handle a wide range of emergencies, including:

• Fire suppression

• Vehicle extrication

• First responder medical assistance

• Public service calls and other emergency-related incidents

Current Apparatus

• 🚒 Engine 1

• 🚛 Tanker 1

• 🚑 Rescue 1

• 🚙 Brush Truck

• 🛠️ Reserve Engine

Current Members of the Elko Volunteer Fire Department

(As of 2025)

The Elko Volunteer Fire Department is proud to be staffed by a dedicated team of volunteers who serve with integrity, skill, and a deep commitment to the safety of their community.

Command Staff

• Fire Chief – Michael Schumpert

• Assistant Chief – Chris Ashley

• Captain (Training) – Perry Loftis

• Captain (Training) – Tres Rimes

Firefighters

• Toby Singletary

• Nigel Abner

• Andy Deering

• David Peachey

• Cale Peachey

• Connor Harvey

• William Youmans

• David Smalls

• Billy Gainey

• John Jerkins

• Caleb Craig

• Derek Dyches

• Bradley Owens

• Matthew Klimek

Fire Department Chaplin

· TBD

These individuals are the heart of the Elko Fire Department and continue the proud legacy established by the department's original members. Their dedication ensures that the Town of Elko and its surrounding areas receive reliable and professional fire protection and emergency response services

With Special Thanks To:
Nancy Jackson (Town of Elko)
Chief Tony Dicks (Barnwell City Fire Department)
Chief Milton Widener (Williston Fire Department)

For their valuable insight, contributions, and dedication to preserving the history of our department.

Created on August 6, 2025

HISTORY OF THE ELKO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Elko, South Carolina

Compiled by:
Fire Chief Michael Schumpert