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Back in 1899, when the C.J. Harris Tannery whistle blew to warn of a fire, the Sylva Bucket brigade came running, led by Chief A.J. Dills and a crew from the tannery. Water
filling their buckets came from nearby Scotts Creek and often times the
brigade poured water in their boots and hats to throw on the fire. Ladders made by firemen were left at strategic places throughout town to assist the brigade’s firefighting efforts.
As Sylva grew, the fire department grew, thanks to community effort. All firemen are volunteers and funding for the fire
station, trucks and equipment has come from square dances, cakewalks, radio-a-thons, individual donations, the Lion’s Club, the Town of Sylva and the Jackson County Board of Commissioners and other community efforts.
“Old Red”, the oldest truck in the Sylva Fire Department’s fleet and the department’s first pumper, was built more like a farm truck than a fire truck.
In the late 1960’s, Sylva was the fire department that added a new descriptive phrase to the English language - “fire-engine yellow”. Sylva was one of the first
fire departments in the United States to purchase an all-yellow fire truck, a diesel-powered Pioneer American LaFrance. The new color was authorized by the National
Fire Chief’s Association because of it’s visibility factor.
The Sylva Fire Department has grown to 30 dedicated men, a mini pumper, tanker, three pumpers, an equipment truck, and a chief’s car.
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