History of Emerald Mountain Volunteer Fire Department
The Emerald Mountain subdivision began in 1992. As homeowners began to build, discussion was initiated to establish a
volunteer fire department in the area. The first meetings were held in the home of Jim Allen. An exploratory committee
was formed and Carol Bridgers was named interim Fire Chief. Meetings continued throughout 1994, and various fund raisers
were held to raise the cash needed to fund the necessary purchases. During the year, the fledgling fire department was
recognized by the Elmore County Firefighters Association, assigned station number 22 and was incorporated as the Emerald
Mountain Volunteer Fire Department. Mike Hough was named Fire Chief and he commanded a force that consisted of Eric Parten,
Debray Estes and Jeff Rogers.
While at fire school in early 1995, Jeff Rogers was approached by classmates from Buyck VFD, offering a truck to the department
for free. It was a 1956 Dodge with a homemade fire truck-shaped body on the back and a 300 gallon tank. After a coat of paint
and the addition of a small pump installed in the back, the truck was ready for use in fighting grass and forest fires. Later
that year, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of a used fire engine and the necessary equipment to outfit the truck.
The Engine was a 1982 Sutphen and was numbered 2201. The new engine was delivered one Saturday morning in late June and before it
could be fully outfitted, it was pressed into use when the department answered its first call, in July 1997. It was a trailer fire
on Deer path. The truck at that time had a total of 50 feet of 3 inch hose loaded. Station 22 responded to the call none the less,
providing manpower and 1000 gallons of water to fight the fire, in what was then still the territory of Station 17.
When the apparatus was purchased, no station house had yet been built, so the apparatus was parked on the street in front of the
Chief’s house. It would remain there throughout the winter of 1995-96, except on the coldest of nights, when it was driven to Station 17,
where it was parked in their building to protect it from freezing. During 1996, Mike Hough was deployed to the Balkans and the exterior
work was completed on the station, to allow covered parking for the apparatus.
In the Spring of 1997, Mike Hough stepped down and Debray Estes was named Chief. Jeff Rogers was named Assistant Chief. During 1997 & 1998,
the department obtained 3 pieces of rolling stock from the Alabama Forestry Commission. The first was an US Army 6X6 tanker truck with 1200
gallon capacity and it was numbered 2211. The second was a 1968 Dodge Dual Wheel ¾ ton truck, which became the service truck and was
numbered 2231. The final vehicle was a 1984 Dodge 4x4 pickup truck which became the department brush truck and was numbered 2220.
The 1956 Dodge was returned to Forestry.
In 1999, Jeff Rogers stepped down and Eric Parten was named the Assistant Fire Chief. Following the unexpected death of Debray
Estes in July of 2000, Eric Parten was named Chief and Greg Taylor was named Assistant Chief. The training room was finished in 2001,
and the flag pole was raised.
After much hard work, the International Standards Organization (ISO) inspected the department in 2002. The result was an unexpected
rating of 4, which at the time, made Emerald Mountain VFD the highest rated fire department in Elmore County. This good rating is
still held by the department, making it still one of the highest rated departments in the county.
In 2003, as the result of repeated brake failures by the tanker truck, a 2001 Ford chassis was purchased to replace the Army truck. The
tank was removed and placed on the newer truck and the 6x6 was returned to Forestry. The new tanker truck retained the same number as
the older tanker-2211.
In 2003, Greg Taylor was transferred and Mike Hamil became Assistant Chief. The following year a new 2004 Pierce Contender was purchased
and it was numbered 2202, giving the department two Class-A pumpers.
In 2005, Mike Hamil left the department due to health reasons and John Gallups was elected Assistant Chief. All new SCBA were purchased to
replace the used equipment and a new Cascade system was also purchased to safely fill the SCBA air tanks.
In 2008, a new service truck was purchased and the old truck was returned to Forestry. The new truck retained 2231 as its number.
An industrial washer and dryer were also purchased in 2008, to aid in the cleaning of the firefighter’s turnouts.
At present, Eric Parten is serving as Chief, John Gallups as Assistant Chief, Neal Zenah, Jeff Rogers and Royal “Bubba” Hepburn are Captains.
Bubba is deployed in the Mid East and in his absence; Jake Blackwell is a temporary Captain.The Emerald Mountain Volunteer Fire Department has come a long way in 16 years, from an idea to well respected and active rural
fire department. The firefighters appreciate the support and hard work of all who have given time and money to see the department grow
and mature.