The Brodnax
Volunteer Fire Department was formed in 1948 and the first
Fire Chief was C.L. Clements. The charter members were D.E.
Pennington, W.T. Neal, Jamie H. Sadler, Emmett Pulley,
Ronald Tatum, John C. Dugger, W.D. Barham, B. Hayes, W.H.
Stamper, F.G. Poythress, T.R. Whitten, J.H. McAden, Clarence
Kirkland, Drewry Clements and J.H. Harrison. The department
was started with a hand cart that had to be drawn by four or
five men. A fire house was built to hold a 1937 model pumper
that was purchased through a loan from Mrs. Clara P.
Montgomery.
Chief
Clements retired and H.P. Davis was elected fire chief. Mr.
Davis held this post until his death in 1966. Assistant
Chief E.E. Smith then moved to this position. Mr. Smith was
later elected fire chief.
In 1962 the
first new pumper was purchased with a loan from H.P. Davis
and the need for bigger and better facilities was seen. A
building in town was purchased and renovation started. Most
of the work was done by the fireman. In 1967 the old 1937
model fire truck was retired and a new Mack Pumper was
purchased which is still utilized today by the department
In November 1973
the fire department held open house in the new addition to the
fire house the brick building which was built onto the original
fire house by the fireman. The large kitchen was especially
designed to handle the cooking of the department’s famous
“Brunswick Stew”. This building is now the Brodnax Town Office.
The Brodnax Fire
Department is today located in a fire house that was built in
1991. It now has three pumpers, a brush truck, a tanker, a
support vehicle, and a rescue engine. The department currently
has an active role of 30 members along with a very supportive
Ladies Auxiliary.
Slate
of Officers for 2009