The History of the
Triplet Volunteer Fire Department

On May 28, 1975, twenty-three (23) men from the community of Triplet, Virginia met at Mr. Lloyd E. Bennett’s shop for the purpose of organizing a fire department to serve their area.  After a general discussion about the need for a fire department, they decided to form a department.  They elected and a charter was drawn up to form a department.  The first piece of fire apparatus was a fire truck that Mr. Lloyd Bennett purchased from Ivor Fire Department and donated to the newly formed department.  The department also purchased a 1942 International Fire truck from the Seward Forest Auction Sale.  Also, the fire department decided to upgrade its fire apparatus and went to the Board of Supervisors and asked them for money to purchase a 1952 Ford Pumper from Slagle Fire Equipment Company for $6,000.00.  They agreed to let us have the money to purchase this pumper.  Also, in 1975 the department decided it was time to purchase breathing apparatus, so they would be protected when entering a burning building.  Three air masks and two extra tanks were purchased.  Since then, the department updated their Air Pack with the most modern one that lasts 30 minutes.  The Drewyville Fire Department also donated a fire truck to the newly formed department.  All of this equipment was housed at Mr. Bennett’s shop since they did not have a fire house at the time.

After the department began, the members realized they needed a fire department to store equipment and for a meeting place.  The Brunswick County Board of Supervisors donated three (3) acres of land to the fire department from the Seward Forest tract.  After the purchase of the land, the task of clearing the land and getting a building on the parcel was a task that everyone in the department and community started to work on as a goal.  The fire house was built and completed in 1978.  After the outside building was completed, the firemen went to work on the inside.  In 1978, the department purchased a 1971 GMC, its first tanker, from Pargan Company.  It was converted into a fire truck to haul water to supply the 1952 pumper.  A Hale Pump was purchased and placed on this truck.

In 1982, after the department had grown and saw a need for a more up-to-date pumper, the department purchased a 1967 Chevrolet Pumper that would hold 1500 gallons of water from the South Hill Department for $5,000.00.  Also, in 1982 after the Brink Fire, the department saw a need for a Ladies Auxiliary to support the department in time of need.  After a meeting with the ladies of the community, they decided to form a Ladies Auxiliary.  They have been a big asset to the department in so many ways.  They are there when there is a big fire to supply the fireman with water, food or help in anyway they can.  Also, they help the department in most of their fundraising projects.

In the year 1983, the department decided it was time to update their alarm system.  It was decided to get some pagers so the Sheriff’s Department could alert us much faster.  The members and the department now own nine (9) pagers.  It helps to give the community a faster response time to their emergencies.  Also, in 1983 the department purchased another pumper, this one a 1977 Ford Pumper completely equipped with a portable generator.  This Mini Pumper is designed to get to the scene of the emergency faster and control it until the other fire trucks arrive.  Also, the department purchased a 4x4 Brush Truck to use on forest fires.  This has been a big help to the department.

In 1986, the department purchased another 1965 Ford pumper.

In 1996, the new Freightliner Pumper-Tanker was purchased with a capacity of 1200 gallons of water and a 1250 GPM pump.  This was the department’s first new piece of fire apparatus.  It has been a big asset to the department. 

Then in the year 1998, a strong windstorm cane through the area and damaged the firehouse.  It was determined that it was not safe to operate out of it.  None of the fire equipment was damaged.  It was torn down and a new metal building was purchased and erected on the same site.  This new building has two (2) bays that are drive-thru and hold a capacity of four (4) trucks.  It also has a large room on the side that serves as a meeting place, and also a kitchen for our fund raising events.

The department has assisted departments in North Carolina, Greesville County, as well as it’s neighbor departments in Brunswick County.

With the equipment the department has now, it can carry 3,375 gallons of water to the scene of a fire.  The department covers a population estimated to be 5,000 people.

Over the years, members of the department attended training classes on various subjects pertaining to fire fighting and safety of the members.  These classes have been very rewarding and are required by the State of Virginia.   A number of our members have been certified as Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and Haz-Mat qualified.  Other classes have been on pumper operation and vehicle extrication.  Triplet Volunteer Fire Department is a member of the Southside Firemen’s Association and Virginia Firemen’s Association.

The department, as of 6-1-07, has a total membership of twenty-seven (27), which includes nine (9) charter members and two (2) honorary members.  We are still upgrading our equipment and alarm system each year in order to serve the public better.  The department has been very active in the community and the community has been very active in the fire department by supporting the activities held at the fire house.  We feel the department has been a big asset to the area that it serves.