80 years of combined service to the citizens of Pikeville

For 80 years, the Pikeville Volunteer Fire Department has had many members but only nine different Captains/Chiefs. These nine men gave time to lead and mold the department into what it is today.

Sam H. Brown was the first person to take the lead role as Captain. Two devastating fires in downtown Pikeville led to the urgency to form a fire department – one that not only covered Pikeville but the entire county. Brown oversaw a group of 40 men who volunteered to serve their community as firefighters. He served the department from its inception, equipping the newly formed department with a Dodge front mount pumper and seven years later with a GMC General Civil Defense Truck. Brown serve 14 years before turning over the duties in 1960 to John T. Therrell.

Therrell served as chief from 1960 to 1966. After serving six years, Alfred Holland was appointed as chief. He served from 1966 to 1971, and again from 1974-1975. In 1971, Holland was chief when a local restaurant exploded just as members of the local bass club were coming into the building for a meeting. A total of eight people were injured in that fire including an off-duty State Trooper and fire department member, Gerald Hale.

Bill Stephens served as chief from 1972-1974. In 1975-1976, Charles Walling served as chief, then William Holland was appointed and served until 1978.

George Young devoted 18 years of service to the fire department, serving from 1979 to 1997. During his tenure, Mt. Crest Volunteer Fire Department was established, easing the load for the department. Other county departments followed in the ensuing years.

The longest serving fire chief for the department was Paul H. Swafford with 27 years at the helm. Prior to serving as chief, Swafford had been a firefighter for the department for 21 years, devoting 48 years of service to the citizens of Pikeville and Bledsoe County. He not only served on the local level but has served as president of the Tennessee Firemen’s Association and its Board.

In 2024, Swafford stepped down as chief, and Garrett Angel was appointed as chief. He has continued the forward progress of previous fire chiefs, assuring personnel are trained and equipment is available to offer the best fire protection for residents.

Next week, The Bledsonian-Banner will report on the progress the department has achieved over its 80 years – its locations and equipment.