View Newell Volunteer Fire Department
Website
newellvfd.org
Type of Department
Combination
Established
December 1949
History
The Newell Volunteer Fire Department was chartered in December of 1949. The fire department was organized in February of 1950. The first Fire Chief was Baxter W. Caldwell. The apparatus was stored at the Newell Esso. An extra bay was added to the service station later specifically to house the fire engine.
The 1970’s saw a marked increase in the number of calls. Several fires occurred in nearby massage parlors and topless clubs. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte had grown as well and required special fire and rescue attention. With the addition of EMS calls, Newell became the busiest fire department in the county.
Newell’s fire district had experienced tremendous growth since the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. What was once a rural country setting had exploded. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte had high rise student housing. University Place, a huge retail complex, added multi-level stores and a large Hilton Hotel. The University Research Park, with office complexes for IBM, Verbatim, and Solectron, added to the number of large commercial structures.
The tremendous growth in the University area had pushed the value of the Newell Fire District over $1 billion. W.T. Harris Boulevard now extended from I-77 to Independence Boulevard. The corner of North Tryon Street and Harris Boulevard became the center of what was being called University City. New sub-divisions like Wexford and Faires Farm began to fill what was once quiet farmland. UNCC had grown into one of the largest universities in the state. Newell was no longer a quiet rural fire department but a busy suburban department handling all kinds of emergencies.
In February 2000 Newell Volunteer Fire Department celebrated its 50th Anniversary. While so much has changed, the core values and mission of the organization has not. Members still provide a level of service that meets the needs of our community. However, as time goes by, community contributions have become almost non-existent. The influx of non-local residents have no idea that they are receiving such a valuable service for free.
Station
9007 Newell Baptist Church Road
Newell, NC 28126
704-579-0726
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Apparatus
Engine 1 - 2002 Spartan/Smeal 1500/1000
Engine 2 - 1987 Mack MC/KME 1500/1000
Engine 3 - 1984 Mack MC 1500/1000
Rescue 1 - 1998 American LaFrance/Saulsbury 19’ walk-around rescue
Fire Chief
Matt Westbrook
Personnel
Fire Chief
2 Assistant Chief
2 Captains
22 Firefighters
Comments
On March 4th, 2002, Newell responded with Robinson, Harrisburg, and Mint Hill to a house fire on Harrisburg Road in Robinson’s Fire District. Josh Earley, a Harrisburg and Charlotte firefighter, fell into a fully involved basement while fighting the fire. Several firefighters rescued Josh from the basement, but he had sustained severe burns. He succumbed to his injuries on March 6th. On March 7th, firefighters from across the state escorted Josh back home from Chapel Hill.
He was laid to rest on March 9th. May he rest in peace. We extend our deepest sympathy to Josh’s family, the Harrisburg Fire Department and Charlotte Fire Department, especially Station 27-B.
2007 - 714 Fire and EMS Calls
2006 - 723 Fire and EMS Calls
2005 - 797 Fire and EMS Calls
Editor
FNN_Admin
Department Sort Code
000-00
1-888-620-FIRE