In the late spring / early summer of 1956 there were 2 house fires along the banks of the Catawba River.  At that time there was no other Fire Department established in Lincoln County other than the City of Lincolnton Fire Department. They were the only Fire department that responded to this incident and due to the response time and dated apparatus and equipment these structures burned in their entirety causing a them to be a total loss. 

In the early Summer of 1956, after the above-mentioned incidents occurred several gentlemen who resided in Eastern Lincoln County held a meeting at A.O. Duckworth’s store regarding the need for a Fire Department in the Eastern part of Lincoln County.  Guy Sifford, Rodney Sherrill, J.A. Nixon, Horace Jetton, A.O. Duckworth, Reid Sharar, Joe Anderson, Don Cherry, Ed Hager, and Jimmy Dellinger, and Russel Dellinger recognized the need for a local fire department and took the initiative to establish the East Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department. They filed a set of Articles of Incorporation with the North Carolina Secretary of State to formalize its existence on Monday July 9^th, 1956.

Since its establishment in 1956, there have been several significant factors driving our growth.  The construction of Cowan’s Ford Dam and Lake Norman being established being the largest. In 1963, Duke Power, Inc. flooded the lake to supply water to one of their hydroelectric power plants and nuclear power plants located on NC Highway 73. Our fire department is responsible for protecting 38.54 miles of the lake’s 520-mile shoreline.  Our close proximity to the City of Charlotte and urban sprawl is another significant factor as well as the construction and opening of the NC 16 four lane highway.

In 1956, most of the homes in our community were modest, ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet and our response are was quite rural. However, with the emergence of Lake Norman, our close proximity to Charlotte, the New NC-16 four lane by pass being constructed, and a large increase in population; the area that we now protect has changed immensely.  Residential Homes are often over 15,000 square feet, with substantial price tags and the commercial / industrial buildings have now progressed to well over 5,000 square feet. Consequently, the property values in our district have steadily increased.

In the early days, our volunteers faced financial challenges to maintain the fire department’s operation. Some of our older members recall depending on fundraisers and donations to make ends meet. The founders of the East Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department not only had vision, but they also made personal sacrifices to ensure public safety.

Today, with an estimated property value exceeding $5.5 billion, our fire department currently operates out of 3 stations staffed with full-time personnel.  A large administrative headquarters fire station on South Pilot Knob Rd., an additional Sub station / training facility on Commerce Dr., and a combined facility that houses NC SHP, Lincoln EMS, and East Lincoln Fire Department on HWY 73.  We will also be housing / staffing a fire boat to assist with covering the 38.54 mile of LKN shoreline that we protect very soon on Unity Church Rd. (2024).

As you can see, our fire department has grown and continues to grow exponentially along with the development of our community. With the forward-thinking guidance of our board of directors and fire department management, we remain committed to anticipating the future growth of our community and increasing needs it commands for public safety.