The History of "The Last Alarm"

The men and women of today's fire service are confronted with a more dangerous work environment than ever before. We are forced to continually change our strategies and tactics to accomplish our tasks.

Our methods may change, but our goals remain the same as they were in the past, to save lives and to protect property, sometimes at a terrible cost. This is what we do, this is our chosen profession, this is the tradition of the fire fighter.

The fire service of today is ever changing, but is steeped in traditions 200 years old. One such tradition is the sound of a bell.

In the past, as fire fighters began their tour of duty, it was the bell that signaled the beginning of that day's shift. Throughout the day and night, each alarm was sounded by a bell, which summoned these brave souls to fight fires and to place their lives in jeopardy for the good of their fellow citizen. And when the fire was out and the alarm had come to an end, it was the bell that signaled to all the completion of that call. When a fire fighter had died in the line of duty, paying the supreme sacrifice, it was the mournful toll of the bell that solemnly announced a comrades passing.

We utilize these traditions as symbols, which reflect honor and respect on those who have given so much and who have served so well. To symbolize the devotion that these brave souls had for their duty, a “special signal” represents the end of our comrades' duties and that they will be returning to quarters.

It is customary that the “Last Alarm” be sounded for our brother or sister who paid the supreme sacrifice.  For having selflessly given their lives for the good of their fellow man, their tasks completed, their duties well done, to signify, they are “returning to quarters”.

            2015

             Lonnie Champlin                   Pinewood VFD

             Grover Floyd Hood                Grantham VFD

                     Harold Jones Sr.                    Seven Springs VFD

                Leslie Thompson                    Rosewood VFD

                    Thomas Allen                         Indian Springs VFD

             James McGee Smith               New Hope VFD

                     Malcolm Price                        Seven Springs VFD

             John Tart                               Grantham VFD

          Shelby Beamon                      Dudley VFD

             J.R. Lancaster                        Patetown VFD

       Lester Ferrell Williams            Elroy VFD

                William Britt                             New Hope VFD

             William (Bill) Harrell                Mar Mac VFD

             Brad Cushing                          Mar Mac VFD

             Durwood McKinley Price         Pricetown VFD

                       Noel Dwight Rose                   Jordan's Chapel VFD

             Donnie Capps                         Mar Mac VFD

             Odell Foss                               Mt Olive VFD 

                      Eddie Weeks                            Mt. Olive VFD      

         Billy Ray Grimes                      Faro VFD

                       Gerald Garris                         Seven Springs VFD

                           Connie Price                            Fremont VFD            

                     Curtis Jackson                         Mar-Mac VFD     

               2016

                 Albert Williams                       Arrington VFD

                       Jerry Britt                               Smith Chapel VFD

                  J.L. Rose                               Grantham VFD

                Charlie Howell                          Pikeville VFD

                    Carson Smith                          New Hope VFD

                        Kenneth Martin                       Smith Chapel VFD

                         Perry Lewis                             Indian Springs VFD

                         Brownie Southerland               Seven Springs VFD

                2017

                           Gary Eugene Britt                    Jordan's Chapel VFD

                  Rodney Grayson Scott            Mar Mac VFD  

                   Janice Rogers                          Arrington VFD  

                              James Wise                              Jordan's Chapel VFD  

                            Joseph Cox                              Jordan's Chapel VFD

                Conald Evans                          Goldsboro FD

                Samuel E. Taylor                      Mt. Olive VFD

                Nelson Ray Rollins                   Fremont VFD

                  Herbert Victor Blackman          Grantham VFD

                 Stephen K. Davis                      Goldsboro FD

                  Billy Ray Daniels                       Goldsboro FD

                   Emerson Bass                          Northeast VFD

                    Seth Best                                  Grantham VFD

                 Herbert Evans                          Oakland VFD

                   William Gerald Howell              Patetown VFD

                   James Neal Casey                    Arrington VFD