The residents of the Jacob Swamp community back in the mid 1970's began discussion of organizing a volunteer fire
department. They were outside of the city of Lumberton's fire district and the closest volunteer department was more
than five miles away. At times members of that department may be unable to respond to a fire due to other obligations.
Leading the community to establish a department were David and Willie Allen, Sonny Griffin, Spencer Locklear and Osteen Oxendine.
Despite all of the phone calls and leg work that these founding members did researching what was needed to establish a department,
they received very little support, but that was about to change.
In 1979 the community received a wake up call, when the Allen's lost their home to an electrical fire. Several departments responded
to the blaze but were unable to save the home. This event opened the communities' eyes to the heart break and helplessness
that people experience after a fire. It also lit a another fire in the Allen's to work harder and be more determined than ever to
try to prevent anyone else in their community from having to suffer such a loss.
The Allen's with help of family and friends rebuilt their nearly completely destroyed home, and with the support of
the community established and chartered Pine Terrace Volunteer Fire Department on March 5, 1980.
The Allen's put up their home as collateral for a loan to purchase an empty garage that had closed just months earlier.
They then received a 1951 Chevrolet fire truck form Northwoods Fire Department and had to ask their members to wait until enough money could be
raised to pay for the truck. The newly acquired fire truck brought in several new members from the community.
In 1981 the members were able to purchase a 1974 International cargo Truck from the US Army Surplus in Raleigh, NC. They were
able to convert it into a 1200 gallon tanker. Armed now with two trucks and a dozen members the department was able to
start assisting other departments as well.
After having years of fund raising activities in 1990 the members were able to purchase their first new fire truck, a GMC
E-ONE pumper. They also remodeled one of the garage bays into a kitchen/training room. They had to use the stove for
heat on training nights. The Membership continued to grow and in 1995 we were able to expand the building
and created a larger training room and separate kitchen, offices and bathrooms. We also got a central heat unit for the entire station.
In the fall of 1996 our county commissioner DR. E.B. Turner came onboard and helped provide the much needed
financial support to help better serve the members of his community. With his assistance we were able to get our
tax base raised form 5 cent to 10 cent for every 100 dollars for property value. We also added two more truck
bays and he helped us purchase our second new truck a 1998 FORD E-ONE pumper. Commissioner Turner also donated
a surplus 1993 FORD F350 Ambulance that we converted into an equipment truck and command post.
Like many volunteer departments our station had a 9s insurance rating. When the chief was informed that
if our rating were lowered the members of our community would receive lower insurance premiums, we began to
make that one of our top priorities. In 2000 our inspection came. To the surprise of many we not only lowered our rating
but we are currently the best rated department in Robeson County. We went from a 9s rating to a 5/9. We have high
hopes that it will be lower than that on our next inspection.
Our tanker has been replace three times over the years the latest being summer 2006, when we purchased
a 1984 Chevrolet pumper from Rockfish Fire Department in Cumberland County. We also have a 1995 FORD that we
are currently converting into another 1000 gallon tanker.
Our department members receive over 2000 training hours per year and our we currently have 32 members
with 4 being junior members. We have 3 members that are State Certified Level Three Firefighters, 9 members that are
State Certified Level Two Fire fighters. We have one State Certified Fire and Rescue Instructor. All of our members
are required to be Driver Operator and Hazardous Materials Operations Certified. We work together as a team
and a family along with our neighboring departments to protect our community and theirs.
Our members' dedication and willingness to serve has not been overlooked. We have received the following
awards from the Robeson County Fireman's Association. For Six years one of our members has received the award of
Robeson County Fireman Of The Year. Two of our members have received Robeson County Fireman's Association
Pioneer Award, and our department has won the Highest Attendance Award for the past SEVEN years. These awards
are from among 32 other fire departments and approximately 700 fire fighters.
If you need our help just call us and we will be there.
Until then may God bless and keep you safe.
Until then may God bless and keep you safe.
