Due to the destruction and loss by fire in the Bethany community, community members acted. On Nov 10th, 1966, an article in The Greensboro Daily News reported a fire district tax passes the County Commissioners for Wentworth. The article goes on to read that “a special tax issue to set up a fire department in Bethany Community south of Wentworth was defeated Tuesday by a vote of 92 to 89.

While losing the vote in 1966 the group of concerned citizens did not give up. On Monday, July 12, 1971, Mr. Curtis Apple went before the board of commissioners asking about organizing a Volunteer Fire Department in Bethany.

In October 1972 a group of concerned citizens met following a fire in the community destroying a home and severely burning a child. Out of this meeting came a steering committee charged with starting a petition and securing an election. A fire district election was approved by county commissioners on Nov 6, 1972, after Elon Walker, representative of the steering committee spoke.

On December 30, 1972, an election was held to determine if the Bethany community wanted to establish a fire district and tax themselves to finance the cost of fire protection. By a vote of 134 to 108 the community decided to create the Bethany Fire District and tax themselves a max of 15 cents per $100 property valuation.

On March 29, 1973, a community meeting was held for all interested in becoming volunteers in the Bethany Fire Department. Over 150 people showed up in which fire commissioners, FF training and department location was discussed. The FD location was decided to be on land
purchased from Miss Owilda Moore on NC 65.

On April 5th, 1973, a meeting was held to organize the department, Board of Directors (consisted of 7 people). The chief was to be elected following the initial ff training, with 35 men signing on. The Ladies Auxiliary was also formed with 19 ladies and Daisey Purgason being elected the first President.

On May 7, 1973, the Fire Marshall reported to County Commissioners that a BoD, Ladies Auxiliary had been formed for BFD. A training schedule had also been set up. A loan of $98,235 was approved by the county commissioners to buy land, equipment and to construct a fire station.

In late June 1.5 acres were purchased and plans for 2 deep double stall structure were developed. A 1953 Ford pumper was purchased from Triangle Vol FD in WS. A new 1973 Ford pumper (unit 141) was ordered and arrived on July 18, 1973. The 1953 pumper was kept at the residence of R.A. Sharp and at Moore’s Esso during the winter. The new pumper was kept at the residence of Geoge Forbes until the first station was complete.

In August 1973 approx. 30 people completed the ff training and Chester Comer was selected as the first fire chief for Bethany Fire Dept. August 15, 1973, the dept was charted and bylaws approved. The station was completed in February of 1974.

The foundation set by this group of men and women has enabled The Bethany Fire Department to strive for excellence in the service to others. It is a foundation of families, community, blood, sweat and tears all in the service to others.

Bethany Fire has experienced many milestones over these 51 years, in addition to those mentioned before. The purchase of 3 new fire engines, 2 new tankers and a brush truck. The addition of station 240, paid staff and residents program. The enhancement of equipment, radio communications and SCBA. The ever-increasing call load and training requirements. Our department has been blessed with hundreds of volunteers to serve over the last 51 years as well as the strong relationships we have with our neighbor’s, Summerfield, Stokesdale, Huntsville, Wentworth, Jacobs Creek, Madison and Monroeton, without their support and assistance we would not be successful. Many families joined together by one service – one family – the fire service.

Today Bethany Fire Department is a combination department with volunteer, part time and full-time staff. We operate out of 2 stations with a call load of around 350 year in a 46 sq mile district. We are a rural community with scattered neighborhoods, schools and churches.