Union Rural Fire Department of Hertford County, Inc.

06/03/2026

Members along with NC Forest Service responded to a brush fire today. Dry conditions and slightly windy conditions are persistent in the area. Keep a careful watch when doing any burning.

Forestry plowed a fireline around approximately 2 acres. Some handline and water had to be used in hard to access places to gain containment. Even then thick layers of vegetation created a rekindle.

06/01/2026

Busy few days as members responded to a mutual aid call to Ahoskie FD Saturday for an explosion, mutual aid to Ahoskie FD Sunday for air unit on group home on fire and a motor vehicle accident in district today.

05/27/2026

Thank you Freeman Auto Sales for letting the department get some practice in vehicle stabilization. They always bend over backwards to help the fire service out with this type of training.

05/15/2026

Thankful to once again to receive the OSFM fire department grant. This grant has helped us many years in gaining needed equipment.

05/03/2026

04/28/2026

🔥 🚒

It takes one person to start a thing that can have an everlasting impact. One person talks to another, and before you know it, a group share a common cause. Most people want to be able to say, this good thing started, I was a part of of building.

A thing so great, you each believe in the mission enough to put your personal time, interest and money into.

Below is a document of a collection of funds that paid for the charter for Union Rural Fire Department. Something that did not yet exist, an idea, a mission with purpose, and today 50 years later an existence of that idea.

1975 1st meetings
1976 Chartered
1978 First ISO rating
2026 maintaining the mission

Today, 50 years later Union Rural Fire Department members are all volunteer and put their personal time, effort, sweat and tears into continuing this good thing.

Though only a few of these charter guys are still with us today, the mission continues with purpose. One that only a few will take part of.

Come join us and continue this tradition, serving your community, neighbor or someone just passing through. Have an everlasting impact!

04/28/2026

The statewide burn ban remains in effect until further notice despite weekend rain in some areas. Persistent dry weather and increasing rainfall deficits from the last several months have left most of the state needing 10 inches of rain or more.

“While the rainfall we received over the weekend was a welcome sight, it offered little to no relief from widespread drought conditions while being nowhere near enough to reduce our wildfire risk,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Even the areas that received the heaviest amount of rain will quickly dry out from the sunshine and warmer temperatures. Until we get some additional rain and see more green-up in our forests, holding the burn ban in place statewide is the best option right now.”

While green-up and leaf-out are progressing at normal rate, low soil moisture, dry surface fuels and persistent low humidity are contributing to wildfire activity. For Western North Carolina, excessive forest fuels from Hurricane Helene are more available now than they were in 2025, low water levels in coastal areas have helped produce intense fire behavior where ground fire will likely be a long-term issue, and the Piedmont experienced 87 new wildfire starts over the weekend alone. Extended attack and mop-up efforts will be taxing and long-winded until drought conditions improve.

Read news release: https://bit.ly/497dNht

04/26/2026

🔥 Become a Volunteer Firefighter today! 🔥

In our communities, the brave men and women who serve as firefighters are often the first responders in times of crisis. They risk their lives to protect our homes, businesses, and lives from the devastating effects of fires and emergencies. However, many fire departments, especially in rural areas, are facing a severe shortage of volunteers. This is where you can make a difference!

Why Volunteer?

1. Serve Your Community: By becoming a volunteer firefighter, you can give back to your community in a very impactful way. You will be helping to protect the lives and properties of your neighbors during emergencies.

2. Training and Skills: Volunteer firefighters receive extensive training that equips them with life-saving skills not only for firefighting but also for emergency medical response, rescue operations, and disaster management.

3. Teamwork and Camaraderie: Being part of a fire department fosters strong bonds between team members. You will work closely with others who share your commitment to serving the community, creating friendships that last a lifetime.

4. Personal Growth: The challenges faced as a firefighter will help you develop leadership skills, resilience, and confidence. It’s an opportunity to push yourself physically and mentally while serving a greater cause.

5. Flexible Commitment: Many volunteer fire departments offer flexible schedules, allowing you to balance your firefighting duties with your personal and professional life.

Who Can Volunteer?

Volunteering as a firefighter is open to anyone wanting to make a difference. Most fire departments seek individuals who are at least 18 years old and in good physical condition. Some departments may allow younger individuals to join in junior firefighter programs.

How to Get Involved:

1. Reach Out: Contact your local fire department or members to learn about their volunteer programs. They will provide you with all the information you need to get started.

2. Attend an Information Session: Many departments hold open houses or informational sessions for prospective volunteers. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and see if it’s the right fit for you.

3. Complete Training: Once you join, you will undergo training that covers firefighting techniques, safety procedures, and emergency response protocols.

4. Engage with the Community: Volunteer firefighters often participate in community events, fire safety education, and outreach programs. Your role can extend beyond firefighting to educating others about fire safety.

Conclusion

There is always a need for volunteer firefighters. If you have a desire to help others, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to serve, consider becoming a volunteer firefighter. Together, we can strengthen our communities and ensure that we are always ready to face emergencies. Your journey to becoming a hero starts here!

For those interested, please reach out today Dm this page for any questions, application , or schedule a meeting to meet in person and take the first step towards making a significant impact in your community!

04/23/2026

🔥 🚒

Union Rural Fire department received its first ISO rating inspection in 1978 and was classified as a 9. It maintained that status until 2020 where the ISO rating dropped for the first time to a 5/9e after going through the rating process instead of just the minimum.

Insurance ratings are from
10 non-rated to 9 minimum rated and 1 being the best rating. Class 10 area receives no insurance reductions on insurance. The lower the score, the better insurance rates are for homeowners and commercial businesses.

Attached is the 1978 and 2020 letter along with the rating schedule from OSFM and 2020 article.

04/21/2026

🔥 🚒

2026 marks 50 years that volunteers have been providing fire protection for the Union community.

In recognition of this, we will be sharing parts of our history from over the years.

If you have a photo or memory you would like for us to share, feel free to send that to us by messenger.

We will start with the Charter and inception. Below is the first Fire Chief Billy Rose and fire truck, the documented charter members, and parts of the original Charter. 👩🏻‍🚒