The Vancleve Fire Department celebrated 20 years of service to the community last Saturday, March 17, 2007.

“As a department, we are please to be able to serve the community of Vancleve and are grateful to the dedicated members who have made this 20 year anniversary possible,” said Raymond Heater, chief of the Vancleve Fire Department.

Special ceremonies included recognition of the service of deceased firefighters, as well as those currently serving the department. Among the deceased were Earl “Fudge” Watkins, Pershing Little, Benny Dunn, Seldon “Spud” Pelfrey, John Stacy and Elmer Terry. The family members of those deceased received certificates in remembrance of their loved one’s service.

“I think we need to recognize the deceased because they have had an impact on the forming of the department, as well as on those members still active,” said Heater. “The deceased were stepping stones to help us achieve what we have today. They were hard workers.”

Current members also received awards according to years of service. Those receiving one year awards included Arnold Ingram, Paul McIntosh, Heidi Heater and Mackie Richerson, Jr. Those completing four years of service included Steven Combs and Alan Hollon. Kevin Chapman and David Jones completed six years of service. Ruben Burton, Thomas “Tucker” Bach and Larry King received 14, 16 and 19 year awards respectively. Twenty year members included Joe Mike Allen, Jerry Cox, John Perkins, Seldon Short, Jake Smith, Wilgus Stamper, Paul Terry and Raymond Heater.

Perkins, a charter member of the department, announced his retirement and received a recognition plaque. “He is a quiet individual,” Heater said, “But when you needed something done and asked him to do it, he would always do it, or do what he could for the furtherance of the department.”

The department has progressed from its birth 20 years ago. “We started out with nothing,” said Heater. “I think celebrating the 20th anniversary is a good way to show the community and the members of the department where we have come from and where we are today. Seeing progress is always uplifting.”

According to Heater, the department began in March 1987 with a 1950 Chevy pumper truck and no building. That July, Pryce Hounshell donated land for a station at the junction of Highway 15 and 205. As a result of construction on the new Highway 15, the Vancleve Department moved to the intersection of the current Highway 15 and Wolverine Road in 2005.

“We plan to continue serving the community to the best of our ability,” said Heater. “The Vancleve Fire Department wants to express appreciation to local businesses and the community members who have contributed to our fundraisers throughout the years to help meet the needs of the department.”EDITOR’S NOTE: Heidi Heater is a Sophomore majoring in Journalism at Asbury College in Wilmore, KY.