In November of 1959 the Altamahaw – Ossipee Fire Department was established. There were 23 charter members. The initial Chief was Claude Bryant, who served from 1959 to 1961

                The First truck purchased by the Department was a 1960 Ford F-600 with a 500 gpm Front mount pump and a 600 gal. booster tank. The truck was well taken care of and was sold in 1995.

                The Department answered it’s 1^st call to a house fire on Church St. in Altamahaw. Members were training in Burlington when the call was received and they responded from there with assistance from the Burlington Fire Department. Chief Roma Fortune of the Burlington Fire Department assisted the Department in numerous training classes that were greatly needed. Chief Fortune’s efforts were greatly appreciated by the Fire Department.

                During the early stages the Department only had one truck so during fire ground operations if they ran out of water they had to break down pumping operations and travel to the nearest water source to refill and then go back to the scene and resume pumping.

                The only communication the Fire Department had at this time to alert personnel of a fire was telephone communication between members and a horn located on top of the Fire Station.

                For several years the department covered a large area which included most of Northern Alamance, North Eastern Guilford, Southern Caswell and Southern Rockingham Counties. Burlington Fire assisted when requested.

                The only Turnout gear worn at the time was helmet and Bunker Coats purchased by donations, local churches, and members.

                The Fire Department had to support itself so they had all types of fundraisers , Chicken Fry’s, wrestling matches, Fish Fry’s, and Tractor Pulls just to name a few. During the 60’s the county started helping with a supplement to the Fire Department.

                In 1961 the Department elected Les Bolick as Chief. Mr. Bolick served as Chief until 1968.