JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – The Philadelphia Fire Department in Craighead County celebrated 50 years of service on Saturday, June 20.
Volunteers, former members, and community supporters gathered for the celebration.
The department got its start back in 1976, when community members purchased a used fire truck from the Jonesboro Fire Department to bring fire protection outside city limits.
Since then, the all-volunteer department has answered more than 3,000 calls.
Chief Curtis Miller said seeing the community show up means everything.
“We are just having a good day today, glad everybody was able to come out, and I hope we continue on serving the district and the people in the district,” Miller said.
“We have several of our older members that have left us over the years that have come back out for today. We have some folks from the community that have come out to help us celebrate, and we’re glad to see everybody,” Miller said.
As for the next 50 years, Miller said the department is getting busier, and the community’s continued support will be what keeps it going strong.
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