Southport Volunteer

Fire Department

Mission Statement

The mission of the Southport Fire Department is to provide superior service to the people of the Southport Fire District in an effort to protect their lives, property and environment. The members of the department will accomplish the mission through fire suppression, fire prevention, public education, emergency response and non-emergency response. The department will maintain the highest level of readiness, enabling delivery of firefighting and emergency rescue services in a safe, competent, and caring manner.

From the Desk of the Fire Chief
Charles A. Drew

On behalf of the Southport Department, I would like to welcome you to our web page. The Southport Fire Department is a full-service department providing services in a fire division and an emergency medical services division. The department serves the citizens of our fire district with many duties ranging from fire prevention and suppression, to emergency medical services, to technical rescue and hazardous materials mitigation.

Our department operates from a Headquarters station, and two satellite stations strategically placed to better serve the citizens in our fire district. The Fire Division responds to about 500 calls per year, and the EMS Division assists with over 2000 medical emergencies per year. The department is also responsible for conducting fire inspections on all commercial buildings, reviewing plans, and issuing permits for all fire code related matters.

Southport Fire Department was officially organized in the year of 1893, although there are reports of firefighting tactics in Southport since 1792. Today, the department operates with four full-time career positions, Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, Fire Prevention Technician, and a Fire Clerk. The Fire Division has an active volunteer roster of nearly 50 members, and the EMS division is very active with 40 volunteers. The EMS division staffs an ambulance 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. The Fire Division staffs an Engine Company seven days a week from 8 am – 6 pm.

The department was recently inspected by the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal for an Insurance Rating. At the conclusion of the inspection, we received an ISO Class 3 rating. This was a great accomplishment for our department and community.

The Southport Fire Department is dedicated to serving our fire district with the best available service, with the most cost effective ways. I am privileged to serve with some great volunteers, who always conduct and respond as trained professionals.

Serving our community proudly since 1893, the department has never missed a call. I am committed to continue the traditions of this department and strive for continuous improvement in all that we do to provide the best services to our neighbors. If our department can ever be of assistance to you, we stand ready to respond to the cry for help. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the headquarters office at 910-457-7915.

Respectfully,
Charles A. Drew, Fire Chief

Fire Prevention Week: October 4-10

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Southport Volunteer

Fire Department

Fire Department Roster

Fire Prevention Code Rates/Fees
Application for Fire Prevention Inspection

City of Southport Fire Headquarters
1011 North Howe Street
Southport, NC 28461

Southport Fire Department

Non-emergency phone (910) 457-7915 or (910) 457-7911
EMERGENCY: Dial 911
Email the Chief at: cdrew@cityofsouthport.com
Email EMS at: southport_rescue@cityofsouthport.com

EMS Division
Other Links
J. Arthur Dosher Memorial Hospital
Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center
Red Cross Wilmington

Join Our Department

Become a Member

Fire Membership Application: Please stop by the fire headquarters on North Howe street to pick up an application in person (digital application coming soon). To join the Fire Department the following requirements must be met:

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid NC Driver’s License.
Applicants must be of good moral character.
Applicants must have a complete criminal background check and any other requirements as delineated on the Membership Application. (Applicants cannot have any felonious record.)
Applicants must be a high school graduate or have a high school GED.

EMS Membership Application To join the EMS department the following requirements must be met:

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid NC Driver’s License.
Applicants must be credentialed through the NC Office of EMS as a Medical Responder or higher, OR must be at least HALFWAY through an approved EMT course. If you are currently in a course, you must also provide evidence that you are in good standing academically and provide a letter from your course instructor to that effect.
Applicants must be a high school graduate or have a high school GED.
Applicants must be of good moral character.
No application will be accepted from persons convicted of a felony in the last seven (7) years. Any felony convictions older than 7 years will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the membership committee. A felony older than 7 years old may still disqualify you from submitting an application.
Applicants must meet all other requirements for membership, to include a current background check and certification requirements, as delineated on the Membership Application.