Oakway Volunteer Fire Department History

Oconee County Rural Fire Control Commission was appointed September 1, 1961.

Oakway community was the first community in Oconee County to erect a Fire Station and secure a fire truck under the new Rural Fire Control program. This station depends totally on volunteer members from the Community.

On November 12,1961 the Oakway Farmer's Club voted to sponsor and supplement funds needed in excess of donations from the community for the construction of a Fire Station, then the president appointed an Advisory Committee.

The County Fire Commissioners approved the site for the Oakway Fire Station on January 15, 1962.

March 10, 1962, the club received pledges amounting to $495.00, at this time, the Building Committee authorized to start the construction of the Fire Station immediately. This construction was completed in July 1962, at a cost of approximately $2500.00, not including free labor from the community. 

On September 12, 1962  the President and Chaplain of the club drove the first Fire Truck from Roanoke Virginia to the Fire Station.

On September 15, 1962 open house was held with refreshments served.

By donations and cooperation of the Oakway Community and other interested citizens throughout  the County, the Fire Department was able to purchase a helper truck and equipment suitable to carry an extra 1,000 gallons of water, on April 2, 1963. The tank on this truck was donated by an oil company out of Seneca, S.C.

The first Fire Call was received at 1:10 A.M. on November 9, 1962.

This information was obtained from the original minutes of the Oakway Fire Department.

©2008 Oakway Fire Department

Westminster SC