In the fall of 1972, a group of over 100 citizens of the Mt Hope community gathered to show their need and support for fire protection. With the help of the Guilford County Fire Marshal’s Office and a six member Steering Committee appointed by the community, the dream became a reality. On December 27, 1972, the Mt. Hope Community Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. was
chartered.

While operating out of temporary quarters at Butch Manufacturing Co., 45 volunteers began training and serving the community. After the purchase of a 1950 Pumper and a 1954 Tanker, construction of a station house began at the corner of Mt Hope Church Rd and Holts Store Road in Julian, NC. After much hard work, the building was formally dedicated on September 8,
1974.

In the years to follow, community growth and development brought forth many changes in the fire department. Today, we operate out of the same station with additional truck bays, offices, sleeping quarters and a training room that were added in 2001. We now have 10 full time and 15 part-time, paid first responders, as well as 14 volunteers and 1 Jr firefighter that provide fire protection, emergency medical help and many other services to over 5,743 people in an area of approximately 32 square miles.

Today, the station houses, a 2021 Custom Fire Squad with a state of the art, SAM computer controlled pump panel, a 2016 Custom Fire Tanker, a 2012 Toyne Engine, a 2009 Anchor-Richey Brush Truck, a 2016 Ford 250 Pick-up Truck and a 2022 Ford F150 Pick-up Truck. Our station also houses numerous forms and pieces of equipment including, but not limited to, our breathing air-compressor and fill station, battered powered tools for extrication, and SCBA’s with built-in thermal imaging cameras.

Each year, the First Responders of Mt Hope Fire Dept spend over 4,300 man hours training on basic fire suppression, new fire fighting techniques, emergency medical and rescue techniques, and numerous other specialized topics.

Mt Hope Fire Department’s district continues to grow in population as we add more homes and people to what once was rural farmland. Although we are still considered the most rural fire department in Guilford County, we provide fire protection services for homes and also cover Rock Creek Industrial Park, which is considered one of the highest valued commercial properties in unincorporated Guilford County.