History

Fire Services 

The earliest forms of fire protection recorded in Hapeville occurred when fire hydrants were installed, and the city purchased two large hose reels in 1915. The hose reels were kept at the old College Street School and City Hall.

In April of 1924, the city bought a used fire truck. This marked the beginning of the Hapeville Fire Department. In 1932, Mayor Quincy Arnold was able to purchase a 750-gallon pumper. A committee was then created to organize a group of volunteer firemen. 

The City Council separated the Police and Fire Departments in February 1941. In March 1949, the department moved into its new quarters. Today, this is still utilized as Fire Station Number 1.

Fire Station Number 2 was placed in service on September 10, 1961. In 1968, the department purchased a Ford 50-foot Snorkel, its first elevated master stream. On September 1, 1971, Chief John Paul (Peavy) Nunn was in the snorkel bucket at Station Number 2. The bucket encountered high-tension power lines, and Chief Nunn was severely burned. He died the next day.

Emergency Medical Services 

Shortly after World War II, firefighters were taught first aid and advanced first aid. In 1949, the Lion's Club purchased a Ford panel truck to be used as a rescue unit. This marked the beginning of EMS transport for the city.

Through the late 1970s and 1980s, the department experienced tremendous growth and change. Operations personnel changed to a 24-hour on-duty, 48-hour off-duty shift. Members changed from day boots to turnout pants, and emergency medical services (EMS) started to progress. To this day, the Hapeville Fire Department is the only fire department in Fulton County licensed to transport patients by ambulance. 

Over the next 30 years, the department purchased numerous ambulances. The 1990s brought more formalized training. The training that veteran and recruited firefighters endured during this decade would change the way the Hapeville Fire Department operated for years to come.