DAILEY — A Randolph County fire department is celebrating 75 years of service, making it one of the oldest companies in the county.

Established during the New Deal Era in 1941, the Tygart Valley Fire Co. became the second fire company to serve Randolph County.

Formerly, the Elkins Fire Department was the only company in the area that served all Randolph County communities. When TVFC was established, this created an additional fire house in Dailey to assist Elkins with serving the county.

Later on in the company’s existence, two additional fire houses were established in East Dailey and Valley Bend that would create a larger TVFC and also expand the company’s ability to more easily access outlying communities.

Tygart Valley Fire Company Fire Chief Bob Elbon said, “We went from the city limits of Elkins to the county line, both along U.S. 219 and U.S. 250 when we first started years ago.”

The TVFC started out with a total of three engines in the 1940s.

“The trucks weren’t very fast and didn’t have heat, and one actually didn’t have a top on it,” Elbon said.

However, since its earlier years, the department has upgraded its three engines and expanded to one rapid response truck, one van used to transport personnel and one all-terrain vehicle that is used as a “wildland suppression unit.”

Over the years, responding to a fire became easier with the additional fire stations, improved gear and enhanced communication.

“Today, we have Randolph County 911 Communications who take calls,” Elbon said. “For 20 years, myself and Boyd Tacy, Jim Shaffer and the mill had phones. When the call would come in, we made an effort to be sure to always answer the call.”

Jo Vanscoy — longtime resident of the Homestead area — recalls times when a steam whistle was blown from the local mill, formerly the Kenwood Corporation, to call firefighters to the fire house when there was a blaze in the area.

Vanscoy explained that during this time, firemen would search for smoke and follow the smoke to the area in order to find the fire.

As a volunteer fire department, TVFC has previously and continues to positively serve the community in many ways.

For example, Vanscoy recalls times when there were evening dances and church services held at the fire hall for community members.

Over the years, the fire department has not only served as a fire department but has also allowed their fire house to be used for various community events such as reunions or other gatherings. In addition, the fire department dedicates a portion of their time to the community yearly as they work with Homestead Elementary School by providing smoke alarms to students.

“We have a community agreement stating that if anything happens at or around Homestead School, they have access to the fire department so that they can bring students here without having to notify us,” Elbon said. “In turn, I have access to their school in case there is an emergency.”

In the past, TVFC has had porch-light drives to raise money for the fire department.

“Years ago, people would turn on their porch lights if they wished to donate, and we would go around once a year and ask for donations to support the fire department,” Elbon said.

Today, TVFC remains strong with two fire stations in operation — one in Dailey and the other in Valley Bend. The company has 15 active and 19 total volunteer members who dedicate their time to serving individuals around the area.

As a typical small town in West Virginia, it is common for fathers, brothers, sons and other family members to be part of the same fire company. Chief Elbon explained that over the years, the Tygart Valley Fire Co. has seen family names, including his own, Tacy, Price, Collett, Shaffer, Warner, Phillips and others who have several members of their family dedicate their time to serving citizens.

Chief Elbon emphasized the fire department is actively searching for and accepting new members.

To become certified as an entry level firemen, individuals must go through a 130-hour training process that is either coordinated by West Virginia University Fire Extension Service or Regional Education Services Agency 7.