Nassau Oaks Volunteer Fire Department History

           On New Year's Eve 1976 a pedestrian/vehicular accident resulted in the deaths of two sisters, 12 and 14 years old. This tragedy came at a time of financial disparity for the bereaved family so two neighbors began a Fundraising Drive to remove some of the burden. Little did they know that before the end of January, the cause would have spread not only through Nassau County, but Duval, Clay, and St. John Counties as well. Nor did they know they would collect nearly $12,000 from so many sources there are too many to list. Due to the generosity of the girls family, who donated a sum of the contributions, Nassau Oaks Volunteer Fire Department became a reality. Their first truck, a water pumping tank truck, (converted from a septic tank pump truck) was purchased. (left)

           Later, in 1978, ground was broken on the Nassau Oaks Fire department property donated by Richard Wyse & Hershel Lewis. (right) In the meantime, The Nassau Oaks Fire Department responded to many calls using the property only as a meeting point. Response to such calls as the Buchanan Oil Company, (April 1979), which rocketed with one explosion after another when a gas tanker ignited and the Terminal Bag Explosion (July 1979) gave much exposure to the newly founded station as well as experience to all the volunteers. Unfortunately, the lack of donations caused the volunteers to ease off of their efforts and gradually the department was at a stand still.

           1983, Nassau Oaks purchased a firetruck from the town of Callahan for $1.(left) Despite the fact that it was far from being in perfect condition it was new to them and was a much needed replacement for the original truck. With this the Fire department plugged on still relying on community donations and fund raisers as a means to provide protection to the community that lies approximately 12 miles from the town of Callahan. To date the volunteers had saved 3 out of 4 mobile homes from being destroyed by fire. Truly an asset but still deterred by the lack of funds Nassau Oaks Volunteers continued to reach out for support from the community.

           Unfortunately, it was another tragedy that once again jolted the community into action. On January 7, 1997 a mobile home burnt to the ground before Callahan FireFighters could reach the scene. A young mother (26), and her two year old son lost their lives in this fire. (see dedication page) The community watched with heavy hearts as the smoke billowed into the sky but walked away with a renewed committment not to let this happen again. Since that time, with generous community donations, the help and dedication of many volunteers and the support of Nassau County and their Commissioners, Nassau Oaks Volunteer Fire Department is now a full functioning volunteer station.(right)

            May of 1997 The Department's first class of 17 graduated with State Certification in FireFighting and First Response. By the end of 1998, six additional recruits graduated being the first group in the state of Florida to complete the newly recommended 160 hour course. The volunteers have all sucessfully completed EVOC training and continue to increase their knowledge by participating in all courses available to them. The Department backs up 3 other Fire Departments in a 12 mile radius as well as it's own territory of 120 residential sites within 5 miles of the station. In 1998, Station 11 responded to 53 calls and played an active part in The Florida FireStorm "Summer of 1998".