Cumby VFD receives county recognition

Image
  • The Hopkins County Commissioners Court recognizes the Cumby VFD for its years of service to the county. The department’s history goes back to the 1870s. The current department was founded in 1968. Staff photo by Tammy Vinson
    The Hopkins County Commissioners Court recognizes the Cumby VFD for its years of service to the county. The department’s history goes back to the 1870s. The current department was founded in 1968. Staff photo by Tammy Vinson
Body

Appreciation

The commissioners recognized at its regular meeting held Monday morning the Cumby Volunteer Fire Department for its service to Hopkins County.

“It’s one of the most effective volunteer fire departments in Hopkins County. We’ve watched over the years as they’ve responded to—really, all over the county at times, but especially on the western side. They’ve been a lifesaver for many,” said County Judge Robert Newsom before he read the official proclamation into the court record.

The proclamation recognized the Cumby VFD, founded in 1968, for its 51 years of service to Hopkins County. Its history dates back to a fire brigade in the 1870s, and special mention was made of the department’s efforts in fighting the 1932 fire that destroyed much of Cumby’s downtown area. But, thanks to the quick action of the firemen, the rest of the city was saved.

The first official City of Cumby Fire Department was founded in 1924. Records, including the names of the founding members, were lost when the roof of the old city hall building collapsed in the 1980s.

The modern era of the Cumby VFD began in 1968 when the current department was founded by James Strickland, Leroy Conville, Junior Millsap, Leon Higginbotham, Luke Smith, William Cross and Bill Spencer.

Representing the department, whose motto is “Pride of the Westside,” in court Monday were chief Heath McGraw, Jimmy Evans and Jimmy Helfferich.

Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley praised the dedication of the volunteers, saying, “Cumby is one of those [departments] where, if you call them, they’re coming. It doesn’t matter where it’s at in the county. They take care of the west side so well, and the interstate. And the history there, all the way back to the 1800s—so far, y’all have got the record on how far back you go. That’s a testament to the people of Cumby and the Cumby Volunteer Fire Department, and we appreciate that.”