Blog version of a Facebook posting. Last updated October 12, 2026.  

Presenting research notes on Oak Island and nearby fire departments, originally created as an announcement of the ending of the Yaupon Beach Fire Department in Brunswick County. 

Effective July 1, 2018, the town of Caswell Beach was contracted with the town of Southport for fire protection. The beach town had long-contracted with the private Yaupon Beach FD, who occupied a town-provided public services building.

The private Yaupon Beach FD transferred its assets to Southport FD, and many members also transferred. The Yaupon Beach FD corporation was dissolved.

Here’s a WWAY story about the changes, though they refer to Yaupon Beach FD as Caswell Beach FD. 

Below is the historical perspective of YBFD, Caswell Beach, and its neighboring fire department on Oak Island.

Click to enlarge:

Historical Perspective

1950-1969

• 1939 – Long Beach residential development launched. [WMS, 8/1/63]
• 1954 – Long Beach destroyed in Hurricane Hazel.
  • Only five of 357 buildings survive.
• 1955 – Town of Long Beach incorporated.
• 1955 – Town of Yaupon Beach incorporated.
• 1961, July – Town of Long Beach has a fire truck, and is operational.
  • Six-wheeled military surplus tanker bought as surplus from Cherry Point.
  • Carries 1200 gallons, with two pumps, including new low-volume, high-pressure pump.
  • They add hoses, ladders, axes, etc. Town also had 550 gallon, trailer-mounted water tank.
  • Housed in garage adjacent to the 1960 town hall building.
• 1962, Sep 15 – Town ordinance for creating Long Beach Volunteer Fire Department.
  • Organized by town manager with twelve volunteers.
  • Formal training started that month in Southport, at a “firemanship” school. [WMS, 9/28/62]
• 1966, Oct –  LBFD fire station completed. Construction took two years.
• 1967, Feb – Long Beach awards bid for new fire truck to C.W. Williams of Rocky Mount.
  • Will replace “ancient truck” from Sanford, which is being returned to Sanford.
• 1968, Jul 20 – Long Beach adopts fire district resolution, named “Tranquil Harbor Fire District 1.”

1970-1989

• 1971, Nov – LBFD added a 1971 Ford C/Howe pumper. Cost $28,500. [WMS, 11/25/71]
• 1971 – Construction was underway on LBFD Station 2. Need address.
• 1973 – LBFD fire and rescue services split, to improve county funding.
• 1976 – LBFD jeep declared surplus.
• 1978 – LBFD added Spartan pumper.
• 1979, Jan 1 – Yaupon Beach FD – Chartered as corporation.
  • Department organized in 1960s or earlier.
  • Station located at 8510 East Oak Island Drive. 
  • Four-bay metal building. The far-right bay was later closed and converted to a training room. The building was expanded across the entire back of the building, with a bay exiting on the left side of the building. 
• 1979, Jul 1 – Town of Long Beach started Public Safety Officer program.
  • Trained police officers in medical services.
  • Program continued into early 1990s, at least.
• 1979 – LBFD added 979 Ford C/Pierce, 1000/500, job #e0067.
• 1980 – LBFD leased GMC pumper to Yaupon Beach, as well as “old granny” fire truck to Sunset Beach.
• 1984 – LBFD leased 1957 GMC pumper to Ocean Isle.
• 1986 – LBFD added 1985 Ford C/Grumman pumper-tanker.
• 1987-88 – LBFD added equipment truck, 1988 GMC 7000/Ranger, built by the Ranger Division of the American Modular Body Company. They also had a 1955 ALF pumper on roster.
• 1987-88 – LBFD added 1988 Ford C/Grumman FC-1250 TeleSqurt, 1250/750/20A/50-foot.

1990-1999

• 1990 – New radio system installed, shared between LBFD and YBFD.
• 1992 – First annual LBFD “Horse-a-Thon” fundraiser.
• 1994 – LBFD auxiliary chartered.
  • Non-profit organization, created in response to need for additional volunteers.
  • Provided wide-ranging support to LBFD, from fireground rehab to fundraising.
• 1996 – LBFD opened new station at 101 E. Oak Island Drive.
  • Was the new station built on an older station site? TBD.
  • Alt. address 107 E. Oak Island Drive. 
• 1999, Jul 1 – Town of Oak Island created, merging towns of Long Beach and Yaupon Beach. 
  • LBFD renamed Oak Island FD.
  • YBFD declined to merge with LBFD, and continued operating as independent entity. 

2000-2009

• 2000 – YBFD ordered new two pieces of E-One fire apparatus:
  • Order date 5/25/00 – Project #122660
  • Order date 9/14/00 – Project #121883
• 2001 – OIFD bought ladder truck, an 1999 E-One Hurricane, 155/200/95-feet, demo model. 
• 2001, circa – By this time, the former Long Beach town hall fire station housed only the Oak Island FD ladder truck. 
  • Presuming the station was closed in early 2000s.
• 2003, January – YBFD was providing contracted fire protection to the town of Caswell Beach by this time.
  • When was YBFD first contracted? TBD.
• 2005, August – Town of Oak Island entered (re-entered?) contract with YBFD, to provide fire protection to the town. 
  • Was this supplementary fire protection? To help with ISO requirements? TBD.
  • Was this service made formal in response to response or mutual aid issues? TBD.
  • Oral histories recall YBFD contracted to protect the town by 2001. Perhaps back to the town’s creation? TBD.
• 2006 – Oak Island FD started 24-hour shifts.
• 2007 – Town of Oak Island awarded two bids:
  • $2.6M construction contract to build new fire station for YBFD, erected on the same site. By September 2017.
  • $2.1M construction contract to build new fire station on Vanessa Drive. August (?) 2017.
• 2007, September
  • OIFD had one station, 12 full-time employees, six part-time, and about 15 volunteers. 
  • YBFD had one station, about 34 volunteers, and four fire trucks. 
• 2007 – YBFD added 1989 Spartan Diamond/American Eagle, 1250/750, bought from Smith Grove FD, which bought from Salem Chapel FD, which bought from a department “up north.”
• 2008/2009 – OIFD opened substation at 4151 Vanessa Drive.
  • Building was 9,000 square-feet.
  • Located in South Harbour subdivision, which was annexed in the 2000s.
  • Original annexation agreement included a requirement that the town build a fire station within the subdivision. 
• 2009 – OIFD received FEMA grant to help pay for staffing, and increased total of full-time staff from 13 to 20.
• 2009 – YBFD station rebuilt on same site.
  • Building was 17,000 square-feet, two stories.
  • Architect was Garner & Brown from Charlotte.
  • Original structure dated to 1960s, described as “metal building with several additions.” Also cited as built in 1979.
  • Designed to accommodate planned future transition to full-time department. 
  • Built by the town and leased to YBFD, beginning that year, for $1 per year.
  • Town also retained control of one apparatus bay, to meet ISO requirements.

2010-present

• 2011 – OIFD added second piece of aerial apparatus, 1991 Simon/Duplex LTI, 1500/500/85-foot, ex-Closter FD in New Jersey.
• 2011-2013 – Former Oak Island Town Hall fire station building demolished, for new Town Hall expansion. 
• 2014, April, before – Town of Oak Island offered to merge with YBFD, and the offer was declined.
• 2014, April – Town of Oak Island terminated contract with YBFD
  • Ordered YBFD to vacate the fire station by October 28, 2014.
• 2014, July, by – YBFD acquired 1988 Ford C/Grumman telesquirt (ex-OIFD?)
• 2014, later – YBFD relocated to nearby 104 Elizabeth Drive.
  • Old Oak Island Volunteer EMS building.
  • Built 1984, say tax records.
• 2014, later – OIFD occupied old YBFD station, now Station 2.
  • Also moves administrative offices to location.
• 2015, June – OIFD upgraded from EMT-Intermediate to EMT-Paramedic response
  • Effective June 18.
  • They began responding at paramedic level to all EMS calls with their two engine companies, one at Sta 1 and the other at Sta 3.
  • They ceased providing primary emergency transport services, and use their ambulances only to back up Brunswick EMS.
• 2015, Oct, by this time – OIFD has purchased four “gently used” engines.
  • Identical 2008 KME Predator pumpers, 2000/500.
  • Cost $200,000 each.
  • Bought by offering six pieces of used apparatus for sale:
    • 2005 Freightliner/E-One rescue pumper, 1000/500, rear-mounted pump
    • 2009 Spartan/Rosenbauer quint, 1500/500/75′
    • 1995 HME/Luvern quint, 1500/500/55′
    • 2011 Ford/RoadRunner ambulance, #1 of 2
    • 2001 Ford/RoadRunner ambulance, #2 of 2
    • 2000 Spartan/E-One pumper/tanker, 1250/1000
  • Four were ultimately sold.
  • The 2000 Spartan/E-One and an ambulance were retained. The pumper/tanker was put into reserve and the ambulance was used to assist county EMS, when they have extended response times. 
• 2016, early – YBFD relocated to nearby 1100 Caswell Beach Road.
  • Newly completed Caswell Beach Public Services Building.
  • Built by the town, which contracted with YBFD for fire protection.
• 2017, circa – OIFD sold last ambulance.
• 2017, Dec 31 – YBFD answered 61 calls in calendar year.
• 2018, May 10 – County officials approve cutting supplemental funding for fire departments for coming budget year.
  • YBFD suffered loss of 42 percent of its funding.
• 2018, Jun 20 – Southport town officials approved contract with Town of Caswell Beach, to begin providing fire protection.
  • Service was previously provided by contract with YBFD.
• 2018, May-June – YBFD voted to dissolve corporation and transfer assets to SFD.
  • All members were invited by SFD to join the department.
  • Several members accepted offer.
• 2018, Jul 1 – SFD started protection of Town of Caswell Beach.

Oak Island FD

• Sta 1 – 101 East Oak Island Drive – Built 1997 – Former Long Beach FD. Site of original station?
• Sta 2 – 8510 East Oak Island Drive – Former Yaupon Beach FD – Built 2009, site of original YBFD station.
• Sta 3 – 4151 Vanessa Drive – Built 2008? Dedicated March 2009.

Yaupon Beach FD

• 1100 Caswell Beach Road – Built 2016, Caswell Beach public services building.

Southport FD

• Sta 1 – 1011 North Howell Street – Built 2010 
• Sta 2 – 111 E. Nash Street – Old Sta 1, built ?
• Sta 3 – 4884 Old Long Beach Road SE – Old car wash, leased 2017. Built 2000, say tax records.

History:

• 1869 – Fire destroyed five dwellings and three stores.
  • Troops and sailors aid citizens.
  • Town is then-named Smithville.
• 1893 – Fire department organized. Hook and ladder truck purchased from Wilmington FD.
  • Housed temporarily in stable at foot of now Caswell Street.
  • Permanent home planned for rear of city jail on Franklin Street.
  • Company of 20 volunteers organized.
• 1915 – Waterworks completed and first fire hydrants installed.
  • During construction, major fire destroyed many buildings in business district.
• 1916, Jan 21 – Volunteer fire department officially organized.
  • Officers elected, constitution and by-laws adopted.
  • City purchases three reels, 1500 feet of hose, several extinguishers, and other equipment.
• 1916, July 29 – Town has fire hydrants, water mains, fire alarm bell, engine house, three reel companies, and hose.
  • New ladder trucks expected soon.
• 1917 –  Town Hall now occupied, which also houses volunteer fire companies reel. Two story building?
• 1923 – First motor truck, combination chemical hose car. 
  • Ford with 600 feet of hose, two 35-gallon chemical tanks, two hand extinguishers, lanterns, crow bars, axes, and ladders.
  • Cost $2,400.
• 1924 – Reorganized.
  • Two white companies, one black company.
    • One white company operates the chemical engine, the other handles hose for attaching to hydrants. Both will respond to every fire.
    • Black fire company (ten men) is hook and ladder company.
• 1946 – Second motor truck.
  • Ford pumper, 500 GPM, mounted on 1.5 ton truck.
  • Original 1923 truck retired.
• 1965 – New fire truck added. Ford C/Howe pumper.
• 1965 – By this time, also a brush truck (foam truck?) on the roster. Chevrolet pick-up.
• 1984 – First annual firefighters competition.
• 1986 – February – Department has four 750 GPM pumpers and one 350 GPM unit.
  • Department has ISO rating of 6.
• 1986, Jul 30 – E-One apparatus ordered ordered. Project #5107
  • Telesquirt on Ford C chassis.
• 1992, June – Renovations finishing at fire station, for displaying the antique fire engine.
• 1994, Jul 29 – E-One apparatus ordered. Project #14282
  •  1995 E-One Cyclone pumper, 1250/1000
• 1999, Jun 18 – E-One pumper ordered. Project #121143
  • Delivered March 2000
• 2003, Jun 27 – E-One apparatus ordered. Project #127623.
• 2004, October – New rescue/service truck. 2004 Spartan/E-One
• 2007 (?) – New pumper, 2007 Spartan/Rosenbauer, 1250/1000
• 2012 (?) – New ladder, 2002 Rosenbauer Commander AT platform, 1750/400/101-foot
• 2015, Oct 1 – First full-time fire chief hired. 
  • Source: State Port Pilot, 11/2/16
• 2015, November – Merger completed of SFD and Southport EMS.
  • Source: State Port Pilot, 11/2/16
• 2016 – Nash Street fire station relocated to old EMS building next door. The fire station is demolished, and the EMS building is renovated and re-opened as Southport Station 2.
• 2017, Jan 30 – Station 3 opened
  • Substation at 4884 Old Long Beach Road, former car wash.
  • Opened to meet need identified by ISO inspection in February 2016.
  • Source: State Port Pilot, 2/8/17

Fort Caswell

Facility had fire department and fire station buildings. Two buildings are still standing, built circa 1905 as firehouse and firefighter quarters.

Sources:

• Oral histories
• Books:
  • Fort Caswell in War and Peace – By Ethel Herring, Carolee Williams – NC Baptist Assembly
  • Long Beach: A North Carolina Town, Wolfgang Furstenau – Self-published
  • Southport (Smithville) Vol I 1520-1887 – 1992 – By Bill Reaves – Southport Historical Society
  • Southport (Smithville) Vol II 1887-1920 – 2016 – By Bill Reaves – Southport Historical Society
  • Southport (Smithville) Vol III 1920-1940 – 1996 – By Bill Reaves – Southport Historical Society
  • Southport (Smithville) Vol IV 1941-1970 – 1999 – By Bill Reaves – Southport Historical Society
• E-One delivery records
• Fort Caswell Historical District, National Register of Historic Places Program [link expired: https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/13001025.htm]
• Garner & Brown Architects PA
  • Yaupon Beach Fire Station
• Legeros records
• Newspapers
  • Morning Star, Feb 1, 2002, “Firefighters have history of helping Southport”
  • Star News news stories:
    • Two new fire stations in the works, Sep 20, 2007
  • State Port Pilot news stories:
    • Reduction in Oak Island fire personnel could void terms of grant, Mar 7, 2012
    • Plans are drawn for new Caswell Beach station to house Yaupon VFD, July 2, 2014
    • Oak Island adds three fire trucks to make fleet compatible for all stations, October 29, 2015
    • Supplemental fire funding change threatens existence of Yaupon Fire Department, May 2, 2018
• Southport Historical Society
  • Susie Carson Research Room
• State corporation records
• Town minutes:
  • Caswell Beach
  • Oak Island, including
    • Termination of Contract with Yaupon Beach Volunteer Fire Department (pdf), April 25, 2014
  • Southport
• WECT news stories:
  • Oak Island pushes Yaupon Fire Department out of town