Our Department

Station 21 • Neighbors helping neighbors since 1974

 

Why our department began

In 1974, local residents came together to establish organized fire protection for Bat Cave. They gave their time, raised funds, and worked to build a department rooted in one simple belief: neighbors should be there for one another when help is needed.

 

Honoring those who built the foundation

We honor founders and early members Red Anderson, Oscar Avery, J. C. Huntley, Ulysses Ruff, Davis Nesbit, Lemuel Oates, and Woody Pryor. Their labor, fundraising, and service helped establish the department that serves our community today.

Later chiefs Richard Barnwell and Steve Freeman carried that commitment forward, alongside generations of volunteers and the families who supported them.

 

Why local protection still matters

Our rural mountain community continues to depend on local volunteers who know this area and answer the call. Operating from Station 21, Bat Cave Volunteer Fire & Rescue provides fire protection, medical first response, rescue, and mutual aid to neighboring departments.

 

Our mission

To protect life and property through firefighting, rescue, emergency response, and community service within the Bat Cave fire district, while supporting mutual aid throughout Henderson County. We serve our neighbors with dedication, compassion, and respect.

 

Help protect our future

As Bat Cave rebuilds after Hurricane Helene, our department faces an urgent funding need. Department leaders estimate that, without significant new funding and donations, available resources may sustain operations for only one to two more years.

Your support helps maintain our trucks, purchase fuel and protective gear, and keep our volunteers trained and equipped. The community built this department. Together, we can help keep it ready for the next call.

All volunteer. Always ready. Neighbors helping neighbors.