Our History

The Chiefs

George Smith, Jr. served as Chief of the department for the first 20 years of its existence. In 1985, he retired and was succeeded by George Everett, an Assistant Chief for much of Smith’s term. Russell Deats took office in 1987 and served in the position until 1998, followed by Joe Gates, Sr. from 1998 to 2000. From 2000 to 2004, Deral Raynor served as Chief, followed by Danny Smith, Sr. from 2004 to 2006, and Lynn Everett from 2006 to 2010. Brian Wade has been serving since 2010 to the present.

George Smith, Jr.
1965-1985

George Smith, Jr. served for more than 20 years as Chief before retiring in 1985. He was instrumental in the creation of North Lenoir Fire & Rescue and worked with Winston Wheeler to establish the organization in 1965. In February of 1965, at the age of 23, George was elected as the first Fire Chief of North Lenoir Volunteer Fire Department. During his tenure, the department purchased its first two fire trucks and built a fire station in 1968 on Hwy 258 N.

No fire tax existed during Smith’s years as Chief, so the department members and their families had to raise funds through selling barbecue plates, hosting turkey shoots and auctions, holding wrestling matches, and hosting country music concerts.

Prior to the availability of radios, The Kinston Fire Department would call George Smith, Jr. on the telephone to alert him of incidents, then his wife would relay the calls to other firemen and their wives through a phone tree.

George E. Everett
1985-1987

In 1985, George Everett, who had served as Assistant Chief for much of Smith’s term, succeeded George Smith, Jr. as Fire Chief.

George Everett served as Chief for two years. During this time, the department added a GMC Top Kick 500 GPM/1250 gallon tank Pumper to the fleet and broke ground on a second fire station on Fred Everett Road.

Russell V. Deats, III
1987-1998

Joe Gates, Sr.
1998-2000

Deral W. Raynor, II
2000-2004

Danny B. Smith, Sr.
2004-2006

Lynn Everett
2006-2010

Brian Wade
2010-Present

Chief Wade Named 2017 IAFC Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year

Chief Brian Wade was named the 2017 IAFC Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year by The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).

A committee appointed by the IAFC selected the award recipients, evaluating the nominees based on leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity and contributions to the fire service as a whole. Sponsored by Pierce Manufacturing, the awards were be presented on July 27, 2017 during FRI’s general session at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC. The award ceremony was attended by Chief Wade and his wife, Jennifer Wade, along with several members of the department – NLFR PIO Chris Decker, Deputy Chief Tyler Moore, and Captain Brandon Ward.

In February of 2016, Brian Wade had been selected as the NC Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year by the NC Association of Fire Chiefs, and he was named the Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year by the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs in June. The Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs is a division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs covering 10 states. The award was conceived to recognize truly outstanding Fire Chiefs whose actions and leadership in their profession, home, community and country, serve as an example and challenge for all other Chief fire executives throughout the southeast, and is the most prestigious honor the SEAFC can bestow upon a Chief officer.