The History of Tasley Volunteer Fire Company

Established on February 1st of 1926, Tasley Volunteer Fire Company began after a local lumber mill fire nearly destroyed the town. The fire was extinguished by townspeople fighting the fire with bucket brigades after 3 days. A week later, Mr. Thomas T. (Mac) McJilton called a meeting with the citizens who worked to put out the fire to consider forming a fire company. The townspeople met at the West & Wessels General Store in Tasley, VA, and organized the Tasley Volunteer Fire Company.

Mr. McJilton was named President and Mr. John Rew, Fire Chief. Money was pledged that night to order four 5-gallon fire extinguishers and a hand-drawn 35-gallon soda-acid chemical wagon. That early equipment worked so well that the company was inspired to work for a larger unit, hence the company’s beginnings as it is today.