Craley Fire Company may be in a rural area, but they are a fairly busy station, responding to more than 400 calls per year.
“We push people to do their best because it is our families, friends, and neighbors that we’re there to help,” said Casey Smith, Deputy Chief since 2013 and Trustee.
To always improve their skills and stay up to date with the latest techniques, Craley promotes training and advanced training to its volunteers and provides gear.
“We have a good reputation of not being afraid to put in the extra work, or to step in and help our mutual aid departments,” said Casey, who always wanted to be a volunteer firefighter.
“My grandfather was a fireman in Maryland, so I grew up listening to his stories, and knew some people in the fire department at the time,” he said.
Then, his neighbor’s house caught fire, and he knew he wanted to help. He joined Craley’s junior firefighting program at 14 years old in 2003. At one point, his dad, mom, older brother and younger sister were all members of Craley.
“I enjoy helping people; it’s been instilled in me by my parents and grandparents, who were never afraid to give the shirt off their back to help someone,” said Casey.
One of the reasons Casey stays motivated to volunteer is because his family has lived in the area for generations, and he has many friends and family members who still live there. He also enjoys the thrill of volunteering and the tight-knit group of members.
“We try to make everyone feel at home and like family,” he said.
Casey volunteers with his wife, Lacey, who is a social member. They met at the York County Fire School in 2005 and married in 2012. They have a 10-year-old daughter and four-year-old son, and the family is very active with the Goram Baptist Church in Brogue.
A carpenter by trade, Casey currently works in the restoration industry and says his job goes hand-in-hand with firefighting. His company does content restoration after fires, floods, etc.
Express interest in volunteering at Craley Fire Company by filling out an inquiry form.