‘Dylan and staff have worked really hard to get this fire department in great shape’- Johnny Bruce, County Commission Chairman

Left to right are RVFD Firefighter Malcolm Burchfield, former RVFD Chief Buddy Symons, current RVFD Chief Dylan Roach and son Jace Roach, and RVFD Firefighter Tristan Nelson. Symons was chief from 1994-2012 and served the department from 1985 until 2023.

RIDGEWOOD, TN (WLAF)- “We’ve had a good turnout to our open house, and people have had a good time and have seen how we’ve grown over the past year and the new equipment we’ve received,” said Ridgewood Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dylan Roach. Major upgrades are in the works for the Ridgewood Volunteer Fire Department. “We applied for and received a grant, and it’ll go along way toward making it safer and more efficient for our firefighters,” said Roach.

Grant dollars allowed the department to buy six new sets of turnout gear, helmets and structural firefighting boots outfitting firefighters from head to toe.

Aside from serving up hot dogs, hamburgers and handshakes, Chief Roach and the other volunteer firefighters were also recruiting more firefighters. “We had two sign up a few days ago. Having around 10 firefighters is ideal, and we have seven members now,” said the chief.

“This “is” a truck. It’s a 1987 model tanker and hauls 1,800 gallons of water (more than seven tons),” said Chief Roach.

The RVFD serves more than 20 square miles covering two marinas, six miles, in total, of I-75 along with the communities of Ridgewood, Oak Grove, Cherry Bottom and Norris. “It’s a little tricky answering calls on the interstate. When we’re needed on the northbound side, we go to Rocky Top and get on I-75 at that entrance. To get to an emergency on the southbound side of I-75, we travel to Caryville and then head south from there,” said Chief Roach.

Fire gloves, two thermal imaging cameras and a Nomex particulate hood are some of the new equipment.

“The leaders at Caryville Volunteer Fire Department, Chief Eddie Hatmaker and Firefighter Joey Gilbert, have helped us tremendously, and I certainly want to show our appreciation, said Roach.

RVFD services include fire prevention, fire protection and vehicle rescue; one of three units for the Ridgewood Volunteer Fire Department.

Some of the 79,000 grant dollars the chief mentioned has already been spent on new turnout gear, air packs and thermal imaging cameras. “This is a much needed upgrade and will help keep our firefighters safer,” said Chief Roach. The grant is a Volunteer Fire Department and Equipment Training Grant. “This (grant) is a tremendous help,” said Roach.

Engine 1451 is an E-ONE, RVFD’s largest unit.

The Ridgewood Volunteer Fire Department is at 1944 Highway 116 behind the once Ridgewood School. “We’re gonna continue doing the best we can to serve our community,’ said Chief Roach. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-04/28/2025-6AM)

Related