Over 1,500 men and women have given of their time and skills to the citizens and visitors of DeBary since the group was formed.
A Look Back
In October of 1952, a group of residents got together to discuss the lack of fire protection; two weeks later, they decided to start a volunteer fire company. On June 23, 1953, the legal papers were received back, and the DeBary Volunteer Firemen’s Association was born. Ed Healy was named the first Fire Chief and the first call came in October for a brush fire.
The department obtained its first fire engine in May of 1954; a 1943 Chevrolet combination pumper tanker from the city of Leesburg. The engine may have been an Army Air Force surplus truck; Leesburg was an Army Air Corps base during the war.
The city’s first firehouse was finished and dedicated on February 13, 1955. This building still stands at 10 Colomba Rd. and now serves as our Association Hall.
Timeline
- 1952
Neighbors organize
Residents meet in October to discuss the lack of fire protection and decide to start a volunteer fire company.
- 1953
The Association is born
Legal papers are received on June 23, 1953. Ed Healy becomes the first Fire Chief; the first call, in October, is a brush fire.
- 1954
First fire engine
A 1943 Chevrolet combination pumper-tanker is obtained from the city of Leesburg.
- 1955
First firehouse
Dedicated on February 13, 1955 at 10 Colomba Road — still standing as our Association Hall.
- 1962
Recreation Hall
In March, the Firemen’s Recreation Hall is dedicated; it is now known as Florence K. Little Hall.
- 1974
Station 14
A new metal fire house is built beside the original, big enough for multiple vehicles, offices and crew quarters.
- 1983
911 arrives
In December, DeBary gets 911 service.
- 1984
County service & the Support Team
The department comes under County control (Volusia County Fire Services) with the first full-time firefighters. The fire house is redesignated Station 33, and the Support Team is born.
- 1989
MAST
Members found the Mutual Aid Support Team (MAST), forerunner of today’s Firefighter Support Team.
- 2009
Orange City Fire
The city contracts fire/rescue services to the Orange City Fire Department, who now staff our station.
- 2015
Engine 33
The city buys the newest Engine 33 from Pierce Mfg. — a 1,250 GPM pump, 750 gallons of water and medical and rescue equipment.
- 2017
New Station 33
In July 2017 the new Station 33 opens — the third fire house in DeBary history.
- 2022
The NEW Support 33
A donated Clay County ambulance, refurbished with community help, goes into service.
- 2023
70 years & a new name
The Association celebrates 70 years of service, introduces its first Challenge Coin and files the DBA “The DeBary Volunteer Fire Support Team”.
- 2026
Station 39
DeBary’s second fire station opens on Fort Florida Road in January 2026.
Growing with DeBary
March 1962: The Firemen’s Recreation Hall was dedicated, and it is now known as Florence K. Little Hall. In 1974, a new metal fire house, Station 14, was built on the corner beside the original fire house and was big enough to house multiple vehicles as well as offices and crew quarters. In December 1983, DeBary gets 911 service.
In 1984, the department came under County control, and DeBary was protected by Volusia County Fire Services, bringing the first Full-time Firefighters. The fire house was redesignated as Station 33, and the Support Team was born. Then, in 2009, the city contracted fire/rescue services to the Orange City Fire Department, who now staff our station.
In 2015 the city bought the newest “Engine 33” from Pierce Mfg.; it has a 1250 GPM pump and carries 750 gallons of water, and a variety of Medical and rescue equipment.
In 2016, the city decided it was time for a “new” firehouse, and in July 2017, the new Station 33 became the third fire house in DeBary history.
In order to more accurately represent our purpose and activities in and around the City of DeBary, we have filed a new name (DBA) for our group: “The DeBary Volunteer Fire Support Team”.
Because of population growth, the city planned a 2nd station: Station 39 on Fort Florida Road opened in January 2026. Read more about Station 39.
Our new Support Vehicle
In 2021, the Association arranged to have a replacement vehicle donated to us by Clay County, FL. Thanks to DeBary residents and businesses, we were able to repaint, re-letter and equip the “New Support 33” which was put into service in 2022 — click here to learn all about the “NEW” Support 33.
More photos The story of America’s volunteer fire service
When was the DeBary Volunteer Firemen’s Association founded?
Residents met in October 1952 to discuss the lack of fire protection; the legal papers were received on June 23, 1953, which is the Association’s founding date.
Where was DeBary’s first firehouse?
The first firehouse was dedicated on February 13, 1955 at 10 Colomba Road. The building still stands and serves as the Association Hall.
Who provides fire service in DeBary today?
Since 2009 the City of DeBary has contracted fire and rescue services to the Orange City Fire Department, which staffs DeBary’s stations.