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From SQVFD

On Jan. 9, the Swan Quarter Volunteer Fire Department (SQVFD) had the honor of hosting a quarterly meeting of the Eastern Carolina Firefighters Association (ECFA). This was the first-ever ECFA meeting in Hyde County for the Association which was established in 1925.
Thirty-seven eastern North Carolina counties are represented by ECFA and this large area is further divided into three different geographical sections (north, central, and south).

An interesting side note with roots in neighboring Beaufort County is that when the Association was formed many years ago, Richard Leach, the Fire Chief in Washington, NC from 1934-1952, was their first president. Leach helped make ECFA one of the post powerful such associations in the state. The organization will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025.

ECFA’s mission is to support each member by providing education, information, and representation for the fire service of Eastern North Carolina as a whole. They also offer a number of different educational scholarships for individual fighters, or, in some cases to a child of an active, retired, or deceased firefighter. Several grant opportunities for member fire departments are also offered. More information is available at www.encfa.org.

An ECFA board-members-only meeting took place at 2 pm, followed by a 6:30 pm catered meal and the membership meeting. Over 100 attendees braved the cold weather, with some driving great distances. Various speakers presented updates and reports on the Association’s activities since the previous meeting. The event provided a great networking opportunity for the various fire departments represented.