Matthews Fire & Emergency Medical Services (North Carolina)

==Overview==
The Town of Matthews Fire & Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a combination department providing fire, rescue and medical first responder services to the Town of Matthews and surrounding unincorporated areas.  The department responds to approximately 4,000 calls for service a year. The department has an ISO class rating of 2. 
== History==
The Matthews Fire and EMS Department traces its roots to the Matthews-Morningstar Volunteer Fire Department, Matthews Rescue & EMS, and U-Meck Rescue. The Matthews Fire Department was established in 1953 and provided fire protection for the small town of Matthews and surrounding area.  In 1971, U-Meck Rescue was established and they provided rescue and ambulance transport services for southern Mecklenburg County and Union County. 
On April 6, 1977, the Matthews Fire Department was Renamed Matthews-Morningstar Volunteer Fire Department. The name Morningstar comes from the township which includes unincorporated areas. 
In the 1990s, NC counties started to assume responsibility for EMS services forcing U-Meck Rescue to reassess and reevaluate their role.  When the plan to merge with the Mathews-Morningstar FD fell through, U-Meck Rescue became Matthews Rescue & EMS in 1991 under the Town of Matthews.  
In 2005, the Town of Matthews hired 6 full time fire fighters who worked for the Fire Department that was still a separate, independent entity.  Then, in 2008, the Matthews-Morningstar VFD Board voted to turn the department and its assets over to the Town of Matthews, making the department municipal department.  Once under the Town, their first paid Chief Matthew ‘Trim’ Sawtelle merged the Town’s Rescue & EMS and Fire Departments into the Matthews Fire & Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Station 2 was opened in 2016 on Crews Road.  In addition to housing Matthews Fire & EMS. that building also houses the Matthews Police Department headquarters and the Crews Road Recreation Center. 
==Apparatus Roster==
All pump/tank measurements are in US gallons.
===Fire Station 1 - 236 Trade Street===
:Engine 12 – 2018 Spartan / Smeal (2000/500) SN#4781
:Ladder 124 – 2010 Spartan / Rosenbauer Central (2000/500/101' rear mount platform) (SN#727010)
:Rescue 8 - E-One Typhoon 22' walk-around
:Support 128 - 1999 American LaFrance / Hackney walk-around
:Squad 129 - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe 4x4
:Engine 221 - 2007 Seagrave Marauder II TB70DA (2000/750/20AF/20BF) (SN#78E01)
:Engine 121- 1985 Duplex D-350 / Grumman (1500/1000) (SN#17101)
===Fire Station 2 - 1201 Crews Road ===
Opened 2016
:Engine 22 - 2016 Spartan / Smeal (2000/500) (SN#4615)
:Squad 229 - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4
==Retired Apparatus==
:1987 Duplex D-450 / Grumman AC-102 aerial (1500/500/102' Aerialcat rear-mount platform) (SN#17488) (Ex-Platform 1)
:1992 International 5000 PayStar / 4-Guys tanker (1500/1500) (SN#F-1496) (Sold to Shoal Creek Fire Department (Alabama))
:1997 AM General Hummer H1 / Fire Attacker brush (250/250) (Sold to Mount Penn Fire Company)
==Future Plans==
After a call volume/workload study, the town has purchased property near Purser-Hulsey Park on Phillips Road with plans to build a third fire station to better serve the east side of the town. 
==External Links==
Matthews Fire & Emergency Medical Services
==Station Map==
Category:Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
Category:North Carolina departments operating Grumman apparatus
Category:North Carolina departments operating Hackney apparatus
Category:North Carolina departments operating Rosenbauer apparatus
Category:North Carolina departments operating Seagrave apparatus
Category:North Carolina departments operating Smeal apparatus
Category:Former operators of 4-Guys apparatus
Category:Former operators of Fire Attacker apparatus