Idlewild Fire Department prepares for goodbye as volunteer run station is set to close for good
Mar 28, 2025
MINT HILL, N.C. — One of Mecklenburg County’s only volunteer run fire departments is saying good bye. After 50 years of serving the town’s of Mint Hill and Matthews, the Idlewild Fire Department is closing.
The volunteer fire department was created in 1975 as the Oakhurst Fire Department. I
t started as a small garage on Idlewild Road which housed the departments fire engines. The station split Mint Hill and Matthews and served both towns. The volunteer fire department has relied on the two towns for much of its funding.
Idlewild Fire Chief Greg Hildreth has been on the team for 20 years. He’s helped make the station what it is today. Hildreth said his team is made up of 8o-percent volunteers. The department responded to more than 2000 calls in Mint Hill and Matthews in 2024.
Both Mint Hill and Matthews opened their own fire stations just weeks ago. The two new departments will now split Idlewild’s coverage area in half, erasing the need for the Idlewild Fire Department. “Mint Hill and Matthews have built new fire stations in close proximity to here,” Chief Hildreth said. “And so there’s no need for the towns to fund us anymore.” Idlewild is now set to close Sunday, as the two new stations have erased the need for the volunteer rescuers. The two station’s also plan to take much of Idlewild’s equipment.
The new stations have not be opened long, but they have already been assisting Idlewild with emergency response. Chief Hildreth said this shows that the two town’s will not be hurt when Idlewild officially closes. “The community is not going to suffer at all,” Hildreth said.
Chief Hildreth says his volunteers have been offered positions with the two new stations, ensuring that the Idlewild team will still have a chance to serve. “I appreciate both towns for providing those opportunities for our people,” Hildreth said. Memorabilia like picture have been gathered from Idlewild and is being saved to be displayed within the new fire stations.
Idlewild Fire Department has planned a last call event to be held at 8 p.m. Sunday night. The mostly volunteer team has invited the public to join them at the fire station when central dispatch will honor the team volunteers with a final radio message.
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