Wayne County Commissioner, and New Hope Volunteer Fire Department Chief, Roland “Bud” Gray, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the New Hope Fire Department with his family of firefighters.

Pictured, from left: Assistant Fire Chief Dwight Gray, Battalion Chief Donald Gray (both sons of Bud Gray); Commissioner Bud Gray; retired firefighter Roland Gray (father of Bud Gray); Captain Jason Gray (grandson); retired firefighter Douglas Gray (brother) and nephew, firefighter Blake Gray.

New Hope Volunteer Fire Department celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006. After a costly barn fire on the property of Norwood Vinson, the people of the New Hope community saw the need for a rural fire department. An organizational meeting was held at New Hope School on April 17, 1956, establishing the New Hope Volunteer Fire Department, the first rural volunteer fire department in Wayne County.

Three chiefs have served the New Hope Fire Department: Norwood Vinson, 1956-1960; Jacob Edwards, 1960-1969; and Roland “Bud” Gray, 1969 to the present.