[The following is from the front page of the February 1929 Barbourville Mountain Advocate]

At the February meeting of the City Council Bert Churchill was elected Fire Chief of Barbourville. In the organization of a part paid department eight young men expressed a willingness to become members of the department. The department when completed will be composed of fourteen men.

At a called meeting of the council Monday night the Mitchell Building was chosen as headquarters for the department and will have in addition to the housing of the fire truck a club room, shower and sleeping quarters for two men.

Capt. Render, of the Actuarial Bureau, Louisville, will be here the first week in March for a four day work-out in modern methods of fire fighting.

The department when completed and thoroughly drilled will give the city a new fire rate which will mean a large savings in fire insurance premiums.