On June 6, 1922, the Cary Town Alderman appointed Mr. L.A. Cathey in charge of organizing a fire company so that the town would no longer have to rely solely on outside agencies for fire protection. A resolution was also passed to purchase the Town’s first fire truck. The truck was delivered in February 1923 and was housed in a metal garage.
 
As a result of Mr. Cathey’s efforts, Mr. H.H. Waddell was appointed the first fire chief of the Town of Cary on May 1, 1923 at a Town Council meeting. By 1926, Cary Fire Department had 12 volunteers.

The Cary Fire Department was accredited by the North Carolina Fireman’s Association in 1934. Over the years, numerous volunteers graciously gave of their time to protect the Town’s property and citizens. Cary hired its first full time firefighter in 1957. Today, the fire department has evolved from a small, volunteer organization providing for the needs of the community into a career oriented, multi-faceted and dynamic organization protecting the property and well-being of more than 134,000 citizens.