In February 1987, the Enka Candler Fire & Rescue Department was formed from the Enka Fire Department.  The Enka Fire Department had operated since 1926 as a plant fire department, which provided protection to the surrounding community.  The American Enka Corporation solely funded the Enka Fire Department.  Upon American Enka's sale of the Enka site to BASF Fibers the corporation could no longer fund the Fire Department's operations and the decision was made to place the fire protection responsibilities upon the community.  A tax base was established, a Board of Directors was elected from the community, and the department was re-organized into the present organization.  The new department was chartered to provide Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services.  In October 1988 the department hired its first 2 paid firefighters in response to the increasing requests for service.

Presently the department responds to around 2800 calls for service each year.  These calls are handled by a career staff of 22 and 7 volunteers.  The department is manned 24 hours a day by an Officer and 6 Firefighters.  The department presently provides medical response at the EMT-Intermediate level.  In addition to answering calls for service and maintaining the department facilities and equipment, the firefighters maintain approximately 700 fire hydrants and 300 pre-fire surveys of businesses, in the district.  The department is active in community education.  The department regularly offers CPR classes.  Approximately 300 people benefit from these classes each year.  The department offers Child Safety Seat checks daily and is active in programs at the local schools and daycare facilities.  The department also provides home safety surveys upon request.