A Lifetime of Service

Written By: Deena Bouknight | Issue: July 2023 | Photograph By: Mary Gilian

Randy Dillard

At 62, Fire Chief Randy Dillard, Cashiers/Glenville Volunteer Fire Department, has seen it all. As part of the long-standing Cashiers Dillard family, he has lived and breathed firefighting his whole life.

“When I was six years old, I stood and watched the clearing of the land for the firehouse,” he said. “My father, Thomas Franklin Dillard (who died in 2016), was the department’s charter member and worked to get the first fire truck purchased in 1967. I joined February 12, 1979, at 18 years old – as soon as I could. Back then, all that was required was a show of hands to vote me in as a volunteer firefighter; now you have to apply, go through tests, background checks, etc. I volunteered and then at 25, I was voted in as chief and I’ve been chief ever since.”

Sixteen years ago, Chief Dillard became the first full-time paid firefighter in the area and has worn a multitude of hats, including getting the green light seven years ago to begin hiring employees. Currently, there are 11 paid firefighters and 23 volunteers with the Cashiers/Glenville Volunteer Fire Department, which covers a 135-square-mile area. The average number of calls is around 1,000 annually, with at least 45 of those being structure fires and about 70 brush fires.

Serving has been a family affair. His brother, Tommy Dillard, worked as a volunteer firefighter for a while. Chief Dillard’s daughter, Amanda Blanton Dillard, is a paramedic in Macon County, and his son-in-law, David Blanton, is a canine officer.

Chief Dillard admits that a firefighter’s job is challenging and dangerous, but when someone has the tug to want to save lives and structures, there is no stopping them. In fact, one of “the worst” calls the area has ever experienced happened on June 20, 2017.

He explained, “We went to the country club at Sapphire for a gas leak, and when the guys got there, there was a vapor cloud about nine feet deep and a 1,000-gallon tank was turned over. The fire had started and it was so hot. It sounded like a 747 plane. Within 23 minutes, the firefighters got everyone out of the way. But then all of a sudden, with no warning, one of the tanks blew and pushed some guys back about 10 feet. It was an absolute miracle that there were no injuries. We finally got a handle on it and ended up with the most help we’ve ever had in my 37 years. We saved over half the country club. It was definitely the worst fire I’ve ever been to.”

Chief Dillard pointed out that a challenge in the mountains is tapping into enough water. The department has several trucks, 25, and has increased the water tank trucks in recent years.

“One thing we are proud of is that we have been able to save many structures, and as a department, we do tours of the station and rides for kids,” he said.