Hugh Strickland has spent almost half of his life as a first responder.

For the last 35 years, Strickland has served as fire chief of the Carlowville Volunteer Fire Department.

“It’s a service to the community,” Strickland said. “As Fire Chief, I get to do a lot of different things like putting out fires and helping with car wrecks.”

Strickland, who turns 77 in March, said he enjoys the location of Carlowville VFD, located on Highway 41.

“I love living outside the city of Selma,” Strickland said. “It’s real quiet out here. We spend half of our time shopping in Greenville, the other half we spend shopping in Selma.”

Strickland once owned an auto garage, Strickland Service Station, and operated the business for 54 years before retiring several years ago.

Strickland said Carlowville VFD wors together with Sardis VFD.

“We don’t get that many calls, but Sardis VFD and Carlowville VFD back each other up,” Strickland said. “We both help each other out.”

Strickland has lived in Dallas County since he was young. He and his wife, Marzette, have been married for 52 years. They have two sons, Robert and Scott, as well as two grandchildren. Robert Strickland lives in Dallas County, Scott Strickland is a Montgomery resident.

Hugh Strickland’s cousin is Dallas County Sheriff Deputy John Strickland.