In February 1987, Enka-Candler Fire & Rescue was formed from the Enka Fire Department. The Enka Fire Department had operated from 1926 till then as a plant fire department and 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.

In present times, the department responds to around 4000 calls each year.  These calls are handled by over 40 full time firefighters.  The department is manned 24 hours a day by a Battalion Chief, 3 Captains, 3 Engineers and 6 Firefighters.  The department currently provides medical response at the Advanced EMT level.  In addition to answering calls for service and maintaining the department facilities and equipment, the firefighters maintain approximately 800 fire hydrants and 400 pre-fire surveys of businesses, in the district.  The department is active in community education, offering services such as smoke detector installations, CPR classes, Child Safety Seat checks daily and is active in programs at the local schools and daycare facilities.