In 1988, members of the greater Longview community -- recognizing the need to improve fire protection services to the area -- banded together to establish the Central Oktibbeha Fire Department, Inc., a not-for-profit, community service organization. At that time, fire protection service for the eastern part of the area was provided by the Starkville Fire Department and for the western part by the Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department.

Homes in the area were 5 to 10 miles from the nearest fire station and response times were not fast enough to ensure a good outcome.

The total loss of several homes and the perception of high insurance cost were the impetus to the creation of the fire department. The existance of several unused, county-owned fire trucks and the legislature's recent action to increase insurance rebates to rural fire departments made it possible.

In April 1988, firefighters began training and responding as backup to fires in the area. In March 1989, a fire station with two truck bays, a meeting room, office, and bathroom was constructed and the department assumed primary responsibility for the area.

Rapid growth of the department and acquisition of additional apparatus necessitated that two additional truck bays be added to the station in September 1993.

In 1993, members of the community petitioned the Board of Supervisors to create a fire protection district for the Longview area to better promote fire protection and to enable the community to apply for a fire insurance rating reduction. The creation order was signed and became effective May 1, 1993.