Coats Fire Department was established in 1954 with 13 charter members. The first department and charter fire chief was Haywood Roberts. It was not for another 20 years until Grove Rural Fire Department was established in 1974. Grove Rural Fire Department served the outlying areas beyond the Coat's town limits. Also, in 1974, the Coats Rescue Squad was established to provide emergency medical care to the area. The rescue squad was funded entirely on donations. It would not be for another 16 years until all three entities would combine to create Coats-Grove Fire Rescue, Inc. which currently serves the citizens of the Coats-Grove fire and rescue district today. Today, the department is a combination department made up of both volunteers and paid staff. The station also houses a Harnett County Paramedic.