The South Hill Volunteer Fire Department was not officially organized until 1934. However, it was the concern of a group of citizens twelve years earlier that led to the town's first fire protection. The group petitioned the town council on October 2, 1922, for fire protection on the west side of the Atlantic & Danville railway tracks.

A Ladies Auxiliary to the South Hill Volunteer Fire Department was organized on October 19, 1972. Fourteen wives met in the fire department's meeting room. Officers were elected and the purposes of the auxiliary were established: (1) to work as a support group for the South Hill Volunteer Fire Department; (2) to provide food, drink and other necessary supplies at large incidents; and (3) to be a fund-raising organization.