Carthage Firefighters with over 35 years of service Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at the Carthage Fire Department. Akins joined the Carthage Volunteer Fire Department in 1960, and he served for 65 years until his retirement in February. The department has a handful of paid firefighters, but the majority of its firefighters are volunteers. Like most everyone else who serves with the Carthage Fire Department, Akins grew up there. ‘As serious as it gets’It was simple curiosity that led Moon to become a Carthage firefighter in 1969.