Raleigh/Wake Firefighting Blog  -

Saturday, October 11

• Fuquay-Varina Fire Department Open House - FVFD Station 1, 301 South Fuquay Ave. (see map), 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 12

• Fairview Fire Department Open House - FFD Station 1, 4501 Ten Ten Rd. (see map)
• Morrisville Fire Department Open House - MFD Station 1, 200 Oak St. (see map), 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For your Friday enjoyment, here's a vintage photo of the Morehead City Fire Department. That's an FWD engine in front of the old fire station on Evans Street, part of the old town hall. If memory services, an MCFD member later died while operating that engine, suffering a fatal heart attack while returning from a drill. Those in the know, please confirm or correct. The photo is circa 1950s. The people are unknown. Learn more about MHFD. Click to enlarge:
 

Today's News & Observer reports that city inspectors closed the Velvet Cloak Inn late last week. The Hillsborough Street hotel was deemed an "imminent fire hazard" after an October 2 inspection found "bare electrical connections, an inoperable fire alarm and a nonfunctioning sprinkler system." The hotel, built in 1963, had been refurbished in recent years, with half of rooms repurposed as condos. At least 39 had been sold. Read the entire story.
 

Wake County photo

Dave Statter reports on what's happened in Frederick County, MD, with regard to a report by TriData Corporation providing a comprehensive review and master plan for county fire and EMS services. Or, specifically, the report of the report's implementation committee. Got that? He's linked to a copy of the report on the report, along with footage of County Commissioners discussing the thing. One of the recommendations was a county Fire Chief. That didn't pass muster. Watch the footage, listen to the discussion, and you'll see many similarities with our own situations. Heck, who can forget the frigid response-- on the fire side, that is-- to TriData's Wake County Fire/EMS Capital Facility and Equipment Study? Four years ago, that was.

At its meeting on Sept. 2, the Raleigh City Council agreed to waive competitive bidding requirements in order to piggyback on a bid from New Hanover County for the purchase of two new fire trucks. By piggybacking on New Hanover County’s purchase, the City is able to purchase the trucks at a reduced rate. The new vehicles are 100-foot aerial platform ladder fire trucks. Constructed by Pierce Manufacturing, Inc., the trucks will cost more than $844,000 apiece. The trucks are capable of pumping 2,000 gallons of water per minute. Read entire press release.

Sanborn Map, Raleigh, 1909
 

Today's News & Observer reports on the technical report from the U.S. Fire Administration on the EQ chemical fire of two years ago. They gave high marks to AFD and officials, who handled the "potentially devestating situation" with "the highest levels of skill and expertise". Read the USFA press release. Or go directly to the report itself. 
 

Last-minute notice. With 18 hours left before the auction ends, here's your chance to acquire the last Mack CF pumper that the city of Raleigh is selling. It's a 1982 model, one of two delivered that year. It's sister is still on the roster as an antique. The truck for sale served as Engine 3, 9, 14, 21, 31, 103, and 123. Click to view the auction. Or read about the truck's history. Good luck and happy bidding!
 

Govdeals photo

The mental health facility in Goldsboro had a fire department at one time. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps from 1924 indicate an "organized fire department of 9 employees" with "3 hose reels  carrying 600 feet of 2 1/2-inch hose and 800 feet of 2-inch hose." The facility at the time was called the State Hospital for the Colored Insane. Read about its history.

After Henderson Station 2, built 1908, what are the other oldest active fire stations in North Carolina? They include Asheville Station 1 (1924), Charlotte Station 5 (1929), Charlotte Station 6 (1929), Roseboro's station (1930s), Lillington's station (1935), Charlotte Station 7 (1935), Pinehurst's station (1936), Fayetteville Station 2 (1942), Charlotte Station 8 (1948), and Raleigh Station 6 (1949). There are probably others out there. Source: Former and Historic Fire Station Database.
 

Henderson Station 2

The Edenton Street Methodist Church burned in 1956, not 1958. The correct date is July 28, 1956. The story goes that Cary and Garner firemen also assisted, either at scene or for coverage. The IGA Grocery Story burned on December 20, 1992, and not December 19. Future FireNews Editor-in-Chief Jeff Harkey captured stunning images at the three-alarm fire. Corrections to history pages forthcoming. These and other fires will be featured in tonight's history presentation at Cameron Village Regional Library.
 

The 100-year anniversary of Henderson Fire Station No. 2 and the Henderson-Vance Fire Department Fire Prevention Open House will be observed together on Thursday, October 9. The event takes place at Station 2, 205 Garnett Street, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is "Prevent Home Fires." READ MORE

For a Sunday surprise, here's a newly uncovered photo from the North Carolina State Archives Flickr site. The picture is part of their Raleigh, NC set, and shows the Revene Building at the corner of Morgan and Salibury Streets. To the left is the original Station 1, built 1896. The photo nicely shows the perspective of the station's size. The picture is from Carolina Power and Light (CP&L) Photograph Collection (Ph.C.68), and circa 1930.

Speaking of FireNews, Editor Jeff Harkey offers a perspective on pre-arranged alarm assignments in his editor's blog. His map showing domestic flights is a sobering reminder of the potential for "big ones" regardless of community size. Read the Editor's Blog posting. Then join the discussion in the reader's comments section.

From photographer John Franks by way of this FireNews article comes this rare Brockway Seagrave that serves as Norlina Engine 22. It apepared in the Warren County Fireman’s Day Parade in Warrenton on Saturday, September 27. See more of John's photos from the Flickr site linked in the article. 

John Franks / FireNews photo

Historian Mike Legeros presents a history of the Raleigh Fire Department on Tuesday, October 7, at the Cameron Village Regional Library, 1930 Clark Avenue. The 7:00 p.m. event will feature a 45-minute presentation about both the volunteer and fully paid-eras of the fire department. There will also be a discussion of the city's largest fires. Arrive early and watch color film footage from 1950, which will start playing at 6:30 p.m.

From a reader, did you know that the law requires the U.S. flag be lowered in observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service? On October 16, 2001, President George W. Bush approved legislation (Public Law 107-51) requiring the U.S. flag to be lowered to half-staff on all Federal buildings to memorialize fallen firefighters. Thus, U.S. flags across the country will be lowered on Sunday, October 5, 2008. Remember to lower the U.S. flags at your home, fire department, and business. Lowering your flag on Sunday recognizes the brave men and women who died protecting their communities from natural and man-made emergencies and disasters, as well as those who carry on the proud tradition.
 

Here are this weekend's events, as reprinted from the prior posting.

Friday, October 3

• Raleigh Fire Department display, Crabtree Valley Mall.

Saturday, October 4

• Cary Fire Department Fire Prevention Day - Fred G. Bond Park, 801 High House Rd. (see map) - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Garner Fireman’s Day - GFD Station 1, 503 W. Main St. (see map) -  All day, starts 11:00 a.m.
• Morrisville Fire Department Fire Safety Day - Park Place Shopping Center, 9500 Chapel Hill Rd. (see map), 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Raleigh Fire Department display, Crabtree Valley Mall.
• Zebulon Fire Department Fire Safety Day - Zebulon Crossing Shopping Center, 841 E. Gannon Ave. (see map), 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 5

• Bay Leaf Open House, BLFD Station 1, 11713 Six Forks Rd. (see map), 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Raleigh Fire Department display, Crabtree Valley Mall.
• Raleigh Fire Department open house, at all fire stations.

Dave Statter surfaces this surveillance video from Laurel County, KY, of a propane leak in the back of a pick-up truck that causes an explosion, fire, and bigger explosion. The final blast, he notes, was felt inside a nearby retail store. That's a 100-pound propane tank leaking, then burning. The driver was treated and released with burns to his arms, hand, and face.
  

For the first time, the Town of Cary is hosting Safety Day at Bond Park, 801 High House Road, on Saturday, October 4 to help jump start National Fire Prevention Week that runs October 5-11; this year’s theme is “It’s Fire Prevention Week: Prevent Home Fires!” From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Cary Fire and Police, Cary EMS, and Wake Co. Safe Kids Staff will provide games and educational activities in the open field across from the Bond Park Community Center to help educate children and their parents about the dangers of home fires. Read entire press release.

Chemical spill at industrial facility at 10411 Globe Road. Cary Engine 1 first on scene¹. Haze reported visible in air and nearby buildings were evacuated. Entry team found 55 gallon drum of muriatic acid with anestimated 30 to 45 gallons spilled. Crews contained spill using lime. Alarm time about 11:10 a.m. Companies started clearing about 3:00 p.m. Units included Cary E1, B2, Raleigh B4, HM8, HM15, HM2, L22, L20, Decon 1, C72, C5, FC1, Cary EMS D5, Six Forks EMS 123, Wake EMS 32, T1. "A" shift working. See photos by Legeros.

¹Address is within Cary municipal limits, but postal address is Morrisville. Here's a GIS map showing Cary's city limits.