1980-1989

1980

Fifteen stations protecting 55.2 square miles and 150,255 residents.

Emergency Communications Center activates 911 as county-wide emergency telephone number. (January 26, 1980)^rt10mar80

West Raleigh Presbyterian Church educational wing on Horne Street burns. Fire starts during 11:00 a.m. worship services, destroying one floor of the wing. About 300 congregation members are evacuated in the middle of Rev. A. M. McGeachy's morning sermon. Blaze begins about 11:30 a.m. in paper-filled closet in a third- floor classroom. Six units respond to the call from four fire stations, with the first unit arriving within four minutes of the first alarm. Damage is estimated at $75,000 to $100,000. [MF] (February 3, 1980) ^nofeb4

Ray's Body Shop at 1217 S. Saunders Street burns. Afternoon fire begins when employee's welding tool ignites a gasoline tank. Damage is estimated at $150,000 to building and five cars and one boat inside. One employee is injured, admitted to Wake Medical Center with burns to hands and head. Firefighter Wayne Burton is also injured, diagnosed as having a sprained back. [MF] (February 11, 1980) ^nofeb12

Metal pipeline being laid along Lake Boone Trail under the Beltline explodes and burns. One worker is burned to death. Smoke pours from mouth of 24-inch wide metal pipeline for more than two hours after 5:30 p.m. explosion, until water extinguishes fire and ejector fans clear the smoke. Explosion occurs when work is cutting pipe with acetylene torch, possibly triggered by a leak in the oxygen- acetylene hose feeding the torch or by methane gas built up in the pipeline from clay in the surrounding earth. [UF] (February 15, 1980) ^nofeb16

First Responder program expanded city-wide. The program was started as a trail program at Station 3 earlier in the year. About 270 firefighters complete training sessions to be licensed as Emergency Medical Technicians. (April 1, 1980)^{rt01apr80, no22dec79}

Weyhauser recycling plant on New Bern Avenue burns. Raleigh responds as mutual aid. See New Hope Fire Department History. [MF] (April 21, 1980) ^wcfar

News & Observer building at 215 S. McDowell street burns. Sunday afternoon fire occurs about 1 p.m. when spark from welder's torch ignites highly flammable printing ink and a stream of newspaper paper. Approximately 45 firefighters battle blaze for about three hours before brining under control. Flames are confined to press room, but smoke damage is extensive throughout rest of building. One employee is trapped in building for 45 minutes, but ultimately rescued. He's hospitalized at Rex Hospital. One firefighter is also hospitalized for smoke inhalation. Damage is estimated at about $4 million. [MF] (March 16, 1980) ^yb84

Apparatus note:  1979 Mack MC / 1958 American LaFrance aerial ladder placed in service as Truck 5. Photos and more information. (by May 6, 1980)

Hunt General Tire Company warehouse at 424 S. McDowell Street burns. Fire breaks out about 7 p.m. and shoots flames five stories high through roof of one-story building at height of blaze. Roof of Poole's Luncheonette next door catches fire by 8 p.m. Fire also spreads to adjoining off of attorney George R. Barrett. More than 50 firefighters respond with four engines, three truck companies, and two rescue units. Ten firefighters are treated for heat exhausting, smoke inhalation, and other minor injuries; six are transported to the hospital and later released. Building is valued at $80,000. Fire is brought under control at 9:45 p.m. Fire losses are estimated at $700,000 and more than 10,000 tires are destroyed. [MF] (August 9, 1980) ^yb84

Recruit academy #5 graduates 19 firefighters. The academy started May 5 and lasted 14 weeks. The graduation ceremony is conducted at the City Council Chambers. (August 15, 1980)^rfd

Rex Hospital on Saint Mary's Street relocates. Fire department rescue squads assist with transporting 168 patients from Saint Mary's Street building to Lake Boone Trail facility. [UI] (September 28, 1980) ^nosep28

Lawsuit filed in 1974 by thirteen black firefighters receives tentative endorsement for settlement by city, including pledge to improve hiring of blacks over the next three years, with goal that 16 percent of city firefighters being black by January 1983. ^rt02jan80

1981

Mangel Building on Fayetteville Street Mall burn. Raleigh's "worst fire in a decade" apparently erupts on second floor of old Mangel's Building at 120 Fayetteville Street Mall. Fire rages out of control for three hours. The two-story building, "divided into two main businesses and 10 smaller businesses," collapses at about 11 a.m., sending debris into adjacent parking lot and damaging three cars. Eleven firefighters are treated at area hospitals for smoke inhalation, none with serious injuries. Damage is at least $250,000. More than 100 firefighters battle blaze, including 21 recruits. As flames explode from roof of building, Firefighter R. D. Perry is momentarily knocked off his position atop an aerial ladder by a high-pressure hose stream. Dazed, Perry grabs the ladder while the aerial is rotated away from danger. And, while the ladder slowly turns, his unmanned master stream sends spectators scrambling for shelter. [MF] (July 7, 1981) ^no08jul81

Recruit academy #6 graduates 20 firefighters. The academy started April 6 and lasted 14 weeks. The graduation ceremony is conducted at the City Council Chambers. (July 17, 1981) ^rfd

Campus Launderette at 2114 Hillsborough Street burns. Raleigh firefighters responded twice that day, first at 11:30 a.m. after lint catches fire above one of the dryers. Twenty minutes later, the fire department returns to the scene as the roof is burn and flames are spreading to the I Play Games arcade and a North Carolina State University Agricultural Extension Service workshop. Firefighters extinguish the second blaze in about a half-hour. [UF] (August 8, 1981) ^{no, rt}

Apparatus delivery: 1981 Mack CF pumper, placed in service as Engine 13 at 1700 hours. Photos and more information. (July 8, 1981) ^rfd

Apparatus notes:

• Third aerial truck company placed in service as Truck 16 receives 1961 American LaFrance aerial ladder. (September 16, 1981)^rfd
• Truck 8 placed in service with 1964 GMC service truck.  (by September 25, 1981)
  Photos and more information.

Fire inspections expanded to include places of public assembly including entertainment establishments. The program is designed to assure continued compliance with Fire Prevention Codes in buildings where large numbers of people congregate. ^yb84

1982

Sign plant at Central Prison burns. Fire forces evacuation of 100 inmates. Fire starts about 11:40 a.m. in corner of the sign plant at the Correction Enterprises building. Damaged is estimated at $80,000 to $10,000. One hundred inmates, four guards, and 18 Correctional Enterprises supervisors are evacuated into the prison yard before fire crews enter. Blaze is extinguished about 12:15 p.m. [UF] (January 4, 1982) ^nojan6

Engine company collides with school bus at Lenoir and East streets. Pumper is en route to emergency call. Bus driver is charged with failure to yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle. One student is treated for bruises at Wake Medical Center. Damage to the pumper is estimated at $5,000 and repairs are estimated to take two to three months. (January 7, 1982) ^nojan8

911 phone number replaces 829-1911 as County-wide emergency number. (January 26, 1982) ^yb84

Apparatus notes:

• Rescue 14 moved to Station 6.
• Rescue12 moved to Station17.
• Truck 7 moved to Station 12. (February 1, 1982) ^rfd
  Photos and more information.

Two nightclubs cited on charges on overcrowding . Edwards Grocery at 1912 Hillsborough Street and Tut's Inc at 3911-B Western Boulevard are both charged with violating the city fire code and state building code in an undercover program started in December. Overcrowding is a misdemeanor punishable by $50 fine and court costs. Trials are set for March. This is the first time a business or gathering place has been cited for violation of either code. [UI] (February 16, 1982) ^nofeb17

Apparatus note: Brush Truck 1 placed in service with a 1965 International brush truck. Photos and more information. (By March 23, 1982)^rfd

Pine State Creamery on Glenwood Avenue heavily damaged by fire. [MF] (April 24, 1982)^rt01may82

Fatal apartment fire on E. Jones Street. Four people killed. [UF] (April 28, 1982)^rt01may82

Feather Processing plant at 1436 Rock Quarry Road burns. Reported shortly after 5 p.m., the blaze sends thick black smoke into the skies seen as far as 30 miles away. The one-story brick building burns for about an hour. The adjacent Watson's Poultry plant is not damaged. [MF] (April 30, 1982)^rt01may82

Keeter Training Center completed at 105 W.  Hoke Street. The 7,000 square-foot facility is constructed adjacent to the drill tower and smokehouse. The $446,068.69 building is dedicated for former Fire Chief and former Mayor Pro Tem Jack B. Keeter. Photos and more information. (May 1982) ^{yb84, city of raleigh news}

Recruit academy #7 graduates 17 firefighters. The academy started on March 15 and lasted 18 weeks. The graduation ceremony is conducted at the City Council Chambers. (July 15, 1982) ^rfd

Fire destroys vacant house just outside city limits. Fire department criticized and policies subsequently reviewed after inaction of arriving units. Report subsequently issued by City Manager supports department and cites reasons for inaction including lack of nearby fire hydrants and knowledge that volunteer firefighters were en route. [UF]  (July 1982) ^{no22jul82, no20jul82}

Fire Marshal begins compiling list of hazardous chemical storage areas in city after chemical fire in Charlotte forces 1,000 people from home. ^rt28sep82

Gunman holds woman and two children hostage on Amtrak train at railroad station on Seaboard Road. Fire department personnel stands by along with emergency medical crews. Standoff starts about 7:30 a.m. on a Friday, after gunshots are heard in passenger car. Male subject surrenders at 5:45 a.m. on following Monday. Body of woman and nine-month old infant discovered in cabin. Four year-old infant survives. [UI]  (October 8-11, 1982) ^rt

Hazardous-materials response training started. ^yb84

Apparatus notes:

• 1982 Mack CF pumper, placed in service as Engine 1
• 1982 Mack CF pumper, placed in service as Engine 14
  Photos and more information.

1983

Extra police patrol Cameron Village after month-long string of suspicious vehicle fires. Fires have occurred inside five unlocked cars between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. A total of $4,000 damage has been reported to cars parked on Oberlin Road, Cameron Court, and Smallwood Drive. [UF] (January 6, 1983) ^no07jan83

Thomas T. Kuster appointed twelfth Fire Chief, serves 1983-1985. Kuster is hired from outside the department, after the position is opened for the first time to outside applicants. (February 1, 1983) ^yb84

Recruit academy #8 graduates 14 firefighters. The academy started on November 22, 1982 and lasted 14 weeks. The graduation ceremony is conducted at the City Council Chambers. (March 4, 1983) ^rfd

District Chiefs renumbered. Car 4 becomes Car 51, Car 5 becomes Car 52, and Car 6 becomes Car 53. They are located at Station 9, Station 1, and Station 6. (April 1983)^rfd

Home Inspection program initiated with a goal of inspecting or offering to inspect every city residence. Each home will be visited by firefighters, with inspections conducted only after permission is granted by the occupant. After the inspection, suggestions will be made for making the home safer from fire. Compliance with the suggestions, as with the inspections, is strictly voluntary. If the home is unoccupied at the time of the firefighters visit, they'll leave a card explaining the inspection program and other services offered by the Fire Department. The card also asks the resident to return the postcard or call the Fire Prevention Division to set up a time when an inspection can be conducted. (June 1, 1983) ^{yb84, city of raleigh news}

Apparatus note: Light Truck 1 placed in service with a 1966 Chevrolet panel van. Photos and more information. (by June 23, 1983)^rfd

Lincoln Park Pentecostal Holiness Church at 13 Heath Street burns. Blaze begins about 2:30 a.m. in balcony over church organ. Firefighters arrive just after 2:30 a.m., with flames coming through roof. Fire takes about an hour to control, but church is destroyed. Church had been built piecemeal over past decade with $160,000 collected by 300-member congregation. Building is third church on site since the True Vine Pentecostal Holiness Church was founded in 1940 from Eli Ratcliff. [MF] (December 12, 1983) ^no13dec83

Woman suffers burns to head and face after hair catches fire while lighting cigarette. Carol Poole, 32, is treated and released from Raleigh Community Hospital after suffering burns at US Fidelity and Guaranty on Old Wake Forest Road. After setting fire to self, Ms. Poole begins running around and is tackled by fellow employees, one of whom extinguishes the fire by throwing a coat over it. Some of the employees also suffer minor burns on their hands. [UF] (December 27, 1983) ^no27dec83

1984

Fiberglass fire helmets replace traditional plastic headgear. New helmets are color-coded by rank, Chiefs wear white, Captains wear yellow, truck company firefighters wear black, and engine company firefighters wear red. Old helmets are stored in fire department storage room until distribution to firefighters is resolved. Both city character provision and state law prevent municipal employees from buying surplus city property. (March 1984) ^rt08sep84

Station 17 opens at 4601 Pleasant Valley Road. Engine 17 placed in service with 1981 Mack pumper. Photos and more information. (April 9, 1984) ^yb84

Recruit academy #9 graduates 27 firefighters. The academy started on December 14, 1983 and lasted 16 weeks. The graduation ceremony is conducted at Station 17. (May 10, 1984) ^rfd

Furniture company at 117 E. Hargett Street burns. Two alarms. The first floor of the three-story building is gutted by the 11:45 p.m. blaze. The two-alarm blaze takes a half-hour to control. More than $20,000 of furniture is destroyed. The building, valued at over $50,000, was built about 1912. [MF] (June 22, 1984)^rt23jun84

Honor guard organized to pay tribute to Lt. Harold Faison upon his death. (July 1984) ^yb02

Apparatus note: Haz-Mat 1 placed in service at Station 2 with a 1977 Chevy panel van. Photos and more information. (Around June 29, 1984)^rfd

First haz-mat call.   Firefighters respond to Schwab Food Science Center at North Carolina State University. [HM] (July 11, 1984)

Hurricane Diana strikes southern North Carolina, eye of Category 2 storm making landfall near Wilmington, NC, with 110 mph winds about 6:00 a.m., Thursday, September 13. Eye passes through Raleigh with 45 mph winds at 6:00 a.m. next day. [WE] (September 14, 1984)^wral

Howard Building at 112 W.  Lane Street burns. Fire is reported at 4:15 p.m. Nearly 100 firefighters, working in shifts of 40, battle the stubborn six-hour fire in the turn-of-the-century building. Volunteers from the Six Forks Fire Department assist with refilling air tanks as more than 100 are depleted by the end of the evening. Fire is later blamed on a burning match in a cardboard box. [MF] (October 3, 1984) ^{no, rt}

Vehicle note: Sand truck placed in service at Station 8. (November 21, 1984)^rfd

Railroad tank car donated to Keeter Training Center by local industry. ^yb02

1985

Engine 13 collides with building at intersection of S. McDowell and Lenoir Streets. While responding to a call, the pumper skids on an icy road and jumps curb at intersection of S. McDowell and Lenoir streets and crashes into Sir Walter Chevrolet. Driver sustains minor injuries. Two others riding in cab of 1960 American LaFrance pumper are not injured. Accident occurs about 4:20 p.m. while en route to vehicle overturned in creek off 1100 block of Western Boulevard. Pumper strikes front end of 1985 Chevette parked on the sidewalk, smashes through two tinted plate glass panels, and rams a 1985 Celebrity Eurosport parked in the showroom. The collision shatters a third panel in the window, sending glass shards down onto the pumper and forcing the Eurosport into a 1985 Camero parked alongside it. Total damage to the three cars and the building is estimated at $10,000. Damage to the fire truck is estimated at $10,000. (January 20, 1985) ^no21jan85

Engine 2, Engine 13, and Truck 8 become official haz-mat companies, ensuring 12 haz-mat technicians are available and on duty per NFPA standards. (February 1, 1985) ^yb02

Starting salary for firefighters is $15,388 , based on 56 hours per week. (July 1985) ^yb02

Raleigh Fire Explorer Post 108 started. (October 1985) ^yb02

Physical fitness program made mandatory for on-duty firefighters. ^rt

Apparatus delivery: 1985 Pirsch pumper, placed in service as Engine 13. Photos and more information.^rfdar

1986

Sherman Pickard appointed thirteenth Fire Chief. Serves 1986-1995. Pickard is hired from outside the department. (March 3, 1986) ^rfd

International Association of Fire Firefighters local chapter 548 re-chartered, named Raleigh Professional Firefighter's Association. At the time of the March 23 application, the Temporary President is James Driver and the Temporary Secretary and Treasurer is Donnie Perry. (after April 23, 1986)^{rpffa records}

Apparatus note: Mini 17 placed in service with a 1986 Chevrolet Silverado mini-pumper. Photos and more information. (May 13, 1986)^rfd

Apparatus note: Mini 3 placed in service with a 1986 Chevrolet Silverado mini-pumper. Photos and more information. (August 18, 1986)^rfd

Program started to perform blood pressure checks for citizens at all fire stations. (September 1, 1986)^rfd

Recruit academy #10 graduates 16 firefighters. The academy started on July 29, 1985 and lasted 25 weeks. The graduation ceremony is conducted at the City Council Chambers. (November 15?, 1986)^rfd

Apparatus note: Tanker 14 (and Tanker 4?) removed from service. Both tankers transferred to Public Works. Photos and more information. (September 4, 1986)^rfd

Cable channel 59 activated, for use as bulletin board and training channel. (December 1, 1986)^rfd

Apparatus notes:

• 1986 EEI / PemFab pumper, placed in service as Engine 5. (Around November 3, 1986)^rfd
• Fourth aerial truck company placed in service as Truck 11, with 1986 Seagrave aerial ladder. (By December 30, 1986)^rfd
• 1971 Chevrolet service truck moved from Station 11 to Station 15. (Around December 30, 1986)^rfd
  Photos and more information.

Patches adopted for uniforms, the first patches in the fire department history. The design is based on the Burlington Fire Department patch.^{yb02, oh}

1987

Apparatus replacement policy created by City Manager Dempsey E. Benton. Engines and aerials are maintained as front-line rigs for 20 years, then as reserve rigs for 5 years. (January 1, 1987)^rfd

Apparatus note: 1986 EEI / PemFab pumper, placed in service as Engine 3. Photos and more information. (January 13, 1987) ^rfd

Recruit academy #11 graduates 25 firefighters. The academy started on October 1, 1986 and lasted 17 (?) weeks. The graduation ceremony is conducted at the City Council Chambers. (February 6, 1987)^rfd

Apparatus notes:

• Truck 5 removed from service. Truck company beds moved from Station 5 to Station 15.
• Reserve engine moved to Station 5.
• 1979 Mack / 1958 American LaFrance aerial ladder moved from Station 5 to Station 1
• 1977 Mack aerial platform moved from Station 1 to Station 8 at 0200 hours
• 1964 GMC service truck moved from Station 8 to Station 15 at 0700 hours. (March 16, 1987) ^rfd

Pre-alerts go into effect, with dispatchers announcing calls on radio before activating station alarms and reading dispatch assignments (March 16, 1987) ^rfd

Station 18 opens at 8200 Morgans Way. Engine 18 placed in service with 1973 Mack pumper. Photos and more information. (by March 16, 1987) ^{yb02, rfd}

Apparatus note: Mini 9 placed in service with a 1986 Chevrolet Cheyenne mini-pumper. Photos and more information.(April 24, 1987)^rfd

Raleigh Racquet Club at 5516 Falls of the Neuse Road burns. Fire is reported at 12:30 a.m. Arriving firefighters find flames shooting into sky. No injuries are reported and fire is under control by 1 a.m. The second-story is gutted and smoke damages the rest of the clubhouse. The cause of the fire, which started in the kitchen, is not immediately known. [MF] (June 23, 1987) ^no23jun87

Services Divisions moves into basement of Station 8 . (June 1987) ^yb02

Chlorine gas leaks at unused sewage treatment plant on Sunnybrook Road. Plant is located just north of Beltline overpass. Three city workers are injured trying to contain same. Between 50 and 100 people are evacuated in area. Passer-by reports lead to Fire Station 12 between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Responders include Raleigh police and fire departments, NC Division of Environmental Management, Wake County EMS, Wake County Sheriff's Department, and State Troopers. The three injured workers are driving home from Neuse River Waste Treatment Plant east of Raleigh, when they smell chlorine on Sunnybrook Road. Turning around and driving to the facility, they discover the fire department's haz-mat team. One worker unlocks the unmanned plant. Two others, along with two firefighters, done air masks and enter plant, but are driven back out by concentration of gas. Firefighters re-enter wearing full-body, protective suits and discover a pipe broken in half. The leak is contained shortly after 6 p.m. [HM] (June 18, 1987) ^no19jun87

Gateway Shopping Center at corner of Crabtree and North Boulevards burns. Fire alarm is received about 12:10 a.m., with flames coming through the roof as firefighters arrive. Six stores and businesses are gutted: Personnel Pool Temporary Services; J. R. Lee Electric Co., a shoe shop, a dentist office, an Avon cosmetics office, and an accountant's office. Other businesses suffer smoke damage. Structural damage to shopping center is estimated at $250,000. About 35 firefighters work through the night at the scene. Captain Wade M. Boyette suffers minor injuries when hot tar, from melted roofing material, falls onto his hands. Shopping center was built in mid-1960s and donated several years ago to Meredith College. [MF] (December 3, 1987) ^rt03dec87

Courtney Square Apartments at 4604 Dansey Drive burn. Fire starts about 5:30 p.m. and guts four apartments in eight-unit building. One fatality, child later found in closet. Neighbors attempt rescue by are driven back by flames. About 30 firefighters from Raleigh and New Hope battle the blaze. Fire believe started by artificial logs left on a couch. Firefighters arrived six minutes after dispatch and find building engulfed in flames. [MF] (December 5, 1987) ^no06dec87

1988

New fireground procedures take effect. (January 1, 1988) ^rfd

Station/vehicle notes:

• Car 53 moved to Station 14.

• Station 5 and Station 7 are assigned to District 2. (January 1, 1988) ^rfd

Station 19 opens at 4209 Spring Forest Road . Engine 19 placed in service with 1968 American LaFrance pumper. Photos and more information. (May 11, 1988)^rfd

Recruit academy #12 graduates 19 firefighters. The academy started on February 3. The graduation ceremony is conducted at the City Council Chambers. (June __,1988) ^rfd

Piggly Wiggly grocery story on Glenwood Avenue burns. Three alarms. [MF] (June 14, 1988) ^noi

Chemical fire strikes Post Office on New Bern Avenue. Cleaning vat catches fire about 8 p.m. in the carpentry room of the first floor. Between 200 and 250 people are evacuated from the building for almost two hours. No one is injured and damage to the room is minimal. [HM] (August 1, 1988) ^rt02aug88

Chlorine leaks into Pullen Park swimming pool, injuring thirty-seven people. Accident occurs about noon. Victims are transported by ambulances and police vans. No injuries appear serious. The 50 year-old pool is closed for several day, while equipment is investigated. [HM] (August 17, 1988) ^{rt17aug88, rt18aug88}

Apparatus note: 1988 GMC extended panel van placed in service as Special Risk and Incident Command Unit 1 or SR 1. The 23 foot long vehicle is equipped with cascade air system that can refill as many as six bottles at once in four- to five-minutes. For past five years, fire department has called Six Forks Volunteer Fire Department for air bottle assistance at major fires. Vehicle also has command center area. Responds to all Code 2 and Code 3 fires, without lights and siren Photos and more information . (August 9, 1988) ^{rt31aug88, rfd}

Apparatus note: Foam Unit 1 moved to Station 12, to make more room at Station 1. (September 1, 1988) ^rfd

Apparatus note: Truck 12 removed from service. 1980 Ford service truck moved to Station 15. (September 20, 1988) ^rfd

Apparatus notes: 

• 1988 Pierce Arrow articulating platform placed in service as Truck 1. First Pierce for fire department.
• 1979 Mack / 1958 American LaFrance aerial ladder moved from Station 1 to Station 16
• 1961 American LaFrance aerial ladder removed from service at Station 16 and placed in reserve.  (September 21, 1988)^rfd
  Photos and more information.

Tornado strikes northwest Raleigh. Storm strikes at 1:00 a.m. with virtually no warning, destroying K-Mart on Glenwood Avenue among many other buildings. Site subsequently utilized as command post and staging apparatus for incoming emergency units from surrounding counties. Four people killed, 154 injured. Dozens of businesses and hundreds of homes also damaged or destroyed. Tornado eventually tracks 83 miles through NC nearly to VA border. Trees felled in front of front and rear bay doors at Station 17, delaying response to building collapse. [WE] (November 28, 1988)

Hayes Barton Cleaners on Fairview Road burns. Three alarms. [MF] (December 2, 1988) ^noi

1989

Apparatus note:  Fifth aerial truck company placed in service as Truck 15 with 1977 Mack Aerialscope. Photos and more information. (1989)

Abbreviations

Sources