History

1957, Western Boulevard Fire Department formed.  See timeline

1961, organized after Western Boulevard Fire Department dissolves.  Incorporated as Fairgrounds Rural Fire Department, Inc. (February 24, 1961) ^sos

1961, first Fire Chief is B. J. Abbott.  First Assistant Chief is Dale Graham ^ar92

1961, fire station constructed at 1515 Blue Ridge Road.  Original building has two bays.

1962, first apparatus includes Chevy pumper originally utilized by Western Boulevard and 1959 International Harvester tanker, 2700 gallons

1962, three rows of display booths at Fairgrounds destroyed by fire.  Worker at Red Star Oil Company spots blaze in exhibition building.  Firefighters, including two Raleigh units, bring blaze under control in less than 20 minutes. (September 22, 1962) ^no23sep62

1963, Camp Polk mattress plant and woodwork warehouse destroyed by fire.  Fire is discovered about 3 p.m. at warehouse.  Winds fan flames and spread to nearby mattress factory. Total damage is about $58,000. Two fire companies from Raleigh assist. (November 14, 1963) ^{rt15nov63, no15nov63}

1964, portable restaurant at Fairgrounds destroyed by fire. Located between Dorton Arena and the Red Cross Lounge, the 50 by 100 foot eatery catches fire with around 6:20 p.m.  Between 70 and 150 people are in the restaurant when the fire starts.  First fire truck arrives at 6:32 p.m. Raleigh, Cary, and Apex respond as mutual aid. Fame of building collapses at 6:45 p.m. Damage is estimated at $100,000. Fire is watched by thousands of spectators. (October 13, 1964) ^{no14oct64, rt14oct64}

1965, Camp Polk woodworking shop suffers explosion and fire. One corner of the building is heavily damaged by 8:15 a.m. explosion.  Fire is confined to one room.  Raleigh Fire Department also responds with one unit from Station 5. (September 23, 1965) ^rt23sep65

1965, concession stands at State Fairgrounds burn.  The 4 a.m. fire alarm sweeps through 315-stretch of stands.  Public address system tower also gutted. Damage to stands is about $25,000.  Three units and 22 volunteer firefighters battle blaze. Raleigh Fire Department also responds with five men and a pumper.  (September 29, 1965) ^rt29sep65

1967 (?), apparatus delivery: 1967 tanker, 1500 gallons ^wcfar

1968-69, fire station catches fire.  Overflowing oil heater starts fire that doesn't combust.  Interior is singed.  Lenses on fire trucks are melted and paint is cracked.  Discovered by passing firefighter.  Interior is subsequently renovated. ^oh

1969, Wayside Furniture Company destroyed by fire. One firefighter is injured when a "burned out wall" falls on him during the 3 p.m. fire at 5425 Hillsborough Street Extension. B. J. Abbott, the Fairgrounds Fire Chief, is treated at Wake Memorial Hospital for "a leg broken in two places, cuts on his hands and first and second degree burns over his entire body" reports the March 29 edition of the News and Observer. Abbott was "hosing water on the burning building when the roof collapsed, knocking over a concrete block wall on him and showering him with burning debris from the roof." Four rural departments respond: Fairgrounds, Durham Highway, Yrac, and Swift Creek, as well as "units from the Raleigh Fire Department." The fire was "brought under control within about one hour." (March 28 1969)

1971, Assistant Chief Norwood C. "Dick" Massengill suffers heart attack and dies while operating apparatus. Fire engine is wrecked beyond repair on Grand Avenue while returning from false alarm and collides with trees in residential yard. Accident occurs around 2:15 p.m.  Funeral services are held at Apex Funeral Home and burial at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh (February 10, 1971) ^oh

1974 (?), apparatus deliveries: ^wcfar

• 1974 Chevrolet / American LaFrance pumper, 750 GPM, 750 gallons
• 1974 Dodge equipment van, with "quick mount air packs, generators, and lights"

1975, annual meeting held at 8:00 p.m. at the fire station (April 17, 1975) ^fdr

1975 (?), apparatus delivery: 1975 mini-pumper ^wcfar

mid-1970s, station improvements:

• day room added in rear of building.  Firefighters construct same over a series of Monday night meetings
• two additional apparatus bays.  Female workers through government work program complete same.  Fire department pays only cost of materials.  Completion takes about a year. ^oh

1985 (?), apparatus deliveries:

• 1985 Kenworth/Grumman Firecat, 2500 gallon, 1250 GPM pumper/tanker.  Placed in service as Engine 196
• 1985 Ford/Grumman Firecat, 350 GPM, 1500 gallon tanker.  Placed in service as Tanker 198

1987, furniture store on Bashford Road burns.  Many fire departments respond (January 1987) ^oh

1992, fire department moves into new station at 4120 District Drive. Building has 6,536 square-feet with six bays, sleeping quarters, and other rooms. (April 25, 1992) ^ar92

1992, Fire Chief is Percy Evans (April 25, 1992) ^ar92

1998, fire department merges with Yrac Fire Department, forming Western Wake Fire Department. (July 1, 1998)