Transcription of Mecklenburg County House Fire + Interior Collapse + Mayday – March 26, 2026

Transcription of audio recording of Mecklenburg County house fire + interior collapse + mayday on February 25, 2026.

Listen to audio recording (with truncated silence)  

Transcribed using MS Word. There are many errors, sorry.

Corrections indicated [in brackets].

Important note! Timestamps are locations in the recording and do -not- correspond to the incident chronology.

Recording started at ~9:07 p.m. 

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Stoke Creek Station 1 fire, Stoke Creek Station 2 fire, Stoke Creek Station 3 fire, CFD, Bethel Fire, TDK, Riverview Fire, Flint Hill Fire, responding for a structure fire.

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16218 Fieldstone Terrace, that’s 16218 Fieldstone Terrace, cross street are Carolina Pine Road and a dead end, ops 8, ops 8 for traffic, timeout 2108.

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Still Creek Engine 1 route.

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Still Creek Engine 1 route.

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Still Creek 9’s en route.

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Still Creek Engine 3’s en route.

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Central, Riverview Engine 1 and out.

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Still Creek 9, Still Creek Engine 3 and out.

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Riverview Engine popping out.

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My South 8.

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Still Creek Truck 2’s en route.

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Still Creek Truck 10 route.

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Battalion 5, Engine 37, Ladder 26, Structure fire, 16,218 fieldstone trace.

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Valion 5, Engine 37, and Ladder 26, Structure fire, 16,218 fieldstone trace.

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Lay in from Fields on Trace and Carolina Pine Road.

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Steel Creek Car 11’s on scene.

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I have a two-story house.

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Well involved.

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This will be a working assignment.

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Car 11 has command.

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Copy.

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Car 11 on scene.

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Command working fire.

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Command engine 3 to copy.

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Lay in.

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Copy lay in.

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Fields on…

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That’s correct.

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There’s a bunch of cars trying to lay it off to the side.

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And beach it off to the left.

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Sure, they’ll be taking vibes in route.

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Engine 37’s en route.

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CFD Battalion 5 engine 37 en route.

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One en route.

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That’s the one enjoy en route.

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All companies 360’s complete.

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We got a two-story house on the slab.

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Heavy fire zone from the rear with smoke pushing throughout.

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Steelcreek 9’s on this thing.

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Steelcreek chronology.

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Command engine 3’s playing in, we’re leaving west high.

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Command copies.

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command engine three, engine three quarter through the front door.

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Copy, engine three quarter, front door.

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Stoke Creek engine, Stoke Creek station one, station two, station three, fire, CFD, vessel, TUK, Flint Hill.

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Working structure fire, 16,218 Fieldstone trace, 16218 Fieldstone trace, cross streets, Carolina, Pine Row, and a dead end.

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Onmec ops eight, ops eight for traffic, 2113.

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Command of the hydrant man, send water.

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Water’s behind the command.

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Go ahead.

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Affirmative majority of the fire is on the seaside.

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Command copies.

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Engine 3 is making entry through the front door down.

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Command of all companies, water supplies established.

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Command of my next company that arrives.

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Make sure that supply line gets pushed off to the side.

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That way we can get one of the first truck companies all the way down.

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Central, Flint Hill Engine 2 is on scene.

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Copy that command.

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Flint Hill Engine 2 on scene.

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Command of Flint Hill Engine 2, second line.

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Clark 12 is on scene.

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Stuart Creek, current 12 on scene.

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Engine 3 to command.

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Spy heat, first pull.

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We couldn’t make the pullest to the Charlie side and hit it.

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Command copies, we’re gonna take the second line into the front end.

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Engine 37 is on scene.

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Central, if you copy, rearview engine series around.

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Rearview Engine 2 and out.

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CFD Engine 37 off.

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Go ahead.

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Command.

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Command Engine 37.

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37.

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Make your way down here.

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Need a primary.

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37, got a primary, sir.

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And…

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Command from GTL-1 Command from GTL-1 Command, go ahead.

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Later one’s arriving on scene.

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Copy, just come on up.

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1030 Command, fire to the loop from the Charlie side.

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Command, all companies arriving on scene.

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Report to Command.

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Division A.

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We have one engine coming to you with two men on board.

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Do you need any more?

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No, not at this time.

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Copy that.

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Let me know if you need any more help.

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I got a couple more people here.

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Car, load Engine Command.

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Command, steel freak 11.

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Steel Creek Truck 2’s on scene.

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Steel Creek Engine 1’s on scene.

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Steel Creek Truck 2 Engine 1 location.

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37 portable 3 to command.

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You find you’re heavy fire on the first floor.

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Command, go ahead.

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You find you’ve got heavy fire on the second floor.

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Car landing to command.

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Car…

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Hey, how’s the first floor looking?

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First floor, first floor is looking good.

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I’m doing the second 360 now.

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Okay, send engine 3, first line to the second floor then.

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I’m gonna hold the first.

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You advise, send engine 3’s crew to the second floor.

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That’s correct.

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I’m gonna hold the first floor with the second line.

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Copy.

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Engine 3, car 11, already in the process of doing that.

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Command 11.

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That’s right.

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Command, go ahead.

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Death inability started at this time.

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Central Riverview Engine 1 on scene.

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Command, you’re on assignment.

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Riverview, you’ve come to the command post.

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Central Command, FMO is already on scene.

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Correction, responding.

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They’re responding.

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Copy.

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Engine 37, Command.

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Command, go ahead.

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Primary complete.

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Second floor, Mango.

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We’re working on the first floor now.

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Copy.

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Central F Engine 1 on scene.

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Bethel copy on scene.

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Command, all companies on the scene in Central Steel Creek 11 will be suppression.

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Suppression to command.

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Suppression to command.

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Command, go ahead.

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Booster line from engine three to the Charlie side.

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Suppression to engine three.

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The whole Charlie side second floor is well involved.

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I see you’re making progress though.

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Command, suppressing the car at 11.

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If the first floor is holding, go ahead and take that second line to the second floor.

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We’ve got jammed up on the stairs, but we’re trying to get up there.

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Make our way.

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BT-5’s on scene.

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CFD-25 on scene.

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30-70 command.

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Primary complete, power structure is negative.

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You advise primary is complete first and second now.

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Affirmative is negative.

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Command the central primary is complete first and second floor negative.

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Central copies.

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Engine 3 to command for corrections.

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Command the suppression.

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Yeah I have for suppression.

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The majority of the fire second floor is going to be the CD corner.

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Yeah I got it.

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We need a third inch and three corridor to go around the Charlie sign.

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Copy.

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369 to command.

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And go ahead.

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Go ahead, medic.

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We’re going to be set up behind tower one for rehab.

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Do you need your guys or anyone else?

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Copy.

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Go ahead.

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Central Copy is review at our on scene.

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Command, which utilities do you need, sir, out there?

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Luke Tower and Tiedmont.

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10-4.

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Tower 12 is suppressed.

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Engine three, ready for the green line to be charged.

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Affirmative.

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Mass.

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Have the third inch and three quarter on the seaside.

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You want them to make entry?

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That’s correct.

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We just moved the two lines that are inside to the second floor, so just.

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Keep that one down in the hole at the first.

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Copy.

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Command, repeat your message.

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Why are you looking for the outside now?

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Central River Engine 2, I’m saying.

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Riverview Engine 2 on team.

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Command, Riverview 9.

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Go ahead.

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I mean personnel.

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Two of us.

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Copy, just come up to the command place.

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Copy, I’m going to gear up.

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Command, Riverview 9.

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Go ahead.

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As you’re coming down, grab the air cylinders off of Steel Creek Engine 1, bring them down here.

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Copy.

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Battery, this is portable too, if you were going to bring air cylinders up here off the truck.

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You want the air cylinders?

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Yeah, just go ahead and get us home and bring them up here.

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2K9 suppression.

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2K9 suppressions.

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Go ahead for suppression.

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Okay, well, I’m sure you’re obviously aware.

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Today’s volume was presented to all the corner.

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You got a lot of involvement in the eaves, all four sides.

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Command of suppression.

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Got it.

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That rear bedroom on the CD, they said the floor doors are starting to fall out underneath.

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Okay, I copy.

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Command, something.

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Go ahead.

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Ladder 26 will be a rip team.

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Are they confirming CFD, Ladder 26, rip?

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Command, all companies have collapsed on the second floor.

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Suppressing the command.

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Have the evacuation tone sounded.

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We need to work on the car.

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Cartel, are you good where you are?

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Copy.

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Command to central.

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I’m trying to…

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Go ahead.

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Activate the evacuation tones, please.

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Command 310.

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Collapsed on firefighter.

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Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.

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Suppressing to come in, need a full second line with the rescue.

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Go ahead for the Mayday.

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We’re at the stairwell on the first floor.

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We have a very nice.

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Central to all units.

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Mayday has been a clearance to creek engine one.

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All fire, ground traffic, move to ops 10, mech ops 10.

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Central to all units.

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Mayday has been a clearance to creek engine one.

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All fire, ground traffic, move to ops 10, mech ops 10.

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Command, go ahead.

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We believe he’s under the section for that club, and the living room on the first floor.

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We are assisting with that contract.

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You don’t have to repeat.

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First floor, where’s the second club?

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Into the living room.

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We believe there’s a firefighter.

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We are assisting the contract.

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Safety one.

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Structure fire.

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16,218 fieldstone trace.

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On the M.

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Light.

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K.

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Kilo.

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O.

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Oscar.

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P.

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Papa.

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Eight.

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Safety one.

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Structure fire.

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16,218 fieldstone trace.

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On the M.

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Light.

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K.

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Kilo.

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O.

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Oscar.

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P.

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Papa.

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Eight.

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Can you grab a floor?

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Man, I’ll get you.

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The man, I’m going to hold you too.

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And you fall apart.

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We are here to find us for down fireman.

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Engine 38, structure fire.

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16,218 fieldstone trace.

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OEM, Mike, K, Kilo, O, Oscar, P, Papa, 8.

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Engine 38, structure fire.

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16,218 fieldstone trace.

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OEM, Mike, K, Kilo, O, Oscar, P, Papa, 8.

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Command, the central.

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Go ahead.

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Battalion 5 will be in charge of rescues for the maydays.

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Copy.

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Start me two more additional medic units.

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Ladder 20, structure fire.

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16,218 fieldstone trace.

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On the M, Mike, K, Kilo, O, Oscar, P, Papa, 8.

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Ladder 20, structure fire.

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16,218 fieldstone trace.

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On the M, Mike, K, Kilo, O, Oscar, P, Papa, 8.

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10-4, we’ve started them.

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Battalion 8, structure fire, 16,000 shu-18 fieldstone trace.

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On the M, Mike, K, Kilo, O, Oscar, P, Papa, 8.

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Battalion 8, structure fire, 16,000 shu-18 fieldstone trace.

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On the M, Mike, K, Kilo, O, Oscar, P, Papa, 8.

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Command of suppression.

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Oh, you’re still there.

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Oh, you said that.

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I got the first one of us in.

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He has a lot of problems.

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Man, we found the first one and we’re trying to make data.

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Facebook comes right now.

00:14:29 Speaker 4

Central law, strong lighter 20’s responding on this by throwing that cop page.

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Engine 20, structure fire.

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16,218 fieldstone trace.

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On the M, Mike, K, Kilo, O, Oscar, P, Papa, 8.

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Engine 20, structure fire.

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16,218 fieldstone trace.

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On the M, Mike, K, Kilo, O, Oscar, P, Papa, 8.

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It’s how we started to come in.

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I’ve got one company inside on the line.

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They’re holding the fire away from us.

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I got a second crew.

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We’re trying to make access to a downed firefighter right now.

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That’s all I need at the moment so we can figure out what we got.

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Medic 71 Command, fuel stone.

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Medic Command, incoming Medic 71.

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Can I fire off the front?

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Can you hear a letter one, Engineer?

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I’m cool.

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Directions to all sham means on hand lines, continue to operate them.

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Directions to ladder 22, power 22.

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Detective Piloter Command.

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We’re working on getting the down flight there on air right now.

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I don’t know if we have access from the trolley, but if you can have somebody start working on trying to make access, it might help us.

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Can you come to the Bravo side, the rear window, we can make a door here.

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Okay, we’ll see what we can do.

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Copy.

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Command.

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They’re looking for reef.

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Command, go ahead.

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MG 121 command a medic command a medic

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Commands 117, I’m having 69 move back over to Ops 10 and go direct with you, sir.

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Additional truck, myself and another supervisor, en route to your location.

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Copy.

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Danger in 40 minutes or any one on Ops 10, on the outside.

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I need it on Ops 10, repeat.

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You’re involved in the mayhead, move to Ops V.

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Anybody else on Top 10, firefight.

00:17:12 Speaker 4

See you, J9.

00:17:15 Speaker 1

Uh, TK-9?

00:17:17 Speaker 4

We need to get that car started immediately.

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TK-9, rearview nine.

00:17:23 Speaker 4

If I got any units in, call out to y’all to try to get powered up.

00:17:28 Speaker 5

Victorian Project Command, can we have somebody bring us a neutralic spreader through the alpha side?

00:17:35 Speaker 5

We’re going to try to lift to make some move for you.

00:17:40 Speaker 4

TK-9, rearview nine.

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Hydraulic spreader through the Alpha Pi.

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That’s correct.

00:17:49 Speaker 5

Okay, update.

00:17:51 Speaker 5

We have him on air.

00:17:55 Speaker 5

If we can have a second rig pack, come through the Alpha Pi so we got a clear photo walking home.

00:18:08 Speaker 4

Second rip pass, copy.

00:18:10 Speaker 4

And then he’s drawing spreader.

00:18:12 Speaker 5

That’s correct.

00:18:16 Speaker 4

2K9 to command.

00:18:20 Speaker 4

3K9 Riverview 9.

00:18:21 Speaker 4

Go ahead Riverview 9.

00:18:23 Speaker 4

Steel Creek 9 was asking for par.

00:18:25 Speaker 1

Okay.

00:18:27 Speaker 4

All companies stand by for par.

00:18:29 Speaker 4

Steel Creek region 1.

00:18:33 Speaker 5

Central Command.

00:18:34 Speaker 4

Command of the second floor.

00:18:36 Speaker 5

Hey, we need an E-RI-X spider to the Rhino side.

00:18:41 Speaker 4

Spreaders coming in through the door now.

00:18:45 Speaker 4

Steel Creek 1, UPAR.

00:18:48 Speaker 1

Charlotte Fire, Engine 38’s on scene.

00:18:50 Speaker 5

Man, we’re going to do the second way through coming in the door.

00:18:54 Speaker 4

Steel Creek Engine 3, UPAR.

00:18:56 Speaker 4

Command Engine 30, Captain.

00:19:01 Speaker 5

Okay, third to command.

00:19:03 Speaker 5

I’m up there, but we need a rip crew stand line to replace.

00:19:08 Speaker 5

I just wouldn’t fix these mill at the front row.

00:19:11 Speaker 4

Steel Creek Truck 2, are you par?

00:19:14 Speaker 4

You’re unreadable.

00:19:16 Speaker 5

Truck 2 is par.

00:19:18 Speaker 4

Riverview Engine 2, par?

00:19:20 Speaker 4

Truck 2 par.

00:19:22 Speaker 4

Copy additional rip crew.

00:19:24 Speaker 4

Command Engine 3.

00:19:26 Speaker 5

Par.

00:19:28 Speaker 4

Riverview Engine 1.

00:19:29 Speaker 2

Central Truck 2, did you have traffic?

00:19:32 Speaker 4

Riverview Engine 1, are you par?

00:19:38 Speaker 2

10-4 on market.

00:19:40 Speaker 4

Flint Hill Engine 2, bar check.

00:19:43 Speaker 4

2GK Ladder 1, bar check.

00:19:45 Speaker 2

Central to Riverview, Steel Creek Truck 2, announced par on 8.

00:19:51 Speaker 4

Okay, I got Truck 2.

00:19:52 Speaker 4

Flint Hill Engine 2, are you par?

00:19:54 Speaker 4

2GK Ladder 1, are you par?

00:19:56 Speaker 4

I’m getting a fresh bottle so you can hear me because I’m going right back in.

00:20:02 Speaker 4

Copy, very small.

00:20:07 Speaker 4

Shell of Fire, Engine 37, are you par?

00:20:10 Speaker 2

Central, Command.

00:20:11 Speaker 4

37, par.

00:20:13 Speaker 4

Command, go ahead.

00:20:15 Speaker 4

Bethel Engine 1, are you par?

00:20:17 Speaker 2

20, sir, move up for your area.

00:20:19 Speaker 4

I can only account for myself.

00:20:21 Speaker 4

I do not know where Mason is.

00:20:23 Speaker 4

10-4, thank you.

00:20:25 Speaker 2

I’ll start it.

00:20:26 Speaker 1

Central, Fort Mill Fire Car 1.

00:20:29 Speaker 4

Command, the central.

00:20:30 Speaker 2

Go ahead.

00:20:31 Speaker 4

As stated earlier, the primary is complete negative.

00:20:35 Speaker 4

Secondary was half done before the collapse.

00:20:38 Speaker 4

At this time, there’s one firefighter trapped inside with rip crews around him working for extrication.

00:20:45 Speaker 4

So it is what you’ll see.

00:20:47 Speaker 1

Central, Fort Mill Fire, Card One.

00:20:50 Speaker 2

Charl engine 20 car beyond scene.

00:20:51 Speaker 2

Central copies update primary was complete.

00:20:53 Speaker 2

Negative secondary half done.

00:20:55 Speaker 2

Structure collapsed.

00:20:56 Speaker 2

One firefighter trapped currently working on extrication.

00:21:00 Speaker 1

I’m setting formal engine 3 to Steel Creek Station 3 for coverage.

00:21:07 Speaker 4

Copy.

00:21:07 Speaker 4

Command engine 20 and engine 38 bring all personnel to Division A.

00:21:14 Speaker 1

Sir, just confirm which 4 mil unit is going to be for coverage.

00:21:17 Speaker 1

4 mil, engine 3, and they’re in route to station 3 at this time.

00:21:24 Speaker 1

Got that, sir.

00:21:25 Speaker 1

4 mil, engine 3.

00:21:26 Speaker 1

Station 3 for coverage.

00:21:29 Speaker 5

Support engine to command.

00:21:32 Speaker 4

Command, go ahead.

00:21:34 Speaker 5

I need as many Sawzalls as we can get.

00:21:37 Speaker 5

The gunfire is on there.

00:21:39 Speaker 5

He’s moving.

00:21:41 Speaker 5

We’re working on getting him.

00:21:43 Speaker 4

Copy.

00:21:44 Speaker 4

Sawzalls inside.

00:21:47 Speaker 5

30 is sent by his.

00:21:50 Speaker 4

Command of suppression.

00:21:51 Speaker 5

Yeah.

00:21:53 Speaker 4

Have you identified the firefighter department?

00:21:56 Speaker 5

Negative.

00:21:57 Speaker 4

Copy.

00:21:58 Speaker 5

It’s a member from DEPL.

00:22:02 Speaker 4

Command of rescue.

00:22:03 Speaker 4

Hey, in five.

00:22:07 Speaker 4

We got two fresh crews out here.

00:22:09 Speaker 4

Do you want to swap some people?

00:22:11 Speaker 5

I’ll be nice.

00:22:11 Speaker 5

Stand by.

00:22:13 Speaker 4

Steel Creek Command from 117.

00:22:15 Speaker 4

I’m on location, coming to you.

00:22:17 Speaker 4

Where can I face to face with you?

00:22:32 Speaker 4

Charlotte Ladder 20.

00:22:35 Speaker 5

Pineville Fire, station move up.

00:22:38 Speaker 4

We’re bringing solids to the apple side.

00:22:42 Speaker 5

This is Still Creek Station 3, area 16315 York Blood Road.

00:22:46 Speaker 5

Station move up, 16315 York Blood Road.

00:22:50 Speaker 4

I need more of DeWalt batteries to the Bravo side.

00:22:53 Speaker 4

Every DeWalt battery to the Bravo side.

00:22:56 Speaker 4

50-510 Command to Central.

00:22:59 Speaker 4

Command, Department Flight Service.

00:23:03 Speaker 2

Copy flight.

00:23:04 Speaker 5

Command from Engine 38.

00:23:07 Speaker 4

Command, go ahead.

00:23:09 Speaker 5

We’ve got a hose line while performing the search.

00:23:13 Speaker 5

We need more pressure on that line, please.

00:23:15 Speaker 4

Copy.

00:23:16 Speaker 4

Engine 3, did you copy?

00:23:19 Speaker 5

Mercury 5 to command.

00:23:21 Speaker 5

We’re trying to clean it off of him now.

00:23:26 Speaker 5

Hopefully we’ll have him freeze in.

00:23:28 Speaker 5

Pete, do not copy.

00:23:29 Speaker 4

Command, copy.

00:23:32 Speaker 4

Ventral, sirplane 09 in route.

00:23:34 Speaker 4

Man, sirplane.

00:23:36 Speaker 5

Fine.

00:23:36 Speaker 4

Are you having to move up handle the lane’s on?

00:23:45 Speaker 5

Firefighter engine.

00:23:47 Speaker 5

It’s a private command.

00:23:49 Speaker 5

Firefighter’s going to be made from vessel.

00:23:54 Speaker 4

Copy.

00:23:55 Speaker 2

Central command.

00:23:56 Speaker 4

Command, go ahead.

00:23:58 Speaker 2

Medical Command on Scene 117 is advising for us to hold off on flight at this time based off of the trucks on scene and how they’re going to transport.

00:24:06 Speaker 4

Copy, we were making a request because of the time down.

00:24:10 Speaker 2

Central Commander, it sounds like we’ve got Medic 58 about to pull up.

00:24:13 Speaker 2

They want 58 standing by to transport immediately once they get their hands on the patient.

00:24:18 Speaker 2

They advise to hold off on flight.

00:24:23 Speaker 4

Awesome.

00:24:24 Speaker 2

Legal Command says he’s on his way to you to go face to face, discuss with you.

00:24:28 Speaker 4

Rescue 10 to command.

00:24:29 Speaker 4

Go ahead.

00:24:31 Speaker 4

We’re on scene, what do you do?

00:24:33 Speaker 4

Rescue 10 come all the way up to the command post there for Vision A and we’ll…

00:24:39 Speaker 4

I have something for you.

00:24:41 Speaker 4

Copy.

00:24:41 Speaker 4

Command will attack Battalion 5.

00:24:45 Speaker 4

Rescue 10’s on the scene, press crew, do you need them in there?

00:24:49 Speaker 5

Okay, 5 to command.

00:24:51 Speaker 5

He needs a new style wet pack for the new style air packs on the inside.

00:24:55 Speaker 5

If we can find one, we need it now.

00:24:59 Speaker 4

Copy.

00:25:01 Speaker 1

Command, Flint Hill engine, or Flint Hill 9.

00:25:03 Speaker 1

We have one on Flint Hill Engine 2, if you can get to that truck.

00:25:07 Speaker 4

I’m not allowed to Flint Hill Engine 2 now.

00:25:09 Speaker 2

Central to Battalion 8, are you on update?

00:25:11 Speaker 1

Charlotte car 20’s on the scene.

00:25:15 Speaker 5

Command for Mission 38.

00:25:16 Speaker 5

Central to Command.

00:25:20 Speaker 5

A spreader through the bravo side windows and door.

00:25:23 Speaker 2

Central to Command.

00:25:25 Speaker 5

Mission 38, onto Dission 2.

00:25:28 Speaker 4

Command, go ahead.

00:25:29 Speaker 5

Primary complete on the second floor, negative.

00:25:33 Speaker 5

We’re going to continue hitting high front.

00:25:36 Speaker 5

I’ll let you have another assignment.

00:25:38 Speaker 4

10-4.

00:25:39 Speaker 4

Just stay on the second floor.

00:25:42 Speaker 5

Copy.

00:25:43 Speaker 5

Remain on the second floor.

00:25:45 Speaker 2

Central to Command.

00:25:46 Speaker 4

Command.

00:25:48 Speaker 1

Central, 443.

00:25:49 Speaker 2

We’re on emergency button activation.

00:25:51 Speaker 2

Looks like CSD’s radio Battalion 8 portable one.

00:25:54 Speaker 4

Copy.

00:25:55 Speaker 2

Central CSD Battalion 8.

00:25:58 Speaker 1

So that’s 4 mill car one.

00:25:59 Speaker 1

4 mill car one again.

00:26:01 Speaker 4

Battalion 8 is good on activation.

00:26:04 Speaker 1

4 mill car one in Stewart Creek Station 3’s area.

00:26:08 Speaker 1

4 mill engine 3 is currently in route with about a 7 minute ETA.

00:26:11 Speaker 1

Copy.

00:26:13 Speaker 4

Card one.

00:26:14 Speaker 1

Station 3.

00:26:15 Speaker 1

Card one copy.

00:26:17 Speaker 1

Attorney at Station 3.

00:26:19 Speaker 5

Okay, fine, how are you?

00:26:21 Speaker 5

Hold on, come up.

00:26:23 Speaker 1

And Formula Engine 3’s en route, 7 minutes, 8 minute, 8-2.

00:26:26 Speaker 5

I need a hole.

00:26:28 Speaker 5

I need a hole, I’m going outside.

00:26:31 Speaker 1

Cop, we’ll leave our channels on Mac for dispatching.

00:26:36 Speaker 1

Comment, sir.

00:26:37 Speaker 5

Hi, 11, he’s a man.

00:26:39 Speaker 4

Command.

00:26:41 Speaker 5

The down fireman’s free.

00:26:43 Speaker 1

We’re working on doing him out now.

00:26:45 Speaker 1

As soon as he’s out, everybody needs to finish evacuating into a second car.

00:26:52 Speaker 4

Copy.

00:26:52 Speaker 4

We’ve got a stretcher waiting on him out here.

00:26:55 Speaker 2

Central Command, do you have an update on that firefighter’s condition?

00:26:58 Speaker 4

Consciously, he’s talking with rescue personnel.

00:27:01 Speaker 2

10-4.

00:27:02 Speaker 4

Car 11 to Command.

00:27:05 Speaker 4

Command, ladder two.

00:27:06 Speaker 4

Truck two, Command, go ahead.

00:27:09 Speaker 4

Truck two, you still on the second floor?

00:27:11 Speaker 4

Hey, get one outside.

00:27:13 Speaker 4

Copy.

00:27:15 Speaker 4

Cayenne, all company’s on the team.

00:27:16 Speaker 4

Stand by for a second par.

00:27:19 Speaker 4

Steel Creek Engine one.

00:27:23 Speaker 4

Cayenne, Steel Creek Engine one.

00:27:25 Speaker 4

Engine one’s far.

00:27:27 Speaker 4

Steel Creek Engine three.

00:27:29 Speaker 4

Are you par?

00:27:30 Speaker 4

Command, it’s okay.

00:27:31 Speaker 4

Go ahead.

00:27:33 Speaker 4

Firefighter is out in the house for rescues.

00:27:36 Speaker 4

Getting ready to be transported with medics.

00:27:40 Speaker 2

10-4.

00:27:41 Speaker 4

Also, the second car is being done at this time.

00:27:44 Speaker 2

Essential copies.

00:27:46 Speaker 4

Which FMO units on route?

00:27:49 Speaker 2

It’s 1106 Opera.

00:27:52 Speaker 2

Correction.

00:27:55 Speaker 2

Essential Command, correction.

00:27:56 Speaker 2

It’s 1101 now, Wilson.

00:27:59 Speaker 2

Opera is on scene.

00:28:01 Speaker 4

10-4.

00:28:03 Speaker 4

Steel Creek Truck 2.

00:28:05 Speaker 4

Are you par?

00:28:07 Speaker 4

Battalion 8, this is Steel Creek Truck 2.

00:28:13 Speaker 2

Steel Creek Truck 2, you’re cleaning up, you’re not getting out.

00:28:16 Speaker 4

Steel Creek Truck 2, we’re fired.

00:28:19 Speaker 4

Riverview Engine 2.

00:28:22 Speaker 4

Engine 3, guys.

00:28:23 Speaker 4

Par?

00:28:25 Speaker 4

Stay mine.

00:28:26 Speaker 1

Battalion 8, Engine 38.

00:28:28 Speaker 4

Engine 38, are you par?

00:28:29 Speaker 5

38 is par.

00:28:31 Speaker 4

Battalion 5, are you par?

00:28:33 Speaker 4

Battalion 5 is far.

00:28:35 Speaker 4

Battalion 8, ladder 26, par check.

00:28:38 Speaker 4

We’re far.

00:28:39 Speaker 4

Command, all companies on the scene.

00:28:42 Speaker 4

If you’re inside, do not move or miss with the air pack from the downed fireman.

00:28:48 Speaker 4

Leave it where you find it.

00:28:50 Speaker 4

Steel Creek 12, par check.

00:28:53 Speaker 5

Par.

00:28:54 Speaker 4

Steel Creek 11.

00:28:56 Speaker 4

He’s far also.

00:28:58 Speaker 4

Steel Creek Engine.

00:28:59 Speaker 4

Are you far?

00:29:01 Speaker 4

Steel Creek Engine 3.

00:29:02 Speaker 4

Steel Creek, Engine 1-3.

00:29:05 Speaker 2

Engine 3, you’re keen enough knocking out.

00:29:08 Speaker 4

10-8, Engine 20.

00:29:09 Speaker 4

Engine 20, far.

00:29:12 Speaker 1

Flint Hill, Engine 2.

00:29:14 Speaker 4

Flint Hill, Engine 2, are you far?

00:29:15 Speaker 4

Flint Hill, Engine 2 is far.

00:29:22 Speaker 4

Car 9.

00:29:23 Speaker 4

Engine 1 is far from Steel Creek.

00:29:26 Speaker 1

Copy, Car 20.

00:29:27 Speaker 4

Just looking for Engine 3 now.

00:29:30 Speaker 4

Engine 3 is far.

00:29:32 Speaker 1

Copy.

00:29:33 Speaker 1

Battalion 8, Central.

00:29:35 Speaker 4

Power complete.

00:29:37 Speaker 2

Copy, power complete.

00:29:38 Speaker 4

Central, Riverview Squad 1.

00:29:41 Speaker 2

Go ahead.

00:29:43 Speaker 2

Riverview Squad 1 in our.

00:29:45 Speaker 1

Central, window 9 on scene.

00:29:47 Speaker 4

Charlotte, card 20 to command.

00:29:49 Speaker 1

Charlotte, card 20 to command.

00:29:52 Speaker 4

Command.

00:29:53 Speaker 4

I’m just confirming that we have a full PAR, and I know TKK, Chief, was handling that.

00:29:58 Speaker 1

We have an audible pass device inside.

00:30:01 Speaker 1

We just don’t want to assume it’s the downed firefighters that we have since got now.

00:30:06 Speaker 1

We’re just trying to confirm that.

00:30:08 Speaker 4

PAR is complete.

00:30:10 Speaker 4

Oh, yeah.

00:30:11 Speaker 1

Central Review Squad 1.

00:30:13 Speaker 4

Go ahead.

00:30:15 Speaker 1

Review Squad 1 on scene.

00:30:16 Speaker 2

Copy on scene.

00:30:17 Speaker 4

Command of battalion 5.

00:30:19 Speaker 4

Go ahead, command.

00:30:21 Speaker 4

You come back to day 5.

00:30:23 Speaker 4

Engine 20 to Command.

00:30:24 Speaker 4

Command, go ahead, 20.

00:30:26 Speaker 5

Command, we got a small fire on the second floor.

00:30:29 Speaker 5

On 72 extinguished now.

00:30:31 Speaker 4

Copy.

00:30:32 Speaker 4

Battalion 5 Dolls, Charlie Unit.

00:30:34 Speaker 4

Have your officers meet us at the Bravo side.

00:30:38 Speaker 4

Command, Engine 20.

00:30:40 Speaker 5

Go ahead, Command.

00:30:41 Speaker 4

Go ahead and start making your way back out.

00:30:42 Speaker 4

Copy.

00:30:44 Speaker 5

That, we’re on our way out.

00:30:46 Speaker 4

Command, the simple.

00:30:48 Speaker 5

Go ahead.

00:30:49 Speaker 4

We’re releasing Riverview at this time.

00:30:51 Speaker 4

they’re going to man their station two the system calls in steel Creek 1049 steel Creek nine review nine go ahead got the news media coming to you office engine three drivers go ahead all lines are shut down Charlotte safety one at command command go ahead

00:31:17 Speaker 4

He’s made entry on the Bravo side.

00:31:19 Speaker 4

Just confirming we have a red team on standby.

00:31:23 Speaker 4

Engine 20’s out here in the front.

00:31:25 Speaker 4

Do you want them to move to the side?

00:31:27 Speaker 1

Affirmative.

00:31:28 Speaker 2

Central to Command.

00:31:30 Speaker 4

Command, go ahead.

00:31:31 Speaker 2

I might have misunderstood earlier.

00:31:33 Speaker 2

I gave Riverview standby numbers for Steel Creek Station 2.

00:31:36 Speaker 2

Is that where they were standing by?

00:31:38 Speaker 4

Megan, they were going to be running out of Riverview Station 2.

00:31:43 Speaker 2

10-4.

00:31:44 Speaker 4

Central Riverview Engine 2.

00:31:46 Speaker 2

You can disregard those numbers for Steel Creek Station 2.

00:31:49 Speaker 2

I was just trying to notate that you guys were standing by.

00:31:51 Speaker 4

You can show River U Engine 2 clear from Fieldstone and route to our Station 2 to stand by for Steel Creek.

00:31:58 Speaker 2

Copying.

00:31:59 Speaker 4

Engineer feature, are you maxed out on reach?

00:32:02 Speaker 4

Alright, flow straight down.

00:32:03 Speaker 4

You’re right.

00:32:03 Speaker 4

Everybody clear in the back.

00:32:05 Speaker 4

Everybody’s clear.

00:32:06 Speaker 4

Hold on once they let it do get its meter pulled.

00:32:08 Speaker 4

Hold the water.

00:32:09 Speaker 4

Aim your nozzle straight down.

00:32:11 Speaker 4

Are you ready for the water?

00:32:12 Speaker 4

Yeah, you’re good.

00:32:14 Speaker 4

Water getting ready to come out of line.

00:32:15 Speaker 2

Central Command.

00:32:17 Speaker 4

Go ahead.

00:32:18 Speaker 2

Did your utilities get on scene?

00:32:21 Speaker 4

Copy.

00:32:21 Speaker 4

Duke Power just finished pulling the meter.

00:32:24 Speaker 4

Piedmont’s been gone 15 minutes.

00:32:27 Speaker 1

10-4.

00:32:28 Speaker 4

Ready for water on the aerial?

00:32:29 Speaker 4

Yeah, go ahead.

00:32:31 Speaker 4

Peter, if you go to a little more of a fog, just let it eat where it’s at.

00:32:34 Speaker 4

Central Review Squad 1.

00:32:36 Speaker 2

Go ahead.

00:32:37 Speaker 4

Central Review Squad 1 clear from the fire.

00:32:39 Speaker 2

10-4.

00:32:41 Speaker 2

Central Command.

00:32:42 Speaker 4

Command.

00:32:43 Speaker 2

I know CFD’s already handled Red Cross.

00:32:45 Speaker 2

Do you need anything else at this time right now?

00:32:48 Speaker 4

Negative.

00:32:49 Speaker 2

10-4.

00:32:50 Speaker 1

CFD Engine 38, clearing fieldstone trace, going back to main alarm.

00:32:55 Speaker 2

Central copies, thank you.

00:32:56 Speaker 4

Engine 141 to Engine 3 driver, will you charge this green line?

00:33:00 Speaker 4

TKK ladder, go ahead and shut down.

00:33:02 Speaker 4

We’re going to assess the rear.

00:33:04 Speaker 4

Steel Creek, Engine 141 to Engine 3 driver.

00:33:07 Speaker 4

Green 4 on the green line.

00:33:10 Speaker 4

And you’re three on eight now.

00:33:12 Speaker 1

Copy that.

00:33:14 Speaker 1

Green line’s good, thank you.

00:33:16 Speaker 1

Agent 37, we’re clear.

00:33:18 Speaker 2

Scene 37, clear, thank you.

00:33:21 Speaker 1

Charlotte, safety one, central.

00:33:23 Speaker 1

Clear scene.

00:33:25 Speaker 2

Safety one, copy, clear, 2324.

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Early History of the Louisburg Fire Department

This posting presents research notes on the early history of the Louisburg Fire Department in Franklin County, NC. It supplements the research of Al Peoples and Larry Peoples as presented in their 2012 book The Louisburg Fire Department: A History.

1876, Mar 03 – Franklin Courier

A Suggestion. — Several times lately we have felt the need of some organization, for the better protection of our property against fire. At present we are depended entirely on an unorganized, unfurnished, excited crowd, who in their wild frenzy, when the alarm bell rings, have nothing with which to contend with the devouring elements.

An engine, with our poor facilities for managing it, would be impracticable, and to sink reservoirs would involve an expense too heavy besides be a heavy tax to keep in repair. What then is best? We suggest that several public wells be dug, which are much needed for the citizens anyway, and that a number of Gutta Percha buckets say thirty or forty, and several sliding ladders and long handle hooks be purchased either by the citizens or the town authorities, and also a number of small force pumps, with this defence, we think that our property will be much more secure, than if we go to the expense of purchasing an engine and hose. We throw out these suggestions, hoping that the citizens will meet and consider them, or others if in their judgment they may think best. But we do think that some step ought to be taken, and that without delay for a better protection against fire, and we hope the matter will not be postponed, but action will be taken and at once. Let us have buckets, ladders, hooks and hand pumps, and organize a hook and ladder company.
 
1893, September – Sanborn Maps

Population 900.
No Steam & No Hand Engines
No Independent Hose Carts
Water Facilities: Not Good.

1893, Nov 2 – Franklin Times

Very Important

It is very important that all towns should have some kind of equipments for putting out fires, and strange to say, that although Louisburg has very often experienced the great want of something of the kind, yet the town has no organized fire department whatever, and whenever a fire occurs the only dependance is wooden buckets. We are led to this subject at this time by the following from the Charlotte Observer:

It seems almost remarkable that so many small towns should go on indefinitely, absolutely without protection of any sort against fire. In almost every case where a small town is swept away by fire, the news is accompanied by the report that the fire when first discovered could have been put out with one bucket of water. The equipment usually put up by a railroad company to furnish water to locomotives would in most cases save a small town. This equipment is a tank that will hold about fifty thousand gallons of water and a small steam pump and boiler to fill it. The whole outfit can be put up for $2,500 to $3,000 and the hose necessary to reach most of the stores in small towns would not cost over $1,000. Inside of five thousand dollars expended would make a fair fire protection for thousands of small towns that are now absolutely at the mercy of the flames.

1893, Nov 3 – Franklin Times

Fire District.

At a recent meeting of the commissioners of the Town of Louisburg, the ordinance in regard to the fire district was amended to read as follows:

Ordinance 12. The following shall be the fire limits of the town of Louisburg, viz: Within 200 feet of that part of Main street lying between Tar River bridge and the residence now occupied by O. H. Harris, within 200 feet of Nash street between Spring street and the ditch near the Franklin warehouse; within 200 feet of Court street; within 200 feet of Market street, and within said limits no wooden building shall be built or placed, nor any material used in the construction of the outside walls except stone, brick or cement; nor shall any building within said limits be covered or recovered with any wooden material.

By order of the Board,
J. A. Thomas, Mayor.
Geo. S. Baker, Clerk.

1896, Feb 7 – Franklin Times

Let us have the fire company. Also the hook and ladder company.

1896, April 3 – Franklin Times

What will the town fathers do about a fire department? Shall we have it, or shall we continue to take the risk with water buckets?

1898, Feb 18 – Franklin Times

At last our town authorities are taking steps toward furnishing some kind of apparatus to fight fire. R. G. Hart, one of our Commissioners, went to Greensboro this week to inspect a “truck” which the fire department of that city offered our town at a very reasonable price. Our GREATEST need is water works, but we commend this step on the part of our “city fathers” to “do something” in this direction. A hook and ladder and bucket company will be a great help when fires break out, and when the Legislature meets the authorities can then get the necessary legislation to furnish the town with a sufficient water supply.

1898, March – Sanborn Maps

Population 1,500
No Steam & No Hand Engines
No Independent Hose Carts; 1 H. & L. Truck with 4 Chem’l Ext’g’s
Water Facilities: Not Good.

1898, March 23 – Franklin Times

The town authorities have purchased a hook and ladder truck from the town of Greensboro, and it will arrive in a few days. It was bought at a great bargain, and the Times commends the Commissioners for taking steps toward the establishment of some kind of system to aid in extinguishing fire. Now for water works. A small hand engine would be a good investment until the water works is established.

1898, May 23 – Greensboro Evening Telegram

Chief J. J. Stone went to Louisburg this morning to formally deliver the hook and ladder truck purchased from Greensboro by the Louisburg fire department.

1898, Jun 10 – Franklin Times

ANNUAL STATEMENT

OF THE TREASURER OF THE TOWN OF LOUISBURG FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 1ST MONDAY IN JUNE 1898.

GENERAL PURPOSE FUND.

DISBURSEMENTS

paid Hook & Ladder Wagon 350.00

1904, February – Sanborn Maps

Population 1,500
Prevailing Winds S.W. in Winter.
Water Facilities: None.
No Steam & No Hand Engine
No Independent Hose Cart
No Hook & Ladder Truck

Note.
Streets: Piked.
Streets Lighted by Oil.
One Night Watchman.
Fire Alarm Court Ho. Bell & All Church Bells.

1905, Oct 20 – Franklin Times

A Fire Department was created and Wm. Bailey was unanimously elected Chief of said department.

[ This action occurred a special meeting of the town board on Monday night that was called for the purpose of accepting the newly completed waterworks and sewerage plant. ]

1906, Feb 2 – Franklin Times

The Times is requested by S. C. Ford, Foreman of the Fire Department, to announce that there will be a meeting of the fire company on next Monday night, and it is desired that every member be present. The meeting will be held in the new quarters—third floor of Fire Department building.

1906, Feb 2 – Franklin Times

The new house for the Fire Department, located at the foot of Market street, is nearing completion, and it presents a very neat appearance. It is three stories, including the basement. The basement will be used for the street team and implements, while the hose wagon and horses will occupy the second floor, and the third story will be fitted up for a bed room and a meeting place for the fire department.

1906, Oct 12 – Franklin Times

The new hose wagon for the Louisburg Fire Company arrived this week, and is a beauty. It was built by J. W. Evans, of Raleigh, and is all hand made. It cost $300.

1907, Aug 09 – Franklin Times

Fireman’s Tournament.

The Louisburg Fire Department was well represented in the Fireman’s Tournament which was held at Wilmington this week. The following attended: S. P. Boddie, J. A. Turner, D. C. High, D. G. Pearce, M. S. Davis, S. B. Nash, W. J. Cooper, Ailen Harris, J. J. Lancaster.

They took the horse and wagon with them.

The boys were heard from yesterday and they write that they are having the time of their life. The horse and wagon are greatly admired and were given a prominent place in the large parade. There are about one thousand firemen in attendance. All the old officers were re-elected.

1907, Sep 20 – Franklin Times

The town has made a move toward a more efficient fire department. Mr. John Payne has been employed to stay on duty day and night to respond to alarms and get out the hose wagon. One of the rooms on the second floor of the Harris law building has been rented for his use and fitted up with gong and telephones. He will have charge of the horse.

A fire alarm on Monday night, a few minutes before twelve o’clock was caused by the burning of the shelter over the furnace of the Louisburg Foundry. The fire department responded promptly, but the distance from the nearest hydrant being too far for the hose to reach the fire the wagon had to return to the fire house to get more hose. This was done very quickly, the fire was however, under control with buckets. The amount of damage was small.

1908, March – Sanborn Maps

Water Facilities
Works constructed 1906 & owned by town. Supply taken from Tar River & pumped to reservoir & stand pipe by Worthington pump, capacity 1000 per minute through an 8″ pipe. Town supplied from stand pipe through 10″ mains. Stand pipe 75 miles. Not of a 120′ above Post Office. Capacity of stand pipe 30,000 gallons & reservoir 100,000 gallons. 42 miles of pipe from 4″ to 6″ in diameter. 35 hydrants. Pressure at Post Office about 62 lbs. Average daily consumption about 10,000 gallons.

Fire Dept.
35 volunteers, 2 paid & 1 permanent man. 1 horse.
One Independent hose cart. 1500′ 2½” hose in good condition. Fire alarm Court Ho. & church bells.
Streets Piked. Streets lighted by Electricity.
One night watchman.

 

1908, May 31 – Fire Department Statistics for the Year Ending May 31, 1908

From the proceedings of the North Carolina State Fireman’s Association meeting held at Wilmington, N.C., on June 16-19, 1908.

Louisburg
Population – 2,500
Assessed Value of Property – 800,000
Annual Cost of Fire Dep’t – 600
System or Water Supply – water works
Are Water Works Owned by City? – yes
Number of Hydrants – 35
Number of Hose Carts – 1
Number of Hose Companies – 2
Number of Feet of Hose – 1000
Number of Paid Men – 2
Number of Volunteers – 25

More Photos

Picture of a picture displayed at the Louisburg Fire, Police, and Rescue Squad museum


Caption forthcoming

Sources

Sources include:

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Watauga County Ambulance and Rescue Squad History

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from December 22, 2025.

Research notes on the history of rescue and EMS services in Boone, Blowing Rock, and the surrounding communities of Watauga County.  

Watauga County Emergency Rescue Squad, Inc.

  • Organized 1961. Incorporated 1963.
  • Today named Watauga County Rescue Squad
  • Created after John Kirk, a “popular dean of men” at Appalachian State University, and his son Steve drowned in Watauga Lake in the summer of 1961. This compelled a group of citizens to meet at a restaurant operated by John Kirk’s father Zeb to “organize the unit.”
  • There were 35 charter members at the organizational meeting. Members of the Carter County (TN) Rescue Squad met with them a couple times, to help them get organized. Local businesses and civic organizations donated equipment for the squad. Their first truck was a 1955 Chevy panel truck, donated by Zeb Kirk. The squad purchased a second, new panel truck that was “fully equipped with stretchers, beds, resuscitators” and other equipment.
  • By March 1, 1962, they had answered 40 emergency calls, such as “fires, drownings, snowbound victims, and searching for lost or missing persons.” [WD, 3/1/62]
  • TBD on their history of emergency patient transport services. By December 1968, they had at least one ambulance on the roster, from newspaper citations. [HDR, 12/9/68]

Watauga Ambulance Service

  • Started operation April 1, 1968. The private firm was owned and operated by Everette Greene and Edsel Jackson, both of Boone. The new service operated 24/7. They charged $15 per call within the city limits, plus 50 cents per mile “into the country.” With “longer trips” prorated. [HDR, 4/1/68]
  • Owner Jackson was also a driver and was injured in an ambulance crash in December 1968, from a news report. He broke his shoulder and suffered internal injuries when they were struck on Highway 421 five miles west of Boone by a 1969 yellow VW that “kept going.” [HDR, 12/9/68]
  • In 1975, Tim Wilson took over from Jackson as the owner. Wilson was the son of a former county commissioner. Wilson also ran for and held some public offices.
  • Company was named WAS in July 1981, when it was the lone bidder for the county ambulance service contract. [WSJ, 7/8/81]
  • In April 1988, the company was housed in the county-owned Vance Building on Depot Street. They soon moved to the former American Wicker and Wood Co. building, which the county bought in November. [WSJ, 4/5/88]
  • 1995, April – County officials approved upgraded training for emergency personnel. Currently, they were trained as EMT-Intermediate. Within two years, only paramedics would be staffing ambulances. This was approved at time the county renewed their contract, with a term of five years, with an option to continue for two more years. The county’s current annual appropriation was $417,000, and will be increased by 9 percent for FY96-97, and 10 percent increases for the next four years. [WSJ, 4/20/95]
  • In February 1996, the county approved the company’s request for about $21,000 for a second ambulance station, to improve response times to Blowing Rock and other parts of the county. [WSJ, 2/6/86]
  • 1996, Oct 6 – Flash fire burned EMT Gary Taylor, when an oxygen tank exploded while he was administering oxygen to a patient. He was helping a man who was having trouble breathing at Greenway Trailer Park near US 421 in Boone. The incident occurred about 6:00 a.m. Taylor suffered first- and second-degree burns to his face and hands and temporary blindness. He also suffered some hearing loss in one ear. He was transported to Watauga Medical Center and then to the burn unit at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. The accident was caused when a regulator value “blew off the tank.” [WSJ, 10/6/96]
  • The company “held the contract” for EMS services in the county from 1975 to 1999. Reported the Hickory Daily Record on April 21, 2000, two newly elected county officials in November 1998 questioned why the county never “regularly put the ambulance service out to bid.”
  • The owner later sued the county in April 2000, claiming that “constant scrutiny and harassment by county commissioners injured his business and reputation.” This followed a long-running dispute with the county and company over operational/billing issues.

Blowing Rock Rescue Squad, Inc.

  • Started operation July 30, 1974. Organizational efforts had started by May 1974. The squad was given “final approval” by the state by August 14, 1974. Blowing Rock Hospital provided much of the training and equipment for their start-up.
  • They covered the same territory as Blowing Rock Fire Department, with members on call 24/7, and the squad dispatched by telephone and radio through the Blowing Rock Police Department. The squad did not “replace” Watauga Ambulance Service. [HDR, 8/14/74]
  • As early as May 1977, they sought to expand their service to Caldwell County and requested but were turned down for a funding request. [HDR, 5/24/77] They started receiving funding from Caldwell County in [goes here].
  • Merged with fire department in 2008.

Watauga Medics, Inc.

  • Started service in 2000 (?).
  • Ended service in December 2025, county contract ended with retirement of parent company owner.
  • Parent company also EMS provider for Ashe, Madison, and Mitchell counties.

Blowing Rock Fire-Rescue

  • Created 2008 as consolidation of town fire department and private rescue squad. Also provided EMS service to parts of Caldwell County.
  • 2022, July – Department discontinued EMS transport service in Caldwell County, replaced by Caldwell County EMS vehicles and personnel. Also, with the change, the fire department ceased providing backup and stand by service to the rest of Watauga County. 

Watauga County EMS

  • Created in 2025.
  • County purchased assets and facilities of Watauga Medics, Inc., and hired many of their staff.
  • Division of Watauga County Emergency Services.

Photos

Sources

Legeros Fire Line – Ambulances Over the Decades – 12/14/25
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DDK2m1Voi/

Legeros Fire Line – New Watauga County EMS – 12/12/25
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cpeix2TFu/

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QVC Distribution Center Fire – December 18, 2021


Top left photo courtesy Red Oak Community Fire Department. Top right photo, screen grab from CBS 17. 
Shown the middle and bottom row of photos are ladders from Enfield (Halifax), Winterville (Pitt), Youngsville (Franklin), and Knightdale (Wake). The two tankers are Toisnot (top) and Williamston (bottom). Pics via FB postings from their respective FDs, or affiliated agencies.

Introduction

This posting presents research notes about the QVC Distribution Center fire in Edgecombe County, NC, on December 18, 2021. The fire is both the largest structure fire by building size and the fire loss in state history.

These notes are evolving and will likely be refined and perhaps expanded over the coming weeks and months.

Run Card

Fire departments and fire suppression agencies included:

  1. Ayden 4202 (Engine)  – Pitt
  2. Bahama (Tanker 316)  – Durham
  3. Bailey Tanker 87  – Nash
  4. Battleboro Engine?  – Nash
  5. Bethany engine  – Johnston
  6. Bunn  – Franklin
  7. Bunyan (tanker)  – Beaufort
  8. Cary (L1)  – Wake
  9. Castalia – Tanker 77  – Nash
  10. Chocowinity (tanker)  – Beaufort
  11. Clarks Neck 2504 (Tanker)  – Pitt
  12. Cleveland engine  – Johnston
  13. Conetoe  – Edgecombe
  14. Coopers Truck 151, Tanker 15, Engine 152  – Nash
  15. Elm City  – Wilson
  16. Enfield  – Halifax
  17. Epsom (TA52)  – Franklin
  18. Farmville 5302 (Engine)  – Pitt
  19. Ferrells Tanker 135  – Nash
  20. Fountain 5407 (Pumper/Tanker)  – Pitt
  21. Franklin County ES  – Franklin
  22. Garner (Tanker 7)  – Wake
  23. Hamilton Tanker 35  – Martin
  24. Heartsease  – Edgecombe
  25. Jason  – Greene
  26. Knightdale (L13)  – Wake
  27. Lebanon (Tanker 515)  – Durham
  28. Leggett  – Edgecombe
  29. Lewis Community  – Edgecombe
  30. Louisburg  – Franklin
  31. Macclesfield  – Edgecombe
  32. Middlesex Tanker 57  – Nash
  33. Nashville Truck 14  – Nash
  34. NC Forest Service
    Resources included 2- 6000 gallon water tenders, 1- Helicopter, 2-Dozers, 2- UTVs, 2- large sprinklers, 14 personal handling rolls from command staff to equipment operation., Plus pickups and Type 6 engines operated by assisting personnel.
  35. Northeast (E2)  – Wayne
  36. Northern Wake (E51)  – Wake
  37. Oak City Fire Dept Tanker 45  – Martin
  38. Oakland (TA__ 9601) – Wayne
  39. Pactolus 2404 (Pumper/Tanker)  – Pitt
  40. Pinetops  – Edgecombe
  41. Pinetown (tanker)  – Beaufort
  42. Pricetown (TA2)  – Wayne
  43. Princeville  – Edgecombe
  44. Red Oak 5108 (Ladder)  – Pitt
  45. Red Oak Truck 125  – Nash
  46. Robersonville Tanker 54  – Martin
  47. Rocky Mount  – Edgecombe
  48. Salem – Tanker 187  – Nash
  49. Saulston  – Wayne
  50. Scotland Neck  – Halifax
  51. Scuffleton (Tanker 4502)  – Greene
  52. Seven Springs (E1 brush)  – Wayne
  53. Sharp Point 5604 (Tanker)  – Pitt
  54. Sharpsburg Truck 114, 116  – Nash
  55. Silver Lake (Tanker 92)  – Wilson
  56. Simpson 3207 (Pumper/Tanker)  – Pitt
  57. Snow Hill  – Greene
  58. South Edgecombe  – Edgecombe
  59. Speed  – Edgecombe
  60. Tarboro  – Edgecombe
  61. Toison (E77 ATV)  – Wilson
  62. Wake Forest (L1 Tanker 3 Tanker 4)  – Wake
  63. Wake New Hope (Tanker 10)  – Wake
  64. West Edgecombe  – Edgecombe
  65. West Mount Truck 4  – Nash
  66. Whitakers Truck 10  – Nash
  67. Williamston Tanker 24  – Martin
  68. Wilson (ladder)  – Wilson
  69. Winterville (town) 1502 (Engine) 1508 (ladder)  – Pitt
  70. Winterville Community 4107 (Pumper/Tanker)  – Pitt
  71. Youngsville (L4 Tanker 247)  – Franklin

Sources: Legeros Fire Line postings on Facebook. Specific citations TBD, search the page to find the postings. service

Oral History

Notes from spoken remarks in the February 2026 episode of the Carolina Fire Watch podcast, from a conversation with host Brian Kelly speaking with Rocky Mount Assistant Fire Chief Jamey Cooke and NCDOI fire investigator Craig Jarman. These notes are based on auto-generated transcript.

Suppression

  • Largest structure fire / fire loss in state history.
  • Early into incident, RMFD received request for an aerial. Cook was a BC on duty and sent an aerial, a rescue company, a safety officer, and himself. RMFD had two BCs on duty, and Cook assigned himself, because he was familiar with the area and knew a bit about the facility.
  • As he started enroute, he soon saw a glow in the sky from several miles away. [The facility was 10 to 12 miles away from the nearest RMFD station.]
  • At that time, most of the apartments in the county had been called for mutual aid, they had also called Tarboro for an aerial.
  • When Cook arrived, the structure was 75% involved, at about 45 minutes into the incident
  • Interior operations had been performed. But by the time Cook arrived, it was all defensive operations
  • Not long after Cook arrived they started having water supply issues. Within say 30 minutes of him arriving and they started requesting resources from as far West as Wake County and farther east, notably for tankers
  • They also had an influx of firefighters who initially self dispatched, but would have been called later anyway
  • The tanker shuttle last around 36 hours
  • Overall fire suppression didn’t settle down for 10 days
  • With help from Emergency Management and the State Forestry Service, command post campus was set up including full size bathrooms, breakout rooms, and other resources
  • They had multiple UTVs running around the facility because of the size of the complex
  • Forestry brought two 6000 gallon water tankers
  • Forestry also did water drops which had only recently been approved for the state forest service to perform water drops on top of a structure
  • The Forestry Service started Water drops on the second day, They were filling from a nearby pond Comm with the helicopter buckets holding almost 500 gallons dipping from a pond that was about 2 or three miles away
  • 30 million gallons flowed in the first 24 hours
  • For tanker shuttles, there were no ponds or rivers available for drafting, they all too low, the result of a significant drought period so water points were set 6 miles away from the fire scene, to get off of grid that was already taxed by the fire.

Investigation

  • Early Saturday and into Sunday, they started bringing in partner agencies for the investigation. But they didn’t actually get into the building until Tuesday, they recall.
  • On Monday, the decision was made to request an ATF national response.
  • ATF responded with around 43 personnel.
  • Lot of command busses and mobile command posts came to the scene.
  • Total of 101 different agencies assisted. From Rocky Mount, they had 55 firefighters. And of the 101 agencies, there were 70 (or 73?) fire departments.
  • Early on, it was determined that no everyone needed to work at the fire scene itself. Space at the convention center was procured and used by the investigation team (and other groups?).
  • Command had to interact with dozens of interested parties: city, county, state officials, politicians, news media, attorneys, and private investigators. And about the lawyers, they were not just those hired by QVC, but others hired by the companies who were selling products through QVC.
  • 5 million square-feet of burned area, plus one fatality.
  • There are four cause types, accidental, natural, incendiary, or intentional.
  • Cause was ruled as underdetermined, as they narrowed the cause down to two or three possibilities but could not put any more weight on one than the others.
  • Side note, the label “arson investigator” is lately discouraged. “Fire investigator” is the better choice.
  • Largest fire loss in state history.
  • Investigation was joint effort between OSFM, DOI, SBI, ATF.
  • Within a couple days, they had 150 fire investigators on site.
  • Between firefighters and employees, over a hundred interviews conducted within the first 24 to 36 hours.
  • Largest ATF national response for a fire in recent memory, they said.
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Two Alarms on Aldie Court


Raleigh Professional Fire Fighters photo

Two alarms were struck in Raleigh on Tuesday afternoon, February 9, 2026, on Aldie Court, on the far southeast side of the city. Engine 12 was first-arriving, with heavy fire in the rear of a row of townhomes. Quickly knocked down, the fire was controlled in 28 minutes. Most second-alarm companies were returned to service.

Notes from radio traffic:

  • ~2:34 p.m. – First alarm – E26 E12 E10 E21 L12 L1 SQ7 B2 B1 ISO14 – 3516 Aldie Court – Two-story townhome with 1,418 square-feet, built 2010. One of eight units.
  • ~2:35 p.m. – Units en route reporting a header, plus multiple callers. Upgraded to working fire.
  • ~2:36 p.m. – Working fire – R16 A10 DC1 Chief Inv
  • ~2:38 p.m. – Engine 12 first-arriving. Fire in the rear, Division C. 
  • ~2:39 p.m. – Battalion 2 arrived, requested second alarm, have heavy fire in Division C. Also, directed Ladder 1 to set-up on nearby street, when they arrive. Also, second engine had arrived by that time, Engine 26.
  • ~2:40 p.m. – Second alarm – E2 E11 E3 L20 L6.
  • 2:46 p.m. – Battalion 2 took command. Had heavy fire in rear, but had been knocked down.
  • 2:49 p.m. – Except for Engine 2, all other second-alarm companies can return to service.
  • 3:06 p.m. – Under control.
  • 3:06 p.m. – Request for additional ladder, assist with overhaul.

Narrative from Raleigh Professional Fire Fighters Association posting on Facebook:

  • *2 Alarm Fire* Yesterday afternoon a little after 1430 hours, dispatch received numerous calls in reference to a house fire on the 3500 block of Aldie Ct. Engine 12 and Ladder 12 “The Dirty Dozen” were first on scene at a 2 story MOG townhouse with smoke and flames showing from Division C. Engine 12 caught their own water supply and began fire attack while Ladder 12 split for search and vent operations. Upon their arrival, Engine 26 took a line to Division 2 to knock the attic fire in the primary residence, and Engine 10/Squad 7 checked the exposures on Bravo/Delta sides. A second alarm was struck a few minutes into operations due to the threat of exposures catching.
  • A quick knock by 12 and 26 prevented extensive damage to adjacent residences, superb work from the two companies. The fire was marked under control in approx. 20 minutes with no injures to report. The Local 548 is proud to serve the citizens of Raleigh.
  • Run card: B1 B2 DC1 ISO14 INVC A28 E2 E3 E10 E11 E12 E21 E26 L1 L6 L12 L20 S7 R16
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Raleigh Run Numbers – 2025

Run numbers for Raleigh for 2025.  

Overall Summary

Total incidents – 61,886
Total per-unit runs – 90,166

Historical Comparison

  2025 2024 2023 2022
Total Incidents 61,886 58,166 54,746 53,238
Total Per-Unit Runs 90,166 83,697 77,425 73,166

Here’s a PDF document with numbers from 1993 to 2022. It’s due for updating, 

Incident Types, Largest to Smallest Counts

36,186 – Rescue & EMS
8,684 – Good Intent Call
7,391 – False Alarm & False Call
4,810 – Service Call
1,971 – Hazards-No Fire
1,486 – Special Incidents
1,314 – Fire
36 – Overpressure-No Fire
8 – Severe Weather

Runs Per Unit

Engine 01 – 2,581
Engine 02 – 3,004
Engine 03 – 4,109
Engine 04 – 1,788
Engine 05 – 1,807
Engine 06 – 1,655
Engine 08 – 2,362
Squad 07 – 2,863
Engine 09 – 2,363
Engine 10 – 2,394
Engine 11 – 2,786
Engine 12 – 3,388
Engine 13 – 2,515
Squad 14 – 2,380
Engine 15 – 3,695
Engine 16 – 2,758
Engine 17 – 1,747
Engine 18 – 1,692
Engine 19 – 3,627
Engine 20 – 2,164
Engine 21 – 2,621
Engine 22 – 2,306
Engine 23 – 1,405
Engine 24 – 1,826
Engine 25 – 1,507
Engine 26 – 1,894
Engine 27 – 1,132
Engine 28 – 1,287
Engine 29 – 644

Ladder 01 – 2,791
Ladder 04 – 1,376
Ladder 06 – 1,834
Ladder 12 – 2,358
Ladder 14 – 1,665
Ladder 15 – 2,471
Ladder 20 – 1,180
Ladder 22 – 1,475
Ladder 23 – 1,350
 
Rescue 16 – 1,473

Battalion 1 – 435
Battalion 2 – 775
Battalion 3 – 767
Battalion 4 – 506
Battalion 5 – 1,167

Division Chief 1 – 157

Air 10 – 107
Air 28 – 91

Investigator 1 – 164
Chief Investigator – 37

Incident Safety Officer 14 – 1,216
 
Mini Pumper 07 – 29
Mini Pumper 14 – 43
Mini Pumper 28 – 7
 
Haz-Mat 2 – 56
Haz-Mat 8 – 74
Haz-Mat  22 – 26
Haz-Mat 27 – 63
Haz-Mat 29 – 63
Haz-Mat Program Manager – 9
 
ATV 14 – 15
ATV 22 – 6
ATV 28 – 3
Chaplain – 15
High Water Rescue 17 – 12
Rehab 12 – 20
Water Rescue 21 – 20

Top Engines

Engine 03 – 4,109
Engine 15 – 3,695
Engine 19 – 3,627
Engine 12 – 3,388
Engine 02 – 3,004

Top Ladders

Ladder 01 – 2,791
Ladder 15 – 2,471
Ladder 12 – 2,358

Top Battalion Chiefs

Battalion 5 – 1,167
Battalion 2 – 775
Battalion 3 – 767

Infographics

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History of Ambulance Service and Rescue Squads in Johnston County

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting

Research notes on ambulance and rescue squad history in Johnston County.   

1950 to 1959

1957, Jun – Johnston County Civil Defense Rescue Squad operating by this time. Based in Smithfield [NO, 6/3/57, GNA 1/31/59]

1958, Sep – Kenly Rescue Squad organized by September 1958. First vehicle was an International step van, former police “paddy wagon” from the Marine Corps bought for $135. Organized as part of the town civil defense organization, led by Hank Cogdell, a pharmacist. Unit was parked in a vacant lot beside the town hall until a building was erected to house the unit plus the town’s two fire trucks. In addition to answering recall calls, it would accompany fire trucks on fire calls. Squad captain was Harold Hinnant. It had six members by October 23. [NO, 9/28/58, GNA 10/23/58]

1960 to 1969 Continue reading ‘History of Ambulance Service and Rescue Squads in Johnston County’ »

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Burke County School Explosion – March 17, 1987

Looking back at the explosion and fire that destroyed Salem Junior High School in Burke County, NC, in March 1987.

Tuesday night, March 17, 1987. Address was 1311 Salem Road, south of Morganton. Three-story brick building with 25,000+ square-feet. It was located on a campus that also included two elementary school facilities, a gymnasium, and a storage trailer.

Built in 1931, it originally housed Salem High School until 1973. Was repurposed as a junior high. It had 16 classrooms, a library, and several offices. It housed 440 students.

On the night of the explosion, the building was empty. Next door, however, more than 300 faculty, students, and spectators were watching a basketball game in the gymnasium building. It was only 50 feet away.

The explosion occurred around 7:30 p.m. It was described as a “dull thud” by those in the gym. Said one attendee, “it shook the walls in the gym and shook loose some broken window panes.” The explosion was heard several miles away.

The blast blew out the front windows of the Salem Elementary School, which was located 75 feet away. It also destroyed five automobiles parked next to the junior high school. The damage included a six-inch “piece of metal window frame” that punctured the trunk of a Pontiac Fiero. Falling concrete blocks crushed the fronts of vehicles.

Continue reading ‘Burke County School Explosion – March 17, 1987’ »

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Broyhill Furniture Factory Fire – January 14, 1976

Fifty years ago this month, the Broyhill furniture factory in Marion, NC, burned on January 14, 1976. Here are some notes about the incident. 

– Wednesday morning.
– January 14, 1976.
– 11:05 a.m.

– Otis L. Broyhill furniture plant on West Henderson Street. [AC, 1/15/76]
– Three-story building housed finishing room, where fire stated.
– Three- or five-acre site, primarily wooden buildings, some of which were built in 1904. [WSJ, 1/15/76]
– Manufactured “early American-style white pine bedroom furniture.”

– Plant was “fully protected” by automatic sprinklers. [WSJ, 1/16/76]
– Had 1,500 GPM fire pump. [WSJ, 1/16/76]
– Reservoir with 300,000 gallons of water. [WSJ, 1/16/76]

– Fire started in the finishing room. [AC, 1/15/76]
– Caused by a steam pipe “that was not ordinarily used” was turned on and became so hot that it ignited the “lacquer mist, or fog” in the room. [AC, 1/15/76]
– Flames then quickly spread to other buildings, including a warehouse where $3M to $4M of finished furniture was stored. [AC, 1/15/76] Continue reading ‘Broyhill Furniture Factory Fire – January 14, 1976’ »

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Merger Proposed for Wendell Fire Department and Town of Wendell

This is a blog version of an earlier Facebook posting

Report from Wake County. On Monday, January 12, 2026, the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Wendell received a presentation from Wake County Fire and Emergency Management about the possibility of a merger of the private, non-profit organization Wendell Fire Department (WFD) with the town of Wendell.

Watch the presentation at, starting at the 22 minute mark: 

See presentation slides (PDF)

Here are some notes from the presentation, phraseology is all ours:

In 1998, the Wake County Fire Tax District was created. This was a single tax district for all unincorporated areas of Wake County, created for the purpose for funding fire services for those “rural” areas.

This change was recommended in a 1994 consultant’s study. At that time, there were 22 different fire tax districts, for funding the respective “rural” response districts.

In 1998, the town of Wendell asked to also be unincluded in the new Wake County Fire Tax District. They were the only municipality. This passed the burden of fire service taxation from the town to the county.

Today, the town contracts with WFD for service inside the town limits, with the county handling the taxation of residents. For those areas outside the town limits, but within the Wendell “rural” district, the county contracts with WFD.

Continue reading ‘Merger Proposed for Wendell Fire Department and Town of Wendell’ »

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