Matthew Memories – Wake County Engine Company Strike Team

On Thursday, October 13, 2016, a Wake County engine company strike team was dispatched to Bladen County, to assist with flood relief efforts and emergency responses in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. Apex, Bay Leaf, Eastern Wake, Fairview, Knightdale, Stony Hill, and Wake Forest each sent a single engine plus members. Notes this News & …

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Restaurant Burns During Busy Night at NC State Fair, October 1964

On Tuesday night, October 13, 1964, a restaurant building at the fairgrounds was destroyed during a busy night at the North Carolina State Fair. Thousands were attending the fair, and watched with rapt attention as “portable” restaurant was consumed by flames. The $100,000 structure was a loss, and the blaze likely inspired the creation of …

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Car Strikes Durham Fire Station, Fire Captain Narrowly Escapes Injury or Worse

How’s that for a dramatic headline? Dateline Durham on Monday about 4:15 p.m., where Capt. Andrew Johnson had been sitting on a bed at Fire Station 14 on Umstead Road. Thirty seconds later, a car crashed through the wall and struck the very spot where’d been sitting, reported the Herald-Sun. Herald-Sun photo The four-door sedan …

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Matthew in Raleigh – Firefighters, Water Rescues, and Rescued Rescuers

Contents Part I – Hurricane Matthew Part II – Old Stage Road Part III – Rose Lane Part IV – Numbers Part V – Wake County Water Rescues Part VI – Sources Part I – Hurricane Matthew On Saturday, October 8, heavy rain and winds pelted Raleigh and Wake County as Hurricane Matthew passed along …

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Water Rescue Teams Operating in North Carolina After Hurricane Matthew

Let’s start a list of the swift-water rescue teams operating in North Carolina since Saturday and the arrival of Hurricane Matthew: Apex FDARR-MAC (Arrington FD, Mar-Mac FD)Asheville FD (as TF2)Cary FDCarolina Beach FD Chapel Hill FD (+ as TF8)Charlotte FD (as TF3 and NCHART)Clayton FDCumberland County SO (as TF?)Davie CountyFayetteville FD (as TF9)FEMA Task Force …

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Burlington Opens Sixth Fire Station

The Burlington Fire Department recently opened a sixth fire station. Located on 3644 Bonnar Bridge Parkway, Station 6 was activated on Thursday, September 29. It houses Engine 6, Truck 2, and Battalion 2. Engine 6 is a 2008 Spartan Gladiator/Smeal pumper, 1500/750. Truck 2 is a 2010 Spartan Gladiator/Smeal rear-mounted aerial ladder, 2000/350/105-foot. Battalion 2 …

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NC USAR Task Force 8 Deploys to New Bern From Raleigh

This afternoon, Thursday, October 6, North Carolina Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) Task Force 8 deployed a Type II Water Rescue team to New Bern, NC, to be on standby for Hurricane Matthew. The fourteen members and their four vehicles departed from the Raleigh Fire Department Keeter Training Center at 1:15 p.m. They deployed a …

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Raleigh’s New Shop Truck

The Raleigh Fire Department recently received a new shop truck, a 2016 Ford F-450/Khapheide utility truck. Designated Car 321, it’s used by Fleet Services for the on-call mechanic. It was placed in service on Wednesday, September 21. It replaces a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pick-up truck. And it supplements Car 320, which is the department’s …

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Three North Carolina Fallen Firefighters to be Honored at National Memorial Service on Saturday, October 9

The 35th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will honor three firefighters from North Carolina who who died in the line of duty last year. They are among the 79 firefighters who died in 2015, and 33 firefighters who died in previous years who will be remembered at the official national service at the National …

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Wake County Rural Fire Protection Progress Report – 1956 to 1957

From a report received around June 1, 1957, and probably covering the prior fiscal year. Rural fire departments established in ten communities in Wake County: Zebulon Apex Cary Garner Fuquay-Varina Morrisville Knightdale Wake Forest Six Forks Wendell. Others are in the process of organizing, and some are about ready to begin purchasing equipment. These departments …

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