What have been the worst wildfires in our state’s history? Either in recent decades or way back when? Below is a “worst one” from 1985. Let’s look back at another series of huge wildfires in western North Carolina. From the Raleigh Times on April 5, 1984, found while doing some local fire department research. List format, …
Update – The fire was declared 100% contained as of December 1. The fire burned 7,142 acres. The cause remains under investigation. On Friday, November 11, 2016, fire departments around North Carolina were requested to help fight a wildfire in the western part of the state. A blaze had started six days earlier at Chimney …
Continue reading ‘Party Rock Fire – Massive Mutual Aid – Photos, Notes, and More’ »
This was recently posted to the SPAAMFAA group on Facebook, 1956 (?) Chevrolet 6400 home-built pumper that served the Cleveland Community Fire Department in Rowan County, from 1975 to 1980. Dave Schlosser provided and/or took the picture. Bruce Anderson in the group notes the truck’s fascinating history, which we’ve bullet-ized here: Originally served Colmar, PA. …
Continue reading ‘Vintage Photo of Cleveland Community Engine’ »
The Cleveland Fire Department in Johnston County has ordered a 100-foot Pierce aerial platform. These drawings were posted on their Facebook page yesterday. The truck will be housed at Station 1, and will support aerial operations both in their district, and their mutual aid departments such as Clayton, Garner, 50-210, and Wilson Mills. Delivery is …
The next meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission is Thursday, November 17, at the Wake County EMS Training Facility, located in the basement of the Wake County Commons Building, 4011 Carya Drive in Raleigh. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. View the meeting documents. Here s the agenda: Meeting Called to Order: Chairman Lucius …
Continue reading ‘Wake County Fire Commission Meeting – November 17, 2016’ »
On July 28, 1965, the Steer Steak House at 1625 Louisburg Road burned. Or as the road was later named, North Boulevard, and even later named, Capital Boulevard. Fire was reported at 3:55 a.m. by a passing motorist. Crews battled the blaze in a heavy rainstorm. The one-story structure (plus basement) suffered extensive damage and …
Continue reading ‘The Steer Steak House, Johnny’s Motor Lodge, and the Capital Inn’ »
Bought this on eBay, an old brochure from the Fire House Museum of Old Salem, NC. That’s the original half of Winston-Salem, and where the state’s first fire engines are still displayed. Delivered in 1785, the two hand-pulled, hand-powered pumping engines were built one year after the town’s tavern burned. The metal parts were purchased …
Continue reading ‘Vintage Brochure – Fire House Museum of Old Salem’ »
Found for sale on eBay, a vintage photo scanned from a 35mm slide, of West Mecklenburg Fire Department’s old Tanker 3, which was a 1964 Ford F-700/Irvin’s Body Shop (!), 500/1000. Originally served Moore’s Chapel FD, which merged with Wilkinson Boulevard FD in 1984. The new entity was named West Mecklenburg FD. Click to enlarge: …
Continue reading ‘Vintage Photo of West Mecklenburg 1964 Ford Tanker… And Other Old Photos’ »
Found for sale on eBay, vintage magazine advertisement from 1944, of Stateville’s Dodge/Oren pumper. Speaking of SFD, they have a bit of history on their official web site. See that page. Interesting bit: they sold their last fire horse to Morehead City in 1917. Anyway, click to enlarge: