“Believed to be the only ambulance as such owned by a volunteer fire department in North Carolina,” noted the Duplin Times on July 14, 1955. See article below Definitely one of the earliest. What other volunteer (only) departments were operating ambulances at that time? That’s the open question to readers, to accompany these neat pictures …
Continue reading ‘Kenansville Fire Department Starts Ambulance Service, 1955’ »
Mack CF pumpers were popular trucks in these parts. Chapel Hill had a 1980 model… that was almost a Seagrave. Here’s that story. After soliciting bids for a new pumping engine that year, the town awarded the contract to Seagrave for $112,832.35. The other bidders were Central Mack Sales in Raleigh, Howe Fire Apparatus, Jack Cocke …
Continue reading ‘Chapel Hill’s 1980 Mack… Was Almost a Seagrave’ »
Wait, what? See these town minutes* from February 16, 1963. As it turns out, Chapel Hill’s 1962** American LaFrance pumper was a gently used model, that had been serving at the “Greenville airbase” for about three months, while the airport awaited delivery of a crash truck. Bought for $20,500, versus what would cost $26,000 new. As was customary …
Continue reading ‘Chapel Hill Buys Ex-Airport Pumper, 1963’ »
Update April 11, 2019 – Though initially suspected as caused by a natural gas explosion, it was later eliminated by investigators. Instead, they suspect a backdraft caused the explosion. See the detailed OSFM retrospective below. Updated this posting headline, changing “gas explosion” to “explosion” to reflect that important clarification. This retrospective first appeared on FireNews.net …
Continue reading ‘Four Shelby Firefighters Killed in Explosion, May 25, 1979’ »
In February 2018, the town of Zebulon received the results of a fire facilities and fleet study (pdf) conducted by Brooks Innovative Solutions, from Greensboro. It examined the fire department’s current infrastructure, historic and projected call volume and service now, and property and population development past ‘n’ present. And both in the municipal and rural fire …
Continue reading ‘Zebulon Fire Department Facility and Fleet Study’ »
The local city and county governments have been releasing their proposed budgets for FY19. Here are some highlights, from around the area… Raleigh – Web Site No added positions New aerial ladder New pumper Funding for long-term staffing study Funding for driver-operator course planning ($200,000) Station 1 project funding, continued ($15.6M) Absent is Station 3 or …
Last week, the town of Apex announced that their EMS service is ending on June 30. Wake County EMS will begin providing service to the town, and Apex EMS will be dissolved as a town department. See the announcement below. Apex Volunteer Rescue Squad was organized in 1971. Their first vehicle was a 1956 Pontiac Superior ambulance and …
Continue reading ‘After 47 Years of Service, Apex EMS is Ending’ »
Recent new deliveries from Rosenbauer for Wake County. Pics courtesy of C. W. Williams, via their Facebook page. New Tanker – Fuquay-Varina Wow! New custom-cab tanker for Fuquay-Varina Fire Department. First of a new tanker spec for Wake County. 2000 gallons, 500 GPM. Delivered but not in service yet. Wake Forest is/has also received one. …
Continue reading ‘New Rosenbauer Deliveries for Wake County’ »
The Wake County Fire Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 17, 2018, has been cancelled. The next Wake County Fire Commission meeting will take place, Thursday, July 19, 2018.
Factory photo of Cary’s new Engine 2. Another shorter wheelbase pumper, similar (near identical?) to last year’s Engine 5. It’s a 2018 Pierce Enforcer, 1500/500. And with another New York-style low hose bed. See larger versions.