Marine Ocean Terminal Sunny Point Fire Boats

Photo credits: US Army 596th Transportation Brigade, Davis Diesel, Ray Hunt Design, Munson Boats, US Army, Hose & Nozzle Magazine. Let’s look at the fire and rescue boats of Marine Ocean Terminal Sunny Point in Brunswick County. Three fireboats going back to the 1950s plus a small rescue boat in recent years. Were there others? …

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Goldsboro and Wayne County Rescue and EMS History

Presenting a timeline of rescue history in Goldsboro, surrounding communities, and Wayne County.  Read detailed research notes (pdf) View newspaper clippings in Google Drive folder. Short Version 1950 to 1969 1952 – After two years of trying to sell the idea of a rescue squad to local civic clubs, fire chief found interest at local …

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Cherry Hospital Fire Department

Let’s look back at state hospital fire protection in our state and specifically Cherry Hospital outside Goldsboro. We’ve long documented the fire department and apparatus at Broughton Hospital in Morganton, but did you know that Cherry Hospital also had a fire department? First, some background. The facility first opened in 1880 and served black patients …

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Goldsboro Fire Department History

Research notes on the history of the Goldsboro Fire Department. Primary sources are cited newspaper articles. Before 1900 1869 – Notice in newspaper: “Citizens of Goldsboro! Do you want a reliable Fire Company to be composed of white men? If you do, then go, without fail, and attend the meeting at the Court House this …

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Renovations at Raleigh Fire Department Training Center

In March 2025, renovations were started at the classroom building at the Keeter Training Center in downtown Raleigh. The project was approved by council on October 1, 2024, with a scope of work to “reconfigure the classroom, a new HVAC system, new kitchen casework, and new fire alarm and lighting.” Plus exterior renovations that include …

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Medical Helicopter Crashes in North Carolina

Research notes on medical helicopter crashes and accidents in North Carolina, both fatal and non-fatal. Pictured is the Life Force crash in Macon County in March 2023. The four crew members all survived with minor to moderate injuries. Photo credit TBD.  1980s Duke Life Flight, Duke University Hospital, Durham 7/21/1986 Crashed near NC 751 and …

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Goldsboro Rescue Squad – Line of Duty Deaths in 1976

LODD rescue history. In 1976, two members of the Goldsboro Rescue Squad died on duty in two separate incidents. On March 28, 1976, James Hickman drowned during a water rescue/recovery. On November 7, 1976, Kenneth Davis died in a vehicle collision. Here are those stories. James Madison Hickman March 28, 1976 – On a Sunday …

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North Carolina Ambulance, Rescue, and EMS Line of Duty Deaths

Change Log: Added Paul Boyer, Fort Bragg, who died on 10/22/09. (May 5, 2025) Added Duke Life Flight members who died on 9/8/17. (May 4, 2025) Presenting a list of ambulance driver, rescue squad member, and EMS agency member line of duty deaths, but excludes fire-based EMS agency members (for now). Most of these names …

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