Raleigh’s New Rehab 12

Posted by on

The Raleigh Fire Department recently placed a new special unit in service. Rehab 12 is a 2023 Ford/Morgan Olson step van, with upfit by a local vendor. Features include interior food serving areas, exterior serving window, exterior handwashing station, retractable awnings, and rear bathroom.

It’s housed at Station 12 and cross-staffed by crews on Engine 12 and Ladder 12. The east side big house now houses five units, E12, L12, BC2, DC1, and Rehab 12.

Rehab 12 can also be used for non-emergency events and functions, such as off-site recruit training, where rehab and sanitation facilities are not available.

See more photos, including interior views.

Mike Legeros photos

Facebook Comments

Two Alarms at Sir Walter Apartments

Posted by on


Screengrabs form ABC11 footage.  

Two alarms were struck in downtown Raleigh on Monday morning, April 29, 2024. Dispatched ~1:40 a.m. for 400 Fayetteville Street. Sir Walter Apartments, senior living facility, ten-story high-rise. Built 1923[1].  

Engine 13 first-arriving with nothing showing. Smoke found on seventh floor. Heavy smoke, zero visibility found in fire apartment. Quickly controlled, contained to single apartment. One occupant rescued from apartment, transported by Wake County EMS. Battalion 2 with command, later transferred to Division Chief 1. 

Engine 1 added, after clearing another call. Squad 7 and Ladder 20 dispatched, for fire alarm at same location. Second alarm dispatched ~02:22 a.m. Added two engines and two ladders, staged at Fayetteville and Lenior streets. New Rehab 12 also responded (first call?). Plus a large, staggered response by EMS. Later units staging at EMS Station 1 on Davie Street, about a block away. Run card below.

Photos from Raleigh Downtown on Facebook

Multi-hour operations for ventilation (smoke on multiple floors) and assisting residents who were evacuated. Plus subsequent air monitoring. Plus firefighter rehab needs, that included EMS personnel to fourth floor, for rehab station.

Fayetteville Street was closed for several blocks. Most residents had been allowed back into building by 4:00 a.m. From PulsePoint, the following units were still on scene at 6:13 a.m.: E13, INV1, EMS72, EMS83, M96, D5, D7.

Listen to radio traffic.

[1] Oldest surviving hotel in Raleigh.

Run Card 

  • First-alarm at ~0140
    E13 E2 E5 E3 L1 L6 R16 B2 B3 ISO14
  • Added at ~0152
    E1 (cleared from fire alarm at 509 Glenwood)
  • Added at ~0155
    Sq7 L20 (commercial fire alarm activation)
  • Working fire at ~0157
    A10 B5 INV1 DC1
  • Second-alarm at ~0222
    E6 E8 L12 L14 (staging Fayetteville and Lenoir)
  • Also:
    Safety Chief
    Rehab 1 (staffed by Engine 8 personnel)
  • Medical (staggered)
    EMS13, EMS14, D5 EMS72, EMS87, EMS84, D7, D2 EMS71 EMS73 EMS83, EMS12, D4 (transporting rehab supplies from EM warehouse)

Move Ups

They included these relocations:

  • E6 > Sta 1
  • L12 > Sta 2
  • E11 > Sta 7
  • E12 > Sta 2
  • L4 > Sta 1

 

Facebook Comments

Raleigh Fire Department History – Charts and Data

Posted by on

Updated on April 21, 2024, with added chart showing recruit class length. Updated on February 24, 2023, with additional charts showing fire station growth. Updated on January 11, 2023, with additional charts: extra-alarm fires and recruit graduating class sizes. 

Random data play about the Raleigh Fire Department. These charts originally appeared as postings on Legeros Fire Line on Facebook. They were created using Excel.

Contents

  • Growth Trends – Number of Stations
  • Extra-Alarm Fires
  • Counts of Companies
  • Population Growth vs. Response Growth
  • Most Popular Month for Opening New Fire Stations
  • Recruit Academy Starting Sizes
  • Recruit Academy Graduating Class Sizes
  • Recruit Academy Length

Growth Trends – Number of Stations

Continue reading ‘Raleigh Fire Department History – Charts and Data’ »

Facebook Comments

Oldest Rescue Squads in North Carolina

Posted by on

Research notes on the oldest rescue squads in North Carolina. Compiled in September 2022 in this Facebook posting.

Source data in this Google spreadsheet copied from Excel master file.

Name County Status Start Stop
Winston-Salem Rescue Squad, Inc. Alamance former 1937 2014
Davidson County Rescue Squad, Inc. Alamance active 1941 ——
Elkin Emergency Rescue Squad, Inc. Alamance active 1941 ——
Beaufort Rescue Squad (v1) Alexander former 1942 TBD
Gaston Life Saving and First Aid Crew Alexander former 1948 2021
ADR [?] Rescue Squad Alleghany former 1950 1963?
Red Cross Rescue Squad Alleghany former 1950 TBD
Rowan County Rescue Squad, Inc. Anson active 1951 ——
Mooresville Rescue Squad Anson former 1952 2015
Pink Hill Rescue Squad Ashe former 1952 2004
Wake Forest Rescue Squad (v1) Ashe former 1952 late 1950s?
Raleigh Emergency Rescue Squad, Inc., The Avery former 1953 1960s
Goldsboro Rescue Squad, Inc. / Goldsboro Rescue & EMS Inc. (1989) Avery former 1953 TBD
Mount Holly Lifesaving Crew, Inc. / Mount Holly Life Saving and First Aid Crew, Inc. Avery former 1954 2001
Graham Rescue Unit, Inc. (renamed Alamance Co. Rescue in 1972) Beaufort former 1955 1972
Wilkes Rescue Squad, Inc. Beaufort active 1955 ——
Lovelady Rescue Squad, Inc. Beaufort former 1956 2017
Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad, Inc., The Beaufort active 1956 ——
Pembroke Rescue Squad, Inc. Beaufort active 1956 ——
Robeson County Rescue Squad (renamed Lumberton RS) Beaufort active 1956 ——
Alexander Rescue Squad, Inc. / Alexander Rescue Squad and EMS (1990) Beaufort active 1957 ——
Chatham County Rescue Squad of Siler City, Inc. Beaufort active 1957 ——
Hendersonville VFW Rescue Squad / Hendersonville Rescue Squad, Inc. (renamed Henderson County RS) Bertie former 1957 1972
Johnston County Civil Defense Rescue Squad (renamed Smithfield RS) Bertie former 1957 1981?
Lincoln County Life Saving and First Aid Crew, Inc., The Bertie former 1957 2014
Madison-Rockingham Rescue Squad, Inc. Bertie active 1957 ——
Anson Rescue Squad, Inc. Bertie active 1958 ——
Claremont Rescue Squad, Inc. Bertie active 1958 ——
Kings Mountain Rescue / Kings Mountain Emergency Services, Inc. (1977?) / Kings Mountain Emergency Rescue Services, Inc. (1979) Bladen former 1958 2022
Ahoskie Rescue Squad, Inc. Bladen former 1958 2011, by
Raeford Rescue Squad Bladen former 1958 TBD
Kenly Rescue Squad Bladen former 1958 TBD
Macon Search and Rescue Squadron, Inc. / Macon Search and Rescue Squad, Inc. (1969) Bladen active 1958 ——
Shelby Life Saving and Rescue Unit, Inc. / Shelby Rescue Squad, Inc (1993) Bladen former 1959 2022
Trenton Emergency Rescue Squad, Inc. / Trenton EMS, Inc. (2005) Bladen active 1959 ——
McDowell County Rescue Squad, Inc. / McDowell County Rescue Squad & Ambulance, Inc. (1990) Brunswick active 1959 ——
North Mecklenburg Volunteer Rescue Squad, Inc. Brunswick former 1959 2017
Morehead City Rescue Squad Brunswick former 1960 2000
Grover Rescue Squad, Inc. Brunswick former 1960 2012/13
Facebook Comments

North Carolina Firefighter Fatalities During Interior Operations

Posted by on

On March 29, 2024, Lexington Fire Department Captain Ronnie B. Metcalf, 54, died after being injured during an interior fire attack at a house fire on March 26. What’s the historical perspective of other firefighters in North Carolina, who were killed during or from injuries sustained during interior operations? That list includes the following:

Theodore W. Stoner
7/21/1925
High Point

Captain Stoner died of burn injuries received while fighting a fire at Pickett Cotton Mill on the night of July 17, 1925. Stone had led several firefighters into a pit to extinguish a small fire in a bale of cotton. The fire spread suddenly and the cotton became “a mass of flames.” The other firefighters escaped without injuries, but Stoner was badly burned before being rescued. He suffered burns about the face and body, and died at High Point Hospital four days later. On the day of the fire, Stoner had just returned from the state firemen’s convention in Asheville, arriving about 8:00 p.m. He had been home for less than an hour when the fire bell sounded. Stoner was a volunteer member who was employed as a wholesale grocery salesman. 

Sources: Hickory Daily Record, 7/18/25; High Point Enterprise, 7/22/25, 7/23/25; Charlotte Observer, 7/22/25; Raleigh News and Observer, 7/19/25, 7/23/25

Gilbert W. Kimball
2/11/1934
Winston-Salem

Lieutenant Kimball died of injuries sustained in a roof collapse on the night of February 10, 1934, while fighting a fire in the garage and servants quarters at a home on Country Club and Bitting roads, at the residence of former state Senator W. M. Hendren. While inside the structure, Company 6 members Kimball and firefighter Franklin Griffith became trapped after the heavy rafters of the roof collapsed. Both were rescued. Griffith suffered injuries to his back and hips. Kimball died the following day at North Carolina Baptist Hospital. The cause of death was recorded as pneumonia following internal injuries. Kimball had been a member of WSFD for 12 years.

Sources: COD, Greensboro Daily News, 2/13/34; Winston-Salem Journal, 2/9/34, 2/13/34, 2/14/34

Floyd A. Jackson Jr.
11/26/1950
Hendersonville Continue reading ‘North Carolina Firefighter Fatalities During Interior Operations’ »

Facebook Comments

Wake County Fire Commission Meeting – April 11, 2024

Posted by on

The Wake County Fire Commission meets again on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., at the Wake County Emergency Services Education Center, 221 S. Rogers Lane, Raleigh, NC 27610.

View agenda and meeting documents.

Facebook Comments

Wake County Apparatus Snapshot

Posted by on

For truck fans and list lovers, reader Nicholas Jones has created and compiled a list of all fire apparatus serving in Wake County, NC. 

The document includes department and even company patches, vehicle photos with credits, and specs for most of the rigs. 

View the Google document.

Facebook Comments

North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Ceremony – May 11, 2024

Posted by on

On Saturday, May 11, 2023, the following names will be added to the North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Memorial at the annual ceremony in downtown Raleigh. See below for narratives and notes, about each member and how they died.  

  • Ricky Dale Allen – Conover – 2023
  • Minton Beach, III – Oak City – 2023
  • Dewayne Fender – Asheville – 2022
  • James William Goudelock – Dallas – 2022
  • Scott W. Hinson – Concord – 2021
  • David Scott Holmes – LaGrange – 2022
  • Jeremy Michael Klemm – Durham – 2021
  • David S. Merritt – Durham/White Cross – 2021
  • J. Sorrell Thomas – Concord – 2021
 
Narratives and Notes
 
Name Age Department Date Notes
Scott W. Hinson 52 Concord 06/03/2021

Senior Firefighter Hinson died after an eight-year battle with cancer, and six years after retiring in 2015 due to his illness. He was a 27-year veteran of the fire service and a member of Concord FD since 1989. Read his NFFF memorial page.
Jeremy Michael Klemm 45 Durham 09/18/2021 Driver/Engineer Klemm died after contracting COVID on August 17, 2021. He had served 15 years with Durham FD at the time of his death. Read his NFFF memorial page.
J. Sorrell Thomas 67 Concord 12/08/2021 Senior Firefighter Thomas died after diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2019. He had served 20 years as a member of Concord FD before retiring in 2016. Read his NFFF page.
David Scott Merritt 54 Durham / White Cross 12/26/2021 Assistant Fire Marshal Merritt died after a short battle with intestinal cancer. He had been a member of Durham FD since 2014 and retired posthumously on January 1, 2022. He was also a member of White Cross FD. 
Eddie Dewayne Fender 57 Asheville 01/08/2022 Fire Investigator Fender died after 13-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He had served Asheville FD for 28 years. Read his NFFF memorial page.
David “Pumper” Scott Holmes 51 LaGrange (Lenoir County) 02/28/2022 Captain and retired Fire Chief Holmes died after suffering a heart attack while operating an engine at a fire on February 20. He had served LaGrange FD for over 20 years, including ten years as Chief of Department. He also served on the town council for twelve years and was the mayor pro tempore. Read his NFFF memorial page.
James William Goudelock 39 Dallas 07/23/2022 Captain Goudelock died of cancer, two and a half years after diagnosis. He was a 24 year veteran of the volunteer fire service and worked as a tow truck operator, and received the national Order of the Towman in 2021. Read his NFFF memorial page.
Minton “Butch” Beach III 68 Oak City (Martin County) 03/22/2023 Fire Chief Beach died at the hospital of a heart attack, after feeling unwell and going home from training at the fire station on March 13. He had been a volunteer member for 49 years, and had worked for Edgecombe for 19 years, as Director of Emergency Services and as a county Building Inspector. 
Ricky Dale Allen 36 Conover 03/04/2023 Engineer Allen died after fighting cancer for over two years. He was a 19 year veteran of Conover FD, which he joined after two years as a junior firefighter. He also served with Taylorsville FD for the last year of his life. Read his NFFF memorial page.

 

 

 

Facebook Comments

Wilmington’s Foam Trailers

Posted by on

Did you know that the Wilmington Fire Department has a foam task force, for use at the fuel tank farms at the Port of Wilmington? The assets are:

  • Trailer-mounted 5000 GPM pump
  • 2 foam trailers, with two mounted and one portable monitors, with 900 gallons of foam concentrate in totes
  • 1 hose trailer with six-inch supply hose
  • 2 Ford F-550 trucks for equipment and towing
  • 1 dump truck to pull the pump trailer and carry spare foam totes. Previously served Parks and Recreation.

The foam trailers and pumper trailer were built by Combat Support System. They were delivered in 2015. View this PDF fact sheet about the system.  


Sharon Chase photo, via Wilmington Fire Dept history group on Facebook, posted March 2024.


Mike Legeros photo, May 2020


Mike Legeros photo, May 2020

Facebook Comments

Morrisville Moving Away From Quints

Posted by on

Morrisville is moving away from quints. Watch this presentation by Fire Chief Nathan Lozinksy to town council, about MFD evaluating changing from their current “quint concept” (adopted in 2010) to a traditional engine/ladder deployment. Or view his slides (PDF).

As he explains, the concept worked better when it was implemented. But today, the department has newer challenges and a greater pool of nearby resources, due to their participation in the CAM (Cary-Apex-Morrisville) system. Next steps, developing a new deployment model and presenting to council in a later month. 

Facebook Comments