Durham Public Safety Program – 1970 to 1985

Contents Introduction Short Version Long Version Sources Introduction Presenting a timeline of the Durham Public Safety Officer program, which combined fire and police duties from 1970 to 1986. Collected from dozens of news articles during that time period. See below for source materials, including a larger collection of 1,300+ newspaper articles about DFD going back …

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Relocating Fire Station 1 – Update – February 2025

This is an ongoing blog posting about relocating Raleigh Fire Station 1. See also the  official project site.  Contents Feb 2025 – Documents and Permits Dec 2024 – Professional Services Awarded Aug 2024 – Design Services Awarded Feb 2024 – Site Selected, Project Restarted May 2020 – Project on Hold Nov 2019 – Conceptual Rendering …

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History of the Second Engine at Durham Station 2

Let’s look at the history of a second engine at Durham Station 2. In 1928, was surveyed by the National Board of Fire Underwriters. Among the findings was that the city needed more fire stations. It noted that while fire companies were closed grouped for protection of the main mercantile and manufacturing districts, additional engine …

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Block of Buildings Burns in Downtown Durham, July 1944

Morning history. Let’s take a deep dive into a major fire in the Bull City back in the city. See also comments for additional notes. On Saturday night, July 8, 1944, one of the largest fires in downtown Durham’s history destroyed an entire block of buildings along “Tobacco Row.” The first call was received at …

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Ladies Auxiliaries in Raleigh and Durham

Evening history. In the 1950s, both the Raleigh and Durham local chapters of the IAFF had ladies auxiliary organizations, formed by wives of the member firefighters. Here’s a bit of history about each. Raleigh Ladies Auxiliary Left is a scrapbook page from the Raleigh auxiliary in 1951, when Ladies Auxiliary 548 received its charter. There …

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Siloam Bridge Collapse – February 23, 1975

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting. Here’s a short summary about the Siloam Bridge Collapse, that we learned about this week.  This happened on Sunday night, February 23, 1975, in Siloam, NC, on the border of Surry and Yadkin counties, in the community of Siloam. At about 9:25 p.m. in heavy fog, …

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EMS Call Sign Changes

Belated posting. Adding here for the historical record. On September 20, 2024, Wake County EMS implemented changes to call signs as well as their staffing plan. Nine new transport units were added, to help with coverage during high-demand periods during the day as well as assisting during shift change. Three new shifts were created, to …

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North Hills Shooting – January 17, 2025

Here are views and narrative notes from the Friday, January 17, 2025, shooting at North Hills. Sources are radio traffic (link below) and news reports. Dispatched ~10:59 a.m. as active shooter at 4316 The Circle at North Hills Street. Initial dispatch for B4 B5 E16 E6 E9 ISO14 (fire) D3 D6 T1 M21 M44 M65 …

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Two Alarms on The Lakes Drive

See more photos by Legeros Two alarms were struck in north Raleigh on Tuesday, January 7, 2024. Battalion 5 was first-arriving at 6516 The Lakes Drive with fire showing through the roof of a three-story apartment building. She requested a second alarm on arrival. Ladder 15 and Engine 15 were next arriving. Engine 9 with …

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