Mapping The First Six Forks Fire Stations

Morning map play. Using USDA aerial images from 1959 and 1971 to pinpoint the exact location of the original Six Forks FD locations. Plus a 2021 aerial image noting their approximate locations today. Maps via UNC Library. From my notes: 1956, first fire station is converted barn on south side of Howells Store at 4129 …

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Emergency Phones

From the archives. Random find. Utility poles in downtown Raleigh that once had emergency phones mounted. September 2010. Plus one historical picture. In 1971, city officials authorized installation of a telephone system to replace the familiar fire alarm boxes and for reasons including the frequency of false calls. By that year, false calls accounted for …

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Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 Crash in Charlotte

This is an expanded version of a Facebook posting on November 24, 2022, and a blogs archive posting (PDF) from April 8, 2010. The state’s second-deadliest plane crash occurred in Charlotte near Douglas Municipal Airport on the morning of September 11, 1974. The Eastern Air Lines Douglas DC-9-31 was carrying 78 passengers and 4 crew members. …

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Black Fire Companies of Fayetteville

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from November 15, 2022. What’s the history of the city’s colored fire companies, as they were called, back in the day? Shown is a clipping from the Statesman on February 7, 1874, via North Carolina Newspapers. Great research topic for someone and made easier by the …

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Death of New Bern Assistant Fire Chief Johnnie Gaskill, 1904

How exactly did New Bern Assistant Fire Chief John “Johnnie” J. Gaskill die in the line of duty on November 6, 1904? His death been long-attributed to injuries resulting from a fire horse kicking him in the head. In recent years, NBFD historian Daniel Bartholf dug deep into surviving records and newspaper clippings and wasn’t …

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Historical Perspective on Mass Shootings in Raleigh

Five people were killed and two were injured in an active shooter incident in east Raleigh on October 13, 2022. The gunman was also injured. See news reports and prior posting. What’s the historical perspective of mass shootings and similar incidents in Raleigh and Wake County? Notable incidents include: 1965, May 17 – Downtown Shooting, …

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Run Card for Hedingham Shootings

Posting last updated November 8, 2022, at 7:05 a.m. See more Legeros photos | Read Raleigh Police five-day report (PDF)  | Read historical perspective on mass shootings in Raleigh Here are notes about the fire and EMS response to the active shooter incident in Raleigh on October 13, 2022. Five people were shot and killed, including …

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Two Alarms on Shanda Drive

Mike Legeros photo See more photos Two alarms were struck at 6101 Shanda Drive on Sunday, October 9. Dispatched at 5:01 a.m. as an automatic fire alarm for Engine 15 and Ladder 15. Upgraded to structure fire response, while units were en route. Engine 15 was first-arriving with heavy fire from the rear of three-story, …

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