Archive of entries posted by Mike Legeros

Bob Biggs, Mike Murray, and Restoring Fire Apparatus

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In February 2014, Raleigh Fire Captain Nick Murray recounted the following stories of his father, retired Raleigh Fire Captain Mike Murray and longtime Raleigh Fire Department friend Col. Bob Biggs, retired USAF, and their work restoring numerous antique fire trucks, including Raleigh’s 1926 American LaFrance pumper. Here’s the original blog archives posting: Jay Leno and …

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Wilmington’s Temporary Headquarters, 1954 to 1956

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Notes on Wilmington’s temporary fire department headquarters at 3 South 2nd Street, just south of Market Street, a leased building that was occupied from 1954 to 1956 during the construction of a new Station 1 at the corner of 4th and Dock streets. The construction bid for the new Station 1 was awarded in September …

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Wilmington Fire Underwriters Reports – 1949, 1958

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Research resource alert. Via New Hanover Public Library, pair of National Board of Fire Underwriters reports for Wilmington in 1949 and 1958. These are highly detailed accounts of the fire department, the fire alarm and water systems, and more. Read digital versions in this library at https://legeros.com/history/library/_nbfu And drop a line of you have other …

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Wilmington Standards of Cover

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Found a fine reference document about all things related to the Wilmington Fire Department. Standards of Cover from September 2023. Generously informative document that includes a nice history section. There’s even a full fleet listing on page 120. Copied and stored here, read document (PDF). See also, Wilmington Fire History by Legeros. 

New Hanover County Ambulance and Rescue Services History

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Presenting a short history of ambulance and rescue services in New Hanover County, plus research notes and other resources.  Resources  Search Legeros Fire Line on Facebook for “New Hanover”  View visual history: JPG | PDF Read more detailed research notes (PDF). View various newspaper clippings in Google Drive folder. 1950s 1957, Feb – Cape Fear Ambulance Service …

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Wilmington Fire Department Rescue Squad and Ambulance History

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Research notes on the history of Wilmington Fire Department’s rescue squads and ambulances. See second blog posting for wider history of New Hanover County ambulance and rescue services.  See also, Wilmington Fire History by Legeros.  1969 WFD placed first rescue unit in service. [SN, 6/30/71] Was a utility-type truck and was not equipped for transport.   1971, …

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New Hanover County Airport Fire Apparatus History

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This is a blog version expanding upon an older Facebook posting. This posting was last updated September 23, 2026. Presenting fire apparatus past and present that have served at Wilmington International Airport.  194_ Chevy/Holabird Class 110 – 100/250/50# x4 CO 194_ crash truck  Former Army Air Corps apparatus that protected the airfield during World War …

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Wilmington’s Auxiliary Apparatus during World War II

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Research notes about Wilmington and New Hanover County auxiliary firefighters during World War II. This was a national civilian defense initiative, and auxiliary firefighters were trained and equipped in cities and towns across North Carolina.  Wilmington Auxiliary Apparatus Among the equipment acquired and developed for the program by members of the Wilmington Fire Department were …

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Wilmington’s Fire Boat Atlantic IV

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While in Baltimore in July 2010, for the occasion of the annual fire expo, Mr. History was poking around a random marina. Imagine his surprise when he found the T. B. McClintic, an old tug that had served the Wilmington, NC, fire department for a few decades as the fire boat Atlantic IV. Wish we’d …

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