Archive of entries posted by Mike Legeros

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 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 taken …

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Civil Defense Directors of Raleigh and Wake County

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How about a dip into Raleigh-Wake civil defense history? Reader Scott Womack acquired a Raleigh Civil Defense Director badge and asks, who would’ve worn this? Let’s try to answer the question via some News & Observer articles and other sources. Pre-History – During World War II there were numerous civilian defense initiatives both in Raleigh and …

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Wake County Rescue Squad History – Drownings

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This is a version of a Facebook posting from February 2021. It has been expanded with additional data. Last updated, June 10, 2024. Introduction This blog post presents research notes from newspaper stories about Wake County rescue squad responses to drownings in ponds, lakes, or creeks in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Drownings were a …

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Rolesville Fire Department Signs Unification Resolution with Town

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On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, the leaders of the Town of Rolesville and the non-profit corporation Rolesville Rural Fire Department signed a unification resolution, to begin the formal process of merging the fire department with the town. During the past three years, both had been meeting collaboratively to discuss the benefits, concerns, challenges, and opportunities …

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Raleigh Fire Department History – Charts and Data

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Updated on June 5, 2024, with added chart comparing historical data on operations expansion. 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 …

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Remembering Bob Bartosz

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This was originally posted on Facebook. June 5, 2024, update. Arrangements for have been posted. Farewell will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, in Nashville, with an emergency services escort to begin the journey back to New Jersey. Burial services with fire department honors will be held at Monday in Cinnaminson, NJ. …

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Oldest Rescue Squads in North Carolina + Master List

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Posting updated May 30, 2024, with banner graphic added. Database is also periodically updated with corrections.  Research notes on the oldest rescue squads in North Carolina. Originally 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. …

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Relocating Fire Station 15 – Construction Bids Solicited

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This is an ongoing blog posting about relocating Raleigh Fire Station 15. Contents  January 2024 – Construction Bids Solicited  May 2023 – Replacement Project Budgeted March 2022 – New Doors Installed June 2016 – Federal Grant for Sprinkler Systems April 2019 – Sprinkler System Installed August 2015 – Station Renovations Project January 2024 – Construction …

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Defiance Fire Company No. 2 of Statesville

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In February, the City of Statesville posted a retrospective with new-old photos and information about Defiance Fire Company No. 2. They were an all-black volunteer fire company that was organized around 1894, and one of many in the state that formed in the mid- and late-19th century.[1] [1] In 1905, black fire companies were serving …

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