Locating a Line of Duty Death – Cary, 1960

November 19Looking More Closely…Let’s revisit our recent postings about the June 16, 1960, apparatus accident that killed Cary firefighter Vernon Thompson. Super-close cropping of the News & Observer images gives clues on the Raleigh FD response to the incident. Observe what’s seen here. Top is one of the city’s four 1951/1953 ALF 700 pumpers (based …

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Fairview Station Closure – Update, November 30

Note: This page is a placeholder for current and future updates about the proposed concept of closing Fairview Fire Station 2. November 30, 2018 Legislation Proposed for Fire District Local legislation has been introduced to the North Carolina General Assembly, to remove the Fairview (Ten Ten) Fire District from the governance and jurisdiction of Wake …

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Wake County Fire Commission Meeting – November 15, 2018

Here’s the agenda for tomorrow night’s meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission, for Thursday, November 15, 2018. Starts at 7:00 p.m. at the Wake County Emergency Services Education Center, 221 S. Rogers Lane, Raleigh.  Agenda Meeting Called to Order: Chairman Chief McGee Invocation Pledge of allegiance Roll of Members Present Items of Business Approval …

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Looking Closely at the Capital Hose Company, Circa 1902

Alert! Alert!  New old photo found! The North Carolina State Archives recently added this image to their collection. It was cataloged in 2014 and one of a handful of surviving turn-of-the-century images of the Raleigh Fire Department. Call number N. 2014.9.1. It shows the Capital Hose Company competition reel team, circa 1902. They won the …

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Two Alarms on Wallingford Drive

Two alarms were struck this morning at 5051 Wallingford Drive. Dispatched 5:07 a.m. Engine 19 arriving at a two-story, garden-style apartment building with 10,356 square feet and eight units. Built 1985. Heavy smoke showing from the front of the structure. Transitional attack to start, then interior operations plus exterior blitz monitors for exposures. Second alarm …

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Every Last Ladder Truck… Again

Let’s update that posting and montage from February 2014, showing every last ladder truck operated by the Raleigh Fire Department.  How many do you recognize? Here’s your cheat sheet. As for the montage, it’s a low-res quickie. With a pair of catalog images included, as a change. Don’t believe either is Raleigh’s. And one truck is …

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Vintage Photo of Raleigh’s Old Tiller

Here’s a vintage picture that I don’t believe we’ve shared before. Truck 1 at Station 2 at Memorial Auditorium. That’s the original tiller with its new cab, a 1939 ALF cab towing a 1916 ALF trailer. Two-section, crank-operated, wooden aerial ladder. Aerial Ladder Truck 1 was originally cross-staffed with the service ladder truck, a 1922 …

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Raleigh Fire Department Newsletter – Fall 2018

What’s been happening lately with your fire department? See the latest issue of the Raleigh Fire Department newsletter. Old-school, old-style reporting. Eight pages about facilities, incidents, apparatus, personnel, et al. Contents of this issue includes new Rescue 1, three alarms at Glenwood Towers, new Station 12 opening, Recruiting for 2019 and Beyond, and more. 

Glenwood Towers – Major Fires and Fatal Fires

While we’re still reflecting on the Glenwood Towers high-rise fire from last week, let’s look at the historical perspective. What other major fires–and fatal fires–have happened since it opened in 1971? Fatal Fires Feb. 2, 2003Philip George Moultrie, 55Fifth-floor apartment. Victim found on living room floor. Pronounced dead on the scene. Apparently started by smoking. Dispatched …

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Two Alarms on Brook Knoll Place

On Sunday, October 28, two alarms were struck on Brook Knoll Place, in a townhouse complex around the corner from Falls of Neuse and Wake Forest Roads. Dispatched 6:43 a.m. Upgraded to working fire and second alarm, while units were en route, based on number of callers. Engine 15 arrived at a three-story townhouse with …

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