The Only Constant is Change

Next week, the Wake County Fire Commission receives presentation from Wake County Fire Services, with a concept for adding a new Garner fire station near Ten Ten Road and Highway 401. Such a facility could provide service to the areas currently served by Fairview Station 2. Whoa. On June 30, Apex EMS ceased operation. Wake …

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Two Alarms on Settle In Lane

Two alarms were struck at 2925 Settle In Lane on Thursday morning, in northeast Raleigh. Dispatched 10:08 a.m. for city companies plus Wake Forest Engine 5 as auto-aid. Wake Forest Engine 5 and B1 were first-arriving at a two-story multi-family residential building, with 1,648 square-feet in unit, and six units in building. Built 2007. Heavy …

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Visual History of Raleigh-Durham Airport Fire Department

For your holiday enjoyment, here’s another Legeros History Chart.  Raleigh-Durham International Airport fire department. AKA, RDU CFR. View as JPG | View as PDF  | See more charts Here’s the landing page. And only one typo spotted so far. The 1979 quick-response truck was a Chevy, not a Ford. Will be updated. Here’s the chart in paper form. Sometimes Mr. …

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Chapel Hill’s First Fire Company – A Chronological Quandary

The Chapel Hill Fire Department was established in 1896. Everybody knows that, right? Says so on their emblem. But what happens when historical records suggest, perhaps, something different? Let’s a look. Our story begins with a “visiting professor.” Enter local fire historian and CHFD friend Mike Legeros. Starting in late spring, he commenced a deep dive …

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Durham City/County Fire Merger

July 1, 2018 Durham Fire Department, Expanded, In Service! See also this history chart. Cool things happened at 7:00 a.m. today. The city of Durham Fire Department activated two new stations (Page Road, Seaton Road), and a mess of new units and companies. Some are housed at temporary quarters, as Station 17 on Leesville Road …

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Durham City/County Fire Merger… Visualized!

On July 1, 2018, Durham County Fire Rescue will consolidate with the Durham Fire Department. County personnel will transfer to the city, along with a number of apparatus and vehicles. And two county fire stations will become city stations.  Below a visual story of the merger. Includes both the pre-history of Bethesda and Parkwood, notes …

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Dispositions of Raleigh’s Retired Mini-Pumpers

Raleigh received a pair of new mini-pumpers in February, a pair of 2017 Ford F-550/Knapheide/UPF/Foam Pro 250/250/10 units. Shown on left. They replaced a pair of 1986 Chevy brush trucks, which were retired. Shown on right.  Along with a 2005 Ford F-550/Reading/Slagle, the city’s three mini-pumpers are assigned to and cross-staffed by Squad 7, Squad …

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Wake County EMS System Family Tree – Updated

With the coming closure of Apex EMS on June 30, 2018, here’s an updated version of my Wake County EMS System family tree. Includes numerous nips ‘n’ tucks as well, and a couple added notes about recent milestones.  Visualizes the origins of local ambulance and rescue services, from the original funeral home providers, to the …

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Long Beach, Yaupon Beach, Oak Island, Southport – History Notes

Last updated 7:00 a.m., July 25 This posting is undergoing updates, with clarifications on the coming current changes, and as additional historical perspectives are added. News out of Brunswick County. Yaupon Beach Fire Department is dissolving, and transferring their assets to Southport Fire Department. Members of YBFD are also joining SFD. [ Previously reported as a …

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