Wait, what? See these town minutes* from February 16, 1963. As it turns out, Chapel Hill’s 1962** American LaFrance pumper was a gently used model, that had been serving at the “Greenville airbase” for about three months, while the airport awaited delivery of a crash truck. Bought for $20,500, versus what would cost $26,000 new. As was customary …
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Update April 11, 2019 – Though initially suspected as caused by a natural gas explosion, it was later eliminated by investigators. Instead, they suspect a backdraft caused the explosion. See the detailed OSFM retrospective below. Updated this posting headline, changing “gas explosion” to “explosion” to reflect that important clarification. This retrospective first appeared on FireNews.net …
Continue reading ‘Four Shelby Firefighters Killed in Explosion, May 25, 1979’ »
In February 2018, the town of Zebulon received the results of a fire facilities and fleet study (pdf) conducted by Brooks Innovative Solutions, from Greensboro. It examined the fire department’s current infrastructure, historic and projected call volume and service now, and property and population development past ‘n’ present. And both in the municipal and rural fire …
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The local city and county governments have been releasing their proposed budgets for FY19. Here are some highlights, from around the area… Raleigh – Web Site No added positions New aerial ladder New pumper Funding for long-term staffing study Funding for driver-operator course planning ($200,000) Station 1 project funding, continued ($15.6M) Absent is Station 3 or …
Last week, the town of Apex announced that their EMS service is ending on June 30. Wake County EMS will begin providing service to the town, and Apex EMS will be dissolved as a town department. See the announcement below. Apex Volunteer Rescue Squad was organized in 1971. Their first vehicle was a 1956 Pontiac Superior ambulance and …
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Recent new deliveries from Rosenbauer for Wake County. Pics courtesy of C. W. Williams, via their Facebook page. New Tanker – Fuquay-Varina Wow! New custom-cab tanker for Fuquay-Varina Fire Department. First of a new tanker spec for Wake County. 2000 gallons, 500 GPM. Delivered but not in service yet. Wake Forest is/has also received one. …
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The Wake County Fire Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 17, 2018, has been cancelled. The next Wake County Fire Commission meeting will take place, Thursday, July 19, 2018.
Factory photo of Cary’s new Engine 2. Another shorter wheelbase pumper, similar (near identical?) to last year’s Engine 5. It’s a 2018 Pierce Enforcer, 1500/500. And with another New York-style low hose bed. See larger versions.
Here’s some amusing fire history, from a friend, from the Asheville Citizen, February 10, 1907. Read closely. Click to enlarge:
The Raleigh Fire Museum has partnered with DigitalNC to present scrapbooks as created by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Raleigh Fire Fighters Association. The books were photographed and indexed last month at Wilson Library at UNC. They’re now available for digital viewing. The auxiliary was formed in 1952, by wives of Raleigh firefighters. They created …
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