MEDIC Starts Service in Charlotte – November 1, 1978

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from November 6, 2025.  Morning reading. How ’bout some EMS history from Mecklenburg County and Charlotte. Forty-seven years ago this week, MEDIC, the Mecklenburg EMS Agency, began operating as the county’s new ambulance service. They were placed in service at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, November 1, …

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Deadliest Mass Shootings in North Carolina History

Research notes on the deadliest mass shootings in North Carolina history, expanded from this Facebook posting on September 28, 2025. These notes are still undergoing review and revisions.  Supplement to Mike Legeros deadliest disaster database.  Abbreviations: SP (Single Perpetrator) MP (Multiple Perpetrators) Type Incident Date / Location Killed Wounded Total Casualties Source SP Carthage Nursing …

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Winston-Salem Armory Explosion – September 26, 1969

View clippings and other documents Introduction On Saturday, September 26, 1969, a methane explosion and flash fire at the National Guard Armory on Silas Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem injured 25 members of the North Carolina National Guard. Seven of the most seriously injured were flown to an Army burn center in Texas. Three later died. …

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Albemarle Rescue Squad, 1953

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting. Stanly County history hit. The Albemarle Rescue and First Aid Company was using this truck in February 1953, reported the Stanley News and Press on February 27. The new truck had “already answered several calls” after having “just received the final touches, as far as equipment …

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Sanford and Lee County Rescue and Ambulance History

Research notes on Sanford and Lee County rescue and ambulance history. See Google Drive of source articles.  1950s 1952, Apr – Visiting civil defense rescue truck was displayed in Sanford, and viewed by members of the Sanford Municipal Civil Defense Council and other local officials. The town, however, planned no purchase of such a truck. …

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The History of Cecil’s Rig – Rescue Pull and Lift Frame

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from June 8, 2025. For today’s rescue history, let’s take a trip to Stanly County (NC) . The date is October 15, 1965. On that Friday night at 10:26 p.m., a 1963 Chevy Impala lost control on the curve at Pee Dee Avenue and Tenth Street …

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Goldsboro and Wayne County Rescue and EMS History

Presenting a timeline of rescue history in Goldsboro, surrounding communities, and Wayne County.  Read detailed research notes (pdf) View newspaper clippings in Google Drive folder. Short Version 1950 to 1969 1952 – After two years of trying to sell the idea of a rescue squad to local civic clubs, fire chief found interest at local …

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Medical Helicopter Crashes in North Carolina

Research notes on medical helicopter crashes and accidents in North Carolina, both fatal and non-fatal. Pictured is the Life Force crash in Macon County in March 2023. The four crew members all survived with minor to moderate injuries. Photo credit TBD.  1980s Duke Life Flight, Duke University Hospital, Durham 7/21/1986 Crashed near NC 751 and …

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Goldsboro Rescue Squad – Line of Duty Deaths in 1976

LODD rescue history. In 1976, two members of the Goldsboro Rescue Squad died on duty in two separate incidents. On March 28, 1976, James Hickman drowned during a water rescue/recovery. On November 7, 1976, Kenneth Davis died in a vehicle collision. Here are those stories. James Madison Hickman March 28, 1976 – On a Sunday …

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North Carolina Ambulance, Rescue, and EMS Line of Duty Deaths

Change Log: Added Paul Boyer, Fort Bragg, who died on 10/22/09. (May 5, 2025) Added Duke Life Flight members who died on 9/8/17. (May 4, 2025) Presenting a list of ambulance driver, rescue squad member, and EMS agency member line of duty deaths, but excludes fire-based EMS agency members (for now). Most of these names …

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