This posting presents research notes on the early history of the Louisburg Fire Department in Franklin County, NC. It supplements the research of Al Peoples and Larry Peoples as presented in their 2012 book The Louisburg Fire Department: A History. 1876, Mar 03 – Franklin Courier A Suggestion. — Several times lately we have felt …
Continue reading ‘Early History of the Louisburg Fire Department’ »
This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from December 22, 2025. Research notes on the history of rescue and EMS services in Boone, Blowing Rock, and the surrounding communities of Watauga County. Watauga County Emergency Rescue Squad, Inc. Organized 1961. Incorporated 1963. Today named Watauga County Rescue Squad Created after John Kirk, a …
Continue reading ‘Watauga County Ambulance and Rescue Squad History’ »
Top left photo courtesy Red Oak Community Fire Department. Top right photo, screen grab from CBS 17. Shown the middle and bottom row of photos are ladders from Enfield (Halifax), Winterville (Pitt), Youngsville (Franklin), and Knightdale (Wake). The two tankers are Toisnot (top) and Williamston (bottom). Pics via FB postings from their respective FDs, or …
Continue reading ‘QVC Distribution Center Fire – December 18, 2021’ »
Run numbers for Raleigh for 2025. Overall Summary Total incidents – 61,886 Total per-unit runs – 90,166 Historical Comparison 2025 2024 2023 2022 Total Incidents 61,886 58,166 54,746 53,238 Total Per-Unit Runs 90,166 83,697 77,425 73,166 Here’s a PDF document with numbers from 1993 to 2022. It’s due for updating, Incident Types, Largest to …
This is a blog version of a Facebook posting. Research notes on ambulance and rescue squad history in Johnston County. 1950 to 1959 1957, Jun – Johnston County Civil Defense Rescue Squad operating by this time. Based in Smithfield [NO, 6/3/57, GNA 1/31/59] 1958, Sep – Kenly Rescue Squad organized by September 1958. First …
Continue reading ‘History of Ambulance Service and Rescue Squads in Johnston County’ »
Looking back at the explosion and fire that destroyed Salem Junior High School in Burke County, NC, in March 1987. Tuesday night, March 17, 1987. Address was 1311 Salem Road, south of Morganton. Three-story brick building with 25,000+ square-feet. It was located on a campus that also included two elementary school facilities, a gymnasium, and …
Continue reading ‘Burke County School Explosion – March 17, 1987’ »
Fifty years ago this month, the Broyhill furniture factory in Marion, NC, burned on January 14, 1976. Here are some notes about the incident. – Wednesday morning. – January 14, 1976. – 11:05 a.m. – Otis L. Broyhill furniture plant on West Henderson Street. [AC, 1/15/76] – Three-story building housed finishing room, where fire stated. …
Continue reading ‘Broyhill Furniture Factory Fire – January 14, 1976’ »
Research notes on the history of the Raleigh Fire Department hazardous materials response program. Pre-History 1980, Nov 19 – New federal regulations took effect to ensure safe management of hazardous waste, including identifying/notifying authorities of all sites that contained such products. 1982, Sep 13 – Fire in Charlotte at a chemical company forced the evacuation …
This is a version of a Facebook posting from December 6, 2021. On December 6, 1981, Wrightsville Beach volunteer Lt. Robert M. Wynn, 28, died in the line of duty at the Doak Apartments fire. Also severely injured was volunteer firefighter Jon Dennison, 21, who suffered second and third degree burns. At 1:13 a.m. on …
Continue reading ‘Wrightsville Beach Line of Duty Death – December 6, 1981’ »
This posting is a consolidation and expansion of two Facebook postings and discussion threads from December 2025. See part 1 and part 2. Random notes on the history of fire alarm “street boxes” in Charlotte. Reference Documents View list of box locations before 1975 (PDF) Timeline Before 1900 1887, Nov – First fire alarm system …