Archive of posts filed under the History category.

Fayetteville Firefighter David Sharp Died in the Line of Duty – March 17, 2000

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Looking back at the line of duty death of Fayetteville Fire Department Engineer David C. Sharp II on Friday, March 17, 2000. Sharp died after the 1993 Pierce Arrow aerial tower he was driving was struck by a train at the Cumberland Street grade crossing between Orange and Ramsey streets, while returning from an automatic …

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Horry County Renumbering – April 1986

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From South Carolina, memorandum of changes to Horry County fire stations and fire apparatus numbers, dated April 22, 1986. Original images at bottom. Here’s a transcription from ChatGPT: April 22, 1986 MEMORANDUM TO: All Personnel FROM: Hampton Shuping, Jr., Fire Chief/Coordinator RE: Change in Station Numbering System Effective Monday, May 5, 1986, at 0800 the …

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Eight People Killed by Lightning in Sampson County – July 12, 1961

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Transcription of News and Observer story about eight people killed by lightning on July 12, 1961, in Sampson County, NC. Plus news photo from the Greensboro Record.  News and Observer, July 13, 1961 Lightning Kills Eight Near Clinton Bolt Hits Leaf Barn; Ninth Hurt By BILL WOMBLE. CLINTON — A single bolt of lightning flashed …

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Renovations at Raleigh Fire Station 7

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See more photos by Mike Legeros March 18, 2026 Raleigh Fire Station 7 re-opened on November 25, 2026. Squad 7 returned to its quarters after eight month of temporary house with Engine 11 at Fire Station 11. The mini-pumper was moved back to Fire Station 7 some weeks later. It had been housed at Fire …

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Extra Alarms Fires in Raleigh – 1990 to 2025

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Presenting a chart counting extra-alarm (structure) fires in Raleigh from 1990 to 2025. Scroll for source data and editorial comments. See more Raleigh Fire Department (RFD) charts and infographics in this blog post. Editorial Comments This data was hand-compiled by Mike Legeros, based on sources including news reports, RFD photo unit documentation, RFD media releases, …

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Early History of the Louisburg Fire Department

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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 …

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Watauga County Ambulance and Rescue Squad History

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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 …

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QVC Distribution Center Fire – December 18, 2021

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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 …

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Raleigh Run Numbers – 2025

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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 …

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History of Ambulance Service and Rescue Squads in Johnston County

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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 …

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