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 …
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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 …
This is an ongoing blog posting about the project to relocate Raleigh Fire Station 3. Contents Nov 2025 – November Update Feb 2025 – Construction Update Nov 2024 – Design + Public Art Unveiled Nov 2024 – Community Meeting Scheduled Oct 2024 – Site Clearing Started Aug 2024 – Construction Bid Awarded May 2024 – …
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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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From our archives, incomplete parts of a vintage Raleigh street map, circa 1960s. Download larger version (PDF, 61MB)
Wake County history hit. For our Sunday reading, let’s take a deep dive into the story of New Hope Station 2 (now their main station) and Wendell Station 2. Turning the clock back at the fall of 1987, when county commissioners considered proposals to add fire protection to the so-called “no man’s land” in eastern …
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This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from August 2025. Not an old engine house. Located behind the Quorum Center on West Jones Street, this old building in downtown Raleigh is not a former fire station. However, that’s the story that some Raleigh-ites have heard over the years and decades. That’s also what …
Chart updated October 15, 2025. Posting created August 23, 2023. This is a blog version of an earlier Facebook posting. Presenting a new infographic, a high-level history of fire service governance in Wake County. Source is this research on the history of Wake County fire protection and fire service governance. See also this history chart …
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Comparing maps that appeared in a City of Raleigh fire protection planning document in 1970 with other map data: Raleigh projected growth + later/current fire stations (PDF) Wake County rural fire districts + Raleigh annexation history (PDF) Wake County rural fire districts + current fire insurance districts (PDF) Wake County rural fire districts + current …
Continue reading ‘Raleigh and Wake County Planning Maps 1970 and 2025’ »