Drownings in Wake County – 1950s, 1960s, 1970s

This is a version of a Facebook posting from February 2021. It has been expanded with additional data. Last updated, June 10, 2024. Introduction This blog post presents research notes from newspaper stories about Wake County rescue squad responses to drownings in ponds, lakes, or creeks in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Drownings were a …

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Rolesville Fire Department Signs Unification Resolution with Town

On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, the leaders of the Town of Rolesville and the non-profit corporation Rolesville Rural Fire Department signed a unification resolution, to begin the formal process of merging the fire department with the town. During the past three years, both had been meeting collaboratively to discuss the benefits, concerns, challenges, and opportunities …

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Remembering Bob Bartosz

This was originally posted on Facebook. June 5, 2024, update. Arrangements for Bob Bartosz have been posted. Farewell will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, in Nashville, NC, with an emergency services escort to begin the journey back to New Jersey. Burial services with fire department honors will be held at Monday …

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Oldest Rescue Squads in North Carolina + Master List

Posting updated May 30, 2024, with banner graphic added. Database is also periodically updated with corrections.  Research notes on the oldest rescue squads in North Carolina. Originally compiled in September 2022 in this Facebook posting. Source data in this Google spreadsheet copied from Excel master file. Name County Status Start Stop Winston-Salem Rescue Squad, Inc. …

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Defiance Fire Company No. 2 of Statesville

In February, the City of Statesville posted a retrospective with new-old photos and information about Defiance Fire Company No. 2. They were an all-black volunteer fire company that was organized around 1894, and one of many in the state that formed in the mid- and late-19th century.[1] [1] In 1905, black fire companies were serving …

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North Carolina Firefighter Fatalities During Interior Operations

On March 29, 2024, Lexington Fire Department Captain Ronnie B. Metcalf, 54, died after being injured during an interior fire attack at a house fire on March 26. What’s the historical perspective of other firefighters in North Carolina, who were killed during or from injuries sustained during interior operations? That list includes the following: Theodore …

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Dare County Fire Departments – Past and Present

Research notes on the histories of fire departments and fire stations in Dare County, North Carolina. Last updated March 31, 2024.  Former fire stations. Left to right, top to bottom: Manteo, Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, Kitty Hawk, Southern Shores (demolished), Southern Shores (demolished), Avon, Buxton, Salvo (Demolished).  Fire Department Histories See these research notes (PDF) …

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Fatal Ambulance Accidents in North Carolina

Research notes on fatal ambulance accidents in North Carolina. Most involve collisions with other vehicles. Sources include newspapers.com, Digital North Carolina Newspapers, the Fayetteville Observer archives via News Bank, and numerous Google searches.  See source documents in this Google Drive. 2020 to 2024  February 13, 2024 – Cumberland County Cape Fear Valley Medical Center ambulance …

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