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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Charlotte Fire Museum History

Left, news photo from 1979 via eBay. Right, Legeros photo from December 2008. This posting is a series of research notes. See source documents in this Google drive. Read a history of Charlotte’s former and historic firehouses.  First Iteration (Failed), Old Station 2 1969, January – Plans to open a fire museum are announced at …

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Renovations Started at Cary Station 4

On January 19, 2024, personnel at Cary Fire Station 4 at 1401 Old Apex Road were relocated from their 1987 engine house to a temporary facility added at the front of the building. Engine 4 was moved into a metal shelter beside a modular living unit. The other unstaffed units at Station 4, including a …

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