North Carolina Fallen Firefighters to be Honored at National Memorial – October 7, 2018

This post originated as a Facebook posting on Legeros Fire Line. The 37th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, October 7, 2018, at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD.  The ceremony will honor the lives of 80 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2017 and 23 firefighters who died …

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Responding to Fran – September 1996

As Hurricane Florence approaches, many in Raleigh are remembering Fran from 22 years ago. The storm struck the city with hurricane-force winds on Thursday night, September 5, 1996.  During a three-day period, the Raleigh Fire Department answered nearly 700 calls, with call types ranging from fires (46) and medical emergencies (142), to flooding (33) and trees …

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New Hanover County Fire History – Research Notes

Wrapped another squirrel chase! This one started as a question: what’s the origin story of New Hanover’s county fire department? How did a system of community (or “rural”) volunteer fire departments (Castle Hayne, Myrtle Grove, North Wilmington, etc.) evolve into a career, county-run department? It’s story told in two parts. First, in 1950, with the …

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Wilmington-New Hanover County Fire Protection Report – 1971

Random historical artifact, by way of the New Hanover County Library’s North Carolina Room.  Technical report on the county (and city) fire protection. Includes a four-page response from the volunteer fire departments, clarifying and refuting some points. Includes some nifty details of the time, including a Wilmington FD org chart, and a list of all …

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Vintage Commentary: Who’s Protecting Whom – Volunteer Fire Departments Talk Back

The following full-page commentary, bought as an advertisement, appeared in the Wilmington Star-News in late 1993 or early 1994.  It presents opinions of the county’s volunteer fire departments, and their reactions to recent events of the time, including the closure of North Wilmington VFD that year, new county requirements for VFDs for financial accounting, and county plans …

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Garner Fire Administration Moves

The Garner Fire Department has relocated their administrative offices. They moved into new space this month at 914 7th Avenue, a town building that previously served as a temporary town hall, while the new one was being built. Their new HQ as built in 1997 and has 18,072 square-feet, say tax records. Previously a commercial …

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History of Wake County Fire Protection and Fire Governance

Presented a deep dive into the history of both fire protection and fire service governance in Wake County. The research notes were originally compiled in 2016 and undergo occasional updates.  Read research notes (PDF)   Selected Milestones 1952 – First rural service started in Apex. 1954 – County rural fire protection program created.  1954 – County …

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Oak Island Fire Departments Family Tree – Long Beach, Yaupon Beach, Oak Island, Southport, Fort Caswell

New history chart!  Fire departments of Oak Island in Brunswick County: Fort Caswell Long Beach Yaupon Beach Oak Island Southport This one’s a little less complete than usual. Done entirely through remote research. And includes a few standing question. Will revise as more info is found. See earlier posting about these departments and their histories.  …

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