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 was 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 questions. Will revise as more info is found. See earlier posting about these departments and their histories.  …

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Charlotte Rescue and First Aid Squad – Annual Report, 1953

From page 51 of the previously posted Charlotte Fire Department annual report of calendar year 1953, here’s a neat summary of the rescue squad organization’s activities, members, and assets. Their equipment included three iron lungs! The Charlotte Rescue and First Aid Squad was a private corporation that was chartered in July 1947. They were one …

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Charlotte Fire Department Annual Reports – 1937, 1953

For your Sunday reading, annual reports of the Charlotte Fire Department for the calendar years 1937 and 1953. Lots of interesting information and great hand-drawn graphics. The 1953 report also includes hand-drawn pictures of each front-line apparatus! Scanned from bound copies at Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina, during a recent visit. Read …

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Chapel Hill Fire Station 2 – History of the Original

Chapel Hill’s new Fire Station 2 was dedicated on Saturday, July 14. The two-story, 11,246 square-foot engine house was opened in May. See photos. It’s the ten-years-in-the-making result of a public and private partnership between the town, the county, and a private developer.  Built on the site of the original 1959 fire station on Hamilton …

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The Only Constant is Change

Next week, the Wake County Fire Commission receives presentation from Wake County Fire Services, with a concept for adding a new Garner fire station near Ten Ten Road and Highway 401. Such a facility could provide service to the areas currently served by Fairview Station 2. Whoa. On June 30, Apex EMS ceased operation. Wake …

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