June 22, 2017Renovations are well underway. The interior has been gutted. New walls, windows, wiring, plumbing, HVAC, and fixtures are being installed. The adjoining “shop space,” the old repair shop, is being re-purposed as a drive-through apparatus bay and additional living space. Work should be completed in November. Engine 2 relocated to their temporary quarters …
Continue reading ‘Updated – Renovations for Raleigh Fire Station 2’ »
Thirty-three years ago, the Raleigh Fire Department produced its first “yearbook.” The slim hardcover, with just under 100 pages, included a text history of the department, portraits of all members, action photos, historical photos, pictures of each fire station, and even a few candid shots. The project was self-funded, through advance orders and sponsorships. And …
Continue reading ‘Raleigh Fire Department 1984 Commemorative Book… Digitized’ »
For your Friday enjoyment, here’s a vintage certificate of completion from the North Carolina Fire College, awarded to Raleigh Fire Department firefighter J. B. Keeter, after completed the 1942 Lecture Course for Officers and Members. (Here’s a neat video from the 1967 college, we blogged about in 2011.) Believe John B. “Jack” Keeter was a …
Continue reading ‘Vintage North Carolina Fire College Certificate’ »
On July 1, 2017, a new fire department begins operating in northern Wake County, a consolidation of Bay Leaf Volunteer Fire Department, Incorporated, and Stony Hill Rural Fire Department, Inc. Northern Wake Fire Department will operate five fire stations, with 28 pieces of equipment, and 140 members. They’ll cover a 70-mile area that’s north of …
Continue reading ‘Northern Wake Fire Department Family Tree’ »
On Sunday morning, Yours Truly spent a couple hours crossing from east Carrboro into West Chapel Hill, and following the track tracks that end at the power plant. That’s right, a coal train delivers their fuel, by way of a 10-mile spur from the Norfolk-Southern line that crosses through Orange County. But here’s another fun …
Continue reading ‘Looking For Train Tracks on the UNC-Chapel Hill Campus’ »
June 7Last night, the Apex Community Auxiliary made a presentation to the town board, with retired, longtime Chief Nicky Winstead recounting the story of the squad and the supportive auxiliary. They then introduced each of eight charity and non-profit organizations, and invited them to make remarks, before presenting them with checks and certificates. See more …
Continue reading ‘After 45 Years, Apex Community Auxiliary is Disbanding’ »
The Apex Fire Department placed a new Rescue 4 in service at Station 4 on Saturday, May 13. The 2017 E-One Typhoon walk-around heavy-rescue, job #140490 , was delivered on April 21. Features include top-mounted coffin compartments, a rear staircase, and a lighting tower. (Believe it also has a cascade system, for filling air bottles.) …
North Carolina Strike Force 1. Ever heard of that entity? They were the state’s first Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, organized in the late 1990s. They were conceived as regional technical rescue team that was based in Forsyth and Davidson counties. They were incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2000, and renamed from “Strike …
Continue reading ‘NC Strike Force 1, NC USAR Teams, Forsyth Rescue, and More History’ »
The Wake Forest Fire Department has purchased a replacement for Squad 5, which is housed at Station 5, the former Falls Fire Department station. Squad 5 currently operates a 1994 E-One Century top-mounted pumper-tanker, 1000/1000, and also carries rescue equipment. The new Squad 5 is a 1997 International 4900/Clay Fire Equipment, four-wheel drive, rear-mounted rescue …
This is a blog archives posting from October 2010. The page is corrupted on the old site, so we’re re-posting here. From a reader, here’s what looks like a delivery photo (or at least a polished posed photo) of one of two 1986 EEI/Pemfab pumpers that served the city of Raleigh. Equipped with 1500 GPM pumps …