Looking For Train Tracks on the UNC-Chapel Hill Campus

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 …

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After 45 Years, Apex Community Auxiliary is Disbanding

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 …

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New Rescue For Apex… And Some History

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.) …

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NC Strike Force 1, NC USAR Teams, Forsyth Rescue, and More History

  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 …

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Wake Forest Adds Newer Squad 5

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 …

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Raleigh Fire Engines Built in Raleigh

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 …

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Spectacular Blaze Sweeps Four Buildings – November 1915

On November 6, 1915, the “largest fire in Raleigh’s history” threatened an entire city block, as the News & Observer and other buildings burned. Two firemen escaped death, as a building collapsed upon them, as they sprayed water from a rooftop. Windows melted across the street, flying embers started fires. Sound familiar? The 6:05 a.m. blaze …

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Durham Opens New Fire Station 9

Last week, the Durham Fire Department activated their new Station 9, at 1648 Midland Terrace. It was placed in service on April 13 at about 9:00 a.m. The single-story engine house as three bays and 8,908 square-feet. It houses Engine 9. The facility cost $4,321,600. Features include separate accommodations for eight firefighters per shift, fitness room, captain’s …

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Before Falls Lake

This is a blog archives posting from January 2014. The page is corrupted on the old site, so we’re re-posting here. January 2014 Last week’s North Raleigh News (and Midtown Raleigh News) featured an informative article by Colin Campbell about the “ghost roads” of Falls Lake. He writes about barricaded sections of Possum Track, Choplin, …

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Constitution and By-Laws of Fire Fighters Association No. 548 of Raleigh, N.C., 1938

This is a blog archives posting from June 2011. The page is corrupted on the old site, so we’re re-posting here. And a random artifact for your Monday enjoyment. This is the constitution and by-laws of the original incarnation (PDF) of the Raleigh Professional Fire Fighters Association (web site). Same is scanned from a photocopy of the …

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