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 train 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 7 Last 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 …
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 a 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 …
On November 6, 1915, the “largest fire in Raleigh’s history” threatened an entire city block, as the News and Observer building 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. …
Continue reading ‘Spectacular Blaze Sweeps Four Buildings – November 1915’ »
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 has 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 …
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, …