Raleigh Fire Department Master Plan

On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, city council received a presentation on the recently completed Raleigh Fire Department Master Plan, a consultant’s report and recommendations that was commissioned in April 2024. The plan presents a roadmap for the city and RFD for the next 25 years. Watch the presentation (it starts a couple minutes later). Read …

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Roanoke Rapids Fleet History

Midweek montage. How about a fleet history of Roanoke Rapids Fire Department from Halifax County, NC? Readers, what’s missing? Photo credits include the late Wayne Greer and local legend Lee Wilson. See more from Lee on his Flickr page. Hint: Search on Roanoke. Shown Above 1929 Chevy/Barton pumper, 350/500. Bought/built new, when department was organized that …

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Pender County Planned Merger

Report from Pender County. On June 19, 2025, the county board of commissioners, in a 3-2 vote, approved a plan to bring EMS and fire protection services by four (or three) private agencies under country operation. Shown is the timeline in the proposed merger plan, from this document (PDF). The proposed plan will create a …

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Bald Head Island Major Fire – November 20, 2021

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from June 17, 2025. Looking back at the North Bald Head Wynd Fire AKA the Lighthouse Landing Fire, and which contributed to the reasons for purchasing the new apparatus. It occurred on Saturday night, November 20, 2021, and was one of the largest fire events in …

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Quads in North Carolina

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from September 28, 2023. Shown are Hickory, Wilmington, Concord, Sanford, Morganton, ?, Greensboro, and Charlotte.  Here’s an ongoing list of quadruple combinations or quads that have served in North Carolina. Charlotte 1949 American LaFrance 700, ___/___ – Reg #L3809 Truck 5 at Station 8, later Ladder …

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Marine Ocean Terminal Sunny Point Fire Boats

Photo credits: US Army 596th Transportation Brigade, Davis Diesel, Ray Hunt Design, Munson Boats, US Army, Hose & Nozzle Magazine. Let’s look at the fire and rescue boats of Marine Ocean Terminal Sunny Point in Brunswick County. Three fireboats going back to the 1950s plus a small rescue boat in recent years. Were there others? …

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Goldsboro and Wayne County Rescue and EMS History

Presenting a timeline of rescue history in Goldsboro, surrounding communities, and Wayne County.  Read detailed research notes (pdf) View newspaper clippings in Google Drive folder. Short Version 1950 to 1969 1952 – After two years of trying to sell the idea of a rescue squad to local civic clubs, fire chief found interest at local …

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Goldsboro Fire Department History

Research notes on the history of the Goldsboro Fire Department. Primary sources are cited newspaper articles. Before 1900 1869 – Notice in newspaper: “Citizens of Goldsboro! Do you want a reliable Fire Company to be composed of white men? If you do, then go, without fail, and attend the meeting at the Court House this …

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Medical Helicopter Crashes in North Carolina

Research notes on medical helicopter crashes and accidents in North Carolina, both fatal and non-fatal. Pictured is the Life Force crash in Macon County in March 2023. The four crew members all survived with minor to moderate injuries. Photo credit TBD.  1980s Duke Life Flight, Duke University Hospital, Durham 7/21/1986 Crashed near NC 751 and …

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North Carolina Ambulance, Rescue, and EMS Line of Duty Deaths

Change Log: Added Paul Boyer, Fort Bragg, who died on 10/22/09. (May 5, 2025) Added Duke Life Flight members who died on 9/8/17. (May 4, 2025) Presenting a list of ambulance driver, rescue squad member, and EMS agency member line of duty deaths, but excludes fire-based EMS agency members (for now). Most of these names …

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