Baltimore Line of Duty Deaths

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from January 24, 2022. Terrible news in Baltimore today, January 24, 2022. Three firefighters dead and fourth in critical condition after the partial collapse at a three-story row house, about 6:00 a.m. Killed were Lt. Paul Butrim, Firefighter/Paramedic Kelsey Sadler, and EMT/Firefighter Kenny Lacayo. Hospitalized and …

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Raleigh Diversity Milestones

This is the time of year that attentions turn to diversity and inclusion. And an occasional question to Mr. History is “who were the first X, Y, Z” in the history of the Raleigh Fire Department. Let’s dig into those old (and newer) milestones, and build a list accordingly. Here we go. Inputs welcome, notably …

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First Fire Department in North Carolina?

This content first appeared as a Facebook posting in August 2021.  Hey Mike, which fire department was the first in North Carolina? Great question. Let’s tease out an answer. First, some ground rules. For our purposes, fire department = fire company, as that was the verbiage of colonial times. Second, fire companies do NOT include …

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Raleigh Unit Renumbering Recap

This is a blog version of prior-posted Facebook content. Earlier this year, the Raleigh Fire Department renumbered it’s ladder companies, along with Rescue 1, the haz-mat units, the mini-pumpers, and selected other units.  Round One Old New Date Loc Apparatus  Notes Ladder 1 Ladder 4 01/25/21 Sta 4 2014 Pierce platform   Ladder 2 Ladder …

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How Often Did Raleigh Rescue Transport Patients?

February 2021 Updated posting with call totals for 1955, call data for 1975 and 1976, and other information. September 3, 2016 The Raleigh Emergency Rescue Squad was created in 1953. It was comprised of civilian volunteers and fire department drivers, and they operated equipment that was housed at the downtown fire station. (Their gear was …

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Northern Wake Tanker Overturns / History of Overturned Apparatus in Wake County

Northern Wake Tanker Overturns On Monday night, October 19, 2020, at about 9:20 p.m., Northern Wake Tanker 38 overturned in 6100 block of Ebenezer Church Road, while responding to a house fire on Dewees Court, about two miles south. Two firefighters were aboard, and were transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The 2013 International/KME, …

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