Archive of posts filed under the Lists, Numbers, Data category.

New Hanover County Ambulance and Rescue Services History

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Presenting a short history of ambulance and rescue services in New Hanover County, plus research notes and other resources.  Resources  Search Legeros Fire Line on Facebook for “New Hanover”  View visual history: JPG | PDF Read more detailed research notes (PDF). View various newspaper clippings in Google Drive folder. 1950s 1957, Feb – Cape Fear Ambulance Service …

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Wilmington Fire Department Rescue Squad and Ambulance History

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Research notes on the history of Wilmington Fire Department’s rescue squads and ambulances. See second blog posting for wider history of New Hanover County ambulance and rescue services.  See also, Wilmington Fire History by Legeros.  1969 WFD placed first rescue unit in service. [SN, 6/30/71] Was a utility-type truck and was not equipped for transport.   1971, …

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New Hanover County Airport Fire Apparatus History

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This is a blog version expanding upon an older Facebook posting. This posting was last updated September 23, 2026. Presenting fire apparatus past and present that have served at Wilmington International Airport.  194_ Chevy/Holabird Class 110 – 100/250/50# x4 CO 194_ crash truck  Former Army Air Corps apparatus that protected the airfield during World War …

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Wilmington’s Auxiliary Apparatus during World War II

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Research notes about Wilmington and New Hanover County auxiliary firefighters during World War II. This was a national civilian defense initiative, and auxiliary firefighters were trained and equipped in cities and towns across North Carolina.  Wilmington Auxiliary Apparatus Among the equipment acquired and developed for the program by members of the Wilmington Fire Department were …

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Civil Defense Directors of Raleigh and Wake County

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How about a dip into Raleigh-Wake civil defense history? Reader Scott Womack acquired a Raleigh Civil Defense Director badge and asks, who would’ve worn this? Let’s try to answer the question via some News & Observer articles and other sources. Pre-History – During World War II there were numerous civilian defense initiatives both in Raleigh and …

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Drownings in Wake County – 1950s, 1960s, 1970s

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This is a version of a Facebook posting from February 2021. It has been expanded with additional data. Last updated, June 10, 2024. Introduction This blog post presents research notes from newspaper stories about Wake County rescue squad responses to drownings in ponds, lakes, or creeks in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Drownings were a …

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Raleigh Fire Department History – Charts and Data

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Updated on September 3, 2026, with updated (through 2025) chart on graduating class sizes. Updated on March 8, 2026, with a link to a new chart on extra-alarm fires.  Updated on June 1, 2015, with chart about hose cars and pumping engines delivered. Updated on January 9, 2025, with updated recruit academy length chart. Updated …

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Oldest Rescue Squads in North Carolina + Master List

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Posting updated May 30, 2024, with banner graphic added. Database is also periodically updated with corrections.  Research notes on the oldest rescue squads in North Carolina. Originally compiled in September 2022 in this Facebook posting. Source data in this Google spreadsheet copied from Excel master file. Name County Status Start Stop Winston-Salem Rescue Squad, Inc. …

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North Carolina Firefighter Fatalities During Interior Operations

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On March 29, 2024, Lexington Fire Department Captain Ronnie B. Metcalf, 54, died after being injured during an interior fire attack at a house fire on March 26. What’s the historical perspective of other firefighters in North Carolina, who were killed during or from injuries sustained during interior operations? That list includes the following: Theodore …

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