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 …

Continue reading ‘Goldsboro and Wayne County Rescue and EMS History’ »

Goldsboro Rescue Squad – Line of Duty Deaths in 1976

LODD rescue history. In 1976, two members of the Goldsboro Rescue Squad died on duty in two separate incidents. On March 28, 1976, James Hickman drowned during a water rescue/recovery. On November 7, 1976, Kenneth Davis died in a vehicle collision. Here are those stories. James Madison Hickman March 28, 1976 – On a Sunday …

Continue reading ‘Goldsboro Rescue Squad – Line of Duty Deaths in 1976’ »

Winston-Salem and Forsyth County Ambulance and Rescue History

Presenting research notes on ambulance, rescue, and EMS history in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. See Google drive of source articles. See web page with assorted research notes.  1930 to 1949 1937 – Winston-Salem Rescue Squad organized. First rescue squad in the state. They performed rescue functions but no transport services. 1950 to 1959 1958 – …

Continue reading ‘Winston-Salem and Forsyth County Ambulance and Rescue History’ »

Greensboro and Guilford County Ambulance and Rescue History

Presenting research notes on ambulance, rescue, and EMS history in Greensboro and Guilford County. See Google drive of source articles. Read research notes. Timeline Pre-History 1910 – First ambulance was a horse-drawn unit, operated from 1910 to 1915. Sold to a woman’s group, likely the Greensboro Ambulance Association. They mounted the carriage on a truck …

Continue reading ‘Greensboro and Guilford County Ambulance and Rescue History’ »

Radiator Specialty Company Explosion – November 26, 1980

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from April 6, 2025. Looking back at the Radiator Specialty Company explosion and fire in Union County, NC, on November 26, 1980, from newspaper accounts in the Charlotte News and Charlotte Observer over the next couple days. On a Wednesday morning, just after 9 a.m., an …

Continue reading ‘Radiator Specialty Company Explosion – November 26, 1980’ »

Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Rescue and EMS History

Presenting researching notes on the history of rescue and ambulance services in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Read research notes (pdf) See Google Drive folder of clippings. Summary Before 1960 1921 – First advertisements appear for ambulance services in newspapers. Operators are car and taxi companies. 1926 – Funeral homes begin adding ambulance services.  1947 – …

Continue reading ‘Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Rescue and EMS History’ »

Kernersville Helicopter Rescue and Crash, September 25 1984

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting on March 25, 2025 Recounting the fatal helicopter crash in downtown Kernersville on September 25, 1984, during the attempted rescue/recovery of an injured worker atop a decommissioned water tower. The incident started about 6:10 p.m. after 19 year-old Charles Glenwood Tompkins Jr. as injured while working …

Continue reading ‘Kernersville Helicopter Rescue and Crash, September 25 1984’ »

Siloam Bridge Collapse – February 23, 1975

Updated: March 25, 2025, with additional clippings and artifacts added to the linked Google Drive. This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from February 2025.  Here’s a short summary about the Siloam Bridge Collapse, that we learned about this week.  This happened on Sunday night, February 23, 1975, in Siloam, NC, on the …

Continue reading ‘Siloam Bridge Collapse – February 23, 1975’ »

New Hanover County Ambulance and Rescue Services History

Presenting research notes on the history of ambulance and rescue services in New Hanover County. View chart – JPG | PDF See below for selected notes. See this Google Drive folder for 200+ articles, including those referenced below. 1950s 1957, Feb – Cape Fear Ambulance Service was under new management, prices reduced, read an advertisement. …

Continue reading ‘New Hanover County Ambulance and Rescue Services History’ »

Oldest Rescue Squads in North Carolina + Master List

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. …

Continue reading ‘Oldest Rescue Squads in North Carolina + Master List’ »