First Aid for the Injured – Firemen’s Conference Talk, 1914

At the annual convention of the North Carolina State Firemen’s Association in August 1914, State Fire Marshal Sherwood Brockwell gave a presentation on first aid. Here’s a transcription, as printed in the published proceedings… Mr. Brockwell was called upon to give an address and a demonstration to the Convention on first aid to the injured. …

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Building a Better Rescue

This posting is an expanded version of an article that first appeared in the fall 2018 issue of the Raleigh Fire Department Newsletter. New Rescue, New Quarters The City of Raleigh Fire Department recently placed a new heavy rescue in service, a 2018 Pierce Arrow XT that was custom-designed by department members. The truck was …

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Charlotte Rescue and First Aid Squad – Annual Report, 1953

From page 51 of the previously posted Charlotte Fire Department annual report of calendar year 1953, here’s a neat summary of the rescue squad organization’s activities, members, and assets. Their equipment included three iron lungs! The Charlotte Rescue and First Aid Squad was a private corporation that was chartered in July 1947. They were one …

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Vintage Photo of Wilkinson Boulevard Ambulance, 1976

Found this in the November-December 1976 issue of Hose & Nozzle magazine. Ambulance operated by Wilkinson Boulevard Fire Department in Mecklenburg County. [ Was that typical or atypical of Meck departments at the time? Operating squads? ] WBFD was one of the first rural fire departments in North Carolina. They operated from 1943 to 1984, when they …

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Vintage Photo of Greensboro Civil Defense Rescue Squad

Found for sale on eBay, vintage photo of Greensboro’s 1967 International/Boyertown Civil Defense rescue squad.  Model year is more likely 1962, as cited on this page of history about Guilford County Fire Services. It was delivered in the fall of 1962 and operated as city-county rescue unit. That said, other sources have cited the vehicle …

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North Carolina Rescue Squad History (2013)

This is a re-posting of a Blog Archives posting that is no longer available. It was originally posted on May 5, 2013. Introduction What was were the first rescue squads in North Carolina? This question was recently discussed on Facebook. Below are some of the highlights Note that “rescue squad” often meant the equivalent of …

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Vintage USAF Crash Rescue Instructions For Local Responders

For your holiday weekend reading pleasure, a “crash rescue guide” for local responders, prepared by Field Training Detachment 205A at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Undated and found in the archives of a local fire department. Contains information on (a.) telephone numbers for reporting crashes, (b.) types of information to provide when calling, (c.) instructions …

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Swift Water Rescue Teams Leave Raleigh For Texas

Two swift-water rescue teams left Raleigh yesterday, headed to Texas to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. They were part of a five-team deployment requested by Texas emergency officials.  Personnel and equipment from NC USAR Task Force 8 and Task Force 9 departed from the Raleigh Fire Department training center, following a 10:00 a.m. …

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