This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from November 15, 2022.

What’s the history of the city’s colored fire companies, as they were called, back in the day? Shown is a clipping from the Statesman on February 7, 1874, via North Carolina Newspapers.

Great research topic for someone and made easier by the ever-expanding collection of digital newspapers on that site. Here’s a video by Legeros with research tips, for the site. 

Here are a few notes, from found articles this week. Memo to self, add these to my pages on Fayetteville FD history and Black Firefighter History of NC. 

• 1873, Apr 19 –Statesman editorial opines that a colored fire company would benefit the town.
• 1873, Jun 6 – Statesmen story that the colored men of the town “resurrected the old castaway fire engine” formerly used by the McLean Fire Company, and “made a trial of its capacities.” It threw a “volume of water upon the ball above the clock on the town market building.” The newspaper added “let the new company organize and elect officers; and let its members be exempted from the payment of a poll-tax to the town.”
• 1873, Jul 12-Statesman story mentions that a colored fire company celebrated the fourth of July with a parade. Also cites an engine house of theirs.
• 1873, Oct 16 – North Carolina Gazette reports “last Friday afternoon the colored fire company were out on practice and parade. A short time after its going back to quarters, the alarm of fire was given for the 7th ward, which brought out the whole fire department of the town. It proved, however, to be a false alarm.”
• 1874, Feb 7 – The Stateman notice, shown, names the colored fire company as the Frizzel Fire Company.
• 1874, Sep 3 – North Carolina Gazette reports on a fire and mentions the colored fire company that “worked splendidly, as it always does; and, notwithstanding the fact that the alarm was given when the majority of the members were at home at dinner, they would have saved the building if there had been a sufficient supply of water.”
• 1875, Apr 8 – North Carolina Gazette reports on recent state legislature act authoring a (re)organization of the fire department, which was followed by a town ordnance. The new FFD consisted of a Chief Fire Warden and seven assistants, the white Engine Co. No. 1, the black Engine Co. No. 2, the black Hook and Ladder Co., and the white Bucket Co. Each company would have a captain, four assistants, a secretary, and treasurer.
• 1875, May 13 – North Carolina Gazette reports that the Frizell (sic) Fire Company took their engine and equipment to the Market House and “surrendered them to the municipal authorities.” They apparently disbanded and in protest to a matter involving the Registrar refusing to allow the votes of certain men who claimed to be fire company members.
• 1875, Aug 28 –Educator notice, signed by “many citizens,” condemning the “many false reports and misrepresentations” being circulated about the town’s black population, with regard to the colored fire company, their disbanded in May, and what reads like politics that were in play.
• 1877, Sep 20 – North Carolina Gazette reports that a parade will be held that day with the town’s two colored fire companies along with a company from Raleigh.

Five people were killed and two were injured in an active shooter incident in east Raleigh on October 13, 2022. The gunman was also injured. See news reports and prior posting. What’s the historical perspective of mass shootings and similar incidents in Raleigh and Wake County? Notable incidents include:

1965, May 17 – Downtown Shooting, Raleigh

Five people shot and injured in the 400 block of S. Bloodworth Street, gunman shot into group on a sidewalk in front of a tavern. None were critically wounded. Source: News & Observer, May 18, 1965, page 24. “Five People Shot At Tavern Here.”

1972, May 29 – North Hills Sniper, Raleigh

Sniper at North Hills Mall. Four fatalities including gunman, self-inflicted as police arrived, and eight wounded. Shots fired from parking lot at front entrance, from between parked cars, at people entering and exiting the mall. The shooting lasted between four and six minutes. Web retrospective, https://legeros.com/history/stories/north-hills/

1982, October 8-11 – Amtrak Hostage Situation, Raleigh

Hostage situation on Amtrak train at Seaboard Station. Two fatalities. Gunman apprehended. Standoff starts about 7:30 a.m. on a Friday, after gunshots are heard in passenger car. Male subject surrenders at 5:45 a.m. on following Monday. Body of woman and nine-month old infant discovered in cabin. Four year-old infant survived. Facebook retrospective, https://tinyurl.com/2lkbz5y2

2010, May 30 – Active Shooter at Target, Apex

Active shooter at Target at Beaver Creek Commons in Apex. Two fatalities, including gunman, self-inflicted. Dispatched about 11:09 a.m. Police found a cashier, fatally shot, in the front of the store. About 150 people were inside at the time of the incident. Blog post about fire/EMS response: https://legeros.com/blog/active-shooter-in-apex-may-30-2010/

2016, August 13 – Reported Shooting at Crabtree Valley Mall

Reported shooting (none found) at Crabtree Valley Mall. Multiple medical emergencies during and after. Nine transported and 11 additional patient contacts. Dozens (couple hundred?) of people evacuated to secure locations, including across Glenwood Avenue to grassy area/road in front of Marriot Hotel. The heat index was over 100 degrees during the multi-hour incident. Blog post about incident, https://legeros.com/blog/crabtree-shooting/

Other Notable Multi-Patient Incidents

• 1974, Aug 12 – Amtrak train derailed near Wake Forest. With 28 of 270 injured.
• 1977, Jun 30 – Food poisoning at Royal Villa Hotel in Raleigh. As many as 200 patients.
• 1988, Feb 19 – American Eagle Flight 3378 crashed at RDU. Twelve killed.
• 1994, Dec 13 – American Eagle Flight 3378 crashed in Morrisville. Fifteen killed, five hospitalized.
• 2005, Aug 2 – Amtrak train derailed after striking dump truck on Rush Street. Two killed in truck. Of the 196 passengers on the train, at least 15 were transported with minor injuries.
• 2010, Feb 13 – Illness at Sheraton Hotel in Raleigh. Nearly 140 patients triaged, 40 required treatment.