Fairview Station Closure – Update, November 30

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Note: This page is a placeholder for current and future updates about the proposed concept of closing Fairview Fire Station 2.

November 30, 2018

Legislation Proposed for Fire District

Local legislation has been introduced to the North Carolina General Assembly, to remove the Fairview (Ten Ten) Fire District from the governance and jurisdiction of Wake County. It was introduced on November 28 by Representative Nelson Dollar. Read blog post.

November 15, 2018

Minutes from Fire Commission Meetings

See this document for minutes from the Wake County Fire Commission meetings on July 19 and August 16, which included presentations and discussions about the proposal. 

August 21,  2018

Rebuttal to Allegations of Propaganda

From this Facebook post: 

Fairview Fire Department Rebuttal To The Allegations of Spreading Propaganda During the Fire Commission Meeting on August 16, 2018

It is very important to us that our citizens, the Fire Commission and others involved in the discussions about the proposal to close Fairview Sta. 2 know we have been truthful. Please see the links below to Fairview’s rebuttal to allegations of spreading propaganda. The first link is to the letter sent out to the Fire Commission, Wake County Commissioners and Wake County Fire Chiefs. The links following that are for documents referenced in the letter.

Document 1
 Document 2
 Document 3

 

Documents also copied to this blog repository.

August 17, 2018

Work Session Update

The Wake County Fire Commission held a work session last night. Though no voting was done, members reached a consensus decision to take the station closure proposal “off of the table.”

Also, Fairview FD made this annotated version of the Q&A document, originally included in the work session agenda pack.

August 12, 2018

Fire Commission Work Session on August 16

The Wake County Fire Commission will continue their discussion, and continue receiving information, about the proposed closure concept.

The work session meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. at the Wake County Emergency Services Education Center, 221 South Rogers Lane, Suit 160, Raleigh.

See meeting documents (PDF), from this blog post about the meeting.

Community Meeting on August 9

On Thursday, August 9, the Fairview Fire Department held a community meeting, to present information and answer questions about the proposed future closure of Fairview Station 2. 

The web site citizensforfairviewfd.org has posted both slides and audio from the meeting. They’ve been downloaded and copied here:

Note: Recommend paging through the slides, as Former Fairview Fire Chief Donald Pierce speaks. 

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Proposed Concept 

The proposed concept of closing Fairview Station 2 in a future year, after opening a new Garner fire station, was publicly presented at the July 19, 2018, meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission.

Read a summary in this earlier blog post about that meeting, which includes copies of slides that were presented, a handout provided by a concerned citizen, and an audio recording of the meeting.

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Wake County Fire Commission Meeting – November 15, 2018

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Here’s the agenda for tomorrow night’s meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission, for Thursday, November 15, 2018. Starts at 7:00 p.m. at the Wake County Emergency Services Education Center, 221 S. Rogers Lane, Raleigh. 

Agenda

Meeting Called to Order: Chairman Chief McGee

  • Invocation
  • Pledge of allegiance
  • Roll of Members Present

Items of Business

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Minutes July 19, 2018
  • Approval of Minutes Special Called Meeting August 16, 2018

Public Comments

  • Comments from the public will be taken at this time. Members of the public are invited to make comment to the Commission, with a maximum of 3 minutes per person. A signup sheet for those who wish to speak during the public comments section of the meeting is located at the entrance of the meeting room.

Regular Agenda

  • Wake County Human Resources Compensation Presentation ( if available )
  • Apex Fire Department Re-Direction of Funding Request
  • Fuquay Varina Fire Department Emergency Funding Request
  • North Region Committee Appointments
  • West Region Committee Appointments
  • Fire Commission Administrative Committee Chair Appointment

Information Agenda

  • Fire Tax Financial Report
  • Sub Committee Reports
  • Fire Services Report

Other Business

  • Adjournment
  • Next meeting, January 17, 2019 at 7:00 PM

Agenda Packet

View agenda packet.

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Looking Closely at the Capital Hose Company, Circa 1902

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Alert! Alert! 

New old photo found!

The North Carolina State Archives recently added this image to their collection. It was cataloged in 2014 and one of a handful of surviving turn-of-the-century images of the Raleigh Fire Department. Call number N. 2014.9.1.

It shows the Capital Hose Company competition reel team, circa 1902. They won the “world’s championship” reel contest that year, at the state firemen’s tournament, which was held along with the state convention in Durham on July 23-25, 1902. (Read newspaper articles about the tournament.)

They’re pictured in front of fire department headquarters at 112 W. Morgan Street. The 1896 engine house housed two volunteer fire companies, the Capital Hose Company and the Hook and Ladder Company. Both operated horse-drawn apparatus, the former with a hose wagon, and the latter with a ladder wagon. 

In 1902, the volunteer Raleigh Fire Department had around 100 men, along with paid drivers on “constant duty” at each of the three fire houses. Three two-horse hose wagons were stationed on W. Morgan Street (above), Fayetteville Street, and E. Hargett Street. They carried 2 1/2-inch hose, which was connected directly to the hydrant system, for pumping pressure. (In 1902, the city had 129 public hydrants, 15 private ones, and 33 fire alarm boxes.)

The volunteer companies served until December 1912, when they were replaced by a career Raleigh Fire Department. The volunteer’s equipment and facilities, and even a few members, were transferred to the new department. (Read about that time period, in this 1900-1909 timeline.)

Click to enlarge these views:

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Two Alarms on Wallingford Drive

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Two alarms were struck this morning at 5051 Wallingford Drive. Dispatched 5:07 a.m. Engine 19 arriving at a two-story, garden-style apartment building with 10,356 square feet and eight units. Built 1985. Heavy smoke showing from the front of the structure.

Transitional attack to start, then interior operations plus exterior blitz monitors for exposures. Second alarm requested after fire started involving the attic and roof. Crews were withdrawn, and aerial operations started with Ladder 2. Fire was knocked down, and crews reentered building to extinguish.

Controlled 5:58 a.m. Sixteen people were displaced. No injuries. Three pets rescued, with one dog found later found deceased. Cause determined as accidental. Firefighters remained on the scene into the morning. 

First alarm: E19, E15, E27, E11, L2, L5, R1, B1, B2; Working Fire: A2, C20, C402; Second alarm: E22, E28, E9, L1, L9, B2; Plus C3. Medical: EMS 7, 64, 1, 15, 5, 64, D1, T1. “B” platoon. 

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Every Last Ladder Truck… Again

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Let’s update that posting and montage from February 2014, showing every last ladder truck operated by the Raleigh Fire Department. 

How many do you recognize? Here’s your cheat sheet. As for the montage, it’s a low-res quickie. With a pair of catalog images included, as a change. Don’t believe either is Raleigh’s.

And one truck is out of chronological sequence. See if you can spot it. 

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Vintage Photo of Raleigh’s Old Tiller

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Here’s a vintage picture that I don’t believe we’ve shared before. Truck 1 at Station 2 at Memorial Auditorium. That’s the original tiller with its new cab, a 1939 ALF cab towing a 1916 ALF trailer. Two-section, crank-operated, wooden aerial ladder.

Aerial Ladder Truck 1 was originally cross-staffed with the service ladder truck, a 1922 ALF. Both were housed at the original Station 1 on West Morgan Street.

When that station closed in 1941, the ladder trucks were moved to Station 2 at Memorial Auditorium, because they couldn’t fit into the new temporary Station 1, at old Station 2 on South Salisbury Street. Follow?

Engine 2 was then displaced to the new temporary Station 1 and, in fact, Mr. Blogger theorizes, thus began the tradition of having two engines at Station 1. Thinking that the double engines “got good” to the chiefs, and they continued the concept.

When Station 6 opened on Fairview Road in 1949–the permanent one, not the original rented building opened in 1943 and closed in 1948–the service ladder truck was moved there. Engine 2 was moved back to Memorial. And the ladder stayed there until the current Station 1 opened on South Dawson Street in 1953. Got it? Good, there will be a quiz.

Side note, the Engine 2 movement is still partially speculated. Haven’t found supporting docs, like original log books. Just based on photos and inferences.

As for the photo, it’s courtesy Charles Watson. His father is one of the Masons in the picture, Elwin Watson from Kenly, NC.

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Raleigh Fire Department Newsletter – Fall 2018

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What’s been happening lately with your fire department? See the latest issue of the Raleigh Fire Department newsletter.

Old-school, old-style reporting. Eight pages about facilities, incidents, apparatus, personnel, et al.

Contents of this issue includes new Rescue 1, three alarms at Glenwood Towers, new Station 12 opening, Recruiting for 2019 and Beyond, and more. 

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Glenwood Towers – Major Fires and Fatal Fires

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While we’re still reflecting on the Glenwood Towers high-rise fire from last week, let’s look at the historical perspective. What other major fires–and fatal fires–have happened since it opened in 1971?

Fatal Fires

Feb. 2, 2003
Philip George Moultrie, 55
Fifth-floor apartment. Victim found on living room floor. Pronounced dead on the scene. Apparently started by smoking. Dispatched 2:28 p.m. Fire confined to victim’s apartment.

Jan 4, 1975
William Henry Dunn, 76
Found in his sixth floor apartment. Victim awoke during the blaze and notified a neighbor, who called the fire department. Victim was transported to Wake Memorial Hospital with first- and second-degree burns on both legs, and was listed in fair condition the following day. Two others were transported, one suffering from pneumonia as a precaution, and one for a prearranged trip. Dunn died April 14. Coroner cited arteriosclerosis as cause, with lower leg amputation as other significant condition, from third-degree burns. Nearly all of the 350 residents had evacuated when firefighters arrived. Fire heavily damaged victim’s room but did not spread. Minor smoke damage to sixth floor hallway.

June 6, 1974
Nellie Gray Chappell, 63
Ninth-floor apartment. Victim found in bathroom, deceased on arrival, while small fire burned in nearby clothes hamper. Corner determined cause as “possible malnutrition” and “apparently natural.” Started by light bulb resting against clothing. Fire reported at 12:44 a.m. by two neighbors who noticed smoke in the hall. They called both the fire department and the maintenance foreman. Two policemen arrived, forced the door open, and extinguished the small fire with an extinguisher. Damage $500. Glenwood Towers was built in 1970, and notable for its use of fireproof materials. Neither smoke nor heat detectors were required at the time of construction. Only last week, the Raleigh House Authority had met with salesmen to discuss installing smoke-sensing devices.

Source: Legeros research on fatal fires.

Major Fires

Defined as two or more alarms.

October 26, 2018

Three alarms. Dispatched 12:55 p.m. as fire alarm. Heavy smoke on ninth floor, heavy fire found in single apartment. Working fire at 1:02 p.m. Second alarm at 1:03 p.m. Third alarm at 1:12 p.m. Two additional engines at 1:20 p.m. Additional alarms and personnel for manpower needs, for evacuation and rescue of some 10 to 12 occupants, some that called 911 to report their locations. Water on fire at 1:38 p.m. Extended operations for overhaul, air monitoring, and assisting residents with returning. Six residents transported, one treated and not transported. Over 100 evacuated. Total 28 units damaged, 26 [?] residents displaced.

Fire response: E1, E2, E3, E5, E6, E8, E10 (relief), E11, E13, E17, E20, Sq 7, Sq 14, L1 (relief), L3, L4, L7, L8, R1, C20, C401, C402, C1, C2, C3, C4, C14, B2, B3, B5 A1, A2 (relief), Training Division Chief, Training Captains, recruit academy members.

EMS response: EMS15, 16, 22, 3, 33, 4, 52, 54, 6, 62, 63, 68, 7, 8, plus [single?] units from Franklin, Johnson, Harnett, Granville counties; District 1, 3, 4, 5, Medic 91, 92, 93, 95, CH 101, 102, 200, Evac 1, EMS PIO.

See earlier blog post for more information.

May 18, 1992

Two alarms. Dispatched about 4:45 p.m. Heavy smoke and minor fire in apartment on second-floor. Code 2 on arrival by E5, upgraded to Code 3 by Car 52. Fire in a/c unit, damage only to a/c unit and carpet. E5, E3, T1, R7, C52; E1, E3, T8, R6, C1, C2, C4, C5, C12, SR 5.

Source: Legeros timeline, 1990s.

December 27, 1990

Two alarms. Code 3 on arrival. Heating/air-condition unit on fire in one apartment. Evacuated seventh floor. One resident transported. Second alarm not utilized. E5, E13, T1, C52, R7; E1, E3, T8, C51; C3, C4, C10, C1, C70, SR1.

Source: Legeros timeline, 1990s.

Others?

Are there more two-alarm fires, than recorded here? That’s quite possible. And are there single-alarm responses that should be categorized as “major fire”? That involved heavy fire in a single unit, or heavy smoke and significant evacuation? Good question. Will ponder. 

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Two Alarms on Brook Knoll Place

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On Sunday, October 28, two alarms were struck on Brook Knoll Place, in a townhouse complex around the corner from Falls of Neuse and Wake Forest Roads. Dispatched 6:43 a.m. Upgraded to working fire and second alarm, while units were en route, based on number of callers.

Engine 15 arrived at a three-story townhouse with 1,780 square-feet. One of eight units, built 2004. Heavy fire showing in front and rear of structure, on two of the three floors.

Crews initially performed an interior attack, including a courtyard lay in the rear of the structure, with a two-inch line from Engine 9. The fire building was soon evacuated, and exterior operations were started, using Engine 15 deluge gun, Ladder 1 from northwest corner of complex, and Ladder 2 in front of the fire building.

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Exterior hand line was also deployed from behind the fire building, from a second-story balcony opposite the fire building. Crews climbed onto the balcony using a roof ladder. The main body of the fire was knocked down in about ten minutes. The fire was controlled at 7:30 a.m.

Ladder 2 continued to flow into the building, while Ladder 1 was demobilized, along with the second-alarm companies. Engine 15, 19, 9, Ladder 2, and Battalion 5 remained on scene, and “C” platoon personnel were relieved by “A” platoon members. They remained on scene into the morning.

First alarm: E15, E19, E11, E9, L2, L1, R1, B1, B5; Working fire: A2, C20, C402, B2; Second alarm: E16, E4, E22, L5, L3; Plus C2, C3, C4.

Two residents were injured, and transported to the hospital. One later died, a 71 year-old woman. Six people were displaced. 

See more photos by Mike Legeros.

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Three Alarms at Glenwood Towers

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Last updated November 3, 2018

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See more Legeros photos

Contents

  • Historical Perspective
  • Summary
  • Details

Historical Perspective

See this subsequent blog post about major fires and fatal fires at Glenwood Towers. 

Summary

Three alarms were dispatched at 509 Glenwood Avenue on Friday, October 26, 2018. Dispatched 12:55 p.m. as fire alarm. Heavy smoke on ninth floor, heavy fire found in single apartment. Working fire at 1:02 p.m. Second alarm at 1:03 p.m. Third alarm at 1:12 p.m. Two additional engines at 1:20 p.m. Additional alarms and personnel for manpower needs, for evacuation and rescue of some 10 to 12 occupants, some that called 911 to report their locations. Water on fire at 1:38 p.m. Extended operations for overhaul, air monitoring, and assisting residents with returning. Six residents transported, one treated and not transported. Over 100 evacuated. Total 28 units damaged, 26 [?] residents displaced.

Fire response: E1, E2, E3, E5, E6, E8, E10 (relief), E11, E13, E17, E20, Sq 7, Sq 14, L1 (relief), L3, L4, L7, L8, R1, C20, C401, C402, C1, C2, C3, C4, C14, B2, B3, B5 A1, A2 (relief), Training Division Chief, Training Captains, recruit academy members.

EMS response: EMS15, 16, 22, 3, 33, 4, 52, 54, 6, 62, 63, 68, 7, 8, plus [single?] units from Franklin, Johnson, Harnett, Granville counties; District 1, 3, 4, 5, Medic 91, 92, 93, 95, CH 101, 102, 200, Evac 1, EMS PIO.

Details

General

  • Some 10-12 residents rescued from fire floor and floor above. 
  • Six residents transported to hospitals. One treated on scene, refused transport.
  • One news report said over 100 residents were evaluated by EMS. This is incorrect. Early into the incident, officials said that 100+ residents still needed to be evaluated. This was said, because they didn’t have a good handle on many more more still required medical evaluation, to determine further complaints. However, no new patients presented from that group.
  • Eighth floor residents and above were evacuated. 
  • By 4:40 p.m., most residents were allowed to return (source: WRAL).
  • Red Cross opened emergency shelter at church in Garner on Friday night (source: WRAL).
  • Building has 287 apartments, only 10 were vacant. Total 28 units damaged in blaze (source: WRAL).
  • Built 1971. Total 117,584 square-feet. Fourteen stories. Residents are low-income elderly. Operated by Raleigh Housing Authority. 
  • No sprinkler system. 

Milestones

12:55 Call received. Smoke detector activation.   
12:56 Dispatched as automatic fire alarm. E13, L4.   
13:01 Engine 13 arrives, nothing showing, upon entry residents are reporting smoke on upper floor(s).  
13:01 Ladder 4 arrives, reports flames showing from ninth-floor window on north side of tower.   
13:02 Working fire. E1, E5, E6, L2, R1, B3, B2, B5, C20, C402, A1,   
13:03 (?) EMS dispatch: EMS54, 15, D1  
13:03 Second alarm. E2, Sq7, E11, L7, L8.   
13:04 (?) EMS dispatch: EMS 63, 68, M92, CH200  
13:04   Sq7 en route.
13:05   C20 arrives.
13:06   E5 arrives.
13:07   E1 arrives.
13:07 Engine 13 is attack group.  
13:08   E6 arrives.
13:08 Car 20 takes command.  
13:09 (?) EMS dispatch: CH101, 102, M91  
13:09   B5 arrives.
13:10 Heavy smoke on ninth floor.  
13:10   L2 arrives.
13:10   C2 en route.
13:11   E11 arrives.
13:11   E2 arrives.
13:11   R1 arrives.
13:12 First (?) caller to 911 reporting inside apartment, needs help evacuating. Several additional calls received over next hour, including second-party calls from family members contacted by residents.   
13:12 Third alarm: E8, E20, Sq14, L3
Requested after dispatcher relates first (?) report of trapped resident(s).		  
13:14   B2 arrives.
13:14   L8 arrives.
13:14   B3 arrives.
13:16   L7 arrives
13:16 (?) EMS dispatch: EVAC 1  
13:17   C4 arrives.
13:17   C14 arrives.
13:18   A1 arrives.
13:18 Battalion 3 is Fire Operations on Floor 8.  
13:20 Two additional engines dispatched, E3, E17.   
13:23   E8 arrives.
13:23   E20 arrives.
13:24   Sq14 arrives.
13:24   E17 arrives.
13:25   L3 arrives.
13:26   E3 arrives.
13:28   C401 arrives.
13:28   C402 arrives.
13:31 (?) EMS dispatch: EMS 8, 3, 4, D5, M95  
13:34 Fire located, single room with contents, Apartment 927.  
13:38 Water on fire.  
13:42 (?) EMS dispatch: EMS 16, 22, 52, 33  
13:45 (?) EMS dispatch: Special call for out of county,units from Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnson county  
13:48 Fire under control. Primary search completed. Secondary search started.   

Later

  • 16:4_ – E10 – Special call.
  • 16:43 – L1 – Special call.
  • 20:33 – Last unit(s) clear scene.

Locations – Outside

  • E13 on SE corner, connected to south standpipe, connected hydrant at Glenwood and Tucker, NW corner.
  • E1 on N side, Johnson Street, connected to north standpipe, connected to hydrant in 500 block Glenwood, mid-block, S side.
  • L4, E6, E5 on Johnson Street, 600 block
  • L2 on NW corner, Johnson and Boylan.
  • Sq7, Sq14, E17, R1, L3 on Glenwood, 500 block.
  • L8, L7, E11, E20 on Tucker Street, 500 block.
  • E3, E2, E8, A1 on Tucker Street, 600 block
  • EMS staging 600 block Glenwood, 400 block Tucker, corner Tucker and Boylan.
  • EMS officers, front parking lot

Locations – Inside

  • Lobby – Command post
  • Floor 9 – Fire
  • Floor 8 – Hose line connection, Div 9, Div 10-14 command
  • Floor 7 – Equipment staging
  • Floor 6 – Rehab

Run Card

  • Fire
    • E1, E2, E3, E5, E6, E8, E10 (r), E11, E13, E17, E20
    • Sq 7, Sq 14
    • L1 (r), L3, L4, L7, L8
    • R1
    • C20, C401, C402, C1, C2, C3, C4, C14
    • B2, B3, B5
    • A1, A2 (r)
    • Training: Division Chief, Captains, recruits
    • Relief companies (r)
  • EMS
    • EMS15, 16, 22, 3, 33, 4, 52, 54, 6, 62, 63, 68, 7, 8, FC, JC, HC
    • District 1, 3, 4, 5
    • Medic 91, 92, 93, 95
    • CH 101, 102, 200
    • Evac 1
    • PIO

Coverage:

  • E17 to RFD 1
  • E28 to RFD 1
  • L9 to RFD 1, then RFD 20
  • Garner L1 to RFD 2
  • Morrisville L1 to RFD 8
  • New Hope engine to RFD 11
  • Rolesville ladder to RFD 28
  • Swift Creek engine at RFD 20
  • Wake Forest E5 to RFD 19
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