Kannapolis Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade, Open House – Saturday, October 1

The Kannapolis Fire Department in Cabarrus County is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. To commemorate the event, the public is invited to an open house and parade on Saturday, October 1.

The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. at the intersection of Laureate Way and Biotechnology Lane, and will continue down Laureate to North Research Campus Drive. It will be followed by an outdoor open house until 3:00 p.m. at City Hall, 401 Laureate Way.

Here’s a Facebook event page.


Tracy Winecoff photos

History

The Kannapolis Fire Department was organized in 1906, as a volunteer fire department to protect Cannon Mills and the surrounding mill village. They operated two hand hose reels and were supplied by the town’s four fire hydrants, which were connected to the factory’s water works.

Because there were so many hose reel teams across the state, reel team competitions became a popular event at the annual North Carolina firemen’s convention. The local team won many of the contests. In 1933, the Kannapolis reel team set what were called world’s records of 15 4/5 seconds in the reel race and 15 3/5 seconds in the grab race.

With the onset of World War I, the fire department was disbanded and for several years no organized fire protection was available in the growing village. In 1928 the Kannapolis Fire Department was reorganized. Most members came from the local merchants association and from the mill.

The department was motorized in 1934, with the purchase of a used American LaFrance pumper. The first new apparatus was delivered in 1942, a Mack pumper.

As the community continued to grow around the mill village, pressing water and sewer needs led to the creation of two sanitary districts outside the village: Royal Oaks (1957) and Kannapolis (1963). Each organized their own volunteer fire department.

Changes in the ownership of Cannon Mills in 1983 served as a catalyst for the incorporation of the City of Kannapolis. On December 4, 1984, the largest unincorporated community in North Carolina officially became a municipality. In 1987, the two sanitary districts merged with the city, and the three fire departments merged into one.

The village fire department was owned and operated by the mill. With the formation of the municipal Kannapolis Fire Department, they ceased operations outside the plant in October 1987. The mill did not contribute any equipment to the city department, but all of their personnel were allowed to become members of the new department. Most became members.

The plant continued operating its own fire department until it ceased operations in 1997.

Read more about their history on this web page, which compiles earlier Legeros Fire Blog Archives postings.

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Raleigh Receives SAFER Grant for Ten Firefighter Positions

Catching up on some older news. Congrats to the City of Raleigh, which was awarded a SAFER grant to fund ten firefighter positions for two years. From the agenda of the City Council meeting on September 20:

Grants
5.1. Grant Award – Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency – Fire and Emergency Response
Andrew Langan, Fire

The City has been awarded $1,277,340 from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to fund 10 firefighters for a period of two years, including salary and benefits, which will supplement existing engine company staffing levels.

The DHS FEMA Grant Programs Directorate Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant supports the operating budget request for supplemental staffing, and enables the Fire Department to continue to work towards compliance with recommended staffing levels set forth by local and national standards. The additional personnel provided by the grant funding will provide first responder services and contribute to the quality of life and safety of the community. On March 17, 2016, the Grants Committee reviewed and authorized submission of the SAFER grant application. On August 26, 2016, the City received official award notification; no city match is required for this grant. The City will be responsible for the ongoing cost of the additional personnel following the two-year performance period of this grant. A budget amendment in the amount of $1,277,340 is necessary to appropriate the grant proceeds; accounting details are included with the agenda packet.

Recommendation: Authorize staff to execute all required grant documentation; authorize the additional ten (10) positions supported.

Source document (PDF).

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Cary’s New Engine 5

The Cary Fire Department took delivery on September 16 of a 2017 Pierce Enforcer pumper, 1500/500. Future Engine 5.Lee Wilson took the belowpicture,when the truck was at Atlantic Emergency Services in Fayetteville last week, before arriving in Cary.

Features include a New York-style (low) hose bed, lowered cross lays, ladders stored with the 24-foot to the outside, high-rise pack storage on the passenger side, New York hooks mounted to the back of the cab, and water can stored in passenger side hose well.

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Lee Wilson photo

An identical version of the truck is in production at Pierce, the future Engine 9. Delivery is anticipated in spring 2017.

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And below is a factory photo from Pierce of the new Engine 5. See larger versions.

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Pierce Manufacturing photo

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Fire Trucks at War on Facebook – Cherry Point Crash Trucks

One of my favorite fire apparatus sites is the Facebook group Fire Trucks at War. Anything and everything related to military fire apparatus. Its run by military fire historian Ted Heinbuch, who runs the web site of the same name: www.firetrucks-atwar.com.

North Carolina military fire apparatus appears fairly frequently, typically posted by Pete Brock, our local military fire historian. This week, he added a trio of photos from the late Wayne Greer, of crash trucks at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. Shown are a Walter MB1, Oshkosh MB5, and Oshkosh P4A.

You can also search the group. Look for NC or “North Carolina” or such names as Bragg, Lejeune, or Cherry Point. (Also worth joining and searching is the SPAAMFAA group. Far fewer rigs from our state, however, over there.)

Great shots, from great people, who are doing their part to document and share the history of our nation’s military firefighters and their equipment.


Wayne Greer photos via Fire Trucks at War on Facebook

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Raleigh Fire Department Hiring For New Recruit Academy

The Raleigh Fire Department has opened the application process for a new recruit academy. They’ve also lowered the age requirement for firefighter recruits.

The application process for Recruit Academy 42 opened on September 12, 2016, and closes at midnight on October 7. Applicants who are 18 years of age can apply, but they must be 19 years of age at the start of the academy.

The academy is anticipated to start by the end of February 2017. The application process is paperless. Visit the City of Raleigh careers web site to submit an application starting Sept 12.

Here’s the job listing. Starting salary is $32,673. Requires high school diploma or GED. Plus valid driver’s license. Good luck!

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Wake County Fire Commission Meeting – Thursday, September 15

The next meeting of the Wake County Fire Commission is Thursday, July 21, at the Wake County EMS Training Facility, located in the basement of the Wake County Commons Building, 4011 Carya Drive in Raleigh. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m.

View the meeting documents. Here’s the agenda:

  • Meeting Called to Order: Chairman Lucius Jones
    • Invocation
    • Roll of Members Present
  • Items of Business
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Adoption of Minutes for July 21, 2016 Regular Meeting
  • Regular Agenda
    • Fairview Fire Department Matching Grant Funds Request for Plymovent Systems
    • Sub-Committee Appointments
    • Establishment of Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Subcommittee
    • Wake County Medical Exam Program Guidelines
  • Information Agenda
    • Fire Tax Financial Report
    • Standing Committee Updates
      • Administrative
      • Apparatus
      • Budget
      • Communications
      • Equipment
      • Facility
      • Staffing and Compensation
      • Steering
      • Training
    • Chair Report
    • Fire Services Director Report
      • Operations Director Report
      • Logistics Manager Report
  • Other Business
  • Public Comments
    • Comments from the public will be received at the time appointed by the Chairman of the Fire Commission for 30 minutes maximum time allotted, 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.
  • Adjournment
    • Next Meeting November 17, 2016
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Wake County Fire Departments Family Tree

Now for some color. Presenting a visual history of our fire departments. Take one.

Still working on a few details. Couple are noted on the chart. Still tweaking the thing as well.

Wish list for future features:

  • First paid members, for each FD.
  • First career members, for each FD.
  • First extrication equipment, for each FD.
  • Year first responder was added, for each FD.

Thanks for everyone’s help with recent fact-checking and memory-poking. Most appreciated.

View as JPG (3.2M) | View as PDF (3.2M) | See more charts.

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UPDATED – Vintage Photo of Sunset Beach Maxim Rescue

September 10
From reader Micah Bodford as well as this SPAAMFAA Facebook group posting, here’s the history of the rig, as well as four earlier photos. Click to enlarge:


Credits left to right, top to bottom: Jack Wilson; Maxim Factory Photo / Max M. Smith Collection; Tucker Dempsey; Jack Wilson.

  • 1968 Maxim Model 262R, Serial Number 2532.
  • Five Points Fire Company, DE, first owner. Delivered September 12, 1966. Sold circa 1976.
  • Wilmington Manor, DE, second owner, circa 1976 to 1979. They repainted to yellow and purportedly removed the original body. Photos don’t support the latter claim. Sold in 1979.
  • Tenth District, Marbury, MD, third owner. Sold in 1982.
  • Northhampton, PA, fourth owner. Rescue 4241.
  • Rehabbed by Hamerly in 1990s.
  • Sunset Beach, NC, fifth owner.
  • Sold to construction company in Brunswick County area at some point.

September 7
From the files of reader/contributor David Raynor, here’s something we don’t see often in the Old North State.

Maxim rescue truck at Sunset Beach Fire Department. Rescue 1180. Photographed 1995. Looks like a 1960s model. Most certainly served elsewhere. Click to enlarge:

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Upcoming Events – September & October

Here are some of the upcoming fire department and public safety events in our area:

Sep 10 – Brassfield FD – Annual Chicken & Pork Fundraiser
1680 NC-96, Franklinton
11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Sep 10 – Durham Highway FD Public Safety Day
Leesville Road High School, Raleigh
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Sep 10 – Raleigh Fire Museum monthly opening
105 Keeter Center Drive, Raleigh
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Sep 11 – Morrisville FD – 9/11 Remembrance 5K Run/Walk
Station 1 – 200 Town Hall Drive
7:00 a.m. registration starts – 8:46 a.m. 5K starts
Information

Sep 11 – 9/11 Stair Climb, Allscripts
8529 Six Forks Road, Raleigh
7:30 a.m. registration starts – 9:15 a.m. climb starts
Information

Sep 24 – Cary FD – Fire in the Hole, Chili Cook Off
Fortnight Beer Company, 1006 SW Maynard Rd, Cary
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Raising money for sunscreen dispensers in CFD stations
Information

Sep 26 – Stony Hill FD – Open House
Station 1 – 7045 Stony Hill Road, Wake Forest
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Oct 1 – Garner FD – Fireman’s Day
Station 1 – 503 W. Main Street, Garner
11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., parade at 2:00 p.m.
Information

Oct 2 – Bay Leaf FD – Open House
Station 1 – 11713 Six Forks Road, Raleigh
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

[Cancelled] Oct 8 – 50-210 FD – Fireman’s Day
[Cancelled] Station 1 – 50 Greenleaf Road, Angier

Oct 8 – Creedmoor FD – Fireman’s Day
Parade at 2:30 p.m., followed by stew dinner
Information

Oct 8 – Knightdale FD – Public Safety Day
Station 1 – 930 Steeple Square Court

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Vintage Photos of Fire Department Step Vans

From the files of reader/contributor David Raynor, here are some fire department step vans of years and decades past. Click to enlarge:

Left to right, top to bottom:

  • Knightdale (Wake County) – 1995
    1990s? Chevy, rescue/equipment truck – #8
  • Goldsboro – May 1996
    Command post – Old Truck 15, a staffed manpower/equipment company.
  • Nashville (Nash) – 1995
    1980s? Ford van – #2
  • High Point – February 1993
    1980s? Chevy van – Mobile command post
  • Angier-Black River (Harnett) – April 1995
    1980s? Chevy van – #981
  • Bethlehem (Alexander) – October 1996
    1980s? Chevy van – #318
  • Swan Quarter (Hyde) – 1995
    1950s? 1960s? Grumman-Olson “kurbside” van
  • EVFD (??) – September 1993
    1950s? Ford? International? with Boyerton body van – #2169

Readers perhaps can help with make/model/year and purpose/function.

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