Raleigh Receives SAFER Grant for Ten Firefighter Positions

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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Sniper Attacks North Hills Mall – Memorial Day, 1972

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Last month, our attentions were commanded by a reported shooting and resulting major incident at Crabtree Valley Mall. No gunshot victims were found, but numerous medical emergencies presented during and after the evacuation. The resulting multi-patient incident brought dozens of EMS and fire units to the scene. But did you know that another Raleigh mall experienced a mass shooting over forty years ago?

On Memorial Day in 1972, on May 29, a sniper killed three people and wounded eight others in front of North Hills Mall. (A fourth victim died at the hospital, days later.) The noon-hour shooting lasted just a few minutes. The victims were sitting on benches outside the main entrance, standing at or walking toward the entrance, or driving past the entrance in a car. There was also a US Senator in the line of fire, though the attack was unrelated to his visit.

At about 12:05 p.m., from a spot between two parked cars about fifty feet from the front entrance, a tall man dressed in a suit began shooting in that direction.* He had a .22 caliber rifle and fired in bursts. The gunman was Harvey G. McLeod, a 23-year old Raleigh resident who worked as a high-school janitor. He purchased the rifle that morning.

The twelve victims ranged from three to 77 years of age. They were transported to Rex and Wake Memorial hospitals. Three were dead on arrival. A fourth victim died five days later. The others had injuries ranging from minor to serious.

Though we blogged about this in 2008, let’s take a longer look…

Read the detailed narrative as web page.

Read the detailed narrative as PDF file (2.2MB).

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