This is a blog version of prior-posted Facebook content.
Earlier this year, the Raleigh Fire Department renumbered it’s ladder companies, along with Rescue 1, the haz-mat units, the mini-pumpers, and selected other units.
Round One
| Old | New | Date | Loc | Apparatus | Notes |
| Ladder 1 | Ladder 4 | 01/25/21 | Sta 4 | 2014 Pierce platform | |
| Ladder 2 | Ladder 11 | 01/20/21 | Sta 11 | 2015 Pierce tiller | |
| Ladder 3 | Ladder 14 | 12/09/20 | Sta 17 | 2007 Pierce ladder | Future Sta 14 |
| Ladder 4 | Ladder 1 | 01/25/21 | Sta 1 | 2018 Pierce tiller | |
| Ladder 5 | Ladder 25 | 01/18/21 | Sta 25 | 2009 Pierce platform | |
| Ladder 6 | Ladder 23 | 12/14/20 | Sta 24 | 2005 Pierce ladder | Future Sta 23 |
| Ladder 7 | Ladder 20 | 01/04/21 | Sta 20 | 2009 Pierce platform | |
| Ladder 8 | Ladder 12 | 01/11/21 | Sta 12 | 2017 Pierce tiller | |
| Ladder 9 | Ladder 6 | 12/21/20 | Sta 23 | 2010 Pierce tiller | Future Sta 6 |
Round Two
Effective on February 22, 2021, these units were renumbered:
Rescue 1 > Rescue 16
The unit number Rescue 1 was used from 1953 to 1976, and from 2009 to 2021. From then to now, the progression is R1 > R3 > R12 > R7 > R21 > R19 > R1 > R16.
Haz-Mat 1 > Haz-Mat 2 (staffed by E2)
Haz-Mat 2 > Haz-Mat 29 (main regional response unit, staffed by E29)
Haz-Mat 3 > Haz-Mat 8 (recon unit, staffed by E8)
Haz-Mat 4 > Haz-Mat 25 (decon unit, staffed by L25)
Haz-Mat 5 > Haz-Mat 27 (spill control unit, staffed by E27)
The first haz-mat unit was activated around June 29, 1984. It was a 1977 Chevrolet panel van, cross-staffed (as again today) by Engine 2.
Mini 1 > Mini 7 (staffed by Sq7)
Mini 2 > Mini 28 (staffed by E28)
Mini 3 > Mini 14 (staffed by Sq14)
The mini-pumpers also serve as towing units for boat trailers (Sq7, Sq14) and towing ATV trailer (Sq14).
ATV 1 > ATV 14
ATV 2 > ATV 25
Car 20 > Division Chief 1 (Operations shift commander at Sta 12)
Raleigh FD has five Division Chief positions, three in Operations (above, rotating), one in Logistics, and one in Professional Development.
Car 402 > Investigator 1 (Shift fire investigator, staffed by E1)
For most of the time since their inception in 1983, the Raleigh FD has primarily utilized part-time investigators, cross-staffed from an engine company. From 2007 to 2017, one full-time investigator was on duty each day at Station 1.
Photo credits Mike Legeros and Lee Wilson (top right)
