Carolina Fire Rescue EMS Journal
and seventies continued the ex- 1978. By that time, their recruit dar year.They had new tools pansion of the fire department. academy included EMT training. to their trade, such as self-conThe Raleigh Fire Department More stations were opened, tained breathing apparatus. A first responder program started and others were replaced. Statwo-person squad truck with a in 1979. small pump and water tank was tion 2 — located in Memorial In 1970, the first Mack CF Auditorium — was relocated also on the roster. pumper was delivered.The popfarther south, Station 4 was Personnel were now workrelocated farther north, and Sta- ular apparatus was a fixture of ing 24-hour shifts, a new Fire the fire department for decades. tion 5 was rebuilt on the same Prevention Bureau was orgaFifteen pumpers were delivered spot. (The bricks from Station nized the prior year, and a new between 1970 and 1982, plus retirement system was in place. 5 were saved and used to build one aerial platform.The last a smokehouse at the training An IAFF local chapter was 12 Mack was retired from reserve tower.) years strong, and members’ duty in the 2000s. During the 1970s, six new wives would soon organize a From 1970 to 1990, Ladies Auxiliary.They the city’s geograperformed charity work, phy nearly doubled and also brought refreshin size. It grew from ments to fire scenes. 55.17 to 91.40 square As the city tripled in miles.The populageographic size during tion had continued to the 1950s, the fire departgrow, from 150,255 ment experienced signifito 212,092 residents. cant growth under the The fire department leadership of Fire Chiefs continued to expand, Alvin Lloyd and Jack adding four new staKeeter. tions in the eighties A seventh fire station and two new stations was opened, replace(plus a relocated staments for Station 1 and tion) in the nineties. Station 3 were opened, The number of perand a training tower was sonnel grew from 196 built. Modern apparatus to 362 members. (Mack, FWD, American Leadership changLaFrance) replaced all es included the hiring front-line engines, and a of the first fire chiefs new tractor-drawn aerial from outside the deladder was delivered. A partment;Thomas rescue squad was orgaMagazine advertisement showing Raleigh’s 1950 Kuster in 1983 and nized, and radios were FWD pumper. Sherman Pickard in added on trucks and at fire stations were opened.They 1986. Both brought innovation stations. were designed by architect Wil- and change. That decade also saw the liam C. McGhee Jr. His signature The occupation of firefighter department’s first line-of-duty death. Driver Vernon Smith was two-bay, single-story design was was also evolving. Medical calls used in over a dozen fire dewere growing in frequency, seriously injured on November partment facilities. and would surpass fire calls by 14, 1952, when Engine 6 — usThe ranks of the fire depart1995. Specialized disciplines ing a 1926 American LaFrance ment were growing, both in were being added, beginning reserve engine — overturned size and diversity.The first black with a haz-mat team in the while returning from a call. 1980s.Technical rescue training Smith returned to light duty, but firefighters in six decades had joined the department in 1963. was added in the 1990s, with continued to be treated for his A third platoon of personnel high-level, confined-space, and injuries. After many surgeries, was added in 1970.The first collapse rescue. he died on March 10, 1956. female firefighters joined in Growth from 2000 to 2011 City growth in the sixties
A century of conflagrations
WINTER • 2012 51
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Apparatus in front of Fire Station 1 on West Morgan Street in 1920. North Carolina State archives photo.
Hose Company 3 in front of Fire Station 3 on West Hargett Street, circa 1913. North Carolina State archives photo.
included the addition of a fourth battalion and three more ladder companies. Facilities were improved with the opening of a larger maintenance shop and services center, and a new training tower. Services were expanded, including a Construction Division added to the Office of the Fire Marshal. And the Raleigh Fire Department joined forces with Cary, Chapel Hill, and Durham fire departments to create a USAR
Charlotte
task force. Today, the Raleigh Fire Department protects 144.8 square miles and 403,892 residents with 27 fire stations including 28 engines, eight ladders, three rescues, and four battalion chiefs. Personnel number 575 uniformed and civilian members. In 2010, they answered 38,151 calls. Visit www.raleighfirehistory.org to learn more about the history of the Raleigh Fire Department.
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The Pine Knoll Townes fire on February 22, 2007, destroyed 29 homes and displaced 72 people. Photo by Lee Wilson 1915 - News & Observer building and others on Martin Street 1928 - Yarborough House on Fayetteville Street 1935 - Efird’s Department Store on Fayetteville Street 1943 - Bellas-Hess clothing store on Wilmington Street 1959 - Manmur Bowling Center on Hillsborough Street 1964 - Bryan Building in Cameron Village 1970 - Peebles Hotel on Hargett Street 1981 - Mangel Building on Fayetteville Street 1992 - IGA Grocery on Person Street 2007 - Pine Knoll Townes off Capital Boulevard 2011 - Wakefield Plantation Golf Course off Falls of Neuse Road
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