Wake Forest, Eastern Wake fire departments begin new eras

Two private, nonprofit fire departments became municipal organizations Wednesday, in an effort to ensure adequate service amid population growth. Wake Forest Fire Department is now a part of the town of Wake Forest government. It began as a private organization in 1921. The merger comes less than a year after a consulting firm recommended the fire department join the town, said Bill Crabtree, Wake Forest’s public information officer. The Wake Forest Fire Department operates five fire stations with 84 full-time staff, 24 part-time employees and 300 volunteers. As of September 2019, the department responded to more than 3,500 calls for service a year and arrived at most calls in under eight minutes. Also on Wednesday, the Eastern Wake Fire Rescue Department was absorbed by Knightdale’s fire service.
Wake Forest Wake Weekly

Couple displaced after fire tears through garage of Clayton home

PHOTOS: A husband and wife were displaced after a fire tore through the garage of their home in Clayton, according to town spokesperson Stacy Beard. The fire appears to have started in the house’s garage but the cause is under investigation. The couple was able to get out safely, Beard said. The call came in at 7:53 p.m. and it took a little less than an hour for firefighters to get the blaze under control. No other information was available.
WNCN-TV CBS 17 Goldsboro

Warren County fire camp provides lessons, learning and fun for everyone

Twenty-two youth had a chance to learn what firefighters do as the Warren County Firemen’s Association, in conjunction with Hawtree Volunteer Fire Department, hosted the second annual Fire Camp June 22-26. Steve Barney, Hawtree fire chief, noted that this year’s camp drew eight more youth than the inaugural event last year. The camp is geared toward ages 11-14. Throughout the week, members of fire departments across the county showed that firefighters must be prepared for any situation they may face, from a house fire to a vehicle accident. Members of Warren County Emergency Medical Services also participated. Joey Andrews, president of the Warren County Firemen’s Association and chief of the Afton-Elberon Fire Department, said that the youth learned such skills as CPR, extrication and rope rescue, which may be needed at the scene of accidents when a vehicle has traveled down an embankment.
The Warren Record

Southbound I-85 reopens after fiery tractor-trailer crash in Hillsborough

Two tractor-trailers collided on southbound I-85 early Wednesday morning, closing down the interstate near NC86 for more than five hours. North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers on the scene said one tractor-trailer rear-ended the other, and both caught fire after the crash. ABC11 crews on the scene saw firefighters working to battle what was left of the flames and surveying the damage to the vehicles. The road closed around 2:30 a.m., but reopened just before 8 a.m. The driver that hit the other tractor-trailer was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
WTVD-TV ABC 11 Durham

Insurance commissioner & Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC partner to fund Graham County, other rural fire houses

North Carolina’s insurance commissioner wants to improve the financial well-being of the state's rural fire departments. He's personally delivering checks to them, some right in the western mountains. The money is especially needed because of the pandemic. It's available with the help of the state's largest health insurance company. North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey handed a check for five thousand dollars to the Graham County Volunteer Fire Department Tuesday afternoon. “They struggle to recruit volunteers and to retain volunteers, and they really need funding,” he says. Causey partnered with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina for 500 thousand dollars in grant money to specifically help 100 rural fire departments, ones that don't get much funding from government, often relying on fundraisers.
WMYA-TV MyNetworkTV 40 Anderson

Mill Spring Fire Department deemed compliant

After spending more than a year in a non-compliant status, the Mill Spring Fire Department was recently rated and certified by the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal. “Thank you for the cooperation shown to our fire department rating inspector on his recent visit to your department,” said David Sumney, Supervisor of Inspections with the OSFM on June 23. “It is our intention that these inspections be beneficial to you and your department by identifying items which are required for the department to meet the state’s minimum requirements for a rated and certified department. By meeting the North Carolina Department of Insurance’s requirements for a rated and certified department, you are upgrading your total fire protection for your citizens as well as creating a safer environment for your personnel.” Sumney said the department does meet the requirements for a rated and certified department.
Tryon Daily Bulletin