Raleigh Fire News

A quarterly newsletter from the Raleigh Fire Department


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Service in the Spotlight: Raleigh's Hazmat Team Ask the Fire Chief Discarded Cigarettes Can Cause Shocking Destruction Keeping Score: 2022 Fire Statistics We're All in it Together: Smoke Alarms Save Lives Looking Back: Remembering the Original Seven Retirements and Promotions From Our Table to Yours: Station 25 Bang Bang Chicken This is Us: Raleigh Fire Department

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Service in the Spotlight: Raleigh's Hazmat Team

Raleigh Hazmat team in a practice drill

RFD's hazmat team participates in the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo in Raleigh.

In the aftermath of the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment, hazmat teams across the country have been in the spotlight. The Raleigh Fire Department’s hazmat team is trained to handle hazardous materials and dangerous goods. The team also serves the entire Wake County area and participates in the North Carolina Hazardous Materials Regional Response program.

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Ask the Fire Chief

Chief Herbert Griffin

In this issue, Fire Chief Herbert Griffin answers the question, "How does the Raleigh Fire Department prepare to respond and maintain service operations during severe weather?" To submit a question, simply complete our Ask the Chief form.

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Discarded Cigarettes Can Cause Shocking Destruction

Raleigh fire fighters aim fire hose at destroyed home

April 9, 2016, was a typical Saturday for Raleigh – until it wasn’t. That day, one improperly discarded cigarette, combined with low humidity and windy conditions, caused a chain of events that local firefighters remember still.

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Keeping Score: 2022 Fire Statistics

Raleigh fire fighters preparing to fight a fire

The good news for 2022 was that Raleigh had 44 fewer fires than in 2021. Our top two fire causes continued to be unattended cooking and improperly discarded smoking materials. However, the number of both types of instances was lower than in 2021. Learn more about the entire year's numbers, along with the last quarter's statistics.

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We're All in it Together: Smoke Alarms Save Lives

Testing a smoke alarm

Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death from home fires in half. This year, the Raleigh Fire Department (RFD), in partnership with the American Red Cross, is holding a campaign to install more than 2,000 smoke alarms and to continue to raise awareness about the importance of working alarms.

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Looking Back: Remembering the Original Seven

Lt. Welton Jones retires in 1998

Lt. Jones is shown in a News & Observer photo at the time of his retirement in 1988.  Photo provided by RFD Historian Mike Legeros.

The first Black firefighters served the City of Raleigh beginning in the 1860s as members of volunteer fire companies, including the Bucket and Ladder Company (1872 to 1892) and the Victor Company (1870 to 1912). The second era of Black firefighters began in 1963, with the hiring of the City’s first career Black firefighters. 

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Retirements and Promotions

Fire Fighters gather to recognize promotions and retirements.

Congratulations to these Raleigh Fire Department members who retired or received a promotion within the past few months.

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From Our Table to Yours: Station 25 Bang Bang Chicken

Photo of Bang Bang Chicken by Station 25

Bang Bang Chicken is a favorite recipe at Raleigh Fire Station 25.

From the super crispy chicken coated in buttermilk and Panko breadcrumbs to the delicious, sweet chili mayo, this recipe is perfection! Thanks to Station 25 for sharing B Platoon's favorite recipe.

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This is Us: Raleigh Fire Department

Two fire fighters evaluating the scene

Learn more about the Raleigh Fire Department, its tireless members, and the often challenging but rewarding work in our new video.

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