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Service in the Spotlight: Raleigh's Hazmat Team
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.
Ask the Fire Chief
Raleigh Fire 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 on the Ask the Chief webpage.
Keeping Score: 2022 Fire Statistics
Raleigh had 44 fewer fires in 2022 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.
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, 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.
Looking Back: Remembering the Original Seven
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.
Discarded Cigarettes Can Cause Shocking Destruction
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.
