Lee Wilson photo
The fire department was called, and Engine 16 requested Rescue 3 to respond with its boat. They arrived and with assistance of the ranger, placed their rigid hull inflatable boat in the water. They paddled to the location of the dog, and Roxy was removed from the water about 2:30 p.m. For firefighters this was, well, a day in the park. They had their equipment at the ready, expediently deployed same, and performed their task. For the public, it was a positive example of their fire department in action.
Shelley Lake was busy that day, and Yours Truly (who lives two blocks away) watched and overheard dozens of appreciative remarks and comments and applause from observing citizens. It was a neat of example of positive response to the job. First responders do their work and the public appreciates them. See photos from the incident. We'll call myself Canine Photo 1.
Department appropriations are assumed as the same as this budget year, at least during this process. Added expenditures include increases for staffing, local government retirement system adjustments, and operating costs for Garner Station 4. That facility is expected to be operational in November. Funding includes training of some personnel, as well as the operating costs once opened. There are also a mess of system-wide appropriations. CAD, radio, haz-mat, forestry, etc.
On the information agenda, county staff presented the latest revision of the Fire Protection Agreement. They noted that the document is not ready for approval at this time, but the Fire Commission was being provided the latest version. A committee is still working on same, and the goal date for presenting to the Fire Commission for approval is by July 1. Might have a special-called meeting for that purpose.
County staff called particular attention to additions in Section 13, concerning the composition of Board of Directors. Added language includes a restriction against "compensated current employees" serving on boards, a restriction against "family members" of the fire chief serving on Boards, and a requirement of 20 percent citizen composition of boards, for those departments with by-laws that permit same.
There was subsequent discussion about Section 13. Such as what constitutes a family member, which is defined in the agreement as parent, spouse, child, or sibling. Did that also include, say, the son-in-law of a fire chief? That was explained in a fashion that Yours Truly doesn't readily recall, or perhaps didn't entirely follow. It was noted that the committee has also received the suggestion of a similar restriction for the President of a Board.
There was other discussion about Section 13. Such as requiring versus recommending citizen participation on Boards, and how some departments have difficulty getting citizens to participate therein. Except where by-laws prohibit. Yes, it's true, some departments prohibit citizens from serving on boards. Other department boards, it was noted, consist exclusively of citizens.
There were comments about departments with older by-laws, crafted back before paid personnel were on the roster. And the need for revision and revisiting.
And the discussed wrapped with the acknowledgement that this agreement represents a smaller step toward more uniform governance (my words). Kicking over the rock, as one person noted. But not changing everything at once.
Corrections and additions welcome. Next time, how 'bout a group photo?
]]>Sanborn Maps from January 1891 list the fire department as having one steam fire engine, one chemical engine, three hose carts, and 2,000 to 2,500 feet of hose in good condition. The town had a waterworks, though perhaps no hydrants. Population 5,000.
By April 1896, the fire department consisted of volunteers plus paid engineers and drivers, one Silsby steamer, one chemical engine, two horse-drawn hose wagons, two hand-drawn hose reels, and 1,800 feet of hose. The water system was equipped with 85 double hydrants, with average pressure of 50 pounds per square inch. Population still 5,000.
Looking closely at the photo-- click once or twice to enlarge-- a few features are visible. There's a gong opposite the floorboard, and that would be foot-powered. The rear of the wagon has the tailboard, and what might be a pair of lamps in the rear. That might be a toolbox on the tailboard as well. No other equipment is obvious.
Courtesy North Carolina State Archives
Here's a later photo of the RDU rig, after it was repainted white and apparently requiring some manual assistance, and which you can click to slightly enlarge. Read about the
Class 125 apparatus at the nifty Fire Trucks at War web site. As for the Angier truck, there's little else in the posting. We'll mail the seller and see what else we can learn.
Raleigh Times photograph
Afternoon saw an aircraft accident in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. A single-engine Lancair IV-P was gliding to an emergency landing on the beach, when it struck and killed a jogger. The victim was listening to his iPod, and apparently didn't the plane's silent but deadly approach. He was killed instantly. The pilot and passenger were unharmed. Read the WIS10 account.
Also this afternoon, and right here at home, a sport-utility vehicle crashed off the end of Interstate 540 near Knightdale. The vehicle traveled down an embankment, and into a dense cluster of trees. The driver was discovered dead, though investigators say that there's a different reason for his death. Additional details have not been released, reports this WTVD story. They also posted a number of aerial and traffic camera photos.
WTVD photo
Fire Commission Budget Committee Calendar
Location for all at the EMS Training Facility, Wake Commons Building, 4011 Carya Drive.
On May 6, the Budget Committee presents its final recommendation to the Fire Commission. On May 13, if needed, the Fire Commission meets to further discussion. On May 17, the County Manager presents his budget recommendation to the Board of Commissioners.
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Or the non-toxic smoke can be mixed with specific chemicals for purposes including neutralizing chemical attacks, decon, urban warfare, tactical incursions, riot control, and infestation control. Read more including the specs. Such as a one-second trigger burst that releases 1,500 cubic-feet of smoke, and with a range greater than 100 feet. Pretty cool.
Lee Wilson photo
Stacy Davis/WRAL photo
Mike Charbonneau/WRAL photo