Arson
Six juveniles were taken into custody for setting a fire in a vacant structure.
See story on page 4
On January 24, 2023, Greensboro crews battelled a three-alarm structure fire at Smith Trucking on Oakland Avenue.
See story on page 8
Handling lithium-ion batteries is the theme for this year’s Safety Stand Down campaign.
See story on page 13
Handle Crane Flip
Crews responded when a crane flips into a house on which it was working.
See story on page 19
NCFFF 18th
Memorial Service
Raleigh invites the NCFire Family to participate in honoring the state’s LODDs.
See story on page 29
Guilford County’s Joseph Wilson Bryant
See story on page 30
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Every year, the departments that make a difference, send a contingency of representatives to Washington, DC, to partake in the National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner. In 2023, the CFSI Symposium will take place on May 22- 23.
The purpose of CFSI is to “Educate Members of Congress about Fire and Life Safety.” Formed in 1987, the Congressional Fire Services Caucus was established to just that, educate members of Congress about the work of the fire and emergency services, which goes far beyond simply fighting fires. It is important to know that, “The Fire Caucus was created to be a bipartisan group where Republicans and Democrats could work together to learn about our nation’s fire and emergency services, improve the readiness of local first responders, and jointly recognize their valor and dedication.” Alist of Fire Caucus members can be found on CFSI’s website.
Each year, approximately 2000 fire and emergency officials participate in this event. They attend seminars, conduct meetings with members of Congress and network to build relationships. At the conclusion of the symposium, the attendees assemble in the Washington Hilton
ballroom to hear our highest-ranking political leaders pay tribute to the dedication and commitments of our nation’s first responders.
By attending this event, you will have a better understanding about our government’s role in addressing the challenges and concerns of firefighters, emergency services personnel and the fire service industry. You will have the opportunity to speak with our friends in government about your concerns on national and local issues.
The CFSI program is designed to educate everyone on current and future national issues, legislation and policies that impact the entire fire-rescue and emergency services. Aside from meeting members of Congress and their professional staff, you will have the chance to meet with federal agencies and key administration representatives. In the past, members of the fire service who have attended this event came home with a sense of comradery toward the leaders of state and national organizations that represent the fire service industry. To learn more about the 2023 CFSI Dinner and Symposium, go online and visit www.CFSI.org.
In closing, I will leave you with a statement from the Congressional Fire Service Institute; “As a first responder, your job is to protect the citizens of your community against the threat of
fire and other dangers. Our job at CFSI is to educate members of Congress about the work you perform and how the federal government can support the fire service in making our communities safer.”
I hope you visit the CFSI website to get a better understanding of their purpose and how you can be a part of this great event.
- DennisCharlotte firefighters worked a vehicle fire on Interstate 485 nearBallantyne Commons Parkway in South Charlotte during rush houron February 21, 2023. Firefighters arrived and found an active engine compartment fire. Firefighters from Engine 9 and Engine 32 had the fire undercontrol within minutes with no injuries.
- Fire News photo by FullyInvolvedMedia
On February 18, 2023, at 2036, Mooresville Fire-Rescue was alerted fora structure fire on Fern Brook Drive. Arriving units found a fully involved structure on the cornerof Brawley School and Oak Tree roads. The large two-story structure was vacant, and an exteriorattack operation was set up. Engine 2 was first on scene and, aftersecuring a watersupply, stretched a hoseline to the structure. Engine 5 secured a watersupply on Brawley School Road and attacked the fire with theirdeck gun. Ladder5 set up a ladderoperation with additional crews and the fire darkened down. The fire was deemed undercontrol in about an hourand the cause was underinvestigation; six people, all juveniles, were laterarrest ed for starting the fire.
- Fire News photo by ImmsterFirePhotos.com
On February 11, 2023, Greensboro crews responded to a structure fire on Fairfax Road. Engine 10 and Ladder10 arrived to a working fire. Battalion 3 arrived and took command.
The Raleigh Fire Department had fourworking fires in eight hours, between February 4 and 5, 2023. Two were multi-residential structure fires and both resulted in second alarms. The second of those fires was on Prince George Lane at a two-story apartment building. It was dispatched at 0612 with reports of people trapped on the second floor. Engine 4 arrived to heavy fire showing in the right-rearcorner. Crews began rescues from both inside and from balconies. The second alarm was requested within five minutes. Additional EMS alarms were also requested. Fire attack included both interiorlines and exteriormasterstreams. AMayday was activated about 45 minutes into incident, aftera firefighterwas struck by falling ceiling materials. He was promptly evacuated and transported as a precaution. Athird alarm was struck at time of the Mayday, and those units were returned to service. The fire was brought undercontrol at 0713. Crews remained on scene forhours, continuing salvage and overhaul. At least 20 people were displaced and four were transported with smoke inhalation.
At 0417 on January 24, 2023, Greensboro crews battelled a three-alarm structure fire at Smith Trucking on Oakland Avenue. Engine 8 arrived to a working fire. Battalion 3 took command and declared a defensive attack. Asecond alarm was struck at 0438 with a need formore manpower and a third alarm was struck at 0531.
Recently, firefighters battled a commercial structure fire in Cherokee.
- Submitted by Thomas J. Simmons
On February 19, 2023, at 0052, South Iredell, Mount Mourne, Atwell and Mooresville units responded to a trailerfire on Oak Brook Drive. The trailerwas fully involved upon theirarrival and crews stretched several lines and extinguished the blaze that destroyed the trailer. Reports that the trailer was intentionally set were confirmed by fire investigators and an arrest was made on a laterdate. No injuries were reported.
- Fire News photo by ImmsterFirePhotos.com
On March 7, 2023, the Charlotte Fire Department was alerted for an MVAaftera dump truck struck a light pole. When firefighters from Charlotte Station 39 arrived to the parking lot of the Walmart on Pineville-Matthews Road they discovered more than just a crash. Both saddle tanks full of diesel fuel had ruptured resulting in a large spill. The HazMat trailerfrom Station 32 was requested to help mitigate the spill. Firefighters set up two pools underthe truck to contain the fuel while firefighters from HazMat 32 set up booms around the storm drains within the parking lot. The truck was capable of carrying approximately 80 gallons of fuel in the saddle tanks.
- Photo by Fully Involved Media Group
On March 7, 2023, Charlotte firefighters responded to a power pole and live wires down in the vicinity of High Ridge Road and Cherry Tree Lane in the Providence Plantation neighborhood of South Charlotte. The active downed lines caused multiple fires to start in the dry brush behind the homes. Firefighters began an aggressive attack but the dry brush and slight winds spread the flames. Additional manpower, including a tankerfrom CFD Station 9, an additional engine from CFD Station 39 and brush truck from CFD Station 20 were requested. Firefighters used multiple forestry lines to access the fire and it took firefighters approximately 30 minutes to extinguish the half-scre fire. Duke Energy responded to shut powerto the neighborhood so firefighters could work safely.
- Fire News photo by Fully Involved Media Group
On February 21, 2023, at 1422, Cool Springs Fire-Rescue responded to a grass and woods fire on Woodview Drive. Arriving units found multiple acres of woods on fire stretching to Cone Lane and threatening a home. Departments from Wayside, Rowan-Iredell, County Line and Statesville were called to assist with tankers and brush trucks in containing the fire, which was fueled by high winds. One firefightersuffered chest pains and was transported to the hospital. The fire was placed undercontrol in a little overtwo hours. The cause of the fire was believed to be from an open burn that got out of control. Atotal of five acres were burned before it was contained - Fire News photo by ImmsterFirePhotos.com
Lithium-ion batteries power a vast range of products and equipment, from laptops and smartphones to micro-mobility devices, electri c vehicles, and energy storage systems. As the use and presence of lithiumion batteries continues to grow, so does the potential risk for first responders who are called upon to mitigate fire incidents and hazards associated with them. To help ensure firefighters’safety when handling lithium-ion batteries in a variety of situations and scenarios, the theme for this year’s Safety Stand Down campaign, June 18-24, 2023, is “Lithium-Ion Batteries: Are You Ready?”
The week of Safety Stand Down will cover topics relating to lit hium-ion battery response and safety, which will be broken down into five daily focus areas: recognition of hazards, firefighting operations, firefighter safety, post-incident considerations and public education.
Safety Stand Down is a joint initiative of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Safety, Health and Survival Section, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA). Held each year during the third week of June, the campaign works to reduce the number of preventable injuries and deaths in the fire and emergency services. In support of this year’s Safety Stand Down, responder agencies are encouraged to suspend all non-emergency activities during the campaign week to f ocus on training and education related to lithium-ion battery safety awareness and education.
Resources and training videos will be made available at www.saf etystanddown.org in advance to help departments plan for and implement Safety Stand Down strategies.
In addition, NFPAwill once again host the Fire Service Safety Stand Down Quiz to raise awareness and foster a greater understanding of this year’s theme. Everyone who completes the online quiz will be automatically entered into a sweepstakes; 200 randomly selected participants will win a commemorative Safety Stand Down challenge coin.
Stay tuned to www.safetystanddown.org for additional information.
Union Rural, Ahoskie Rural and Winton fire departments in Hertford County responded to a fully involved structure fire on December28, 2022, in Ahoskie Rural District. Upon arrival, fire had fully extended through the residence and a LPgas tank had vented and ignited on the rearcornernearwhere fire started. Attempts were made to shut the valve off but there was too much melted debris on tank valve to do so. Water supply was set up by watershuttle forextinguishment and tank cooling.
- Submitted by Chris Smith
Firefighters from Graham, Burlington and Mebane fire departments completed searches of the entire formerCulp Weaving plant on East ParkerStreet in Graham, where a three-alarm fire broke out, according to a release from the Graham Fire Department’s Chief Tommy Cole, on October12, 2022. “Fire investigators have ruled the fire cause as undetermined,” according to the chief. “An area of fire origin was established, but, unfortunately, due to the building being unsecured forsuch a long period of time leading up to the fire, investigators were unable to determine if potential evidence was linked to the fire event ornot.” Parts of the formerplant were still smoldering the following morning.
- Submitted by Tommy Cole
On February 25, 2023, Greensboro crews responded to a structure fire on Montrose Drive. Greensboro Police reported a man had set his apartment on fire afterbarricading himself inside. The fire quickly spread to the adjacent apartments and police were able to evacuate the other residents and the barricaded subject without injury. The man was arrested and faced several charges including kidnapping, rape and arson.
- Fire News photos by Kenneth Clouser
On February 2, 2023, at 1121, Mooresville Fire-Rescue, Mooresville Police and Iredell County EMS responded to an MVAon River Highway. Arriving units found an overturned Amazon van and three injured people. All of the injured were evaluated and crews secured the scene.
- Fire News photo by ImmsterFirePhotos.com
On March 1, 2023, at 0635, the Mooresville and Shepherd Fire-Rescue units responded to a report of an overturned tankertruck on Charlotte Highway. Atankercarrying nonhazardous powderforglass production had overturned and taken down some power lines. The driverwas transported to the hospital and crews secured the scene.
- Fire News photo by ImmsterFirePhotos.com
On February 28, 2023, at 1710, Troutman Fire Rescue and Iredell County EMS responded to a heavy machinery accident on Fox Hunt Lane. Arriving units found a crane had flipped and the boom crashed through the home underconstruction injuring one worker. Crews stretched one line due to a fuel leak and the truck was still running. The workerwas airlifted to the hospital with a head injury. Crews were on the scene forhours until the crane could be grounded and secured.
- Fire News photos by ImmsterFirePhotos.com
At approximately 1500 on February 25, 2023, the Transylvania County Rescue Squad was requested to assist Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office and the Blue Ridge Parkway NPS with a search for a missing person on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Despite high winds, Connestee Fire-Rescue pilots attempted to fly their drone and utilize its high-powered infrared cameras to detect heat signatures within the search area. As day turned to night additional mountain rescue resources were called from the Henderson County Rescue Squad and the Transylvania County ERTwas activated. The ERTis a specially trained inter-departmental team of wilderness rescuers pulled from all county first response agencies. Transylvania County Emergency Services was requested to provide mapping and logistical support and were able to set up a mobile command post to support communications, operations and planning. Haywood Rescue responded to provide medical standby and logistical support. Transylvania and Henderson teams performed saturation searches in high probability areas and wide-area searches down topographic features as the moon rose. Teams encountered treacherous steep off-trail terrain and had to navigate dense briar patches as dew began to freeze. At 2300 the decision was made to suspend operation until the following morning due to safety concerns.
Rising early, team members mustered on the parkway and were deployed alongside resources from across Transylvania County, Henderson County Rescue Squad, Haywood County Search and Rescue, Haywood County Emergency Services and a North Carolina State Highway Patrol helicopter. The TCRS search team was tasked with searching a wide swath of the steep mountain face above the parkway itself. Several hours into the effort while working near a ridge a clue was discovered by a rookie squad member which was potentially linked to the missing subject. Squad members organized a grid search of the area and revealed additional potential clues. After confirmation that the clues were linked to the missing subject, command surged resources to saturate the area. Ashort time later the missing subject was located alive and unharmed despite spending two nights alone and unsheltered near 5,000 feet. The subject was assisted to a waiting ambulance and transported for evaluation. Well over 125 people worked together for over 24 hours to achieve this positive outcome.
- Photos courtesy of Transylvania County Rescue Squad
On February 17, 2023, Western Wake Fire Rescue conducted a search and rescue (SAR) drill in northwest Harnett County, and in collaboration with Northwest Harnett Fire, Wake Canine Search and Rescue, and Central North Carolina Search and Rescue. Ground crews, canine teams and a drone (UAS) team searched at night formultiple missing people overa 200-acre wooded area. The
exercise was made more realistic as it was conducted as a real-time search incident with the local agency arriving first, and then augmented with SAR and UAS teams. Western Wake encourages local agencies to contact them to learn more about theirdrone team and SAR capabilities.
- Fire News photos by Mike Legeros
On February 13, 2023 Shepherds Fire-Rescue held a training on firefighterrescue as RIT. Crews trained on changing overairto a downed firefighterand several different carrying methods to remove them from a structure.
- Fire News photos by ImmsterFirePhotos.com
On February 11, 2023, live fire training was hosted on Mitchell Road by Double Creek VolunteerFire Department. Several area departments in Stokes County participated as well.
- Fire News photos by Kenneth Clouser
From February 27 through March 10, 2023, North Carolina Search and Rescue Task Force 8 conducted a two-week Structural Collapse Technician school (SCT) at the Raleigh Fire Department KeeterTraining Center. They had 30 firefighterstudents from Durham, Raleigh and Wake Forest, along with about 10 instructions perday. Attendees trained on basic collapse scenario skills, such as shoring, breaching and breaking concrete, cutting with various torches and tools, and building construction recognition. Task Force 8 is comprised of members from Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill fire departments, as well as Wake County EMS. They are one of two Type I state-funded SAR teams in North Carolina. There are five Type II SAR teams across the state, as well as multiple Type III and Type IVSwiftwater teams. - Fire News photos by Mike Legeros
The Professional Firefighters of Durham Local 668 will hold their 2nd Annual Golf Tournament on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at the Hillside Golf Course at 1600 Hillandale Road in Durham.
Registration is from 0700 to 0745 with a Shotgun Start at 0800. To register, visit the website at www.bullcitybravest668.com or contact Randy O’Dell at 919-630-6111 or odellrw14@gmail.com.
The deadline to register is April 13, 2023, and the cost is $100 per person, which includes the tournament, lunch, fun and prizes.
A$250 Hole Sponsorship is available featuring a double-sided yard sign on the hole of your choice. All proceeds go to Professional Firefighters of Durham Charitable fund.
Bethany Fire in Rockingham County held a push-in ceremony forits new Engine 141, a 2022 Sutphen.
Members of the North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Foundation holding theirmonthly meeting.
- Submitted by Bryan Southard
Alleghany County Rescue Squad on a Friday Night Football standby at Alleghany High School.
- Submitted by Jason Long
Four organizations combined their firefighter health, safety and wellness conferences to bring more education to more fire service professionals
The Fire Department Safety Officers Association’s annual Health and Safety Conference broke new ground last month by collaborating and colocating with like-minded health- and safety-focused fire service organizations.
For the first time the First Responder Center for Excellence’s Health and Wellness Symposium, F.I.E.R.O.’s PPE Symposium, Science Alliance’s inaugural Nerdstock and FDSOA’s Health and Safety Conference were held at one location with overlapping dates.
“This collaboration made sense for the associations, the attendees and the vendors,” says FDSOA’s Executive Director Rich Marinucci. “By co-locating, we saved everyone travel expenses and offered a deeper, more diverse line up of educational programs than we could have on our own. Collaborations always take more work. But when partners like these come together with a common goal of protecting firefighters, everything falls into place - and everyone comes out a winner.”
FDSOAhad nearly 40 speakers, 33 break-out educational sessions and two general sessions, Marinucci said. This drew si nificantly more attendees and vendors than any of the previous shows over the past eight years.
Those speakers included the U.S. Fire Administrator Lori Moore Merrell and Retired Fire Chief Dennis Compton, as well as long list of health and wellness experts.
One of the conference’s highlights was the FDSOAChairman’s Award being presented to National Fallen Firefighter Foundation Executive Director Ronald Siarnicki. Siarnicki announced earlier this yea r he would retire after leading the group for 22 years.
“I am humbled to receive this award from our great friends at FDSOA,” Siarnicki said. “And I want to extend my gratitude to FDSOAfor every-
thing they do to educate and train safety officers.”
FDSOAnamed Casey Jones the 2023 Safety Officer of the Year. Jones, in his acceptance speech said the unknown was the most dangerous thing facing the fire service today. “There are a lot of unknowns, but it is really ourselves, because we are the ones who fear the unknown.” Preparedness, he said, is not a destination, but an ongoing effort to learn and improve.
And learning and improving was the at the core of the combined conferences.
F.I.E.R.O. President Robert Tutterow said he came away from the joint conferences with a renewed sense of its importance and the importance of health and safety play in fire department leadership.
“As I’ve reflected on this past week, I’ve had the thought that no one should be deemed qualified for fire chief unless they have served two years as a certified HSO officer in a department,” Tutterow said. “This safety week has established itself as the must-go event for fire service personnel and vendors. You will not find better topics and speakers than at this conference.”
Science Alliance drew standing-room only to its TED Talkstyle presentations focusing on firefighter health and wellness research. The new group was the brainchild of noted fire service researcher Sara Jahnke, who is the director and senior scientist at NDRIUSA.
“Everyone worked so hard over the past year to take Science Alliance, and ultimately Nerdstock, from concept to reality,” Jahnke said. “I was filled with a parental-like pride and emotion looking out and seeing standing room only for our sessions. It not only validated our staff ’s hard work, but also the importance the fire service places on meaningful scientific research for firefighter health and wellness. The collaboration with FDSOA, F.I.E.R.O. and FRCE was critical to our success.”
To the North Carolina Fire Service Family,
The North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NCFFF) would like to invite you and your department to the 18th Annual Memorial Service. The Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 13, 2023, beginning at 1300 hrs. at Nash Square 200 South McDowell Street in Raleigh.
Come and help us honor our fallen heroes and their families. If you have a department flag, please send it with a flag bearer to carry it during the LODD parade. Also, if you have an Honor Guard or Honor Guard member that would like to participate in the parade and the service, please call or text 2nd Vice President Rick Wood 828-674-1899. The parade will begin Saturday morning at 1000.
Attendance has been down over the last few years due to Covid and other financial restraints on travel for departments to attend. We would like to get the numbers of fire service personnel back up for this service to show our fallen brothers and sister that they aren’t forgotten for the sacrifice that they have made for their communities, state and country.
Once again, we would enjoy seeing all of you at the Memorial Service in May.
Thank you,
Rick Fleming President, North Carolina Fallen Firefighters FoundationJoseph Wilson Bryant passed away Monday, February 20, 2023. He was 81.
Born to Simon and Flossie Bryant, Joe was among the first graduating class at the new Ragsdale High School and worked in the family-owned B&S Grocery and Service Station in the Sedgefield community before launching a long and distinguished career in the Guilford County Fire Service.
Following in his father’s footsteps with a passion for the fire service, Bryant served in numerous roles with the Guilford County Fire Service for more than four decades, including Fire Marshal and Deputy Director of Emergency Services. He was instrumental in the development of the network of fire stations serving residents throughout Guilford County.
He also developed policies and programs to protect residents and firefighters and created a search and rescue team. With extensive knowledge and experience, he was a go-to source for fire chiefs and others seeking guidance and input. He retired as Deputy Director of Emergency Services in 2007 after 41 years serving Guilford County. The county honored him and his service by also retiring his long-
time radio designation, Car 2.
His contributions to the fire service extend well beyond Guilford County. Bryant was a lifetime member of both the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs and the North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, where he served as president in 1992. He earned a collection of awards for his service, but you’d never hear him brag about his accomplishments.
Bryant also was a sworn deputy with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office and served in the US Army National Guard. He was active in numerous civic and fraternal organizations for more than 40 years, including the Gate City Lodge Masons and the Scottish Rite of Greensboro.
He also was a proud member of the Oasis Shriners and created an annual softball tournament in Guilford County to raise money to support the Shriners’mission.
He was a frugal man but had a generous spirit of giving to others and lived to dote on his wife and two daughters. You’d often see him wearing a ball cap from his extensive collection representing fire stations and places he’d visited. His quick-witted one-liners would make you chuckle.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Simon and Flossie Bryant; brother, Grady Bryant; nephew, Matt Bryant and uncle Calvin Albert Stanley (Uncle Tab).
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Elsie; daughter and son-in-law Deborah and Steve Apple of Gibsonville; daughter Dawn Bryant of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, and nephew James Bryant of Greensboro.
Memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Greenville, South Carolina.
- Photo courtesy North Carolina State Firefighters’Association
Collettsville Fire Rescue located in Caldwell County, training on theirnew Pierce SaberRescue Engine using Hurst extrication tools.
- Submitted by Trevor C. Key, Fire Chief
