This morning, a crew of firefighters left Wake County to relieve the Wildfire Strike Force that departed last Monday for Western North Carolina. Captain Rigda, Firefighter/EMT Martinez, and Firefighter/EMT Green joined firefighters from all over the county for the trip out west, using a bus provided by the Raleigh Fire Department. They will be assisting in structural fire protection, in hopes of minimizing any damage to homes threatened by all the fires that have been affecting the western section of the state. The firefighters who are joining the task force will be working 15 hour days, and will be returning next Wednesday from their deployment. We hope all those who are assisting out west make it home safe and sound.

At 1546, New Hope Station 2 was dispatched to 2061 Old Crews Rd for a reported structure fire.  New Hope Engine 4 and Car 2 responded on the initial assignment, as did Engine 1 from Station 1.  Car 2 arrived first, reporting a 1200 Square Foot residence with smoke showing, as well as requested EMS to expedite due to 1 occupant who was burned.  Upon further investigation, he reported a working kitchen fire, and had Engine 4 lay in and stretch an attack line to knock down the fire. Wendell Engine 115 arrived next and assisted with the extinguishment, while crews from New Hope Rescue 14 & Tanker 10 ventilated the structure.  Rolesville Pumper 153 and Eastern Wake Pumper 2 performed salvage and overhaul.

Although there was severe smoke damage to the kitchen, the bulk of the fire was contained to the area above the stove.  New Hope units returned to service in under 2 hours.

At 1235hrs, New Hope Station 2 was dispatched into Wendell for a reported structure fire in Dail Ridge Rd.  Car 2, Engine 4 & Tanker 10 all responded to the scene, and were advised by the Wendell units that they had fire showing from a single wide mobile home.  While the first arriving engine knocked down the bulk of the fire, New Hope’s crew arrived and were assigned to salvage any of the homeowners property, as well as to minimize any unburned further smoke or water damage to the property.  Crews also rescued two dogs from the residence.

At 0855hrs, RWCC received a report of a mobile home fire in Rolesville. First arriving units reported heavy fire, with the structure 50% involved in flames. Wake New Hope Car 2 (Deputy Chief Price) arrived second due and Engine 4 & Wendell 115 arrived third due, with Engine 4’s crew stretching a back up line to C/D corner of the house to knock down the heavy flames.

There were no reported injuries, and New Hope units operated on scene for 1 hour before returning to service.

At 0300hr, RWCC dispatched New Hope Station 2 for an MVA with a reported entrapment.  New Hope Car 2 (Deputy Chief Price) arrived first, reporting a single car MVA, car into a tree with 2 people heavily pinned.  In addition to Engine 4 & Rescue 14 from station 2, Chief Price special called New Hope Engine 1, Rolesville Rescue 15 & Wendell Rescue 115 to respond directly to the scene.

All the units worked together to free the injured parties, who were transported by Eastern Wake EMS to the hospital with serious injuries.  It was a great example of teamwork by all who assisted with the extrication.