Thanks to our partners at the Raleigh Fire Museum, we’re proud to announce that a new collection of fire records are now available on DigitalNC! This batch contains annual financial reports, fire protection reports, and even a booklet detailing the rules and regulations of Raleigh’s fire department. Ranging from as early as 1948 to as late as 1984, these documents capture the development and growth of Raleigh through the eyes of its firefighters.

Perhaps the most interesting document in the batch is a collection of internal receipts, forms, and records collected over thirty years from Raleigh’s Emergency Rescue Squad. This collection of ephemera reflects the various needs and duties of the rescue squad: fire engine upkeep and maintenance, flyers for events show public outreach, and preserved news reports highlight the pride in a job well done. Many of these documents have handwritten notes on them, giving the reader a closer connection to the firefighters handling the documents.

You can look at more documents from our partners at the Raleigh Fire Museum here. You can also visit their website and learn more about Raleigh’s history with fire here.