Falls Fire Department
"The River Rats"
1970-2012
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"River Rats"
The department's nickname "River Rats" was used by Falls Community members when they played baseball against Stony Hill Community members, the "Possums". The community members took the name from a group of local young men in the community that called themselves "The River Rats."
Background
The Falls community developed around the falls of the Neuse River in northern Wake County. The Falls of Neuse Community Club was incorporated with
the state on November 19, 1954. Land for a community center at the presently addressed 11908 Falls of Neuse Road was donated in November 1954 by Erwin
Cotton Mills. The lot size was 0.29 acres.
Rural fire protection in the county started during that decade, with unincorporated communities around Raleigh and Wake Forest protected by newly
forming fire departments such as Six Forks, Stony Hill, and Western Boulevard.
By the late 1960s, the Falls community relied upon fire protection from Stony Hill, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Wake-New Hope, Six Forks, and Bay Leaf fire
departments. Each of those fire stations, however, was a fair distance from the community.
In 1969, the Falls Community Club, and with the advisement of then county commissioner Hal Trentman, took on the organization of the fire department as
their project.
Former Fire Chiefs
Chief Sam Perry
Chief Buddy Tillman
Chief Linwood Barham
Chief Buddy Tillman
Chief Robert Cooper
Chief Johnny Ray
Chief Chris Wilson
Chief Buddy Tillman
Chief Linwood Barham
Chief Buddy Tillman
Chief Robert Cooper
Chief Johnny Ray
Chief Chris Wilson
1970-1979
1970, established. Incorporated as Falls Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. on July 7, 1970. Donations requested of $10 per residence or
business. Anyone who donates becomes voting member. Raised $3,060 through first-year fundraising. Fire district limit included to railroad trucks on
Durant Road and south on Falls of the Neuse to about present site of Ravenscroft School.
1970, first Fire Chief is Sam Perry.
1970, fire department has approximately 24 members.
1970, First fire station is Falls of Neuse Community Club at 11908 Falls of the Neuse Road, with two added apparatus bays. Verbal contract
between fire department and Community Club makes clubhouse available provided firefighters maintain building.The Falls Fire Department was assigned the Wake County fire station number 21.
business. Anyone who donates becomes voting member. Raised $3,060 through first-year fundraising. Fire district limit included to railroad trucks on
Durant Road and south on Falls of the Neuse to about present site of Ravenscroft School.
1970, first Fire Chief is Sam Perry.
1970, fire department has approximately 24 members.
1970, First fire station is Falls of Neuse Community Club at 11908 Falls of the Neuse Road, with two added apparatus bays. Verbal contract
between fire department and Community Club makes clubhouse available provided firefighters maintain building.The Falls Fire Department was assigned the Wake County fire station number 21.
1970, They purchased their first piece of fire apparatus was a converted Army 2 1/2-ton, three-axle truck with a 1,400 gallon water tank. The truck was
purchased for $500 from the Durham Highway Fire Department. The money was raised through fundraisers, donations, and charging district patrons $10 to join the
Falls Fire District Inc.
purchased for $500 from the Durham Highway Fire Department. The money was raised through fundraisers, donations, and charging district patrons $10 to join the
Falls Fire District Inc.
1970, The second piece of fire apparatus purchased was a 1956 Ford/American pumper with a front mounted Barton pump. It was equipped with a 500 GPM pump and carried 500 gallons of water. It was bought from Six Forks Fire Department for $2,500. The Ladies Auxiliary paid for most of the purchase, with money made from barbecues and craft shows.
1974, the department bought its first new fire truck chassis. They mounted the 1,200-gallon tank from the oil tanker onto the 1973 Chevrolet chassis. The
tank was also modified for a quick dump system.
tank was also modified for a quick dump system.
1977, with increased tax revenues, fund-raisers, donations, and a loan from FHA, the department purchased its first completely new truck, a 1978 FMC/Bean pumper with a 750 GPM pump and a 750 gallon tank.
1980-1989
Early 1980's, Falls Fire Station catches on fire. A small section of the building caught fire above the bay doors, at or behind an exterior light fixture burned and caused minor damage to the station.
1984, Falls recieves a 1984 Chevy Customer Deluxe 30 brush truck with a 250 gallon tank on it.
1984, The First Reponder program started due to slow responses of EMS units responding from Raleigh, Six Forks, and Wake Forest. Linwood E. Barham, an early member, taught the First Responder class twice weekly. First females joined the department as a result of the program.
Late 1980's, First paid staff hired for daytime hours. Day shift hired in lieu of buying the land across the street for a new fire station as funds would not allow for both.
Late 1980's, First paid staff hired for daytime hours. Day shift hired in lieu of buying the land across the street for a new fire station as funds would not allow for both.
1987, Falls FD takes delivery of a 1987 Ford / E-One pumper. The pumper has a 1000 gallon tank with a 1250 GPM pump. It is named Engine 210 originally, later changed to Engine 212.
Station improvements: Two additional apparatus bays added.
1989, New apparatus delivery. 1989 pumper/tanker with a 1000 gallon tank and a 1250 GPM pump. It is named Tanker 217
1990-1999
Station improvements: Fifth apparatus bay added in rear. Front right apparatus bay converted to office space.
1994, Falls FD takes delivery of a 1994 E-One Sentry engine with a 1000 gallon tank and a 1250 GPM pump. It is named Engine 211
1994, Falls FD takes delivery of a 1994 E-One Sentry engine with a 1000 gallon tank and a 1250 GPM pump. It is named Engine 211
1996, Hurricane Fran Raleigh. Many tress had fallen in the area and crews were not able to respond to emergencies. Early on in the storm, Falls FD rescued five victims on Durant Rd who had become trapped in their van due to fallen trees. One of these women was the mother of future Battalion Chief Justin Graney.
1997, Chris Wilson named Fire Chief.
2000-2012
2002, Duty crew program is put in place for volunteers to fully staff the apparatus on nights and weekends.
2003, Falls Fire Department designs a new patch that incorporates the Falls of Neuse Bridge, the river, and the cotton mill.
2003, Falls Fire Department designs a new patch that incorporates the Falls of Neuse Bridge, the river, and the cotton mill.
2003, Administration vehicles purchased. A Ford Expedition is used as a first responder vehicle and named 210 and replaced a 1987 Chevrolet Suburban. A Ford F-350 is purchased with the intent to convert to a brush truck. With the county supplying a new brush truck in the next few years the pickup was never converted and used for day to day operations. It is named Truck 21.
2005, New brush truck recieved. It is a 2005 Ford F-550 Super Duty replaced a 1984 Chevrolet brush truck that had been in service for over 10 years. The new truck is equipped with a 250 GPM pump, a 300 gallon tank, and assorted firefighting equipment.
2005, Falls responds with Raleigh Fire Department on a large multi-residential fire in Wakefield Apartments. Several apartments are lost in the blaze but no injuries were reported.
2006, Falls received a 2006 16' Rescue One Connector Boat, equipped with a 40hp Mercury Four Stroke outboard motor, front mount dive
platform, center console navigation, 500 GPM integrated pump with hard suction, 1.5'' discharge, and deluge gun; and various water rescue equipment. The boat
is used in conjunction with other Rescue One Connector Boats stationed at Stony Hill Fire-Rescue and Bayleaf Fire Department to form a floating platform
used in rescue and recovery operations. The Boat was purchased with a $26,420.00 Grant from Fireman's Fund Insurance.
platform, center console navigation, 500 GPM integrated pump with hard suction, 1.5'' discharge, and deluge gun; and various water rescue equipment. The boat
is used in conjunction with other Rescue One Connector Boats stationed at Stony Hill Fire-Rescue and Bayleaf Fire Department to form a floating platform
used in rescue and recovery operations. The Boat was purchased with a $26,420.00 Grant from Fireman's Fund Insurance.
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2007, Falls takes delivery of a new Pumper. Its a 2007 Pierce Contender and is called Pumper 212. A dedication ceremony is held at the station. Chief Jackson, a charter member of Falls Fire Department, is the first person to back the new apparatus into the bay.
2008, Duty crew program begins paying volunteers $25 a night.
2009, Falls FD creates a cookbook and sells to the public. Compiled by the Ladies Auxiliary and their families, the softcover, spiral-bound volume features 350 recipes, and includes recipes that appeared in the original Ladies Auxiliary cookbook in the late 1970s/early 1980s. With colored tabs separating the categories, it also includes a history of the department, information about the ladies auxiliary, and other bits.The price is $10 for advance orders, or $15 when the books arrive in October.
2009, Falls FD creates a cookbook and sells to the public. Compiled by the Ladies Auxiliary and their families, the softcover, spiral-bound volume features 350 recipes, and includes recipes that appeared in the original Ladies Auxiliary cookbook in the late 1970s/early 1980s. With colored tabs separating the categories, it also includes a history of the department, information about the ladies auxiliary, and other bits.The price is $10 for advance orders, or $15 when the books arrive in October.
2009, Falls takes delivery of a new tanker. It is a 2009 Pierce Contender, 1250/1000, that replaces Tanker 217, a 1989 Ford.
2010, Falls FD celebrates its 40th anniversary and produces challange coins for members.
2011, A large fire is battled at Wakefield Country Club. Several mutual aid departments called in including Wake Forest, Stony Hill, Bay Leaf, and Raleigh.
2011, A decleration of intent to merge with Wake Forest Fire Department is signed by Falls Chief Chris Wilson and Wake Forest Chief Ron Early at WFFD Station #1 on Monday July 25th.
2012, March 25th 2012, Falls Fire Department and Wake Forest Fire Department officially merge. The Falls fire station becomes WFFD Station #5 and the equipment assigned to it is: Engine #5, Squad #5, Fire Boat #5, Utility #5 and Car #6. The tanker is moved to WFFD Station #2 and named Tanker #2. Station #5 is staffed with part-time employees on weekdays from 7am-5pm and then fully staffed by volunteers during night shifts and weekends.
2012, March 25th 2012, Falls Fire Department and Wake Forest Fire Department officially merge. The Falls fire station becomes WFFD Station #5 and the equipment assigned to it is: Engine #5, Squad #5, Fire Boat #5, Utility #5 and Car #6. The tanker is moved to WFFD Station #2 and named Tanker #2. Station #5 is staffed with part-time employees on weekdays from 7am-5pm and then fully staffed by volunteers during night shifts and weekends.
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