Program focuses on people of color in the American Revolution

During Black History Month, the N.C. Museum of History and the Sons of the American Revolution will present the program Return to Tradition highlighting a lesser-known fact about the American Revolution: significant numbers of people of color fought for the Patriots during the war.
This free program on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to noon in Raleigh features keynote speaker Brig. Gen. James Gorham, the first African American general in the N.C. Army National Guard. His talk will focus on these soldiers who served in integrated troops during the war for independence.
“Though nearly lost to history, these Patriots of color served as equals in the typical regiment of Continental soldiers,” said Earl Ijames, Curator at the N.C. Museum of History.

First African American in North Carolina Will Be Inducted Into SAR
Another program highlight will center on Raleigh resident Chaz Moore, whose enslaved ancestor, Tobias “Toby” Gilmore, fought for the Patriots in the American Revolution. During a brief installation ceremony, Moore will be the first African American in North Carolina inducted into the Sons of the American Revolution. He is a firefighter with the Raleigh Fire Department.
Moore’s ancestor was born in coastal West Africa as Shibodee Turrey Wurry. At age 16, around 1758, this son of a chieftain was kidnapped by slave traders and sent to Rhode Island aboard the slave ship Dove. He was purchased by Capt. John Gilmore of Massachusetts and became known as Tobias Gilmore. He enlisted in the Continental Army and fought in several major battles.
Learn more about this lesser-known, yet important, part of our nation’s history during Return to Tradition on Feb. 25 at the Museum of History.

Departments train to improve insurance ratings

Earlier this month, leaders from Orange County fire departments attended a class taught in Hillsborough by the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal. The sessions focused on the requirements for improving the fire insurance ratings for fire departments, which, in turn, could potentially reduce the cost of fire insurance premiums for property owners. Several volunteer fire departments have submitted requests to OSFM to be graded to improve the insurance rating of their respective fire districts.
Few people understand the complexity of fire insurance costs and the Insurance Services Office ratings of their local fire department. Insurance premiums—both residential and commercial—can be impacted by multiple variables, including installation of smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, construction material, square footage, number of stories and floors, distance from a fire station, etc. Insurance costs are also impacted by the ISO rating of the primary fire department covering a home or business.
The OSFM training session covered a multitude of details and requirements involved in improving ratings. More than 20 types of forms are potentially required for evaluating each fire department. As a sampling, form content ranges from water source—such as a pond—volume, signed by a certified soil and water engineer to the North Carolina Department of Transporation certified weight rating of each fire truck.
Each requirement comes with a price tag and at times requires prioritization. Certified personal protective equipment or turnout gear with air pack runs about $5,000 per firefighter. OSFM requires a minimum of 20 members older than 18 for a single station and 28 members for a two-station department. Some departments have a junior program for high school age volunteers.
Orange County has 12 rural fire districts. Efland, Eno, New Hope, Orange Grove, Cedar Grove, Caldwell and White Cross fire departments cover rural districts. Orange Rural (Hillsborough), Chapel Hill and Carrboro fire departments cover municipal and rural areas. Mebane and North Chatham fire departments are located outside of Orange County but cover areas within Orange County.
The chiefs of these departments meet on a regular basis and continually strive to improve fire protection services for the residents and businesses in Orange County.

Deadling extended for emergency services work group applicants

The deadline for applications for resident volunteers for the Orange County emergency services work group is now Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2012.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners is recruiting two resident volunteers for the Orange County Emergency Services Work Group. The work group will provide recommendations on improving emergency medical services including ambulance response time, fire department issues such as items impacting home owner insurance ratings, and radio communications improvements for medical, fire and law enforcement personnel. Community applicants represent someone who may need to call 911 at any time during an emergency. Applicants do not need a background in emergency services.
This work group will address issues related to improving public safety for the residents of Orange County, such as:
• E911 Communications Center Improvement Plan;
• Discussion with the Board of Commissioners regarding plans to improve the EMS delivery system;
• Review of Fire Department issues relating to fire protection districts, fire insurance districts, and fire tax districts as related to property insurance ratings;
• Review of the VIPER ( Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders) original design and implementation and strategies to improve coverage and capacity.
If interested, apply online.
For additional information, select "Orange County Emergency Services Work Group" under "Boards and Commissions Listing" or call Donna Baker at (919) 245-2130 or Jeanette Jones at (919) 245-2125.
The Board of County Commissioners plans to make appointments for both positions at the Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012 meeting.
With more than 30 different boards and commissions, volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners have an opportunity to influence the way of life in Orange County.

Apply to join Orange County's Emergency Services Work Group by Jan. 4

One major way residents can have a positive impact on the future of Orange County is to volunteer to serve on the various County advisory boards and commissions.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners is currently recruiting two resident volunteers for the Orange County Emergency Services Work Group. This work group will address issues related to improving public safety for the residents of Orange County, such as:
• Review of the VIPER ( Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders) original design and implementation and strategies to improve coverage and capacity;
• E911 Communications Center Improvement Plan;
• Discussion with the Board of Commissioners regarding plans to improve the EMS delivery system;
• Review of Fire Department issues relating to fire protection districts, fire insurance districts, and fire tax districts as related to property insurance ratings.
If interested, apply online.
For more information, select "Orange County Emergency Services Work Group" under "Boards and Commissions Listing" or call Donna Baker at (919) 245-2130 or Jeanette Jones at (919) 245-2125.
Deadline for applications is Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012.
With more than 30 different boards and commissions, volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners have an opportunity to influence the way of life in Orange County.

Fire department sells Christmas trees for fundraiser

New Hope Volunteer Fire Department has Fraser firs and wreaths for this holiday season. Firefighters will staff the tree lot at Station No. 1 on Whitfield Road just north of Chapel Hill from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Kids of all ages can also learn more about fire safety, tour the station and see fire trucks up close.
For more information, contact New Hope Fire Department on Whitfield Road at (919) 493-1001.

Chapel Hill apartment fire results in casualty

At approximately 7:28 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6, the Chapel Hill Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 215 Schultz St. Upon arrival, crews reported a working structure fire at 217 Schultz St. with a reported victim trapped in the unit.

Firefighters initiated a successful search and rescue attempt for the victim in unit 217. The victim was located and transported to UNC Hospitals within two minutes. The victim was later pronounced dead by UNC Hospital staff.

Fire crews reported the fire under control at 8:38 a.m. and the fire completely extinguished at 9:36 a.m.

Fire companies from Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, New Hope and Parkwood responded to the fire. Emergency units from Orange County Emergency Management and South Orange Rescue also responded to the incident. The American Red Cross provided assistance to 11 displaced residents.

Five apartment units were damaged due to fire, smoke and water. The cause of the fire and an estimated damage amount has not been determined.

The apartment unit did contain a working smoke detector but did not have a sprinkler system.