Wilmington, NC Fire Department

Wilmington, NC Fire Department The Wilmington Fire Department proudly serves the City of Wilmington, its residents, and visitors.

06/23/2026

WFD Junior Fire Academy Day 2! Check out these awesome young men and women!

Day two of the WFD Junior Fire Academy!
06/23/2026

Day two of the WFD Junior Fire Academy!

Day 1 of Junior Fire Academy is in the books! We learned a lot and can’t wait for tomorrow! 🚨🚒
06/22/2026

Day 1 of Junior Fire Academy is in the books! We learned a lot and can’t wait for tomorrow! 🚨🚒

CONGRATS 🎉Congratulations to the following on their recent promotions to Engineer!Engineer Jon MauneyEngineer Billy Vaug...
06/18/2026

CONGRATS 🎉

Congratulations to the following on their recent promotions to Engineer!

Engineer Jon Mauney
Engineer Billy Vaughn
Engineer David Weaver

We’re so thankful for your dedication and hard work that helps make WFD what it is! 🙏

TIME TO REMEMBER: Today we take time to remember fallen firefighter Joe Willard, who died in the line of duty on June 17...
06/18/2026

TIME TO REMEMBER: Today we take time to remember fallen firefighter Joe Willard, who died in the line of duty on June 17, 1893.

In the early morning hours, an alarm of fire was sounded at the Calder Brothers Warehouse on S. Water St. near Ann St. During the fire, the roof fell in, causing the top part of the wall to bulge out and fall. Firefighter Willard, a member of the Wilmington Hook & Ladder Company, could not get out of the way of the falling bricks and was severely injured. Other firefighters were injured, but none as severely as Joe. He died at the scene.

Willard had spent the previous evening with his family and friends enjoying himself. When the fire bell struck, he said, "I don't want to go to the fire," but he went anyway, knowing it was his duty. Willard was laid to rest in Oakdale Cemetery.

A couple years ago, Willard’s great nephew donated a framed photograph of Willard in his uniform. State officials believe this may be the oldest photograph of one of our firefighters. It now resides in the downstairs conference room at HQ.

06/17/2026

Here’s a glimpse of what our Citizens Fire Academy graduates got to experience over the last few weeks. 👀

CONGRATS 🎉A big congratulations to the following on their promotions!Engineer Cale ColnEngineer Timothy LuippoldEngineer...
06/16/2026

CONGRATS 🎉

A big congratulations to the following on their promotions!

Engineer Cale Coln
Engineer Timothy Luippold
Engineer Madison Brown
Engineer Cameron Hopper
Lt. Bill Beliles
Lt. Tyler Crouch
Lt. Josh Gibson

We’re so thankful for your leadership and dedication!

TIME TO REMEMBER: On this day in 1933, Former Chief Charles Schnibben died in the line of duty. May we always remember h...
06/16/2026

TIME TO REMEMBER: On this day in 1933, Former Chief Charles Schnibben died in the line of duty. May we always remember his sacrifice.

Chief Charles Schnibben and his driver were en route to an alarm when they swerved to avoid a truck at Fourth and Dawson Streets. Chief Schnibben was severely injured when the vehicle overturned three times. He was taken to the hospital, where he died a few hours later. His body lay in state at City Hall and was later carried to Oakdale Cemetery on an engine.

During his 37 years as Chief, he helped bring the department to a peak of efficiency, setting the standard for years to come. He was appointed Fire Chief in 1897 when WFD was established as a paid department. A year after his appointment, all black members of the department were terminated and replaced by white members of the community as a result of the 1898 Coup d'état, effectively removing the diversity from the department.

Through the years, Chief Schnibben led the department through many great changes, including the introduction of motorized fire apparatus, the fireboat “Atlantic I”, being a volunteer member of the Howard Relief Fire Company, and conducting weekly fire inspections of local businesses. He was known as a fair man, always calm and cool at any alarm. The Star-News wrote, "he loved to serve and died in action carrying out the important responsibility entrusted to him." Chief Schnibben was 66 at the time of his death.

While we have come a long way, in large part thanks to Chief Schnibben, WFD values the strengths of a more diverse workforce and is working toward building an organization that better reflects the City in which we serve.

06/03/2026

We know traffic in Wilmington can be a pain, but please remember to pull to the right for sirens and lights! 🚒🚨

On Saturday, the Wilmington Fire Department responded to 3345 River Rd for a tank fire at Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions. The...
05/31/2026

On Saturday, the Wilmington Fire Department responded to 3345 River Rd for a tank fire at Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions. The fire was quickly contained and extinguished. Atmospheric monitoring was done during and after fire operations to ensure there was no danger posed to the general public.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by our Fire Marshal’s Office. There were no injuries.

Address

801 Market Street
Wilmington, NC
28401

Telephone

+19103417846

Website

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