First responders Coverage

Group walking 222 miles from Fort Liberty to Camp Lejeune to bring awareness to suicide prevention

If you're walking along Highway 24 here in Sampson County, you may see these guys and gals. They're walking 222 miles for suicide prevention for veterans and first responders.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

A closer look at why and how Wake emergency alerts are sent

Darshan Patel, a Wake County Emergency Management official, explains the decision behind sending an alert during a search for a suspect on Wednesday night.

Two police officers, one firefighter killed by barricaded man in Minnesota

Two police officers and a fire department paramedic were killed by a barricaded man Sunday in Minnesota. The suspect later died.

Fort Liberty, first responders team up to train for active shooter scenario

A small army of first responders gathered at Fort Liberty to see how they would react to an active shooter on post.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

Fort Liberty prepares for disaster scenario in active shooter drill

WRAL Fayetteville reporter Gilbert Baez was there as soldiers learned some critical lessons on Wednesday at Fort Liberty.

Chapel Hill celebrates 50 years of successful police-crisis counselor partnership

Chapel Hill's Crisis Unit, a partnership between police and crisis counselors, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Shelle Jackson, WRAL reporter

Chapel Hill Crisis Unit celebrates 50 years helping the community

Chapel Hill's Crisis Unit, a partnership between police and crisis counselors, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Healing Together event honors Hedingham shooting victims, first responders

On Saturday, local first responders and police officers gathered to honor the lives lost in the Hedingham shooting one year ago.

Triangle cities, counties spending millions on overtime for first responders as staffing struggles continue

As EMS, fire and police departments around the Triangle area struggle to fill vacancies, their overtime expenses are showing the effects. Sometimes, the amounts departments are accruing in overtime far exceeds what was budgeted.

Sarah Krueger, WRAL Investigates reporter

Breakfast event honors Raleigh, Wake County first responders

The Raleigh business community shows appreciations for those who risk their lives to save others at the annual First Responders Appreciation Breakfast presented by CPI Security.

First responders celebrated with annual free breakfast

First responders will be celebrated and honored with free breakfast on Tuesday morning.

Hundreds of Wake, Raleigh first responders honored Tuesday

First responders can get a free chicken biscuit at two Chick-fil-A locations in Raleigh: Falls Village and Capital Boulevard.

WRAL staff

Triangle teams ready to respond with water rescues

North Carolina has more than 30 swift water rescue teams across the state ready to save lives during hurricanes.

Triangle sends swift water rescue teams to NC coast

Preparations for Hurricane Idalia in the Triangle included training teams for swift water rescue.

Shelle Jackson, WRAL reporter

New 911 tech lets Cary dispatchers see situation

The town of Cary is one of 20 municipalities in North Carolina using the Prepared Live app.

The town of Cary is one of 20 municipalities in North Carolina using the Prepared Live app.

The town of Cary is one of 20 municipalities in North Carolina using the Prepared Live app.

New app lets Cary first responders see what 911 callers see in real time

The town of Cary is one of 20 municipalities in North Carolina using the Prepared Live app.

Eric Miller, WRAL reporter

New public safety simulation complex to train first responders

The facility is scheduled to open in January 2024 and will cost $59.8 million to build. Police, fire and emergency medical crews will use it to train for real-life scenarios.

See inside Wake Tech's new $59.8 million public safety simulation center

The facility is scheduled to open in January 2024 and will cost $59.8 million to build. Police, fire and emergency medical crews will use it to train for real-life scenarios.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Durham firefighter union chief: Pay raises 'anything but a victory'

In the approved budget, all sworn employees will receive a 2% pay structure increase and a 5% pay-for-performance merit system increase for a total increase of 7%. Employees will also receive a $300 end-of-year bonus.

Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporter & Monica Casey, WRAL Durham reporter

Across the Bull City, signs show support for first responders

You can see yard signs all around Durham in support of higher pay for firefighters and an expansion of the HEART (Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Teams) program.

Public calls for public safety investments in Durham's next budget

You can see yard signs across the Bull City in support of higher pay for firefighters and an expansion of the HEART (Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Teams) program.

Monica Casey, WRAL Durham reporter

Durham to expand hours, locations for unarmed first responders part of HEART program

Durham leaders want to expand the city's team of unarmed first responders.

Sarah Krueger, WRAL Sr. Durham reporter

Staffing shortage, rapid growth presents challenges during Wake EMS effort to shorten response times

Wake County's rapid growth is slowing the response to medical emergencies, even after Wake EMS hired 100 new people and the county raised the pay for the EMTs and medics.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Rocky Mount budget will offer raises for employees without property tax hike

The Rocky Mount city manager outlined his priorities for growth for WRAL News.