Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department Inc.

09/07/2026

🌛Half Moon VFD – Week in review 📆

Another strong and productive week serving our community, sharpening our skills, maintaining our equipment, and sharing important safety information. Here’s a quick look at what’s been happening around the station this week:

☎️🔔 Fire Service Fun Fact - Before modern radios, fire departments often used bells, whistles, and coded alarm signals to communicate. Today, clear radio traffic and an organized command structure are essential for safely coordinating crews during an emergency.

🍳🔥Knowledge Drop – Kitchen Fire Safety:
Cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires. Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or cooking at high temperatures, keep anything flammable away from the stovetop, and turn pot handles inward. If a small grease fire starts, never use water, turn off the heat and carefully cover the pan with a lid if it is safe to do so. When in doubt, get everyone outside and call 911!

👨‍🚒🧯Training Update - Command and Control Procedures: This week we reviewed incident command responsibilities, radio communications, crew accountability, resource coordination, and maintaining control of an emergency scene. Strong leadership and clear communication help ensure that everyone works toward the same goal protecting lives, property, and one another.

Additionally, we completed a thorough inspection and operational check on Tanker 507, Brush Truck 510, and Squad 514, ensuring the apparatus and equipment remain ready to respond when our community needs us most.

🌤️⛈️Weather Outlook: Jacksonville can expect mostly sunny conditions through the middle of the week, with highs climbing from the upper 80s to the low 90s. Rain and thunderstorms become more likely Friday and Saturday.

⚠️Stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, and keep an eye on the sky as those storm chances increase later this week. Remember: when thunder roars, go indoors!

We want to thank you for your continued love and support. Your trust, encouragement, and generosity make it possible for us to serve our community the way we do.❤️

Serving with Pride, Protecting with a Purpose ~ Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department

09/07/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Labor Day from Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department! 🇺🇸

Today, we honor the hardworking men and women who help build, serve, and strengthen our community every day.

To our Half Moon community, thank you for your hard work, your continued support, and most importantly, for trusting us to protect your families, homes, and neighbors. For more than six decades, it has been our privilege to answer the call when you need us most and that is a responsibility we never take for granted.

From our firehouse family to yours, we wish everyone a safe, relaxing, and well-deserved Labor Day! ❤️🤍💙

09/03/2026

📅 This Day in History ~ Sep 03, 1666

🔥On September 3, 1666, the Great Fire of London continued to rage through the city after beginning the previous day in a bakery on Pudding Lane.

With strong winds, tightly packed wooden buildings, and no organized municipal fire department like we know today, the fire spread rapidly. By September 3, firefighting efforts were becoming more organized, with designated “fire posts” established throughout the city and crews working to create firebreaks by removing buildings in the fire’s path.

⛪️The Great Fire would ultimately burn for several days, destroying more than 13,000 homes and 80 churches and forever changing the way cities thought about construction, fire prevention, and organized firefighting.

💡More than 350 years later, the basic lesson remains the same: prevention, preparedness, organization, and early action save lives and property.

At Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department, we’re proud to continue a fire service tradition that has evolved tremendously over the centuries, neighbors answering the call to protect neighbors. 🚒

Serving with Pride, Protecting with a Purpose ~ Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department

08/31/2026

🌛Half Moon VFD – Week in review 📆

Another strong and productive week serving our community, sharpening our skills, maintaining our equipment, and sharing important safety information. Here’s a quick look at what’s been happening around the station this week:

💨🌀Fire Service Fun Fact - Firefighters & Hurricanes: Did you know that during hurricanes and major storms, fire departments often pre-position apparatus and crews before conditions deteriorate? Once sustained winds become dangerously high, emergency vehicles may have to temporarily stop responding because high profile fire apparatus can become unsafe to operate. That’s why preparation before the storm arrives is so important not only for residents, but for first responders too!

Preparation today helps us respond safely tomorrow.

💡⚡Knowledge Drop – Electrical Fire Safety: Electrical problems can turn into fires quickly, and sometimes the warning signs are easy to overlook. Keep an eye out for flickering lights, frequently tripped breakers, discolored or warm outlets, burning odors, buzzing sounds, or damaged cords. Never overload outlets or power strips, and remember that extension cords are intended for temporary use, not permanent household wiring. If something electrical doesn’t seem right, have it inspected by a qualified electrician.

⛈️🌪️Training/Community Update - Severe Weather Operations & Preparedness: This week, our members trained on Severe Weather Operations and Preparedness. Living in Eastern North Carolina means severe thunderstorms, tropical systems, flooding, high winds, and hurricanes are realities we must be ready for. Training like this helps ensure our personnel, apparatus, equipment, and station are prepared so that when our community needs us most, we’re ready to respond.

Additionally, we completed a thorough inspection and operational check on Engine 505, ensuring the apparatus and equipment remain ready to respond when our community needs us most.

🌡️Weather Outlook: It looks like we’re heading into a HOT start to September! Your forecast shows temperatures climbing from the low 90s Monday into the mid-90s Wednesday through Friday, with increasing chances for thunderstorms toward Friday and Saturday. The National Weather Service is similarly forecasting highs in the 90s this week, along with a return of thunderstorm chances later in the week.

☀️Stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, and keep an eye on the sky as those storm chances increase later this week. Remember: when thunder roars, go indoors!

We want to thank you for your continued love and support. Your trust, encouragement, and generosity make it possible for us to serve our community the way we do.❤️

Serving with Pride, Protecting with a Purpose ~ Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department

08/30/2026

🌟 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 🌟

Today we’re proud to shine the spotlight on Firefighter Rowen Ledford for his dedication and service with the Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department👨‍🚒

Rowen has been serving with the Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department for 1 year, 7 months. Additionally, he has proudly served 8 years in the United States Navy, completing his service in 2025 as a Petty Officer Second Class (HM2). Thank you for your dedication both to our community and our nation!🇺🇸

When asked what he enjoys most about serving, Rowen shared “The privilege of being a public servant and providing various types of emergency aid to the community.” Another member with a public servant's heart, it is exactly what makes him such a valuable member of our fire department.❤️

Outside of the station, When he’s not serving, you’ll probably find Rowen doing CrossFit or Jiu-Jitsu!🥋

When asked about favorite tools on the fireground? Rowen says the Halligan, because of just how versatile it is. There’s a reason it’s a firefighter favorite! 🛠️

Fun Fact: 🪂 Rowen would rather jump out of a perfectly good airplane and skydive than ride a roller coaster!🎢

Please join us in thanking Rowen for his service to both our community & our country and for his commitment, hard work, and willingness to answer the call whenever our neighbors need us. We’re proud to have him as part of the Half Moon family! 👏

Serving with Pride, Protecting with a Purpose ~ Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department

08/25/2026

🚌 SCHOOL BUS SAFETY REMINDER 🛑

As our 1st day of school is now over, our students head back to school this year, and the school buses return to our roads; the Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department wants to remind everyone to slow down, stay alert, and know when to STOP.

A few extra seconds of patience can make all the difference. Watch for flashing lights, extended stop arms, children crossing the roadway, and buses making frequent stops.

Please take a moment to review North Carolina’s school bus stop laws in the graphic below and help us keep our students safe! ❤️🚒🚌

The STOP means STOP!

Serving with Pride, Protecting with a Purpose ~ Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department

08/24/2026

🌛Half Moon VFD – Week in review 📆

Another strong and productive week serving our community, sharpening our skills, maintaining our equipment, and sharing important safety information. Here’s a quick look at what’s been happening around the station this week:

🚨 Fire Service Fun Fact - Local Edition
Did you know Onslow County’s fire protection system is truly a team effort? Our county is protected by a network that includes volunteer fire departments, municipal departments, Camp Lejeune Fire & Emergency Services, and county fire services. When larger emergencies happen, departments can work together through mutual aid bringing additional personnel, apparatus, water, and specialized resources where they’re needed most. 🚒🤝

🧯 Knowledge Drop – KNOW YOUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER CLASSES!
Not every extinguisher is designed for every type of fire. Knowing the letters can help you choose the right one:

🔥 Class A ~ Ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, and some plastics.
🔥 Class B ~ Flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, and grease.
🔥 Class C ~ Energized electrical equipment.
🔥 Class D ~ Combustible metals, typically found in certain industrial settings.
🔥 Class K ~ Cooking oils and fats, commonly found in commercial kitchens.

Many extinguishers found in homes and businesses are ABC multipurpose extinguishers. And remember PASS: Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side.

🚒👨‍🚒Training/Community Update: This week was a bye-week from our normal department training schedule, but that didn’t mean we weren’t busy! Our members spent some time alongside our community partners and had the opportunity to participate in a Summer Bash with True Life Ministries Church.

Events like these give us an opportunity to interact with our neighbors outside of emergency situations, build relationships, and remind everyone that being a volunteer fire department is about much more than responding when the tones drop. We appreciate True Life Ministries for allowing us to be a part of the event! ❤️🚒

🌦️⛈️ Weather Outlook: Keep the umbrella handy this week! After temperatures climb near 89°F Tuesday, rain and thunderstorm chances increase through the latter half of the week, with highs generally staying in the mid-to-upper 80s.

The National Weather Service is also indicating continued chances for showers and thunderstorms later this week. Remember: When thunder roars, go indoors! Lightning can strike well outside the heaviest part of a storm, and never attempt to drive through flooded roadways.

We want to thank you for your continued love and support. Your trust, encouragement, and generosity make it possible for us to serve our community the way we do.❤️

Serving with Pride, Protecting with a Purpose ~ Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department

08/18/2026

🔥 HEAT ALERT: Dangerous heat is expected across our area today—stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity, and check on family, neighbors, and pets. Stay cool, stay safe, and take the heat seriously! ☀️💧🚒

🌡️ What You Need to Know:
• Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day (typically 11 AM–6 PM).
• Wear lightweight, light colored clothing.
• Take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning.
• NEVER leave children, older adults, or pets in a parked vehicle, not even for a few minutes.
• Check on elderly neighbors, family members, and anyone without reliable air conditioning.

⚠️ Know the Warning Signs
Heat Exhaustion: Heavy sweating, dizziness, weakness, nausea, headache.
➡️ Move to a cool place, drink water, and seek medical attention if symptoms don’t improve.

Heat Stroke: Confusion, loss of consciousness, hot/dry skin, or seizures.
🚑 This is a medical emergency… call 911 immediately.

Serving with Pride, Protecting with a Purpose ~ Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department

Dangerous heat continues today with heat indices expected to reach or exceed 110F across roughly the eastern half of the forecast area and slightly lower heat indices across the western half. Isolated strong thunderstorms are possible (10-30% chance) along the sea breeze this afternoon, which could offer temporary relief from the heat for some areas.

08/17/2026

🌛Half Moon VFD – Week in review 📆

Another strong and productive week serving our community, sharpening our skills, maintaining our equipment, and sharing important safety information. Here’s a quick look at what’s been happening around the station this week:

🪂🔥 Fire Service Fun Fact - Smoke Jumpers! Ever wonder how firefighters reach a wildfire when there are no roads to get there? They may jump out of an airplane! Smoke jumpers are specially trained wildland firefighters who parachute into remote and rugged areas to begin attacking wildfires. The first operational smokejumper fire jumps took place in 1940, and the profession continues today. Talk about taking “responding to the call” to another level!

🏡 Knowledge Drop – What does an ISO rating mean? You may have heard your local fire department talk about its Insurance Service Office (ISO) or Public Protection Classification (PPC). In North Carolina, fire districts are evaluated on their ability to provide fire protection, and classifications generally range from 1 to 10, with Class 1 being the best. These ratings can also play a role in the insurance premiums paid by homeowners and businesses.

That means the training, apparatus, equipment, water supply, response capabilities, and readiness of your local fire service aren’t just things we work on at the station, they can have a real impact on the community we serve.

🚒👨‍🚒Training Update: Vehicle Accident Operations & TIMS. This week our members focused on vehicle accident operations, reviewing the responsibilities and hazards firefighters may encounter while operating on our roadways.

We also reviewed the North Carolina Traffic Incident Management System (TIMS) and the importance of establishing a safe, organized incident scene. Working alongside law enforcement, EMS, towing services, and other responding agencies requires communication, coordination, and situational awareness to protect responders and motorists alike.

Additionally, we completed a thorough inspection and operational check on Engine 504, ensuring the apparatus and equipment remain ready to respond when our community needs us most.

Staying prepared means we’re ready when you need us most.

🌡️⛈️ Weather Outlook: HOT WEEK AHEAD! Summer isn’t finished with us yet! The Half Moon/Jacksonville area starts the week HOT, with Monday near 98°F and temperatures remaining in the 90s through the week. Thunderstorm chances increase Tuesday and become much more likely heading into Friday and Saturday.

☀️ Stay hydrated and limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day.�⚡ When thunder roars, head indoors.�🚗 NEVER leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle, even for a few minutes.

We want to thank you for your continued love and support. Your trust, encouragement, and generosity make it possible for us to serve our community the way we do.❤️

Serving with Pride, Protecting with a Purpose ~ Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department

08/14/2026

🚒Jacksonville Fire Department is hiring! If you’re looking for a rewarding career built around service, teamwork, and making a difference in our community, now is a great time to answer the call.

👨‍🚒Please check out their post below for more information and help us spread the word to someone who may be ready to start their career in the fire service!

Serving with Pride, Protecting with a Purpose ~ Half Moon Volunteer Fire Department

Take the next step in your Fire Service Career!

The Jacksonville Fire Department is seeking experienced Fire Engineers to join our team and invites qualified candidates to attend an upcoming Hiring Event. If you are looking for a department that invests in your professional growth while providing opportunities to serve a growing community, we encourage you to apply.

Hiring Event Details:
• Friday, August 21st
• Starting at 8 a.m.
• Center for Public Safety | 200 Marine Blvd. Jacksonville, NC 28540
** Applicants must complete & submit an application prior to attending the Hiring Event**

Fire Engineers play a critical role in emergency response by operating and maintaining firefighting apparatus, supporting fire suppression and rescue operations, and ensuring equipment is ready to respond when the community needs it most.

Position Highlights:
• Full-time position
• Competitive salary, with advancement based on qualifications and experience
• Hands-on training alongside an experienced crew
• Opportunities for continued professional development and career advancement

To submit your application or learn more about the position, qualifications, and hiring process, please visit JacksonvilleNC.gov/jobs.