Professional Firefighters of Wilmington North Carolina

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Professional Firefighters of Wilmington North Carolina

Wilmington Firefighters | IAFF Local 129
Serving with Courage, Pride & Tradition 🚒
Representing the men & women of the Wilmington Fire Department

06/19/2026

Today, Local 129 recognizes Juneteenth, the day commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.

Juneteenth is an important part of our nation’s history and serves as a time to reflect on the principles of freedom, equality, and opportunity. It is also an opportunity to learn from the past and recognize the contributions that have helped shape our communities.

As firefighters, we remain committed to serving all members of our community with professionalism, integrity, and respect.

06/18/2026

Today, we remember and honor the brave members of the Charleston Fire Department who made the ultimate sacrifice on June 18, 2007.

Nineteen years ago, nine firefighters lost their lives while searching for and attempting to save others during the tragic Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire.

Their courage, selflessness, and commitment to duty continue to serve as a reminder of the risks firefighters face every day. The lessons learned from that day have shaped the fire service across the nation and helped make us safer for future generations.

Today, we pause to remember:

• Captain William Hutchinson
• Captain Louis Mulkey
• Engineer Mark Kelsey
• Assistant Engineer Michael French
• Firefighter Brandon Thompson
• Firefighter Melvin Champaign
• Firefighter James “Earl” Drayton
• Firefighter Bradford Baity
• Firefighter Michael Benke

Please keep their families, friends, and the members of the Charleston Fire Department in your thoughts today.

Never Forget the Charleston 9.

Brotherhood LestWeForget 🚒🖤❤️

06/17/2026

🔥👨‍🚒When a tanker leak required a 14-hour hazardous materials response, Local 129 members answered the call.

These firefighters bring specialized HazMat training and advanced skillsets that help protect our community during some of the most complex emergencies we face. After working through the night and returning home around 3:00 AM, many of these members went directly back to the trucks to finish their shift.

This is the reality for many firefighters. Long incidents. Long hours. Time away from family.

The recent approval of a livable wage is a major step forward. It gives firefighters more opportunity to be home with their families, recover from demanding deployments, and spend less time relying on second jobs to make ends meet.

We’re proud of the dedication, professionalism, and sacrifice our members show every day. Wilmington firefighters continue to answer the call, no matter the hour, no matter the challenge.

06/17/2026

🚒 HISTORIC WIN FOR WILMINGTON FIREFIGHTERS 🚒

Tonight, the City of Wilmington officially approved a budget that includes a living wage for Wilmington firefighters.

For years, firefighters have served this city with pride while many struggled to afford the community they protect. With the approval of this budget, a firefighter’s starting salary after completing the academy will increase to over $58,000, marking a major step forward in recruiting, retaining, and supporting the dedicated men and women who answer the call every day.

This budget also includes funding for Mission Ready gear, helping ensure firefighters have the equipment they need to safely and effectively serve our community.

This is more than a pay increase, it’s an investment in public safety, our firefighters, and their families. It’s a recognition of the sacrifices made every day and a commitment to building a stronger fire department for the future.

Thank you to the City Manager, Mayor, City Council, city staff, and everyone who supported this effort. This is a historic moment for Wilmington Firefighters and a victory that will impact our department for generations to come.

International Association of Fire Fighters Prof. Firefighters Paramedics of NC WECT News WWAY News Port City Daily WHQR Public Media

06/07/2026

🚒 Another Firefighter’s Story 🧑‍🚒

“I dreamed of being a firefighter my entire life. When I finally got hired, it was one of the proudest moments of my life.

What I wasn’t prepared for was the financial stress that came with it. There have been nights I’ve laid awake wondering how to stretch a paycheck, how to keep up with bills, and whether I’d need to pick up another extra shift just to stay ahead.

We see people on the worst days of their lives. We miss holidays, birthdays, and family time. The job takes a toll physically and mentally, and sometimes that weight follows us home.

That’s why this budget means so much. A living wage helps firefighters build a life, not just survive. And dedicated mental health resources mean that when the job gets heavy, there’s support available.

This isn’t about getting rich. It’s about being able to take care of the people who spend their careers taking care of everyone else.”

❤️ Living Wage
🧠 Mental Health Support
🚒 Investing in Those Who Serve

06/05/2026

🚒 A Living Wage Changes Lives 🚒

“I love being a firefighter. There isn’t a job in the world I’d rather do. But for years, my family and I have had to carefully budget every paycheck, work extra shifts, and sacrifice time together just to make ends meet.

Like many firefighters, I’ve missed birthdays, ballgames, and family dinners because I needed overtime to provide for my family. That’s time I’ll never get back.

This proposed living wage isn’t about getting rich. It’s about stability. It’s about being able to pay the bills, save for the future, and spend more time with the people who matter most. It’s about knowing that when I leave my family to answer the call, I can also provide for them at home.

For the first time in a long time, I can see a future where I don’t have to choose between serving my community and supporting my family.

That’s what a living wage means to me.”

Every firefighter has a story. Behind every uniform is a family that shares in the sacrifices of this profession.

We are grateful for the City Manager’s proposed budget that invests in the firefighters who serve Wilmington every day and helps ensure they can continue protecting this community while providing for their own families.

ProtectThoseWhoProtectYou WilmingtonNC FirefighterFamily PublicSafety StrongerTogether 🚒❤️

06/01/2026

🚒 SUPPORT A LIVING WAGE FOR WILMINGTON FIREFIGHTERS 🚒

The City Manager’s proposed budget includes something that should be common sense: a living wage for every Wilmington firefighter.

Every day, firefighters respond to structure fires, medical emergencies, vehicle accidents, water rescues, hazardous materials incidents, and countless calls for help from our community. We work holidays, nights, weekends, and spend time away from our families to protect yours.

This budget also invests in the well-being of those who serve by funding a dedicated mental health program for Fire and Police personnel, recognizing that the challenges first responders face don’t end when the call is over.

Now we want to hear from you.

Has a Wilmington firefighter helped you, a family member, a friend, or a neighbor? Share your story in the comments. Whether it was a life-saving emergency, a helping hand during a difficult time, or simply kindness when it was needed most, we’d love to hear about it.

Our firefighters are proud to serve this community. Supporting a living wage for those who answer the call is an investment in the people who protect Wilmington every day.

WilmingtonFire CommunityFirst MentalHealthMatters

05/29/2026

🐾 K9 Response Shirts Are Here! 🐾

If you preordered a K9 Response shirt, your order is now available for pickup at Fire Headquarters, 801 Market Street.

Didn’t preorder? You’re in luck! We still have a limited supply of approximately 50 shirts available for purchase at $25 each. Shirts will be sold on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.

Every shirt sold helps support our K9 handlers and offset the ongoing costs associated with training, equipment, and care for these incredible working dogs.

📍 Fire Headquarters – 801 Market Street
👕 Preorders are ready for pickup
💲 $25 per shirt
🚨 Approximately 50 shirts remaining
🐕 First come, first served

Thank you for the incredible support. Together, we’ve helped make a difference for our K9 teams and the handlers who work with them every day.

CommunitySupport 🚒🐾

05/27/2026

🐾 K9 Crisis Response shirts will be ready for pickup tomorrow! 🐾

Pickup will be available at Headquarters:
📍 801 Market Street

If you preordered, please let the firefighters know when you stop by. If you requested shipping, orders will be heading out next week.

Because of this amazing community, we’ve raised around $1,000 to help support our K9 handlers and offset monthly costs for care.

Thank you for continuing to support our firefighters, handlers, and K9 teams. Wilmington always shows up strong. ❤️🚒🐕

FireFamily

05/19/2026

Tonight, members of Local 129 stand together in attendance at the Wilmington City Council public hearing in support of the City Manager’s recommended budget.

This budget is more than numbers on paper. It represents an investment in the employees who serve this city every day and would bring meaningful changes including a living wage for city employees, enhanced mental health services, and continued investments that allow Wilmington Fire Department to provide outstanding service to the citizens of Wilmington.

We appreciate the leadership and vision shown by the City Manager, City Council, and city staff in putting forward a budget that invests in people, public safety, and the future of our community.

Thank you to all Local 129 members and supporters who came out tonight. Your presence matters and your support continues to make a difference.

SupportFirefighters

Address

Market Street
Wilmington, NC
28401

Website

https://www.ilmfirefighters.org/

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