Advance Fire Department

10/11/2026

Community is brotherhood ❤️

10/11/2026

10/09/2026

We are heartbroken to share that Firefighter Andrew Brokes died in the line of duty this morning while searching for victims inside the building at 410 Marly Drive.

Firefighter Brokes, who joined the Durham Fire Department on May 5, 2025, served the Durham community with dedication, courage, and a deep commitment to the residents of the Bull City.

“This is a heartbreaking loss for our department, the family, and the entire community,” said Durham Fire Chief Robert J. Zoldos II. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and his colleagues, and we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during this unimaginably difficult time. The department is standing with and supporting his family in every possible way.”

Two other firefighters were injured during the incident and were taken to Duke Medical Center. Both have received care and are expected to make full recoveries.

This loss is felt across our entire department. Firefighters step into unpredictable situations every day in service to others, and Firefighter Brokes embodied that calling with honor.

We know our community is grieving alongside us. If you wish to share your condolences or messages of support, they will be received with gratitude by our department and by those who knew and loved Firefighter Brokes.

In the coming days, we will share more information about how we will honor his service and support the firefighters involved in this incident.

Thank you, Durham, for surrounding our DFD family with care during this profoundly difficult time.

10/09/2026

🔥 Happy National Fire Prevention Day! 🔥

​Fire safety isn’t just for emergency responders, it starts right at home! Today is the perfect reminder to take a few quick, high-impact steps to keep your household and loved ones safe.

​Here are 5 quick things you can do TODAY to observe :

​🚨 1. The Smoke Alarm "Beep Test"

Walk around and press the test button on every smoke detector in your house. Don't forget: alarms over 10 years old need to be replaced!

​⏱️ 2. The 2-Minute Escape Drill

Map out two exits for every room and practice an escape drill with your family. Can everyone reach your outside meeting spot in under 2 minutes?

​🍳 3. Create Cooking & Heating "Safe Zones"

Keep a 3-foot kid- and pet-free boundary around stoves, ovens, and space heaters.

​🔌 4. Inspect Cords & Outlets

Unplug overloaded power strips and check for frayed cords. Always plug space heaters directly into the wall, never an extension cord!

​🚒 5. Thank Your Local Station

Drop off a thank-you note or baked goods at your local fire station, or give our brave local firefighters a shout-out online!

​👇 Challenge for today: Which step are you checking off first? Let us know in the comments!

​

10/09/2026

A HUGE shoutout to two of our newest resident firefighters, Hunter and Brody, for stopping by the annual Fall Festival to pass out candy and hang out with the students! 🍬👨‍🚒

​Events like these are all about building strong connections, and we loved giving our community’s youth a peek into the fire service (and maybe inspiring a few future firefighters along the way!). 🚒🔥

​Thank you to everyone at Shady Grove Elementary and PTO for having us, we had an absolute blast!

10/06/2026

That beautiful fall display outside the firehouse didn’t just appear out of nowhere, it was lovingly purchased, planted, and staged by two incredible volunteers.

​THANK YOU to Mary and Ronnie! 🙌

✨ ​Your dedication, devotion, and heart for this firehouse, the firefighters inside, and the community we serve never goes unnoticed. It’s the quiet acts of care like yours that make this community feel like home. 🌾🍁🎃

​If you happen to drive by and see the beautiful fall planters thank our volunteers by commenting below! 👇

10/03/2026

Thank you! Fall BBQ is completely out!

10/03/2026

Fall BBQ is off to a great start! It is selling fast! Come get it while it lasts!

10/03/2026

The low-and-slow wood smoke has been doing its magic all night, and the meat is officially ready to pull. If you’ve been thinking about BBQ all week, this is your sign.

​👇 Tag someone who needs a BBQ fix today!

10/03/2026

Today is the day! The BBQ is Ready!

It’s a Drive-Thru Only affair! We’ve streamlined the process at Station 12-2 to get you your BBQ fast and safely. Pull in, order from your car, and our friendly volunteers will load up your pounds of BBQ, slaw, and buns. So easy, so fast, so good! We can’t wait to see you (through your window!). 👋