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Our Mission
To provide prompt, skillful, and cost-effective protection to life, property, and the environment.

Our Vision
To become a professional model of an innovative, all-hazards response organization.
News and Upcoming Events
Are Fireworks Legal for North Carolina?
It is our hope that the following information helps to guide you in the best decision regarding the use of fireworks. We do want each of our citizens to be able to celebrate the coming holiday safely. Remember, according to the City Ordinance 97.05 (B): It shall be unlawful for any person to carry or to explode any explosive device, to include fireworks, sparklers, smoke bombs, firecrackers, roman candles, etc., in any park unless written authority is given by the Parks and Recreation Director.
FAQ about Fireworks in NC.
What fireworks are legal to use in North Carolina?
Fireworks that are legal in North Carolina include poppers, sparklers, fountains and other novelty items that don’t explode, spin, leave the ground or fly through the air.
What fireworks are illegal to use in North Carolina?
Fireworks that are illegal in North Carolina include firecrackers, ones that spin on the ground, roman candles, bottle rockets, or any aerial fireworks. Essentially, any firework that leaves the ground is not legal in North Carolina.
What are the penalties for using fireworks illegally in North Carolina?
Violators of the state’s fireworks law face a misdemeanor charge that is punishable by a fine up to $500 and or imprisonment of up to six months.
The following information includes the NC General Statute 14-414. Pyrotechnics defined; exceptions.
For the proper construction of the provisions of this Article, “pyrotechnics,” as is herein used, shall be deemed to be and include any and all kinds of fireworks and explosives, which are used for exhibitions or amusement purposes: provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall prevent the manufacture, purchase, sale, transportation, and use of explosives or signaling flares used in the course of ordinary business or industry, or shells or cartridges used as ammunition in firearms. This Article shall not apply to the sale, use, or possession of the following:
(1) Explosive caps designed to be fired in toy pistols, provided that the explosive mixture of the explosive caps shall not exceed twenty-five hundredths (.25) of a gram for each cap.
(2) Snake and glow worms composed of pressed pellets of a pyrotechnic mixture that produce a large, snake-like ash when burning.
(3) Smoke devices consisting of a tube or sphere containing a pyrotechnic mixture that produces white or colored smoke.
(4) Trick noisemakers which produce a small report designed to surprise the user and which include:
- A party popper, which is a small plastic or paper item containing not in excess of 16 milligrams of explosive mixture. A string protruding from the device is pulled to ignite the device, expelling paper streamers and producing a small report.
- A string popper, which is a small tube containing not in excess of 16 milligrams of explosive mixture with string protruding from both ends. The strings are pulled to ignite the friction-sensitive mixture, producing a small report.
- A snapper or drop pop, which is a small, paper-wrapped item containing no more than 16 milligrams of explosive mixture coated on small bits of sand. When dropped, the device produces a small report.
(5) Wire sparklers consisting of wire or stick coated with nonexplosive pyrotechnic mixture that produces a shower of sparks upon ignition. These items must not exceed 100 grams of mixture per item.
(6) Other sparkling devices which emit showers of sparks and sometimes a whistling or crackling effect when burning, do not detonate or explode, do not spin, are hand-held or ground-based, cannot propel themselves through the air, and contain not more than 75 grams of chemical compound per tube, or not more than a total of 200 grams if multiple tubes are used. (1947, c. 210, s. 5; 1955, c. 674, s. 1; 1993, c. 437.)
Ron Stempien named New Fire Chief
The City of Goldsboro has selected Ron Stempien as the new chief of the Goldsboro Fire Department. Stempien’s start date is June 30. His salary will be $92,000.
Stempien was selected after a broad search for candidates that yielded 51 applicants. City Manager Tim Salmon and Human Resources Director Bernadette Dove narrowed the pool of applications and sent their top 12 to Developmental Associates, a professional talent identification consultant, which further narrowed the field to five.
“Our top five candidates went through a rigorous selection process involving subject matter experts and fire chiefs from communities across the state of North Carolina, and Ron came out on top,” Salmon said. “I look forward to what he will do for our firefighters and the City of Goldsboro.”
Stempien currently serves as Assistant Chief of Support Services for the Goldsboro Fire Department, where he has worked for the last 25 years. Stempien began his career with GFD as a firefighter in 1996. He was promoted to fire engineer in 1998, fire captain in 2004, and assistant chief in 2019. In addition, Stempien has served as an emergency services instructor since 2005. Prior to joining the Goldsboro Fire Department, Stempien served for four years in the United States Air Force as a fire protection specialist.
“I am humbled for the opportunity to serve as the next fire chief of Goldsboro. I look forward to continuing to work with the employees of the Goldsboro Fire Department and the citizens to embody the mission, vision and values of the City of Goldsboro,” Stempien said.
Stempien, a Detroit, Mich. native, holds an associate’s degree in Emergency Preparedness from Nash Community College and will receive his bachelor’s degree in Public and Non-Profit Administration in December 2021 from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Stempien holds numerous specialized fire-related certifications, has received an array of awards during his military and firefighting career, and he is active in several associations.
Lieutenant Shackelford Retires
Thurman Shackelford retired June 1st as a Fire Lieutenant with the Goldsboro Fire Department with over 8 years of service.
1919 Motorcycle Fundraiser
Join us on Saturday, June 5th for our 1919 LaFrance Run: Motorcycle Fundraiser. Registration begins at 10am at 200 S Center St (The Hub), and kickstands up at noon. Registration is $20 per bike and $10 per passenger. For more information, contact Chief Underwood at 919-580-4264.
Car Seat Checks Return
We are resuming our car seat checks with Partnership for Children of Wayne County. Join us every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, beginning June 2nd, for car seat checks by a certified CPS Technician. This community event is FREE for all.
Chief Joseph Dixon Resigns
Chief Joseph Dixon resigned March 12, 2021 to pursue another opportunity in Gainesville, FL. The interim Fire Chief is James Farfour, who will take over the Office of the Fire Chief until a permanent decision is made by the City Manager.
Are Fireworks Legal for North Carolina?
It is our hope that the following information helps to guide you in the best decision regarding the use of fireworks. We do want each of our citizens to be able to celebrate the coming holiday safely. Remember, according to the City Ordinance 97.05 (B): It shall be unlawful for any person to carry or to explode any explosive device, to include fireworks, sparklers, smoke bombs, firecrackers, roman candles, etc., in any park unless written authority is given by the Parks and Recreation Director.
FAQ about Fireworks in NC.
What fireworks are legal to use in North Carolina?
Fireworks that are legal in North Carolina include poppers, sparklers, fountains and other novelty items that don’t explode, spin, leave the ground or fly through the air.
What fireworks are illegal to use in North Carolina?
Fireworks that are illegal in North Carolina include firecrackers, ones that spin on the ground, roman candles, bottle rockets, or any aerial fireworks. Essentially, any firework that leaves the ground is not legal in North Carolina.
What are the penalties for using fireworks illegally in North Carolina?
Violators of the state’s fireworks law face a misdemeanor charge that is punishable by a fine up to $500 and or imprisonment of up to six months.
The following information includes the NC General Statute 14-414. Pyrotechnics defined; exceptions.
For the proper construction of the provisions of this Article, “pyrotechnics,” as is herein used, shall be deemed to be and include any and all kinds of fireworks and explosives, which are used for exhibitions or amusement purposes: provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall prevent the manufacture, purchase, sale, transportation, and use of explosives or signaling flares used in the course of ordinary business or industry, or shells or cartridges used as ammunition in firearms. This Article shall not apply to the sale, use, or possession of the following:
(1) Explosive caps designed to be fired in toy pistols, provided that the explosive mixture of the explosive caps shall not exceed twenty-five hundredths (.25) of a gram for each cap.
(2) Snake and glow worms composed of pressed pellets of a pyrotechnic mixture that produce a large, snake-like ash when burning.
(3) Smoke devices consisting of a tube or sphere containing a pyrotechnic mixture that produces white or colored smoke.
(4) Trick noisemakers which produce a small report designed to surprise the user and which include:
- A party popper, which is a small plastic or paper item containing not in excess of 16 milligrams of explosive mixture. A string protruding from the device is pulled to ignite the device, expelling paper streamers and producing a small report.
- A string popper, which is a small tube containing not in excess of 16 milligrams of explosive mixture with string protruding from both ends. The strings are pulled to ignite the friction-sensitive mixture, producing a small report.
- A snapper or drop pop, which is a small, paper-wrapped item containing no more than 16 milligrams of explosive mixture coated on small bits of sand. When dropped, the device produces a small report.
(5) Wire sparklers consisting of wire or stick coated with nonexplosive pyrotechnic mixture that produces a shower of sparks upon ignition. These items must not exceed 100 grams of mixture per item.
(6) Other sparkling devices which emit showers of sparks and sometimes a whistling or crackling effect when burning, do not detonate or explode, do not spin, are hand-held or ground-based, cannot propel themselves through the air, and contain not more than 75 grams of chemical compound per tube, or not more than a total of 200 grams if multiple tubes are used. (1947, c. 210, s. 5; 1955, c. 674, s. 1; 1993, c. 437.)
Ron Stempien named New Fire Chief
The City of Goldsboro has selected Ron Stempien as the new chief of the Goldsboro Fire Department. Stempien’s start date is June 30. His salary will be $92,000.
Stempien was selected after a broad search for candidates that yielded 51 applicants. City Manager Tim Salmon and Human Resources Director Bernadette Dove narrowed the pool of applications and sent their top 12 to Developmental Associates, a professional talent identification consultant, which further narrowed the field to five.
“Our top five candidates went through a rigorous selection process involving subject matter experts and fire chiefs from communities across the state of North Carolina, and Ron came out on top,” Salmon said. “I look forward to what he will do for our firefighters and the City of Goldsboro.”
Stempien currently serves as Assistant Chief of Support Services for the Goldsboro Fire Department, where he has worked for the last 25 years. Stempien began his career with GFD as a firefighter in 1996. He was promoted to fire engineer in 1998, fire captain in 2004, and assistant chief in 2019. In addition, Stempien has served as an emergency services instructor since 2005. Prior to joining the Goldsboro Fire Department, Stempien served for four years in the United States Air Force as a fire protection specialist.
“I am humbled for the opportunity to serve as the next fire chief of Goldsboro. I look forward to continuing to work with the employees of the Goldsboro Fire Department and the citizens to embody the mission, vision and values of the City of Goldsboro,” Stempien said.
Stempien, a Detroit, Mich. native, holds an associate’s degree in Emergency Preparedness from Nash Community College and will receive his bachelor’s degree in Public and Non-Profit Administration in December 2021 from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Stempien holds numerous specialized fire-related certifications, has received an array of awards during his military and firefighting career, and he is active in several associations.
Lieutenant Shackelford Retires
Thurman Shackelford retired June 1st as a Fire Lieutenant with the Goldsboro Fire Department with over 8 years of service.
1919 Motorcycle Fundraiser
Join us on Saturday, June 5th for our 1919 LaFrance Run: Motorcycle Fundraiser. Registration begins at 10am at 200 S Center St (The Hub), and kickstands up at noon. Registration is $20 per bike and $10 per passenger. For more information, contact Chief Underwood at 919-580-4264.
Car Seat Checks Return
We are resuming our car seat checks with Partnership for Children of Wayne County. Join us every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, beginning June 2nd, for car seat checks by a certified CPS Technician. This community event is FREE for all.
Chief Joseph Dixon Resigns
Chief Joseph Dixon resigned March 12, 2021 to pursue another opportunity in Gainesville, FL. The interim Fire Chief is James Farfour, who will take over the Office of the Fire Chief until a permanent decision is made by the City Manager.