All sides of the current debate over county fire protection should be able to agree on one thing: the end goal is to provide the county with the best services with the resources that are available.
Resources include money, of course, as well as equipment like fire trucks and the people needed to work – either paid staff or volunteers – at the 10 departments that cover the whole county.
What is at the center of the debate, however, is which path to take to arrive at that goal.
The county’s Public Safety Committee has presented a plan to the full board of commissioners set to be reviewed on Wednesday, June 14, as part of the budget approval process.
At stake, it seems, is the future of the Vance County Fire Department/Golden Belt: Will it continue to be the only independent fire department or will commissioners adopt the committee’s proposal to have it be staffed with paid staff and volunteers, like the other nine fire departments that serve the county?
Commissioner Dan Brummitt insists that the Golden Belt district will not be dismantled; rather, it simply will add volunteers to existing paid staff. The staff would be reduced by attrition – positions would not be filled when people retire, resign or otherwise leave their jobs.
The proposal includes having four departments respond to structure fires, a move that Brummitt said would help departments that may not have a full complement of firefighters during all shifts.
“The avenue that this committee and board are approaching is being reactive instead of proactive,” said Chris Wright, chief of the Vance County Fire Department. Wright also serves as the county’s fire marshal.
And there is little support among the volunteer departments for the committee’s proposal. Many of them submitted written statements to the county to express their opinions, wishes and needs.
Cokesbury Volunteer Fire Chief Adam Pegram said his department is not in favor of the restructure plan. The commissioners’ decision to allocate part-time positions for all volunteer fire departments has had a positive impact on the county’s ability to provide fire services, Pegram noted in a letter submitted to the county. He and his team “would like to see an increase of personnel to build on to the Fire Service instead of taking away from the force that’s already in action. I believe we should take the recommendations of the County Administration to look at increasing part-time funding in an effort to increase personnel to add to, versus stretching it thinner and keeping the allotted funding and increasing the pay rate of hourly staff,” he stated. He favors a longer-range plan over 5-10 years to ease into 24-hour staffing while maintaining the current county fire department as it is.
“The Vance County Fire Department is a big supporter for all other departments in many ways and delivers great support to all volunteers,” Pegram said.
The Bearpond Rural Fire Department’s board of directors weighed in and, instead of coming down on one side or the other, offered a series of ideas for the commissioners to consider, including paying part-time staff $17/hr. to be competitive with surrounding counties and increasing the $100,000 county allotment to help with equipment expenses.
“Our department has taken the burden of purchasing a ladder truck to better serve our industry and community and to lower our ISO rating at the time of the next inspection. We have more industries in our district than any other department,” the letter stated. Bearpond is the busiest department in the county, which translates to higher fuel costs, maintenance and upkeep. And if more firefighters complete more shifts, costs for utilities and more will increase as well.
If the county decides to place county personnel at Bearpond, “they must fall under Bearpond Rural Fire Department’s personnel policy and shall answer to the Chief and Assistant Chief.”
Powell Wilkins is the chief of Epsom Fire and Rescue and said he and his team are not in favor of the restructure plan, but do advocate for the $17/hr pay rate. They also like the idea of increasing staff at Hicksboro and Bearpond to attain 24/5 coverage. Wilkins stated that a long-range plan should be drafted to support the growth and work toward giving each county department 24/5 coverage.
Chad Blake, chief at Hicksboro, said his department wants more funding for the Thomas Road substation, which Blake said they’ve been asking for since 2009. So far, they have gotten a single $10,000 allotment. The Satterwhite Road substation, meanwhile, receives $33,000.
“We would like to request the same figure as them because we see it as the same. They are both substations and insurance rates will triple if they were not there,” he noted
Blake said the four-department response may be something that could work within the county. “This would be a start and then each year (we) build off of it.”
The firefighters at Drewry are “adamantly opposed” to the restructure plan, according to the letter they submitted to commissioners and said it is “clearly detrimental to the citizens of Vance County due to the lack of emergency responders that would be dispatched to assist at any given time.”
What they would support, said Chief Charles Holtzman, is a plan that would put in place 24-hour staffing in all volunteer departments and leaving the Vance County Fire Department as it is.
According to the letter from Drewry, a committee formed in August 2020 was given the task to develop a strategic plan for the departments. Having part-time staff in all departments was one item within that plan, and “it is time to continue moving forward with staffing our volunteer departments with 24-hour staffing. The safety of our community and the citizens and residents of Vance County will always be a top priority for the Drewry Volunteer Fire Department and we sincerely hope that the Board of Vance County Commissioners will strongly consider the information we have provided regarding our position with respect to the restructuring of the Vance County Fire Department.”
The 28 members of the Watkins Volunteer Fire Department along with its board of directors are not in favor of the proposed re-structure, stating that it would “severely disrupt” services and would make community members and visitor vulnerable. “We feel strongly that such drastic changes should be phased in over time and until the phase in is complete, the Vance County Fire Department should continue to operate and provide services” as it has for many years.
They advocated for a $17/hr. pay rate for part-timers and an increase in the $100,000 allotment from the county.
Watkins Chief Brian Clayton and Board President Joel Harris signed the letter to commissioners, which also included a suggestion that more a than one representative from the Vance County fire service should have a seat on the Fire Commission as well as on the Public Safety Committee
“We believe that the process of putting paid staff in the stations should continue as was started in 2012. During this time two departments were strategically picked to house personnel from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Several years later in 2019 all the departments were approved to have the same amount of staffing. To continue this trend with the goal of 24/7 staffing we believe that the next phase should be 24/7 people in two selected departments while maintaining the integrity of the Vance County Fire Department until ALL stations have 24/7 staffing. The remaining stations will receive 24/7 staffing over the next 10 years. “
In Kittrell, Chief Tony Dement said there is a need for updated living quarters, a kitchen remodel and a dedicated training room. The paid staff need a place that is apart from the common dayroom space.
That’s just for the employees – Dement said his department needs additional equipment, including an engine, a brush truck, pagers, a tanker and more to “give my citizens the coverage they need.”
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TownTalk: Discussion Continues On County Budget And Fire Services
/by Laura GabelAll sides of the current debate over county fire protection should be able to agree on one thing: the end goal is to provide the county with the best services with the resources that are available.
Resources include money, of course, as well as equipment like fire trucks and the people needed to work – either paid staff or volunteers – at the 10 departments that cover the whole county.
What is at the center of the debate, however, is which path to take to arrive at that goal.
The county’s Public Safety Committee has presented a plan to the full board of commissioners set to be reviewed on Wednesday, June 14, as part of the budget approval process.
At stake, it seems, is the future of the Vance County Fire Department/Golden Belt: Will it continue to be the only independent fire department or will commissioners adopt the committee’s proposal to have it be staffed with paid staff and volunteers, like the other nine fire departments that serve the county?
Commissioner Dan Brummitt insists that the Golden Belt district will not be dismantled; rather, it simply will add volunteers to existing paid staff. The staff would be reduced by attrition – positions would not be filled when people retire, resign or otherwise leave their jobs.
The proposal includes having four departments respond to structure fires, a move that Brummitt said would help departments that may not have a full complement of firefighters during all shifts.
“The avenue that this committee and board are approaching is being reactive instead of proactive,” said Chris Wright, chief of the Vance County Fire Department. Wright also serves as the county’s fire marshal.
And there is little support among the volunteer departments for the committee’s proposal. Many of them submitted written statements to the county to express their opinions, wishes and needs.
Cokesbury Volunteer Fire Chief Adam Pegram said his department is not in favor of the restructure plan. The commissioners’ decision to allocate part-time positions for all volunteer fire departments has had a positive impact on the county’s ability to provide fire services, Pegram noted in a letter submitted to the county. He and his team “would like to see an increase of personnel to build on to the Fire Service instead of taking away from the force that’s already in action. I believe we should take the recommendations of the County Administration to look at increasing part-time funding in an effort to increase personnel to add to, versus stretching it thinner and keeping the allotted funding and increasing the pay rate of hourly staff,” he stated. He favors a longer-range plan over 5-10 years to ease into 24-hour staffing while maintaining the current county fire department as it is.
“The Vance County Fire Department is a big supporter for all other departments in many ways and delivers great support to all volunteers,” Pegram said.
The Bearpond Rural Fire Department’s board of directors weighed in and, instead of coming down on one side or the other, offered a series of ideas for the commissioners to consider, including paying part-time staff $17/hr. to be competitive with surrounding counties and increasing the $100,000 county allotment to help with equipment expenses.
“Our department has taken the burden of purchasing a ladder truck to better serve our industry and community and to lower our ISO rating at the time of the next inspection. We have more industries in our district than any other department,” the letter stated. Bearpond is the busiest department in the county, which translates to higher fuel costs, maintenance and upkeep. And if more firefighters complete more shifts, costs for utilities and more will increase as well.
If the county decides to place county personnel at Bearpond, “they must fall under Bearpond Rural Fire Department’s personnel policy and shall answer to the Chief and Assistant Chief.”
Powell Wilkins is the chief of Epsom Fire and Rescue and said he and his team are not in favor of the restructure plan, but do advocate for the $17/hr pay rate. They also like the idea of increasing staff at Hicksboro and Bearpond to attain 24/5 coverage. Wilkins stated that a long-range plan should be drafted to support the growth and work toward giving each county department 24/5 coverage.
Chad Blake, chief at Hicksboro, said his department wants more funding for the Thomas Road substation, which Blake said they’ve been asking for since 2009. So far, they have gotten a single $10,000 allotment. The Satterwhite Road substation, meanwhile, receives $33,000.
“We would like to request the same figure as them because we see it as the same. They are both substations and insurance rates will triple if they were not there,” he noted
Blake said the four-department response may be something that could work within the county. “This would be a start and then each year (we) build off of it.”
The firefighters at Drewry are “adamantly opposed” to the restructure plan, according to the letter they submitted to commissioners and said it is “clearly detrimental to the citizens of Vance County due to the lack of emergency responders that would be dispatched to assist at any given time.”
What they would support, said Chief Charles Holtzman, is a plan that would put in place 24-hour staffing in all volunteer departments and leaving the Vance County Fire Department as it is.
According to the letter from Drewry, a committee formed in August 2020 was given the task to develop a strategic plan for the departments. Having part-time staff in all departments was one item within that plan, and “it is time to continue moving forward with staffing our volunteer departments with 24-hour staffing. The safety of our community and the citizens and residents of Vance County will always be a top priority for the Drewry Volunteer Fire Department and we sincerely hope that the Board of Vance County Commissioners will strongly consider the information we have provided regarding our position with respect to the restructuring of the Vance County Fire Department.”
The 28 members of the Watkins Volunteer Fire Department along with its board of directors are not in favor of the proposed re-structure, stating that it would “severely disrupt” services and would make community members and visitor vulnerable. “We feel strongly that such drastic changes should be phased in over time and until the phase in is complete, the Vance County Fire Department should continue to operate and provide services” as it has for many years.
They advocated for a $17/hr. pay rate for part-timers and an increase in the $100,000 allotment from the county.
Watkins Chief Brian Clayton and Board President Joel Harris signed the letter to commissioners, which also included a suggestion that more a than one representative from the Vance County fire service should have a seat on the Fire Commission as well as on the Public Safety Committee
“We believe that the process of putting paid staff in the stations should continue as was started in 2012. During this time two departments were strategically picked to house personnel from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Several years later in 2019 all the departments were approved to have the same amount of staffing. To continue this trend with the goal of 24/7 staffing we believe that the next phase should be 24/7 people in two selected departments while maintaining the integrity of the Vance County Fire Department until ALL stations have 24/7 staffing. The remaining stations will receive 24/7 staffing over the next 10 years. “
In Kittrell, Chief Tony Dement said there is a need for updated living quarters, a kitchen remodel and a dedicated training room. The paid staff need a place that is apart from the common dayroom space.
That’s just for the employees – Dement said his department needs additional equipment, including an engine, a brush truck, pagers, a tanker and more to “give my citizens the coverage they need.”
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 06-12-23 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Spotted Lanternfly
/by Bill HarrisListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
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Repair Café Coming To Oxford June 24
/by WIZS StaffLet’s face it: we’ve probably all got some item in our homes that just doesn’t work like it used to – it’s broken, but it’s not SO broken that you’re ready to throw it away.
Mark June 24 on your calendar and bring that item to the Repair Café workshop in Oxford.
Repair Café is bringing its free workshop to Oxford United Methodist Church from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 24, according to Don Fick, a resident of Oxford who is organizing the event.
The idea is simple: Individuals bring common household items and receive repair assistance from volunteer coaches. Items commonly seen at Repair Café are lamps, tabletop appliances, furniture, toys and jewelry. A wide variety of tools and talented repair coaches are on-hand to demonstrate repair techniques in collaboration with item owners. With only basic repair parts and no assistance from manufacturers, Repair Cafés typically see 65 percent of items go home fully repaired.
“As we emerge from the challenges of the pandemic, people are recognizing that basic repair skills are essential to building resilience, saving money, and conserving natural resources,” Fick said.
The global repair movement has embraced the Repair Café concept of community members freely helping their neighbors learn to repair and maintain common household items, extending their useful life, and reducing the burden of unnecessary consumption and waste. Recent appearances on NBC’s Today, NPR’s Weekend Edition, and the New York Times’ Wirecutter are raising awareness of the work being done in communities large and small across the US and around the world.
Online registration is recommended at https://www.repaircafenc.org/events/oxford-june24. Walk-ins are always welcome. Interested guests and prospective volunteers are encouraged to contact the organizers with any questions by email (repaircafenc@gmail.com).
Oxford United Methodist Church is located at 105 W McClanahan St.
See the full list of upcoming events at https://www.repaircafenc.org/upcoming-events.
Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging Helping Sponsor Walk Against Elder Abuse
/by WIZS StaffIn observance of international Elder Abuse awareness & prevention day, several local and regional agencies are partnering to sponsor a walk in Creedmoor on June 15 to show support for the safety of senior adults everywhere.
This annual observance occurs between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and helps to focus on the particular needs and issues surrounding care for the elderly.
The motto for the international observance is “Don’t stand for elder abuse.” And Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging invites the community to come out and walk – not stand around – to observe this important day.
The walk will be held at the Creedmoor Community Center, 108 E. Wilton Ave. in Creedmoor, and there will be free t-shirts, refreshments and more for all participants.
Everyone is asked to wear purple and silver to show the world you care about ending elder abuse and neglect. Don’t want to stop at a t-shirt or sneakers? You can also decorate your vehicle, organizers said.
Prizes will be awarded to the three participants that best display their support for elder abuse awareness and prevention.
To learn more, contact any of the partnering agencies listed below:
Franklin County Commissioners Approved FY24 Budget
/by WIZS Staff— Information courtesy of Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks
Franklin County Schools is a big winner in the newly adopted 2023-24 budget, getting an additional $2.6 million from the draft originally presented to the board of commissioners for a total amount of more than $25 million.
This figure represents the largest education budget ever funded in the county.
“Quality education is the foundation for a qualified and engaged workforce needed to support economic development,” said County Manager Kim Denton.
The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Franklin County’s FY24 Budget at the conclusion of the public hearing on Monday, June 5.
“Franklin County staff works hard every year to put together a balanced budget that will meet the County’s growth,” said Denton. “The county is committed to be a ‘Fiscally Strong and Engaged Government’ as stated in the County’s Mission, Vision, Values and Goals.”
The FY24 Adopted Budget added positions specifically identified as providing direct services, funding technology solutions, providing vehicles to accomplish service delivery, maintaining competitive employee compensation and benefits and providing resources to complete infrastructure and economic expansion projects.
The budget includes increased support for public safety including four new positions, 10 new vehicles for the Patrol Division, and salary adjustments in the Sheriff’s Office, Detention Center and Emergency Communications. Additionally, a new position within the Emergency Medical Services Department (EMS) and the purchase of an ambulance were also included in the budget. EMS will use the new position and four reassigned positions to establish a second peak demand shift to respond to emergency calls during high volume times.
In addition to the historic budget allotment, the board of commissioners and board of education, along with their respective staffs, will continue discussion of school capital needs during the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Highlights from the FY24 budget include:
In addition to the 2 percent COLA, the budget also funds a Classification and Compensation Study to help the county remain competitive for pay and recruitment of county positions.
A Community Care Team was approved and funded with the National Opioid Settlement Funds received by Franklin County. The team will coordinate the county’s response to tackling substance abuse, mental health and opioid epidemic issues affecting our residents.
The County’s annual Fee Schedule was adopted by Board resolution. The complete Fee Schedule can be found on the Finance Page of the County’s website. Fire Tax rates were increased for three fire districts: White Level, Franklinton and Hopkins.
Find the complete budget here: www.franklincountync.gov – under the Finance Department page.
Vance County Appoints Interim Manager with Over 20 Years Experience
/by WIZS StaffVance County appointed D. Scott Elliott as the interim county manager. He started working on June 1, according to information received today.
Elliott recently retired as Pitt County’s manager and had more than 20 years in that county. He also serves as a senior advisor to local government managers across the state through professional organizations of the ICMA and NCCCMA.
“We are delighted to welcome Scott Elliott as our interim county manager,” said Yolanda Feimster, chair of the board of commissioners. “His extensive experience and proven leadership will be instrumental in advancing our county’s strategic objectives and meeting the needs of our residents. We have full confidence in his ability to drive operational excellence and build strong partnerships within our community.”
In his role as interim manager, Elliott will oversee the day-to-day operations of Vance County and work closely with elected officials, department heads and staff to ensure the delivery of high-quality services to residents.
Nowell Brooks Principal of Advance Academy for the 2023-2024 School Year
/by WIZS StaffVance County Schools has named Nowell Brooks as the principal of Advance Academy for the 2023-2024 school year. Brooks began his educational career as a social studies teacher in Granville County Schools in 2006 and joined Vance County Schools as an assistant principal in 2014.
Most recently, Brooks served in Franklin County Schools as an assistant principal and the director of Alternative Programs. While there, he also served as an interim principal and Summer Learning principal. As he begins his 17th year in public education, Brooks said “I have high aspirations to lead while providing strategic paths for the development of students’ academic, social and emotional needs.”
Brooks received his undergraduate degree from N.C. Central University and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University. Brooks lives in Henderson with wife Stephanie and will begin his new position effective July 1.
June Blood Drives in Henderson and Oxford
/by WIZS StaffThere’s just no way to say it any plainer: The American Red Cross needs donors to sign up and give blood. The need is great and ever growing.
June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, a day that focuses on raising awareness of the need for a safe, diverse and stable blood supply. This simply is not possible without blood donors.
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion.
The Red Cross collected 26,000 FEWER blood donations than it needed last month alone to meet patients’ needs. Platelets are especially needed at this time.
Please take a moment to find a donation site in your area and sign up to give the gift of life.
In thanks for taking time to help, all who come to give blood, platelets or plasma June 1-30 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a merchant of their choice. Those who come to give throughout June will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a backyard theater package. Details for both offers can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/June.
Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS 1.800.733.2767 to schedule a time to give now.
Upcoming drives are listed below:
Oxford
6/16/2023: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Oxford United Methodist Church, 105 W. McClanahan St.
Henderson
6/23/2023: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Maria Parham Health, 566 Ruin Creek Rd.
6/29/2023: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Kerr Lake Country Club, 600 Hedrick Rd.
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 06-09-23 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM