In the ongoing conversations among county leaders about the future of the Vance County Fire Department, many things remain unresolved. But when county commissioners approved the 2023-24 budget on June 14, a couple of issues were addressed, including raising the hourly pay for part-time firefighter to $15 from $14 and agreeing to conduct a fire study.
Following the budget adoption meeting, Interim County Manager Scott Elliott told WIZS News, “At the July 10 meeting, staff will bring forth the proposed scope of the work to be conducted by the fire study and seek board approval and for execution of a contract.”
Dozens of citizens – many of them affiliated with one of the county’s fire departments – attended a meeting of the county’s Public Safety Committee on June 7. Over the last 45 days in particular, citizens and those in the fire service have continued to express their concerns about the proposal from the committee to restructure the Vance County Fire Department.
Commissioner Dan Brummitt, a member of the committee, maintained that the fire department will not be dismantled; rather, paid staff would be reduced by attrition and more volunteers would be added to that department’s roster. The ultimate goal is to provide 24/7 fire coverage across the county, Brummitt said, but it can’t all happen at once.
With the budget in place, a hiring freeze in place, and the study coming, the board, with a great deal of county staff help, has preserved its option to act on the study, including amending the budget.
After the June 14 meeting, Finance Director Katherine Bigelow said, “What is being approved is freezing the four vacant Vance County Fire Department positions and their capital expenses consisting of turnout gear and fire boots, for example,” as she went over some items with WIZS.
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