The county’s Public Safety Committee and the Vance County Fire Commission have scheduled a joint meeting on Tuesday, July 29 at 4 p.m. to discuss the fire study.
The public safety committee consists of Commissioners Dan Brummitt, Valencia Perry and Board Chair Carolyn Faines.
At Monday’s regular monthly meeting, commissioners discussed the pros and cons of having a separate county rescue squad. The four-year contract extension ended on June 30, but commissioners approved a 90-day extension to allow for more discussion.
Commissioners heard from Rescue Squad Chief Doyle Carpunky about the role of the rescue squad and the specialized certifications necessary for rescue squad members to perform several different types of rescues, including high-angle and water rescues.
Vance County Fire Chief Marvin Harrison also shared information about various pieces of equipment that he’s been researching, based on a vote by commissioners at their June meeting to price and purchase the necessary rescue equipment.
Commissioner Dan Brummitt said taking the issue back to the public safety committee would allow for more in-depth conversation. He said the county shouldn’t be spending taxpayers’ money “duplicating things that we already have that we could be working together on.”
Harrison said whatever equipment is purchased would be available to any of the county’s fire departments.
“All departments should be self-sufficient in every way,” he said. Harrison is looking at an all-terrain vehicle, as well as different types of watercraft, including one that rescuers can dive from, and an inflatable craft.