Tag Archive for: #vancecountyrescuesquad

TownTalk: Commissioners Vote 4-2 To End Funding For Vance County Rescue Squad

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The Vance County Rescue Squad, in operation since 1953 as a nonprofit organization, will not get funding from the county commissioners beyond the 3-month contract extension that ends Sept. 30. Listen to TownTalk for a more detailed analysis of what the contract termination could mean for the rescue squad and how it may operate in the future.  Plus, some attempted explanation about the investment Vance County seems to want to make.  And, what we may hear next about these matters.

(The audio file below has been edited to remove an inaccuracy from when it was originally broadcast.  A correction has also been made on air.)

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TownTalk: Commissioners Terminate Funding and Contract Relationship with “Rescue Squad”

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In a 4-2 vote, the Vance County Board of Commissioners Monday terminated funding for the Vance County Rescue Squad, effective Sept. 30, 2025.

The county did not renew the contract with the rescue squad, which expired on June 30, but commissioners agreed to a 90-day extension. That extension ends Sept. 30.

During a joint meeting last week of the county’s public safety committee and the fire commission, the discussion ramped up to include the possibility of merging the Vance County Fire Department and the Vance County Rescue Squad, a 501(c)3 organization established in 1953.

Several people spoke Monday night to commissioners in support of the rescue squad during the public comment portion of the meeting, among them, Brandon Link, president of the Vance County Firefighters Association.

County Manager C. Renee Perry told commissioners that the county has the authority to reduce or terminate funding for the rescue squad, but not to dissolve the rescue squad, which is a volunteer organization.

Commissioner Tommy Hester’s motion to terminate funding, effective Sept. 30, was seconded by Commissioner Leo Kelly.

Commissioners Dan Brummitt and Valencia Perry cast the “no” votes and Commissioners Hester, Kelly, Chair Carolyn Faines and Charisse Fain cast votes in favor of the termination. Commissioner Feimster was absent.

“I want to save taxpayers money,” Hester said. “I want to move forward. I think we’ve got the fire chief to do it,” he said.

Commissioner Perry said, “We need to slow it down,” with regard to making a decision whether to continue funding the rescue squad, which got applause from the audience.

Commissioner Kelly said it’s a matter of looking at consolidation, not trying to put anyone out of business.

“Their service is valuable,” Kelly said, referring to the Vance County Rescue Squad.

During a joint meeting last week of the Vance County Firefighter’s Association and the Vance County Commissioner Public Safety Committee, Vance County Fire Department Chief Marvin Harrison said, “Let us move forward, grounded in truth and committed to collaboration, for the good of the public we are sworn to protect.”

At that joint meeting, Manager Perry said, “I have so much confidence in the Vance County Fire Department.  If the commissioners choose to end the contract on sept. 30, I have no doubt in my mind that the Vance County citizens will be ok.“

The outcome is contrary to what the fire association said it wanted in a letter written after its mid-July meeting.  The fire association wanted the Rescue Squad funded the same as other volunteer departments in Vance County, with a contract for 2025-2028 in place.

Click Play for TownTalk Audio on 8-5-25 AFTER the Vance County Commissioners Meeting

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Click Play for TownTalk Audio on 8-4-25 BEFORE the Vance County Commissioners Meeting

UPDATE 8-4-25 BEFORE the Vance County Commissioners Meeting

Members of the Vance County Firefighter’s Association and Vance County Commissioners Public Safety Committee held a joint meeting last week to continue discussions about the future – and fate – of the Vance County Rescue Squad.

The Vance County Board of Commissioners did not renew a contract with the rescue squad, which ended on June 30. The commissioners did, however, agree to a 90-day extension. That period ends Sept. 30, 2025.

During the joint meeting, County Manager C. Renee Perry said the item would be on tonight’s agenda for the commissioners’ regular monthly meeting, which begins at 6 p.m.

Commissioner Dan Brummitt, a member of the Public Safety Committee, shared contents of a letter signed by seven members of the Vance County Firefighters Association which offered support for the rescue squad.

“The association sees the benefit of the Vance County Rescue Squad and supports that organization and their mission to protect the citizens of Vance County,” the letter states.

“The certifications, equipment, and experience of the rescue squad, serving continuously since 1953, are an asset to all fire departments and citizens in Vance County,” it continued. The letter called for the county to reinstate the three-year contract with the rescue squad for 2025-28 and that the rescue squad be fully funded in 2025-26 just like all the other departments.

Brummitt said, “These are the guys that are out in the field. These are the guys that know what they’re doing and these are the ones that put their lives on the line every day and they’re asking for the support of the rescue squad. So I can’t see how we can do anything any different.”

Back in 2023, a fire study completed by AP Triton recommended that the county consider merging or at least increasing collaboration between the Vance County Fire Department and the Vance County Rescue Squad, County Manager C. Renee Perry reminded.

If the two entities merge, Perry said the rescue squad members would have to apply for positions with the Vance County Fire Dept and be part-time personnel. She said she didn’t know how a merger would affect the rescue squad assets (equipment). The rescue squad has been in operation since 1953 and is a nonprofit organization. Its members are volunteers.

Brummitt said he would get behind creating a combination department to allow to have paid staff and volunteers, just like the county’s other fire departments.

“It would save money and would allow us to spend money in other areas of the county to offer equal protection to all of our citizens in the county,” Brummitt said.

Brummitt continued, “It would not do away with the department, it would do away with the structure of the department.”

To which Perry said, “The study did not recommend that.” It recommended that the Vance County Fire Department (Golden Belt) remain a career fire department.

Brummitt took issue with other findings in the 2023 fire study, including response times. He said some redistricting could improve call times.

Public Safety Committee, Fire Commission Plan Joint Meeting July 29 To Discuss Fire Study, Future Of Rescue Squad

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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 contract extension ended on June 30, but commissioners approved a 90-day extension to allow for more discussion before making a final decision.

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.

Carpunky spent the early moments of his presentation refuting information shared at the previous meeting about the status of rescue squads in other counties.

He talked about the extensive training involved in the rescue certification process. Members of the rescue squad do more than water rescues, but besides the City of Henderson fire department, only Watkins Volunteer Fire Department is heavy-rescue certified. More than half of the rescue squad members are fire certified, he said.

The commissioners agreed to a 90-day contract extension so allow time for the county to purchase equipment and Vance County Fire Chief Marvin Harrison shared information about various pieces of equipment that he’s been researching.

“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 water craft, including one that rescuers can dive from, and an inflatable craft. Harrison said whatever equipment is purchased would be available to any of the county’s fire departments.

Commissioner Dan Brummitt said sending 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.”

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Vance County Logo

Commissioners Approve Rescue Squad Contract, Level Funding In Budget

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The Vance County Commissioners voted Monday to approve a four-year contract extension for the county rescue squad, and County Manager Jordan McMillen said he expects the new contract – with one small change – to be signed later this month.

McMillen told WIZS News that the vote was 4-3 to approve the contract extension, but commissioners voted to remove the fifth item in the contract, which resulted in approval. The fifth item, McMillen said, was a proposed requirement to gather addresses and certifications along with the annual roster submissions. Instead, the county will get a list of active members from the Rescue Squad’s worker’s compensation listing, he explained.

“In terms of funding, the contract does not guarantee any level of funding, as that is determined each year with the budget,” McMillen explained. The commissioners approved the FY21-22 budget Monday evening, which McMillen said “includes level funding for the Rescue Squad for the coming year – this totals $100,000 in annual funding plus up to $2,775 additional to cover financial reviews and Verizon service for their mobile data terminals.”

Vance County Logo

Vance Co. Rescue Squad Announces Christmas Raffle Winners

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

On behalf of the Vance County Rescue Squad, Treasurer Mike Fisher would like to thank those who purchased raffle tickets for the Christmas Spending Spree raffle.

This year’s raffle winners are:

1st Prize – $800 – Donna Stukes

2nd Prize – $500 – Robert Maddry

3rd Prize – $300 – Rachel Daye

4th Prize – $200 – Roger Matney

Please contact the Rescue Squad at (252) 438-7360 for more information.

Town Talk: Rescue Squad Chief Carpunky Provides Water Safety Tips – 07/02/19

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

With scorching hot temperatures and the July 4th holiday upon us, many local residents are planning activities at a lake, beach or a swimming pool.

Vance County Rescue Squad Chief Doyle Carpunky was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the best ways to stay safe in and around the water this summer.

“The biggest things are to wear a life jacket, never go swimming alone and be mindful of designated swimming areas and weather conditions,” said Carpunky.

For more safety tips from the National Safety Council, click here.

To hear the interview with Carpunky in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.