ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. — Changes could come to some fire services in Rockingham County. The county said two volunteer fire departments are planning to merge.
WFMY News 2's Nixon Norman learned why, and got reaction from one of the chiefs.
Brandon Price said he was recently relived of his duty's as Jacob's Creek Volunteer Fire Chief. He was tasked with telling the rest of his crew the news before things changed Monday.
"I don't feel like the firefighters were given a voice in any part of the process. They might have been a little more okay with the sudden change, if it hadn't have been quite so sudden," Price said.
Huntsville's Volunteer Fire Chief decline to interview. His department is a part of the merge and will help respond to calls within the Jacob's Creek district.
Rockingham County Commissioner Mark Richardson said this change is in the works, "the two fire departments by mutual agreement are planning on merging."
Price said Jacob's Creek Fire Fighters were asked to turn in their gear and given the option to apply with Huntsville.
"The only members of Jacob's Creek Fire Department that are running calls, would be a member that has put in an application with Huntsville Fire Department, and they have been accepted," Price said.
Now, Huntsville Fire Fighters living closest to Jacob's Creek Fire Department will respond to calls in the Jacob's Creek district, something Price is concerned about.
'It is quite a ways from that fire department to this fire department, so, if they did not have somebody here it would take quite a while for somebody to get a truck out of the station," Price said.
The county is reassuring the public that fire response will be unaffected by these changes.
"The fire departments have always supplied the closest personnel and they collaborate on an ongoing basis," Richardson said.
While Price is concerned, he acknowledges there may not be much of a difference in response times.
"There may not be huge differences as long as those members that they do have within the district are actually available to run those calls," Price said.
Commissioner Richardson said the next step, at the request of the fire departments, is for commissioners to conduct a public hearing so citizens can voice their opinions and concerns.
“I encourage every person that is in the tax district, that owns property, to show up and have your voice heard and vote,” Price said.
The public hearing and vote could take place late January or early February.