Note from NHC on fire service consolidation this week

New Hanover County, NC (NEWS RELEASE) — Friday, October 1st is the day a new consolidated fire service begins operation in New Hanover County and fire officials are expecting a seamless transition. While the Myrtle Grove Volunteer Fire Station will cease operation, residents of that part of the county can be assured both volunteers and career firefighters will respond to emergencies from within the same district.

A weekend news report may have given the impression that the Myrtle Grove station is closing, thus ceasing fire and rescue response in that area. While the building may close and the volunteer corporation stops providing coverage, contingency plans call for stationing firefighters at the Myrtle Grove Library until a new fire facility can be erected in the district. New Hanover County Fire Service, already provides 24/7 coverage at all volunteer fire department locations. The county and Myrtle Grove Board of Directors are working towards a lease agreement for the October 1st transition.

Volunteer fire stations have experienced a drop in the numbers of volunteers who are available for calls. Despite the assumption that a volunteer organization providing fire service at a lower cost than a paid staff, county budget analysts say coverage will improve and costs will decrease under the new arrangement. By operating under one command structure, homeowners in the unincorporated areas of New Hanover County are projected to see savings in the county’s fire tax.