Fire consolidation questions remain

NEW HANOVER COUNTY,NC (WWAY) — Commissioners will vote to consolidate fire services throughout New Hanover County. County Manager Bruce Shell says the merger would help cut down on response time, lower insurance rates, and provide firefighters with better training. The merger also means volunteers would have to join county fire services. But some volunteers say they still have no idea what their role will be.

“A lot of volunteers are still unsure of what their positions will be with the county Fire,” says Chief David Raines. “They’ve put out some preliminary things, but nothing is set in stone as to what the role of the volunteers or the officers will play in the new system.”

Commissioners say the merger won’t cost taxpayers more money, but residents and volunteers are skeptical.