Shiloh-Columbia Volunteer Fire Department lawsuit continues

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A local volunteer fire department is facing a lawsuit for allegedly not providing necessary equipment to protect homeowners and businesses in its coverage area. 

Pender County Fire Marshal, Amy Burton, said safety is the ultimate concern here. 

The lawsuit was filed against Shiloh-Columbia Volunteer Fire Department in Willard.  

“This is an issue that needs to be resolved in the area of Shiloh-Columbia Fire district,” Burton said. 

The lawsuit states the department lacks properly trained staff and working equipment. Because of that, Burton said the department cannot effectively respond to fires and that poses a risk to citizens in their coverage area.  

Burton said the problems within the Shiloh-Columbia fire district have been on their radar for some time now. 

“As a fire marshal it’s my job to go in and investigate and bring those discoveries before the board of commissioners,” Burton said. 

She said the safety of the public is ultimately the reason she and the county decided to take this action.  

“That’s the up most importance of all of this – is to make sure that no one, not even members of Shiloh Columbia Fire Department, is in danger or will be in danger,” Burton said. 

Burton said this is not a county-wide issue and that there are standards to be upheld by all districts. For now, Burton said residents living in the Shiloh-Columbia area will get fire coverage from neighboring departments. 

Those departments include the Town of Atkinson Fire Department, Penderlea Volunteer Fire Department, as well as coverage from Pender Fire and EMS.