Union Rescue Squad halts service awaiting county contract

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A rescue squad in Pender County has announced it won’t be able to respond to EMS calls this week. 

Starting Tuesday, July 29 through August 4, Union Rescue Squad won’t be able to respond to emergency calls. 

That’s due to a contract agreement with the county that begins on August 4. 

Until then—at the direction of Pender EMS and Fire—the rescue squad won’t be able to legally provide medical services. 

Chief Diane Giddeons says she feels blindsided and wasn’t notified Pender EMS and Fire until Tuesday morning. 

“If there’s cardiac arrest across from my station today, I can’t go, my crew can’t go, my people can’t go,” she said. “We’re going to keep people at the station just to keep the doors open but we can’t legally go. Though, we’ve got certified people and certified equipment.” 

Once the contract begins next week, Giddeons says Union Rescue will be operating as an independent agency.