DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) -- More resources and better response times are what the Gumtree Fire Department and Midway Fire Department are saying will be the benefits of the two departments becoming one.
Davidson County Fire Marshal Danny Ward says volunteering is down across the county. The
MFD and GFD are feeling the impacts.
On Thursday morning, the fire marshal, along with both departments, will be proposing the merger to the county commissioners.
They both say not much will change. The two fire departments have already been collaborating for years. The merger would permit them to share resources.
Since 2017, the GFD and MFD have been training together and responding to the same calls.
“We’ve been answering calls. We’ve actually added them to all of our responses,” MFD Fire Chief Michael Craft said.
Now, the department chiefs are asking for approval to merge. If approved, they will operate out of both buildings under the direction of the MFD fire chief.
Craft says response times in Gumtree will get better by sharing full-time and part-time workers because right now, Gumtree is running off volunteers.
“They have volunteers ... There may be someone working. There may not be somebody working over here, so it will be a faster response time over there,” Craft said.
The line separating the two fire districts will be dissolved by creating one district, which will impact the wallets of taxpayers.
Ward is going to request the county commissioners hold a public hearing on June 9.
“Once this service district merger or consolidation is approved, each of the property owners within the new consolidated district will pay an even rate,” Ward said.
That even rate in Midway is 13 cents right now. This means Gumtree taxes will increase a quarter of a cent for taxpayers in Gumtree to make it even.
The plan is to add full-time workers so someone is always available to answer a call in Gumtree.
“Our intentions are we’re going to put a paid employee in that building that’s not going to go away. We’re hoping to keep two there but one at least full-time and a part-time in that building 24/7,” Craft said.
If the proposal is approved, the departments will officially merge on July 1. ...read more read less
