Pender County commissioners vote on replacing Shiloh-Columbia Volunteer Fire Department with new fire district

BURGAW, NC (WECT) – Pender County Commissioners were scheduled to vote at their meeting Monday night on whether to replace the Shiloh-Columbia Volunteer Fire Department with a new fire district.

Pender County has filed suit against the Shiloh Volunteer Fire Department, claiming firefighters are not properly trained and fire trucks are substandard.

The commissioners, however, tabled the decision.

People who spoke at the meeting's public hearing say they're glad Pender County commissioners are taking more time to make a decision.

Many people living in the Shiloh-Columbia area say their biggest problem with the entire resolution is that they have been left out of the conversation.

“I don’t understand everything that happened. This was done in a very underhanded and offside way,” said one person who spoke during public comment.

The new fire district would be staffed by volunteers from the Penderlea Volunteer Fire Department. But some people are proud of the station they have always known.

“I don’t know where it says that Penderlea is more capable of taking over this neighborhood when there are other neighborhoods that are up to them,” another neighbor said.

People are also worried they might be forgotten in an emergency.

“We haven't had a lot of major fires, but it could have been the other way around. And when you have this problem and you go to sleep at night, I'm really worried about what will happen if something happens,” one person said during public comment.

Other people say because the Shiloh department is currently not functioning, a new fire department is needed.

“We’re glad this is coming to an end because we need this fire department to be operational at all times.”

Pender County Fire Commissioner Amy Burton responded to concerns raised during public comments Monday evening.

“Fire coverage continues and will not stop. We just have to figure out what type of truck is going to come out,” Burton said.

Burton says it's even possible that volunteers from the Shiloh department will come and help the new fire district.

She and residents say they are happy the decision was postponed.

“One thing that excites me is that they didn't make the decision today, which at least lets me know that we were heard and that they will consider it,” said Richard Newkirk, who served on the Shiloh-Columbia board of directors. Volunteer Firefighters since 2010

“Time is always a good thing, I understand why they tabled it and I’m OK with that. I will maintain the same belief that I have now and in two weeks,” Burton said.

The resolution having been tabled, they will return to the vote at their next meeting, on June 17.

Burton wants residents to know they are still protected. In the event of a fire, volunteers from surrounding fire departments will respond.

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