Rockingham County Government News Release • December 11, 2024 • D. Crews, PIO
Wentworth, NC – Emergency response continues in two fire districts in Rockingham County following the implementation of a new operational agreement within two volunteer fire departments. The operational agreement states that Huntsville Fire Department “shall furnish adequate fire personnel to ensure fire protection to the Jacobs Creek Fire protection district.”
Changes among the Huntsville Fire Department and Jacobs Creek Fire Department come after challenges in recruiting volunteer firefighters, a problem that has been an ongoing issue, nationwide. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, in 1995 there were 838,000 volunteer firefighters, nationwide. In 2020, that number fell to only 670,000, a statistic that experts call a “crisis.”
In accordance to the agreement with the two departments, Huntsville Fire Department will provide personnel, operate the existing Jacobs Creek firetrucks and equipment and continue operations out of the Jacobs Creek fire station. All of the changes in personnel and operations were made among the board members of Jacobs Creek, a process that began in Spring of 2024 when Jacobs Creek notified county leadership. This was proactive approach to ensure proper fire coverage within the Jacobs Creek fire district, as a result of declining volunteers.
Rockingham County contracts with the departments to provide fire protection throughout the two districts. Although the two departments have entered into their operational agreement, there is a legal process governed by North Carolina General Statute, that must be followed by the county to complete the merger. This process includes presentations to the Board of County Commissioners, and public hearings which will begin in early 2025.
Existing members of Jacobs Creek Fire Department have been provided applications and encouraged to apply with Huntsville Fire Department. This is an essential step to ensure proper record-keeping and complete background checks of each member of the department.
As the official merger process begins in early 2025, citizens living in the two districts will be notified of dates and locations of all public hearings via mail and media. In the meantime, fire response is not diminished in any way for any citizen in the Jacobs Creek or Huntsville fire districts. These actions are proactive measures to ensure adequate fire protection for all involved.
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